Serviced and Virtual Office Solutions
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hanging times and economic conditions have brought about a shift in the way business is done in the world today. No longer is the traditional desk job in a large firm considered the only way to run a successful practice. The rise of the home-based business and the mobile worker has created an unprecedented demand for flexible workspace solutions. Serviced and virtual offices are redefining the world of work and offer businesses of all sizes flexible, innovative cost effective solutions. In the following article, we will explore the benefits of a serviced office or virtual office. We’ll bust some myths around this sometimes misunderstood concept and give some tips on how to find the best provider for your needs. What are the Benefits of a Serviced or Virtual Office for small law firms? The advent of internet shopping has intensified the need for visibility online. Today’s consumer is shopping the internet for services and making a decision before even speaking with you. Are you marketable online? Start up law firms need a smart efficient solution that will not only give their business a professional image and competitive edge, but also eliminate the huge upfront costs and obligation that a typical office lease entails. The concept of serviced and virtual offices is fast becoming the ideal solution that start ups have been searching for. A serviced office has all the benefits of an office space which gives a small law firm a fully-furnished office, complete with an already set up IT system, receptionist, and secretarial support staff to take care of the day to day duties, while enjoying an unbranded business space which they can present as their own. A prestigious commercial address on your business card and a receptionist as the face and voice of your company can be organized within minutes. The idea is quite simple: sharing
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the costs of the day to day running of an office will give you an infrastructure, staff, and fit out, that will make your business more successful and profitable. For start-ups, setting up an office can take months, plus there’s the costs of hiring staff, finding furniture and that complicated task of trying to work out the nuances of setting up the internet, telephone and other technology. Not to mention the task and cost of training the new staff. A serviced office can eliminate all these headaches and you can literally be ready within minutes to focus on making your business a success. Now a virtual office is exactly that; you can be in two places at the same time. You can have a virtual office in the Loop, while you run your practice from the comfort of your Evanston home. You can have a recognizable Chicago address and phone number, all for a fraction of the cost of traditional office space. A virtual office blends home and work while maintaining a professional image of a traditional, high-end law firm, while also avoiding the daily commute. Growth and expansion can be easy with the added bonus of no long term commitments or contracts. Having the right IT set up is integral in ensuring your business is equipped with the right technology to support it in today’s market. Serviced and virtual office clients can manage their business while on the go from any location in the world. Clients can easily book a boardroom in LA from their Chicago office or any other location, and are ready to go as soon as they arrive. The accessibility of running a business online and having the technology support is what can be the defining factor that helps a business stand out from the competition. There are many myths revolving around the virtual office or serviced office environment. What is fact and what is fiction? Here, we bust some myths to give you the whole story.
A NGELA D OEMEL , S ERV C ORP E XECUTIVE S UITES AND V IRTUAL O FFICES
MYTH ONE It’s not as reliable! Many businesses feel that ‘looking’ like a real business means they need dedicated full-time office space. They think that by having this solid base, they have a reliable base for their business to grow. This is not necessarily true – being tied to a long term office lease and the bills associated with such a commitment can actually hold your practice back. It can even reduce the speed that your firm grows as you’ll be tied to a specific location and be limited on space. A serviced office and virtual office gives you the freedom to move around and grow your business. You will be able to conduct meetings in a high-end office setting and will not have the bills and hassle that go hand-in-hand with a full-time space. In effect, you are actually cutting your costs and freeing up your time in order for you to grow faster and work more efficiently. MYTH TWO It will look unprofessional if you don’t have your own office. What looks unprofessional is having an office in a bad location, with no upto-date furnishings, computer equipment and no receptionist. With a serviced or virtual office you can conduct your meetings in a professional, well-polished location. You can have all of your mail and marketing material made up with your address so that those business associates who don’t ever need to visit your office in person can still see that you’re centrally located. Those that do need to come and see you in an actual office space can see you in an extremely professional and impressive environment. Even those that solely call you over the phone will be greeted by a professional receptionist. MYTH THREE It’s too expensive! This is the biggest myth of all. A STARTING AND GROWING YOUR BUSINESS