Archive for August, 2014

Executive Suite Advantages over Commercial Real Estate

An Executive Suite is a great solution for many business situations. If you answer “Yes” to any of these questions, then you should be considering Executive Suites at Lakewood Ranch. Be sure to call us at 941.373.1400 to discuss how this concept might fit your business situation.

• Does the thought of a long-term real estate commitment turn you off?
• Do you want to avoid paying utility deposits and monthly utility bills, real estate taxes and CAM fees?
• Do you need office space for a small work group of 1 – 5 people for any period of time?
• Do you want to be fully operational in only one day rather than months?
• Do you want somebody else to worry about administrative support and office management leaving you free to run your business?
• Are you currently working from home and looking for a professional environment to hold business meetings and/or have access to a support team when you need them?
• Are you an attorney, CPA, Financial Planner or business consultant considering branching off on your own?
• Do you need a flexible lease term that allows your business to expand?
• Do you need the ability to change location at short notice?

Executive Suites at Lakewood Ranch leases individual or multiple offices and provides the support and technology you need in today’s competitive business environment. We run the office so you are free to run your business.

The best way to fully understand the concept is to call 941.373.1400, discuss your business needs with our on-site manager and arrange for your personal tour of our outstanding facility.

Tips For Starting Your Own Business

Be Clear on Why You want to Start a Business

Taking control of your work life by starting out on your own may be daunting, but doing nothing cis not a better alternative. If you’re truly passionate about doing your own thing and you’re ready to go for it with everything you’ve got, then starting your own business can be the most frustrating and the most rewarding adventure you’ve ever undertaken.

Determine Your Business Type

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. The best idea for your business may be something that’s already out there, but different because of your personal twist. Take a look around and you’ll see no shortage of repeatable ideas: People need accountants, other businesses need consultants, many folks are apprehensive about large law firms, and people appreciate financial advisors who are close by. You just have to execute your version really well. So nail your idea – and keep in mind that a service business (a service you provide based on your expertise) is much less expensive to launch than a product business where it costs money to create a tangible item to sell.

Create a Simple Business Plan

Many new aspiring businesses owners think they’re supposed to sit down and write a detailed and lengthy business plan. Some people worry so much about dotting every “i” and crossing every “t” until their plan is just perfect that they never start their business. A basic business plan can be as simple as a one-page plan that covers what you will offer, who your target market is, what your price(s) will be and how you plan on marketing the business. The Small Business Administration website () is a great resource for writing your business plan as well as other good advice on starting and running your business.

Nail Your Target Customer

Determine exactly who your customers are with great specificity- this is key. Define your marketing strategy: I’m going to provide bookkeeping services for restaurants; I’m going to create social media campaigns for self-published authors, you get the idea. The more you can pinpoint your targeted client, the more focused your marketing efforts will be to reach them. You’ll be able to ask for the right referrals and you’ll know who and what to search for on the Internet.

Perfect Your Pricing

Your pricing must cover your costs AND it must also generate a profit. A classic mistake is to undervalue your time and talent, don’t make it. One option is to work the numbers from the top down: What are you looking to make annually? How does that break down monthly and weekly? How many products must you sell or how many clients will you need to bring in to meet those numbers? What are all of the costs associated with delivering that product or service? Review your assumptions often once you get going and tweak where necessary.

How to Fund Your Dream

Until you start bringing in sales, you must keep costs down. Think creatively. Forget hiring a full staff; ask friends for help and train interns. Negotiate for key services. Keep your costs low by considering an executive suite or shared office environment to house your business.

If tapping personal savings isn’t an option or if you need a more creative financing option, one of the fastest growing trends today is crowdfunding. Google “how does crowdfunding work?” to learn more. The SBA website also has great advice and resources for this.

Go Out and Get Customers

Nothing happens until somebody sells something and nothing else matters if you don’t have customers. The majority of your time and effort must focus on sales. Having a smart marketing plan to attract interested people, and then convert them to customers is your number one priority. Create a list of 50 potential prospects (your target customer) that you’ll go after and begin making calls. Learn how to build a serious social media presence for your business.

Dreaming about how fabulous your business can be is good; but doing the work to get it there is sensational. It’s all about your passion and hustle. The decisions you make and the actions you take each and every day will get you where you want to go.

Executive Suites at Lakewood Ranch provides the office suites, technology and communication services small businesses and startups need to propel them to success. And our budget-friendly service lets you hit the ground running without a ton of startup costs that those going it on their own are faced with. To learn more contact us today! 941.373.1400.

Virtual Office: What are the benefits?

A virtual office offers all the advantages of an office address and office communications and technology without requiring the business owner to set up a physical office. A virtual office can provide phone, email and other amenities needed to run a successful business.

Here are some of the advantages of A Virtual Office:
• Professional business address – Organizations can have addresses at professional buildings without actually having to rent office space there. The service provider forwards all mail sent to this address to the client or handles it per the client’s instructions. Compared to simply having a PO Box address, the business address at prestigious buildings allows the company to maintain a professional image at relatively low prices
• Reception services – A reception service greets any visitors to the business and then manages that contact per the client’s instructions. Additionally they can receive and sign for any parcels or overnights received on behalf of the client.
• Communication services – The virtual office service can provide live phone receptionists, fax services, answering services, voice mail and other communications options.
• Meeting rooms – A virtual office service providers offer rental meeting rooms and conference rooms to clients that are available on-demand. This meeting space is available at the same building as their professional business address.
• Office space – The virtual office service can offer temporary office or work space to clients.
• Amenities – The virtual office service may also offer amenities like video conferencing, lounges, kitchens, break rooms, broadband Internet connectivity, wireless Internet connectivity and parking facilities.
• Low start-up costs – The virtual office space offers savings as compared to starting up an actual office since customers share costs for most of the services and infrastructure.
• Immediacy – Most (if not all) virtual office services can be set up on the same day that they are needed.

In conclusion a virtual office creates an opportunity for clients to conduct business in a professional manner with their clients and prospects and develop a great impression while networking.

Executive Suites at Lakewood Ranch offers a complete line of virtual office services. Our standard service products can be tailored to meet your unique preferences and needs. Contact us today to learn more and be in business tomorrow!