If you work with remote employees, you’re probably familiar with virtual offices. You may have used one in the past or even be a tenant at one of these facilities right now. However, utilising virtual solutions and getting maximum value out of them are two different things. For businesses based in the US, productivity is all about being clever with your spending.
The good news is that it’s easy to do when you have a virtual provider offering unrestricted access to world-class resources. Yet, it’s important to realise that working with these vendors is more than practical. It can boost your brand potential, put you in contact with influential figures, and help you experiment with remote routines in a risk-free environment.
This guide to getting the most out of your virtual workspace will show you how to shine in a digital world.
Consume it all
This first piece of advice might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many entrepreneurs pay for a virtual office and don’t try half the services. Check out www.servcorp.com/en/virtual-offices/ to browse the range of tools and equipment available.
While you’re encouraged to eventually drop services you don’t find useful, try to experiment with the features included with your standard package. They won’t cost anything extra, and things like telephone answering and formal mailboxes can turn out to be very valuable.
Be clear with employees
If you are leading a remote team, it’s important to be specific about how you want them to use the virtual office. Some tenants don’t ever make trips to the physical facility. They access all of the resources remotely by logging into the central system and speaking with onsite staff.
This might work for you too, but it’s still necessary to be clear about which resources (communications software, voicemail, cloud services, etc.) are going to be a part of daily routines. Don’t forget all remote employees need to be trained to use your chosen software.
Embrace the freedom
It can be hard for business owners to adjust to remote routines, especially if they’ve transitioned from a full-time office. It’s all about understanding that control isn’t the same as productivity. Just because you can’t monitor employees, it doesn’t mean they won’t work hard.
It’s a similar story when it comes to your own schedule. Don’t be afraid to embrace the freedom a lack of private office can bring. As long as tasks get done and done well, you deserve to enjoy yourself. Mix up your habits. Work out of your favourite coffee shop or even in the park.
Network like crazy
When you find a virtual provider in a big city like New York or Los Angeles, you’ll notice that they’re very fond of hosting social events. Networking evenings are very common because most virtual tenants have the same goals. They want to create connections and get ahead.
Forging links to the local business community is a big part of this. So, if you want to get the most out of your workspace, dive head first into all the opportunities it provides. You never know whom you might meet at your next midweek pitch event.
How to take the first step to virtual freedom
Registering with a virtual provider in the United States is easier than you think. Most require nothing but a modest down payment and proof of identification. It’s common for this initial payment to cover a period of three months, though you can request a shorter or longer stay.
If you’re not sure how long you’ll be there for, that’s okay too. Just pick a contract length that you’re comfortable with, as it can be changed without fees or penalties. Once you’re registered, you’ll be given a full induction and introduced to all the major tools and services.
