Move From A Home Office To A Professional Office

A large number of people are getting ready to start their own business and hoping to make it to the big leagues. Having a great idea or serving a real need is a great start, but eventually there will be people who hire you to do this. When first starting a business in the Los Angeles area it is common to work from home in a study or a converted space. Most home office spaces have little more than a desk, computer and filing cabinet. That’s perfectly fine in the beginning, what else do you really need?

However, once you start getting clients there will come a time when you’ll need a business setting that will impress. Now what? Do you invite your clients into your cramped “home office” and hope they don’t think that they have made a mistake, or do you rent out a space to conduct business, a real office space, with money that you don’t yet have to spare? Well don’t worry, there is a third option.

It’s become more and more common for people to use what is called a temporary office. This is a business environment where you can meet clients and present a professional atmosphere. You can rent virtual office in Beverly Hills for exactly as long as you need it and use it for those times when you’d rather meet in a conference room, instead of at some diner.

There is no need to sign a lease for a space that you may not even need to use more than once or twice a month for quite some time. You don’t have to throw your money away to get a client anymore. It is true that you have to spend money to make money, but whoever said you need to spend more than you have.

 

Afford Big Office Amentities with Virtual Offices

A prestigious address in an iconic building could be yours! Virtual offices around the world are offering a fully furnished workplace with experienced, professional staff, a world class address, reception services and even fresh, brewed coffee. Basically, all of the amenities of an upscale office space without the overhead.

Services offered by affordable virtual offices includes: office suites, team meeting rooms with flip charts and white boards, receptionist to greet clients and answer phones, mail services; package signing, mail forwarding, fully stocked cafes, fresh brewed coffee, conference room time and many more tailored amenities.

Wow your clients with panoramic views, fully stocked cafes, spot on reception and a Beverly Hills address. Provide yourself with a quiet haven from the coffee shop. Reduce your overhead by eliminating the need to lease a building, hire a full-time staff and pay utilities. A virtual office experience will have you looking forward to go into the office!

Don’t Provide Poor Customer Service to Potential Clients

No one likes to encounter bad customer service. With the dislike of bad service being unanimous, no one would provide anything but excellent service, right? Unfortunately, this is not the case. It would seem that more businesses than you think provide less than superb customer service.

If you are thinking of starting up a business of your own, you are likely wondering what you could do to avoid being labeled as having bad customer service. There are a few key things that businesses do that make their service undesirable by their customers and they may not even realize they are doing it.

The first thing that a lot of people do is answer their cellphone when they are in noisy environments. This is a big complaint from many people. If you are in a noisy area such as a mall or restaurant, don’t answer business calls. It leads to you looking unprofessional. The best way to avoid this is to get an answering service to handle all of your calls. If you do this, all of your calls can be set to be forwarded during times when you probably shouldn’t be trying to conduct business.

To go along with the whole answering the phone thing, the majority of professionals don’t usually answer the phone themselves. They normally have a secretary who does that for them or they utilize an answering service like we talked about earlier.

Another mistake that is made by a lot of people is that they set all their calls to go straight to voicemail. Nothing is more annoying than trying to get a hold of someone to inquire what may be very important information to the customer, and getting a recording prompting you to leave a message. Unless it is absolutely necessary, do not do it!

Answering services with a menu should only be used if you are the president of a monstrous company that has dozens of different departments. People don’t like having to sit through a lengthy automated service rattling off departments and numbers one after another just to get to the end and realize that it took so long that they have forgotten what they need to tell you.

Last but not least, make sure that if you do indeed go with an answering service that the recordings are clear and easy to understand. Don’t make your messages too long and whoever records the messages speaks clearly. The best test is to call the service yourself and give it a listen. Tweak it until it is perfect and remember to change messages as things in your company change in order to keep customers up to date. Follow these few tips and you should never find yourself labeled with bad customer service, unless you or your staff is rude in person, but that’s another story. Good luck with all of your future endeavors.

Workers Will Learn To Adapt To Smaller Offices

Many people do not realize this, but all across the nation the rooms that we associate with the modern business – the rooms in which the work that keeps the company up and running is done, where computers and physical files are kept and where the majority of the work force in industrialized countries are employed – are shrinking.

That is only half of the picture. This means that we are now going to have more office workers crammed into smaller offices. More individual jobs are also expected to come into existence over the next five years.

