6 Discredited Myths about Virtual Offices
While countless entrepreneurs have leveraged virtual offices to grow their businesses, some remain hesitant due to misinformation about the product. In this post, we'll set the record straight on six of the biggest myths that keep some small business owners from taking advantage.
Myth #1: They make employees less productive.
Reality: While some business owners worry their workers will become less productive without constant oversight, the opposite has been proven to be true. According to numerous studies, remote workers tend to be much more productive than their on-site counterparts, thanks to fewer distractions, such as meetings, conversations and noisy coworkers.
Myth #2: They are unaffordable.
Reality: Virtual offices actually allow business to save on overhead expenses by avoiding expensive leases and office equipment. Modern providers also offer a la carte service options that allow businesses to tailor their plans, so they only have to pay for the things they will actually use. When businesses pay for only what they need, they can free up money to invest in long-term growth. Virtual offices also offer entrepreneurs the peace of mind that comes with knowing they can scale up or down depending on their current business trajectory.
Myth #3: They are a security risk.
Reality: Some business owners worry that virtual offices might leave sensitive data exposed to prying eyes. Since most modern providers offer secured network connections, however, this is extremely unlikely. While there's always the chance that employees might accidentally share sensitive company information online or via text, this risk is the same whether your workers are sitting at a desk in your company's HQ or at a computer in a virtual office.
Myth #4: They hamper communication.
Reality: Some business owners presume that communication will suffer when their employees work off-site. Nowadays, however, there are a number of modern online meeting and communication platforms that make it easy for workers to engage face-to-face, even when they are all dispersed in numerous locations. A good virtual office will also include well-appointed meeting facilities, where employees and managers can meet with each other and key clients.
Myth #5: All virtual offices are the same.
Reality: While most every virtual office provides an environment where people can work, some offer much, much more. These days, small business owners can tap a comprehensive collection of services, including shared work spaces, well-appointed executive offices, private addresses with mailboxes, receptionists and highly trained virtual assistants that can tailor their services to meet the unique needs of a particular company.
Myth #6: Customers don't trust companies without a physical location.
Reality: The shifting digital landscape means that consumers don't need to walk into a storefront to believe your business is legitimate. That said, it is a good idea to have an actual business address. A good virtual office will provide you with a professional address with private mailboxes. If the provider offers several locations across the globe, you can leverage these services to establish a presence in multiple metropolitan areas.
Intelligent Office provides a comprehensive suite of scalable solutions for small business owners. Contact us to learn more.
