» Virtual Office

Virtual Meetings 101

admin — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:52:50 +0000

There are "dos and don'ts" for running a virtual meeting.

Now that videoconferencing and web meetings are commonplace technologies used regularly by 21^st Century businesses, this is a good opportunity to cover the essential “Dos and Don’ts” of running a virtual meeting.

This availability and increasing value of this technology comes at a time when businesses are altering their hiring strategies and are retaining talent based on expertise and not on geographic location. Often managers find themselves working with colleagues and partners in different cities around the world.

The ability to bring together remote workers via a single communication channel (and without incurring travel costs) has proven to be an indispensable resource for today’s businesses who are aggressively trimming all unnecessary expenses.

Although this technology may be fun to “play with” here are eight tips for you to review before you send out your next Meeting Request.

As the author notes, the recommendations are based on common sense. However, sometimes we can all lose sight of the basics. We’ve all sat in meetings and wondered if our attendance was absolutely necessary. If these points for refining and improving a virtual meeting were strictly followed the outcome and results of any meeting would improve.

Of course, everyone wants and should be connected — just make certain everyone is gathering for the right reason and with a true purpose.

Work Environments and a Virtual Team

admin — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 12:00:40 +0000

Globalization has permanently recalibrated the business landscape. As a result, 21st Century businesses are trying to find the best tools and work environments to support a widely distributed workforce. More so than ever before, companies are communicating with employees, partners and vendors who are dispersed across various locations and time zones. To effectively navigate this new way of working, businesses need to have access to resources that are going to enable collaboration and productivity – no matter where they employees might be based.
Today’s cutting-edge workplaces need to deliver enterprise-grade technology (Internet, telephone and videoconferencing) options that will maximize business performance. While technology is important, remote employees still need to feel connected to an organization.
Business Insider recently compiled a list of top recommendations for building and managing a virtual team. The article addresses some of the obvious technological requirements but also shares advice on how to maintain morale among distributed workers. Virtual workers need to be kept informed and their roles, responsibilities and expectations need to be clearly articulated.
A number of our New York and Chicago-based clients interact regularly with colleagues and clients overseas and across the country. Not surprising, videoconferencing has become a favored source of communicating.
As organizations look for new opportunities in order to beat the recession, virtual teams will continue to grow. Knowing how to keep employees well connected – both technologically and emotionally – will a give a business a competitive edge.
If you are working virtually or a managing a virtual team, let us know what your organization is doing to maintain cohesion.

Apps for the Mobile Worker: Trash vs. Treasure

admin — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 12:00:08 +0000

The sky is the limit in the mobile apps arena. Market research firm Compass Intelligence recently calculated that small and medium-sized businesses in the U.S. will spend nearly $350 million on mobile software this year. Tech savvy entrepreneurs download everything from basic office utilities to customer management solutions with the objective of staying productive, connected and in control — whether they are in the office or on the road.
Considering the number of mobile workers will continue to rise, the market demand for mobile apps does not appear to be waning. In fact, there are significant opportunities for new growth.
A study conducted by Forrester finds that only 49% of small business owners confirmed owning a smartphone – a shocking statistic, to say the least. It’s almost impossible to imagine any business owner not utilizing a mobile device to assist with daily business operations. Eventually, business owners who have been holding out on purchasing a smartphone will give in and continue to fuel the upward trend for mobile applications.
So to break through the massive amount of app clutter and noise, Entrepreneur magazine identified some of the most important, must have, applications that best meet the needs of start-ups, small businesses and entrepreneurs. There’s quite a variety on the list. Let us know if you have downloaded any of these apps and if you believe they have improved your business performance.

Solopreneurs at Work

admin — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 12:24:21 +0000

Some individuals have always wanted to be their own boss and thrive on the daily challenge of running their own business. Others were driven to entrepreneurship as a result of the recession and massive layoffs. Not surprising, solopreneurs or single person-businesses are growing in numbers across the United States. U.S. Census data revealed this group now stands at 20 million.

While there are obvious advantages to being “The Boss” such as a work/life balance, operating your own company requires perseverance, discipline and good old-fashioned hard work.

In many cases, solopreneurs launch their business from home – a logical way of saving money at the onset.   However, as their businesses grow and their demands increase, solo practitioners admit they find it difficult to work amid the predictable home office distractions.

We work with a wide range of start-ups who told us they are more productive when surrounded by other workers in a professional environment. Access to high-quality technology and business services is something they just couldn’t afford in their own space. The ability to network is also a plus. We have clients who have gotten to know each other in our office space and have subsequently gone on to collaborate on projects.

The benefits of a shared office space, especially among small businesses, were the subject of a recent New York Post article.   The reporter spotlighted how this group of determined professionals is enjoying the comforts of Class A office space without the exorbitant costs associated with a premium business address.

Virtual Offices Help Businesses Today

admin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:38:03 +0000

It is no surprise: these days, there is a demand for Virtual Offices. Not just from employees who don’t want to be – or can’t be – chained to their desks all the live-long day, but also from businesses looking for ways to save cash by slashing facility costs, increasing operational efficiencies and optimizing utilization; businesses looking for ways to go “green” (less commuting time = less of a carbon footprint); new businesses, small or large, wanting to “test the waters” before committing to an office space rental or purchase; businesses with home-based workers looking to feel more “connected”…the list goes on and on.

If you want to stay competitive while using a virtual office, professionalism must remain a focus in the forefront. Employees should be able to send an mail from a prime professional business address and there should be a phone number available to customers/clients and employees with a professional voice answering the phone. Your business could have live call answering during business hours, access to a day office and even a fully-equipped space for meetings. A professional front face is key. Remember an old rule of thumb; a good impression is a lasting one…a bad one lasts even longer.

OfficeLinks’ three superior New York City office locations (40 Wall Street, 1440 Broadway and 33 West 19th Street) and a landmark Chicago office location in the Willis Tower, offer clients an array of Virtual Office options that are just right for every kind of business out there – including yours.

So, whether you are a start-up, entering a new market, needing local presence for project work, or have a mobile workforce, a Virtual Office is a viable, cost-effective option for your business. To learn how OfficeLinks can help, click here.