Another new and increasing tendency of managers today is to assign parts of their projects to employees while expecting them to do those parts elsewhere and/or not in the workplace, as well as an increase of “teleworking,” whereby individuals do the required work in their own places of residence. Work-at-home jobs are swiftly rising in demand among employees, thanks to the convenience, comfort and ease that usually comes with working at home. There is also a rapid development of “space on demand” and “third places” such as co-working. All of these factors are combining to further this trend towards more office employees in smaller and smaller workplaces.

Beyond those, there is also the factor of virtual offices to consider. Companies now can hire people to answer calls, send emails, and do work without requiring them to be physically present. There are many requests on job websites for ‘virtual assistants’ who work from home, sometimes without ever actually meeting their employer in person. The emergence of programs like Skype, not to mention the ever-increasing use of smartphones, allows employers a wide variety of methods and ways to communicate with workers, thereby lessening the need for face to face interaction.

The business world and typical office are both changing. Don’t fight it.

“Beverly Hills That’s Where I Want to Be” – How To Land An Office In Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills is a prestigious location, in both the commercial and residential worlds. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, every entrepreneur longs for a business card with a Beverly Hills address on it. However, acquiring a physical location here is very expensive and the risk of investing money into a physical space is very high. With long term lease and security deposits in the way, there’s almost no way for start ups to make their way here without taking a big hit to their financial security.

However, many organizations are now using Virtual Offices in Beverly Hills in order to save money while still having a high profile and reputed business address in Beverly Hills. You don’t want a P.O. Box, you want a real address and an option to actually use that space whenever you need to.

This is a great investment for small companies who are constantly on the go. It makes no sense for them to have one main office when they are constantly moving. It is ideal to have a virtual office instead of sinking money into a physical space that they’re never going to use. It’s also a great option for every other type of business, as you can work from anywhere you want including your home and still have a phone answering service, prestigious Beverly Hills business address, and utilize the facilities and resources of a business, including conference rooms, fax machines, and a Live Virtual Assistant.

There are various plans for virtual offices spaces available for all kinds of businesses. Even the most basic plan includes a professional mailing address, collection and distribution of mails and access to fully furnished offices and mailing rooms.

There are many addresses available in Beverly Hills along with a variety of services. You can take advantage of a phone answering service, virtual receptionist, communication plans and much more. You don’t need to waste your money to have a reputed business address anymore; virtual offices in Beverly Hills are growing in popularity for a reason.

Survival of the Fittest – Best Business Practices for Startup Companies

A large majority of small businesses fail within their first few years. With such intimidating failure rates, just how can you breathe life back into an under performing small business?

According to statistics compiled by the US Small Business Administration, 70 per cent of small businesses will survive at least two years, yet only half of those will still be operating after five. While not as calamitous as some sources would have you believe, the numbers remain confronting, especially for those planning on starting a new business or struggling to keep theirs afloat.

Common downfalls of new businesses

When tackling the topic of businesses that fail, perhaps a good place to start is to understand why most businesses fail in the first place. Here are three of the most commonly cited reasons:

1.    Lack of start-up capital

Ensuring you have the funds necessary to stay viable past the first few months, when business will be at its toughest, is extremely important. Secure the funding you think you’ll need and then double it. The basic idea here is that you will likely need more money than your initial calculations advised.

2.    Lack of research

Too often businesses are founded on a seemingly great idea, but only in theory. No amount of hard work or business acumen can save you if there is no market for your product or service. The fundamental question you need to ask is whether there’s a place for you and your product – in terms of customers and competitors.

Founding a business on solid knowledge is therefore advisable. Business studies have found that business owners with previous work experience in the same industry as their new business will have higher success rates. It’s simple logic.

3.    Lack of planning

Every business, no matter the size, will benefit from a proper business plan. A business plan will act as a compass and guide, something you can always refer back to. It should detail your business goals and needs. It should also lay out a thoughtful financial budget. From there you can plan out financial controls. A marketing strategy should also be considered.

How to save your business from going under

While prevention is always better than the cure, what happens if your business is slowly sinking as we speak? Here are a few tips to stop the rot:

