Puffing Your Chest: Appearing Like a “Huge Company” When Working From a Virtual Office

When the economy changes, so does the way we work. Mostly due to the recent recession, more and more people are deciding to transition from a traditional corporate environment to a virtual office. Cost-effective, convenient and better for the environment, virtual offices are starting to take over worldwide. If you're one of the lucky ones who has decided to kiss your daily commute goodbye, you might be dealing with a few concerns regarding the transition. How will you stay professional? Can you stay competitive while wearing your pajamas most of the day? Yes, you certainly can. Virtual office solutions are available that will make you seem bigger than ever, while still enjoying the view from your home office.

What They Don't Know Can’t Hurt Them

Your business is defined in many ways by your address. For example, a typical customer or client would be much more impressed by a high-profile downtown office building than they would by a suburban bungalow. Image is everything. If your client's impression of you falters, chances are they'll be more than willing to be wooed by another competing brand. You can remedy this by taking advantage of virtual office packages offered by any number of prestigious business centers. After paying your monthly fee, all correspondence will be delivered to the glossy address of your choice, including courier deliveries and registered mail. Having the kind of address that turns heads will help you stay competitive with other big businesses and ensure that your customers know they are dealing with a professional, experienced company.

How May I Direct Your Call?

Handling your business calls properly is another key to maintaining the appropriate image. Obviously, you don't want to give out your home phone number! Although the customer is important, you don't want them knocking on your door at all hours and intruding on your personal life. A virtual office reception service is a must have. Secure because it is not linked to any geographical area, your virtual calling service will answer the phone in your company's name, direct calls, and take messages. You can also set up the service with various departments, such as sales or shipping.

Find Yourself a Virtual Personal Assistant

A little too busy to handle the details? Why not consider adding a virtual assistant to your imaginary corporate headquarters? Call answering, message taking, courier service, meeting and conference preparation, and even bookkeeping are just some of the tasks you can delegate. Depending on the virtual office package you choose, you may also be able to take advantage of marketing or graphic design as well. On top of making your day that much easier, a virtual assistant will also allow you more time to focus on what you're good at, rather than chasing invoices or setting appointments. Larger companies and clients alike will be much more impressed if they think that you've got a team of support professionals working beneath you. One of the easiest things to manipulate is appearance. This is truer than ever thanks to the advances in communication technology and the changing standards by which we do business. Staying at home doesn't have to mean giving up your competitive edge. In fact, the opposite is true. By taking advantage of virtual office solutions, you can experience the freedom to enjoy your home life while still playing with the “big dogs.”