Not long ago, the vast majority of employed people “went to work.” They left their homes, commuted to an office where they worked alongside their coworkers, and then went home at the end of the work day. With advancements in technology, as well as the overcrowded highways filled with commuters, there is an increase in the number of people working from a virtual office. So how does that work?
A virtual office is wherever you are, and wherever your computer or other technology is. For those of you with a designated home office space, your virtual office can be a home office. With so much business conducted via phone and email, you can accomplish many work tasks from your home office, couch, or kitchen table. Home offices bring “Casual Friday” to a whole new level!
If your business requires travel, or if you need to get off your couch in order to be productive, you will want to make sure your virtual office equipment is portable so that you can office from a hotel, a coffee shop, or from your car during a lull between games at your child’s baseball tournament. As you can see, the options for a virtual office are virtually limitless!
Technology For A Virtual Office:
With a virtual office being a moving target, it is important to choose technology that travels well. This might mean choosing a laptop over a desktop computer, or perhaps loading your information onto a tablet. Your cell phone service and capabilities will be top priority, as you will need to stay connected to clients and coworkers from many locations. You’ll need chargers and docking stations to keep your technology powered up. The nature of your virtual office – working from home or hotels, traveling by plane or car, working independently or with others – will lead you to make the right technology choices for your business.
Cloud Services For A Virtual Office:
The advancements in cloud computing can be extremely beneficial for the virtual office worker. Rather than purchasing hardware that ties you to one computer and one location, cloud computing allows you to purchase services from a cloud server, and then access these services from any device or location with internet access. Cloud services include everything from data storage to accounting software to platforms built for coworkers to collaborate on projects from multiple locations. The possibilities are endless in this virtual world!
When You Need To Lease An Actual Office Space:
There are many advantages to working in a virtual office, such as less time wasted while commuting, the convenience of working when and where you want to work, and money saved by not paying for office space. However, there are some times when you need an actual office. Walls, chairs, a conference table for coworkers or clients to gather around and hold a face-to-face meeting. When this is the case, there are companies such as Your Office Ballantyne that lease offices and conference room space on an as needed basis. You can lease the size of space that you need for the amount of time that you need it. Whether you need a small office for several months to complete a project, or a conference room for several hours to meet with clients, it is great to know that you can access a real office when you need one.
The concept of a virtual office has opened up a world of options which can enhance the quality of work and life. Taking the time to think through your office needs will help you to optimize your virtual office, and know when it is time to lease some real office space. A virtual office paired with the occasional use of actual office space may be the best of both worlds for your business.
