Sexy Software for Business Owners

Interactive VA Ltd • 19 June 2023

In today’s world there is SO much choice out there. If you’re a new business owner, it can be daunting to even know which software is most suitable for you and which is best and where to start! And that is where a virtual assistant can come in handy!

The role of VAs has changed over the years, and more so recently. From straight forward admin - whilst essential to keep the cogs going round so that the business can function - the landscape has evolved where they are now becoming an integral part to any business of any size. The role of a VA can enhance efficiency and productivity, streamline processes, develop digital marketing plans and more. All to ensure that your business excels!

With combined years of experience across various platforms, we have pulled together a list of our best software suggestions to help guide you in making the right decision.

1. G Suite / One Drive - excellent for managing diaries and online filing. Don't forget to utilise the full capabilities of each platform such as colour coding, flagging emails, categorising appts, online filing and more. These are particularly good if you work with remote teams.

2. Xero / Quickbooks / Sage - nowadays, Xero is the frontrunner being ideal for many small business owners. It is easy, simple and seamless and is ideal for managing your bookkeeping, reconciling your bank and managing invoices, bills and receipts. Cloud based accounting offers more of a streamlined approach, giving business owners more confidence with digitalising their accounting system – no more excel spreadsheets! Here at IVA Ltd we have knowledge and experience across all three platforms.

3 . Photoshop, Illustrator and Canva - For all you creatives, we have Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator or Canva as an alternative - we have very in-depth knowledge of all three. If you’re in need of re-branding, design input, creating company assets, then outsource to our designers at IVA, we’d be happy to help!

4. Passwords! Why is it we can remember our childhood phone numbers but can't remember passwords we created only last week! We use 1Password as our preferred method to store sensitive information as it is hassle-free and is a great managing tool. The vaults in 1Passwod can be used for logins, credit card information and so much more.

5. Wix / IONOS / Squarespace - with a strong team of product designers and graphic designers, we love using these packages to create fabulous websites for our clients! Get in touch with Sophie if you’d like to find out more.

6. Asana / Pro Workflow / Monday / Notion / Trello - our team of VAs are experienced using all of these systems to help manage projects, timelines, scheduling and more. If you are feeling overwhelmed with the choice, then reach out to Sophie who can talk you through the most suitable software for you and your business.

Top Tip : don't forget, when streamlining your business, be sure to check ask the following questions when selecting the correct piece of software:

Does it integrate with other apps?
Do they offer a trial period?
Can you pull out of the contract at any time?
Is it user-friendly?
How much does it cost?
Do they offer a strong customer support service?
Does it tick as many boxes as possible and if not, is it customisable?

Or if in doubt, reach out to IVA and we can guide you with making the correct decision.

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How to future-proof your business in a digital world driven by AI

by Sophie Ryan • 26 February 2026

The real question we should be asking ourselves is: ARE YOU BUILDING THE 30% THAT AI CAN’T? This is where judgement, influence, reputation, taste and accountability show up. So what does the 30% look like? This is what matters most when we talk about future-proofing your business. We need to start, or continue, to invest in ourselves in order to stay ahead of the game. Personal Branding (PB) This is your reputation, your voice and value, that only you can bring. This makes you more memorable and trusted. Trust is your currency. In short, this is YOU. Intellectual Property (IP) These are your unique ideas, processes, creations and stories. This is your differentiator or your USP. Again, in short, this is YOU. Problem Solving Lean into the what, when, where and why. If this isn't your strength, begin to "learn to learn" to improve your problem solving skills. Remembering that AI is great at given general suggestions, but the context is what people can bring to the table. Solutions We can add that human touch by making issues relatable, we know how to read a room, for example. AI is strong with giving ideas but it can't decipher emotions, reactions and so on. Accountability By adding ownership to deliverables, this becomes invaluable, more so that any bot! Persuasion We build trust, empathy, credibility and reputation - we can tell the stories and close the deals. Use AI to generate the data, but use your influence to grow the business. Combined, these are just some of the ways that you can future-proof yourself and your business. And to remember, that just because AI can do something, it doesn't always mean it is the right thing to do. This is where being human wins hands down!