Starting your own business doesn't always mean that you have to set up a spacious office space for you and your team to work on. In fact, through the internet technology, you can all work comfortably at home, or anywhere you desire. If you are a freelancer, or if you are planning to start a home-based business either on your own or with a team of employees, one very important way to let you focus more on working at home in a very productive manner is by setting up a virtual office.
Setting up your virtual office comes with many benefits. This can help you save cash, increase profits, and expand the reach of your company. Also, you don't have to go to an actual office wasting precious time and energy in travelling since you can work at home, or anywhere convenient. If you need a business address but you don't want to use your home address, there are virtual office providers that offer complete features for your needs, such as an address that you can actually use for important transactions and mailing; a local business telephone number with a dedicated receptionist; and access to video-conferencing and other functions needed for corporate meetings.
Likewise, you can also set up your own virtual office at home. Here are some tips to take note in order to optimize your home working space as well as to be more productive with your business.
1. Find the Right Quiet Spot for your Virtual Office
Set up your virtual office in the most suitable place. You may use your own room or anywhere at your home, but you have to make sure that you are in a quiet spot, far from distraction, outside noise and if possible, from crying children. This is important so that you can concentrate more without being distracted by all the noise. Trust me; you would not want them disturbing you especially when you are holding corporate virtual meetings. You may have to consider hiring a babysitter to take care of your children especially when there are important things going on in your virtual office.
2. Invest on an Excellent Computer, a High-speed Internet Connection, and a Comfortable Chair
Set up your own excellent computer as well as a high-speed Internet connection. While they can be very expensive, it will be worth acquiring since you will need these most of the time. With these you can work more productively by processing data faster and by having an effective communication with your clients. And the fact that you will be spending most of your time in your virtual office makes you want to have a comfortable chair to sit with, thus you will want to consider purchasing a decent, comfortable chair and have it in your home-based business.
3. Make Sure Your Clients Can Contact You Easier
When setting up your own business at home, you have to make sure that there are easy options for your clients and potential business partners to reach you. Having your business email is one good example. You can also install some instant messaging system in your workstation, such as Skype, in order to have live conversation. You also have to find the right landline phone system for local clients to call.
If you can't find enough time to manage incoming contacts and calls, you have to consider hiring a virtual secretary or receptionist in order to handle your phone calls and contacts.
4. Manage your Business Image
Creating a good reputation for your home-based business is very important. Aside from giving quality services to your clients, you also have to make sure that your company's image is well projected. Having a professional website is a way to make a powerful public image for your business, as well as allowing potential and existing clients to discover updates on your business and find ways to contact you. You also have to take your public relations and marketing seriously: you have to make everyone know that you are offering the best solutions. These are critical aspects in order to project a solid and appealing brand for your business.
5. Manage your Virtual Team Properly
If you have a team of virtual employees that are working for you, you have to properly manage them. Communicate openly and frequently, and make yourself a good leader. Use effective communication technologies so that you can reach out to them. You have to make sure that you express your expectations clearly.
Team-building events are also essential for your employees in order to strengthen their bonds with their teammates, thus, making them more productive especially in business projects requiring great teamwork. From a simple lunch at your house to training programs, you can plan these for your virtual team. Also invest time in meeting newly-hired team members in person before you bring them on board your home-based business. This is important to determine whether they have the necessary requirements to work remotely.
And most importantly, you have to treat payroll professionally the same as you would in a traditional office. And make sure that your virtual team knows your policies on salaries and fringe benefits.
Highly Recommended Tip: Make Time for Yourself and Your Family
Even though you are working in your virtual office at home, you don't need all the time that you can spare in managing your home-based business. Take some time to cool off and unwind your stress. Have regular break times, and go spend some time with your family and loved ones in order to maintain a healthy relationship at home. Remember: "home is where the heart is", so don't just fill it up with your home-based business stuffs. Make some room for your enjoyment and for your family as well.
