Working from home (a.k.a. telecommuting) is becoming more and more of a popular choice not only among fresh entrepreneurs, but also with companies who are looking for a way to reduce business costs. Some studies suggest that the rate of people working from home has tripled in the last decade. And especially with the trend to go ‘green’, saving on gas costs and the environmental impact of both space and energy consumption, the home office is looking more attractive than ever before.
The trouble is, however, that despite the growing acceptance of virtual employees and work-from-home employment agreements, today’s business world also expects a company to project a professional image. Certainly no high-end mover and shaker would consider meeting a potential business partner wearing pajamas and sitting over the kitchen table with the morning eggs sitting in the sink on dirty dishes.
Yes, productivity is often increased in the comfort of one’s home, but when it comes to doing business with other human beings in person, that is the time to worry about the effect a home office will have on a company.
Fortunately, there are options. For years the concept of a “virtual office” has existed, and many companies serve this type of work-at-home clientele, though admittedly the industry is not well marketed. But it should be, especially with the booming desire to telecommute among business workers.
A virtual office allows the home office to remain the home office, while appearing to be the corporate office. Technology (even before the World Wide Web, can you believe it?) allows for a call to be answered by a central receptionist in one place, while allowing the transfer of the call to be dialed out seamlessly to any phone number – even internationally.
Customers who call a company and reach the receptionist first automatically have the impression that they’re dealing with a sizeable organization, one whose business has done so well they felt the need to hire someone only to answer their phone. So it goes without saying that a receptionist will help a company’s image. Now, just because that receptionist happens to be a virtual receptionist…well, no one will know the difference! So you can keep your pajamas on.
It gets better. Virtual receptionists (often referred to as ‘virtual assistants’), when working under a credible company, are usually located in an office centre that rents out offices by the hour or day. With their complete packages you can order yourself a monthly ‘virtual office,’ which will allow you a set number of office hours to meet with clients in an executive environment.
Your company name can appear on their board listings and your business mail can all be handled at the centre as well. Your clients walk in, they are greeted by a receptionist, wait in a comfortable chair drinking complimentary coffee and then you walk out and take them to “your office.” The fact that you’re there only part time is a hidden anomaly. So now, you must take your pajamas off!
The best place to begin looking for a virtual office and telephone answering service for your company is in the city where you want your company’s presence to be. Virtual offices can be set up almost anywhere these days, and can also provide toll free numbers. If you have employees scattered in different cities, consider a local office for each of them. If you are a sole entrepreneur, then of course, look close to home, so your pajamas will not be far away!
