How Solopreneurs Can Leverage Virtual Offices to Succeed
As a solopreneur, you’ve established that traditional office space isn't for you. At the same time, you still need a place to do business without assuming unnecessary overhead. Read on to learn how a virtual office can provide this and so much more.
Everything You Need, All in One Place
When some people think of a virtual office, they imagine rows of cubicles flanked by the occasional water cooler. In reality, modern virtual offices have evolved into full-service facilities with experienced support people that can meet virtually any business need.
An ideal virtual office won't just offer well-equipped workstations; it will also include nicely appointed offices, modern meeting rooms, conference facilities and professional boardrooms. A good provider will also offer a range of business-inspired amenities, along with attentive services from a trained staff of talented professionals. This last characteristic is a key way of differentiating a garden-variety provider from a full-service virtual office facility designed to meet the needs of modern business people.
Choosing the Right Virtual Office
While virtual offices deliver all sorts of benefits for budget-conscious solopreneurs, not all are created equal. Before you settle on any one provider, make sure it offers the following key traits:
Versatility: Choose a provider that offers flexible office space solutions, including shared office space, fully serviced office space, conference room rentals and executive suites.
Scalability: Make sure the virtual office services are available a la carte, so you will have the flexibility to grow your business while sidestepping unnecessary overhead.
Flexibility: Ensure that the provider offers customizable lease terms that fit your individual schedule and budget.
Deliveries: A good virtual office should provide you with a true business address. At the same time, make sure there is a reliable staff available to sign for packages and route deliveries to and from your customers or clients.
Ubiquity: Don't settle for a provider that only offers one or two locations; look for a company that has numerous virtual office facilities in major metropolitan areas throughout the country. This will ensure that you have a place to do business, even when you're traveling far from home.
Receptionist: Make sure the virtual office includes a personable and skilled receptionist that's trained to answer your incoming calls, using your business name.
Support: A good virtual office shouldn't just offer basic IT support; it should offer highly trained assistants who can provide administrative, technical and/or personal tasks you just don’t have time to do. These assistants should also be familiar with your company's unique needs, goals and operational guidelines.
A Tailored Approach
By providing a quiet, comfortable place to work and network, virtual offices allow small business owners to operate like larger enterprises, while maintaining their mobility and independence. Under ideal circumstances, however, virtual offices should also offer a broad suite of services that can be tailored to a solopreneur’s unique needs. When choosing a virtual office, make sure to focus - not just on the facility and services - but on the people who will be working on your behalf to drive your business forward.
