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Virtual offices have become the new wave in office solutions. Whether sitting atop a skyscraper waiting for your six o’clock teleconference meeting to start or at home finishing a major project just as your kids arrive home from school, the virtual office has made it possible for legions of companies to conduct business globally. Furthermore, regardless of the industry, virtual offices have something for everyone.
Typically, start-ups or people who are self-employed can benefit greatly the many advantages of choosing virtual office solutions. However, those businesses looking to reduce overheads can also benefit from this inexpensive alternative to the conventional office.
Keep reading to learn more about the exciting virtual office movement and its benefits for businesses across the United States.
What is a Virtual Office?
A virtual office operates by allowing businesses to work remotely (whether or at home or in another office) while leasing the use of facilities that come with standard business office amenities like staffing (receptionist), utilities, cable, internet technology, and video-conferencing. More importantly, these office plans give businesses legitimacy by providing companies with a professional business address where mail can be picked up and delivered and a local phone number.
These buildings are on highly sought-after, typically very expensive streets, which adds credibility to the business. This works out well for the business because instead of paying high monthly rents, in addition to the utilities, business owners can reduce their overheads significantly, as the rental rates are much less than conventional office leasing.
Why Have They Become so Popular?
As organisations discover more efficient ways to hire and employ top talent, one of the gradual shifts has been from offering positions for salaried workers in exchange for contract-for-hire work that can be done remotely, whether at home or in another office.
A virtual office works for employees because it allows them flexibility in determining their work schedule, in addition to reducing the amount of time they commute to work daily. In many ways, this alternative office setup that has become a movement has revolutionised modern American business.
The Benefits
The virtual office has quite a few benefits, with one of the major ones having to do with the flexible leasing options. Because most office solutions companies lease the use of the facilities and amenities, the leasing terms and options tend to be more versatile. While conventional leases require at least a year’s commitment and a hefty deposit, many virtual office plans allow renters to pay on a month-to-month basis without the need for a deposit. Additionally, the leases can be modified if your business expands or relocates.
These plans allow for businesses to hire and work with top talent from around the world. Especially in terms of global business, a virtual office setup allows managers in one location to meet with people around the world through video-conferencing capabilities. Essentially, a person could be based in Chicago and schedule a meeting in Hong Kong, London, and Paris with various business contacts. This same person can arrange for meeting rooms and video-conferencing to be available for the meeting, removing the need for travel to these various locations.
Another great benefit is that these plans can be tailored to the business’s needs. If your business does not need a twenty-four-hour answering service, but you need a place to meet clients your plan can be adjusted to your needs. Business owners can keep their overheads low by only having to pay for the services they actually need.
The Virtual Office Revolution
With many businesses switching to a remote office strategy, virtual offices have become a big part of American business. The versatility and flexibility of virtual offices can offer has allowed businesses to project a professional image without the added expense. More importantly, virtual offices have made operating a business on the global stage possible for any business, from large established companies to startups with one person at the helm.