A Virtual Office

Is it a good time to start my own business?

People always wonder if this is a good time to start their own business. The fact is, there's really never a bad time to launch a business. It's obvious why it's smart to launch in strong economic times. People have money and are looking for ways to spend it. But launching in tough or uncertain economic times can be just as smart. If you do some research and there's a high need for the business you're starting. Because many people are reluctant to launch in tough times, your new business has a better chance of getting noticed. And, depending on your idea, in a down economy there is often equipment (or even entire businesses!) for sale at bargain prices.

When you start a small business you face lots of challenges. In order to improve your chances of beating the odds, what is important is that you educate yourself about business development. Starting and running a business, or any form of self-employment, requires a range of skills and attitudes. It can be very demanding.

It’s important that you understand all the responsibilities you’ll have, and as many of the foreseeable challenges as you can. On the other hand, it’s also important to recognize the rewards of working for yourself and providing a quality product or a needed service to your customers and the community.

Working from home might seem to be cheaper than leasing or renting an office space, but in the current climate with lots of property available, office space rental isn’t the costly exercise you might think it to be. In fact, thanks to the recession, many landlords are simply eager to lease out their dead office space, and so as a result, prices are actually more competitive than ever.

You’ll be surprised at how cost effective this option can be and the extra benefit with renting an office space from Van Nuys Offices with one of their short-term contracts  It also allows convenience and flexibility, which are both essential things when a business is in its fledgling state. Shop around, take a look at the deals – it could be the best thing you’ve done to date.

An Advantage of Moving to a Traditional Office

There are plenty of great reasons to set up a home office. One of the perks of working from home is being able to take breaks when you want to, spend time with family, etc. However, this can quickly eat up your day without you realizing it. There’s nothing worse than picking up the phone with an important client and having a knock on your door or your child ask for something. 


But as your business expands, you might begin to feel a little cramped in your home office. If, for instance, your “office” is little more than a desk packed into one corner of your living room, then it won’t be long before your freelance life—printers, paperwork, contracts, and file cabinets—begins to invade your personal space.


That's when you know it's time to go out and look for a small office space for lease. Establishing an office that runs efficiently requires accurate calculations of the space needed and what is affordable.


There is credibility that comes from an office with a business sounding address.  For example, you nothing about two consulting firms.  You only know that  one consulting firm everybody worked out of their homes and the other firm had an office in the building next to the courthouse, you were a serious buyer of consulting services, from which consulting firm would you purchase consulting services?

How to Save Money When Renting Office Space

There comes a time when that basement or spare bedroom you’ve converted into an office just doesn’t cut it anymore. You need a real office space — a place where you can meet clients without your small toddler crying in the background, a place where your filing cabinet doesn’t double as a table for the microwave.

And unless your business is picking up pretty good then you probably don't have that extra money to rent an office space.  However, there are a few things you can do to help you save money without feeling like you’re cutting too many corners.  Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. DO THE LEGWORK YOURSELFHiring the help of an agent may seem like the correct thing to do.  But hiring an agent means there's going to be fees to pay. So in order to save some money you might want to go solo on your office search. You'll find it easier to find the perfect space, after all you're the one who knows more about your business.

2. HOW MUCH SPACE DO I NEED? Before you go out looking for an office space, you need to stop and calculate how much space you will need.  You don’t want to end up renting a 10,000 square feet office when you only really needed 7,000 square feet.  Which would mean you will be paying every month for an extra 3,000 square feet of office that you don’t really need and aren't really using.

3. FURNISHING THE OFFICEWith the great list of used and refurbished office furniture available today, purchasing new is most often a waste of money.  Don't go buying new furniture when there is many thrift shops or classified ads that have office furniture that is in very good condition and for a very good price.

4. PREMISES TO MATCH YOUR TYPE OF BUSINESSDon't underestimate the value of appearances. How your office looks can have a huge impact on business & investor relations so it is crucial that the premises you choose match with the image you want for your business.

5. NOT CONSIDERING FUTURE NEEDSRenting office space can be risky because it may be difficult to predict your future business needs. Renting the proper amount of space, in a location that suits the business, is sometimes a great risk you will be taking. The property owner does not share in your risk-taking, and it won’t be the landlord's problem if the office turns out not to suit your needs. If you signed a contract, it’s your space until the lease terminates.         

         

How to Know Your Home Business Needs an Outside Office

It can be complicated in determining when is the right time to move your home-based business to a separate office space in.  Moving too soon can result in overhead that is outside of the current cash flow ability.  Waiting too long may result in loss of customers or jobs. Operating out of the home can be a big plus for many small business owners. By significantly lowering your overhead expense, you can improve your profit margins in good times and reduce your risks if the business cycle heads down. The advantages of moving out of your home office boil down to increased professionalism, more space to work and unlimited growth potential. Of course, with any advantage come a few disadvantages, but nothing that can't be overcome.

There are a few signs that let you know it's time to go out and look for an office space.  For example:

Interruptions:         

• Dogs barking and family members needing your assistance will not only minimize your productivity but  can be heard on calls and teleconferences. While most understand the demands of juggling business and home life, constant interruptions and background noise are not necessarily helpful when you’re trying to project a professional image.

Outgrown Space: 

• Businesses that need a great deal of space or that need bulky equipment are obvious candidates for outside offices. But some businesses that don't need to be operated from outside offices can benefit from them.  You're struggling to fit the new printer but you're struggling because there just isn’t room between your file cabinet and the queen-sized bed that also sits in your office.   Maybe you do need a larger space that can be devoted just to your business.  Piles of equipment or papers that are interfering with either your work or your family life also send a signal that it’s time to consider an outside office.

Space for Clients:   

• When a big portion of your business involves meeting with clients, you may need more than just the local  coffee shop. When you want to present to a larger group or need a truly professional meeting space, you’ll need to find something a little more appropriate than a café. One option is to rent office space – you’ll get a set amount of hours in an office, along with access to a conference room.

Most  businesses with outside locations tend to be easier to sell and to bring higher prices. For one thing, the new owner doesn't have to scout out a new location and go to the expense of moving; for another, customers and clients are already accustomed to visiting a particular office and can continue to patronize it despite the new ownership.

Some businesses operate most efficiently when they are located close to customers, suppliers, or certain other facilities or businesses. For example, law offices are often located close to the county courthouse, in part to minimize the time spent running back and forth to court. Also, many customers or clients seem to feel that a business with a permanent address other than someone's home is less likely to be a fly-by-night operation, and more likely to be able to deliver on guarantees.

Affordable Small Office Suites - 6360 Van Nuys Boulevard - Van Nuys Office Space And Commercial Real Estate Listings | Rofo

Affordable Small Office Suites - 6360 Van Nuys Boulevard - Van Nuys Office Space And Commercial Real Estate Listings | Rofo

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