Virtual Office – It Can Make A Real Difference

In Curaçao, business is thriving. Start-ups are popping up everywhere, and there has never been a better time to discover your entrepreneurial instincts. However, it is one thing to start a business, and another to turn a brand new enterprise into a viable, profitable company that can properly position itself in the world economy.

TEXT DANIELLE PALM

Starting from scratch is hard; there are so many costs involved, so many initial investments to make, so many relationships to foster. When standing at the beginning of this journey, it can sometimes seem impossible.Often times, entrepreneurs ask themselves: How can I encourage a fledgling business jump out of the nest and soar

A virtual office can offer you all the benefits of a permanent location at a fraction of the cost.

Why use a virtual office?
One of the recurring issues for new enterprises is building your business to obtain the confidence of prospective clients. You know that you provide a quality product or service, but you do not have the traditional assurances for success: a team of dedicated professionals who work for you, a venue for meetings, or a sleek office building in a buzzing business district. You may not even have a dedicated phone number for your business yet, or a receptionist to answer your calls. This is where a “virtual office” can help. A virtual office can offer you all the benefits of a permanent location at a fraction of the cost. It allows you to operate at the professional level that your services demand, but that your capital cannot yet cover, and creates a self-fulfilling illusion, attracting clients and investors that can help you build your enterprise. As your business grows, the time will come when you can invest in an office space of your own. Until then, a virtual office environment can give you the professional sheen you need.

So what exactly does a Virtual Office offer?
A virtual office gives your business a home in the real world without the crippling costs that this would normally entail. For a modest fee, you can use the virtual office’s address as your own, allowing you to receive mail and register with the Chamber of Commerce. Your new business phone number is answered by a reassuringly professional receptionist, using your company’s name. There is shared office space for rent for as little or as much time as you need, as well as fully equipped meeting rooms. A virtual office may also offer various invaluable additional services, such as photocopying and printing, a team of administrators who can take certain projects off your hands, catering for important meetings, audio and video conferencing, and access to the most popular software applications. The possibilities are endless and usually negotiable. A virtual office literally puts you on the map.

Co-working spaces are an economical way to rent office space and offer so much more than just a desk.

What about co-working spaces?
Working for yourself can be tough. You often spend a lot of time alone, and when your business is still in its early stages you may spend much of it at home where the pressures of domestic life life can be a distraction. Co-working spaces are an economical way to rent office space and offer so much more than just a desk. The dedicated working space, away from the clutter of home life, improves your focus. In addition to this, the companionship of other entrepreneurs, often working towards similar goals as your own, can inspire you and boost your motivation and productivity.

It is also a perfect networking opportunity. The person at the desk beside you may turn out to be a vital link in your supply chain or infrastructure, a brilliant marketing expert, or a fount of financial wisdom. Renting co-working spaces, for a few hours a month or a regular slot a week, can be a less virtual part of a virtual office package deal that could enrich your business and take it to the next level, whether you are taking your first steps on the road to success or branching out.

Is it for me?
The answer to this is a resounding ‘yes’. The benefits of a virtual office for start-ups are numerous, but even if you are further along the road to commercial success, virtual office services can solve any number of logistical and practical problems. Think of temporarily hiring in secretarial services for big jobs, or expanding your office space on an ad hoc basis. We could all do with being less tied down, especially when it comes to cost. So don’t delay: check out the virtual office solutions available locally and start a conversation today about the ways they can help you on your road to success. Get ready to soar!

5 Benefits of a Virtual Office
– A postal address for deliveries and official registrations
– Local phone number answered by a receptionist
– Office and meeting space for rent on a pay-as-you-go basis
– Access to software and equipment
– Adds an instant extra level of professionalism