  •  Stop and review – When you’ve come to this realization it’s time to fix the problem, not ignore it. A good place to start is to review your business plan. Essentially, you want to get back to basics and remember why you started the business to begin with. From here you can tinker with your offering to make it more appealing, or even look into other potential revenue streams.
  • Secure funding – If the only problem you have is a momentary lack of funds, and you have a decent credit rating, speak to your bank about a business loan. This is where your business plan comes in handy, as they will certainly require a solid one. But before borrowing any money, make sure you’re not just prolonging what is the inevitable demise of your business. You may also consider finding a business partner to share the costs and secure more funds.
  • Cut expenses, reduce debt – This may seem obvious, but there are always ways to cut costs – you just have to make sure you’ve checked every possibility. Consider moving to smaller premises, renting out equipment or canceling the cleaning services. There is also the option to lay off staff whose roles have become redundant.
  • Know when to call it quits – Most successful businesses are formed off the back of a number of previous failures. If you find your business on its last legs, sometimes walking away is the best move. According to a Harvard Business School Working Paper titled Performance Persistence in Entrepreneurship, first-time entrepreneurs have an 18% chance of succeeding, while entrepreneurs who previously failed have a 20% chance. The numbers aren’t earth-shattering, but it does give hope to those who have failed.
  • Seek help – The best move for an underperforming company is to seek professional business advice. If you can’t afford a financial consultant there are always other options. For example, your local chamber of commerce should offer advice or even mentorships.

Starting a new business can be a difficult process for the first few years. However, by familiarizing yourself with the common mistakes small businesses make, and tips on how to prevent your company from going under in its formative years, you could be well on your way to entrepreneurial success.

Virtual Offices FAQ

If you have an urgent need to come up with a prime location for an all-important meeting, then all you need to do is to contact a virtual office and have your meeting space set up in no time. When choosing which meeting space to rent or lease, you need to consider the following factors.

Rates

Some companies offer a higher rate for the first one to three hours and then a lower rate for subsequent hours. You need to find out what these rates are and compare them with what other companies are charging you for the same range of services. It goes without saying that choosing the cheapest virtual office won’t always help you in impressing your clients or prospective business partners. It’s better if you focus on the quality of services being offered and determine whether they offer great value for your money or not.

Space

More specifically, how large is the meeting space being offered? While a meeting space doesn’t have to be exceptionally roomy or spacious, a good meeting space is always large enough for its occupants not to constantly bump into each other when working or moving around.

Seating

The type of seating that a virtual office company offers with its meeting spaces is very important.

Since most meetings are the sit-down type, it would be better for everyone concerned if your meeting space comes with seats designed to offer the greatest ease and comfort when its occupants are working.

Facilities

In most cases, a virtual office company offers customizable facilities – one that is dependent on what you – the client – require. Ideally speaking, it would be good if your meeting space can offer the following:

* Wi-Fi access
* Video conferencing equipment and speakerphone
* Use of marker board or white board and related supplies
* Easels with related supplies
* Projector screen and projection equipment available

Reception

Last but not the least – a virtual office should also be able to provide a meeting space that’s fully staffed with front desk personnel trained to act as if they are your long-time employees. They should know how to greet your guests properly and provide any additional information when requested.

The Benefits of Co-Working

Fun. Friendly. Inspiring. Collaborative. Productive. If you wouldn’t define your workplace with any or all of those terms, you may have to ditch your own desk and take a seat at a co-working space near you. Even if you aren’t an entrepreneur or freelancer, the benefits of co-working, according to Deskmag’s annual Global Co-working Survey, are pretty hard to ignore: 71 percent of participants reported a boost in creativity since joining a co-working space, while 62 percent said their standard of work had improved.

Renting a co-working space can be a great way to launch your startup cheaply—and expand your professional network in the process.

The contacts you make will likely be the biggest benefit of renting a co-working space. You get instant connections with other entrepreneurs who may be able to offer you valuable insight into your business, on everything from strategy to services and hiring. They could turn out to be essential partners. And you could make a difference in their business too.

Basically, co-working is a shared work environment where independent professionals gather. In a co-working environment, you can get a dedicated space or sign up for first-come-first-served space. This space could be an office, conference table or even cubicle-like desk.

The bottom line: co-working office space is gaining momentum for all those reasons and more. Co-working office space is springing up in large cities like Los Angeles as entrepreneurs continue looking for ways to incubate new ideas, collaborate with like-minded professionals and save money on office space.

There are many financial, social and business-related reasons to join a co-working space. These benefits were quantified by the Global Co-working Survey, conducted by Deskmag, which asked coworkers how their work style has altered since joining a co-working space.

Co-workers said their productivity had increased and their business networks had expanded since they joined a co-working space. 93% said their social circle had increased significantly, 86% said their business network had grown, 76% reported an increase in productivity, and 88% said their isolation had decreased. In addition, over one third of co-workers surveyed confirmed that their income had increased since joining a co-working facility.

Co-working by the numbers:

  • 50% of all coworkers access their work space around the clock
  • 71% report a boost in creativity since joining a coworking space
  • 62% said their standard of work had improved in a coworking space
  • Almost 90% of coworkers report an increase in self-confidence
  • 70% of coworkers feel healthier than they did working in a traditional office
  • Between a third and half of all workers are flexible and mobile
  • 64 percent of coworkers are better able to complete tasks on time.

