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How Virtual Offices WorkDoes your business well to operating in a
virtual environment? Are your employees willing to work from
their homes, cars, or other moving targets?
Where will you do your work?
Technically, your office is wherever you are.
Your office could be in your home, in your
car, in the airport, on the beach, or even on a mountaintop.
A quiet location away from the
distractions that being at home will always have.
First impressions mean a lotIf you're running a business from your
home, you probably don't want your home address used as the business address.
Rent a post office box, or you can use a
CMRA (Commercial Mail Receiving Agency) mailbox service
Suite Number or Corporate-sounding address
Virtual Office SetupLaptop computerDocking station Monitor, keyboard and mouse,Hard drive space, Memory (RAM)High Speed ProcessorPrinterFax machineCD/DVDModemDigital camera
Virtual Office SoftwareE-mail program -Microsoft Outlook
Express or Eudora
Word processor -- Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, and Lotus Word Pro
Spreadsheet and database programs -- Microsoft Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, Intuit QuickBase
Presentation software -- Microsoft PowerPoint, or Astound.
Virtual Office Software
Virus protection software -- McAfee, or Norton AntiVirus
Utility program for computer maintenance -- Symantec Norton Utilities, McAfee, or TechTool Pro
Graphics and/or image editing tool -- CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop,Macromedia Freehand, Deneba Canvas
Internet browsers -- Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer
Virtual Office: After officeVisto: Web-based scheduling, file storage, and
management toolsOffice Clip: Clip your team togetherPlanetIntra: Web-based management and
communication toolsPunch Networks: The Internet file
management platform
Some of these services available on the net:
Virtual Business Communication ToolsCell phone Wireless webTeleconferencing Instant messaging, Web conferencing
What about client meetings?
Take Executive Suite on lease that provides you with
Receptionist, Voice mail, E-mail, and other services, Time-limited access to Private offices, Reception area, Meeting room. Offices2 share. com, a meeting room
What about client meetings?
Other standard meeting place
Hotel lobbies, Restaurants, Golf courses, etc.
The Virtual Assistant “Virtual Assistant.“ (many links to sites that are built, managed and
maintained by people who used to sit outside
your door and help you manage business)They provide services on an as-needed basis.
What should you look for?
VAs also include the wide range of skills you can find.
VAs offering skills ranging from basic data entry to web design to accounting.
Setting virtual office policies
Home office location Home office equipment Computer software Procedures for system logins Procedures for submitting time-sheetsAccessibilityProcedures for forwarding calls or e-
mails Protocols for client interactions
Legal ramifications of virtual businessParking may be an issue.Contact your tax accountant or
attorney to find out the law as it pertains to your situation.
AdvantagesEnvironmental benefitsReduction in traffic congestionReduction in stress levels Time saved not commuting to an officeMonetary benefitsManages your time more effectively
Continue……Productivity benefits Health benefitsOpportunities to get physical exercise when
needed mentallyReduced stress benefitsBenefit of living a more balanced lifeA more relaxing work environmentMore opportunities to hire part-time or contract
workersA larger pool of employee applicants because
location isn't as important
DisadvantagesMiscommunications or misunderstandingsTechnical difficultiesFeelings of separation or disassociation among
employeesProblems separating your free time from your
work time because your work is always "there“Feelings of isolation if you are always home aloneLack of support - both administrative and
managerial
More Great LinksThe Virtual Office GroupVirtual Office: AfterofficeInteleWorks.comITAC: International Telework Association
and CouncilHome Office Association of America: Good
info, group insurance and shipping rates, etc.
Offices 2 Share: Short Term Space Solutions