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Can I Work From Home and Still Look Professional?

More and more people are stepping out on their own by starting their own businesses which they run from their homes. This obviously saves a lot of money, as there is no need to rent office space or pay extra overhead expenses. Sometimes home businesses can appear less professional than traditionally run businesses and it takes more effort for them to build up customer relationships and gain their clients’ trust.

Want to impress your clients and work from home? Look no further!! Join ABC Virtual Offices today for your one stop office solution!

With our virtual office and virtual phone services you can have a professional address, messaging service and even a physical location where you can meet with clients. Virtual offices can help you make your mark in your field without paying high office leasing rates.

If you are trying to run your business from home, there is nothing worse than receiving an important clients’ phone call, only to have your children interrupt by making lots of noise in the background. Having a virtual office to answer your business calls will ensure that every call is dealt with professionally. You will never have to worry about missing an important phone call, or giving customers a bad first impression. Working with a virtual office will mean that you do not have to give your home phone number out to clients. Instead you can have a virtual business number which can be directed to any phone.

Another advantage of having a virtual office for your home-business is that you can use a prestigious address in a big city like Los Angeles/Beverly Hills. This means that you will no longer have to give out your home address on your business cards. It will also make your business look more professional, and again give it a national presence. Your virtual office will provide an efficient mail forwarding service so you will receive all of your letters and packages on time.

Although we know that bigger is not always better when it comes to business, many customers often prefer to purchase goods and services from larger companies, as they see them as being more experienced and stable. Create the impression that you have a number of employees working for you by using a virtual office. It will look like you have hired a full time receptionist, whilst things like call forwarding menus will make it look like you have a number of departments.

Want to impress your clients and work from home? Look no further!! Join ABC Virtual Offices today for your one stop office solution! https://www.abcvirtualoffices.com/

5 Tips to Create the Most Productive Work Space At Home

Although the office is supposed to be a place for productive and efficient work, that isn’t always the case. In fact, sometimes your workplace can turn into one of the least effective locations for getting things done. Creating a productive work space in your home is not that difficult if you plan things properly. Here are a few things that you must keep in mind to make your work space more productive.

Decide on a Working Area

You must ensure that your work space is free of any distractions. This is important, as you will probably be working longer hours at your home office (and the smallest distractions will affect your work). If you do not have a spare room to turn into a work space, you will have to make do with a section in your living room or kitchen. An alcove in either of these rooms can work quite well as a work space if used correctly. However, ensure that you get the required privacy, regardless of where your work space is in the home. Have a door or a partition for your work area if possible.

Learn to Multi-Task

If you really want to be productive, you would have to learn to do multiple tasks at the same time. You must have everything close at hand to help you save time. Using downtime between answering calls and printing documents can help you do a lot more. Keep all frequently required things, such as the printer, phone, coffee-maker etc., close to your desk so that you can use them without wasting any time in movement.

Take Some Time Out

It isn’t healthy to occupy yourself completely with your work all the time. Make sure that you have some time for leisure activities too. You might have to work a little harder, but this will give you more reason to take a break from your work. A break from work does not include surfing the Internet. This can hamper productivity. The best way to take a break is to get away from your work space. Have a CD player or radio for playing soft at work. Classical music helps to improve productivity. Don’t put the music on too loud, as it might distract you.

Unusual Ways to organize your work space

Organize a large portion of your home office with the help of kitchen objects. For example, bowls are great for both general offices supplies and CDs/DVDs. A lunch tray can also make a handy drawer organizer.

Implement the Reproducible Elements of the Locations Where You’re Most Productive

Sometimes we don’t work best in an office because we’re more productive in a coffee shop. And if not a coffee shop, perhaps underneath a tree on a sunny day or in a quiet, solitary room. Whatever the case may be, location makes a difference for everyone in different ways. If you pay attention to your emotional responses to locations when working, you can start to dissect why those locations make you more productive. Doing so gives you an opportunity to identify elements in certain locations that you can reproduce later. You may not always be able to transport yourself to the place you find that you’re most productive, but if your office can feel a little more like that location you can tap into what makes it your favorite place to work.

A well-organized home office is definitely more productive than a cluttered one. Clear all unwanted files, documents, etc. from your desk. If you are busy working, switch on your phone’s answering machine and turn the email alert on your computer off. This will allow you to work without any disturbance.

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