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August 6, 2014

Virtual Office: What are the benefits?

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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!

June 25, 2014

You Can Never Have Too Many Amenities

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One of the many advantages that come with an executive office suite are all of the amenities that are included in your lease that make your business life easier and more productive. Many, if not all, of these services are included at no extra charge.
They include:

On-site Office Manager. The Office Manager is on-site Monday-Friday to manage the facility and insure that the services you count on are always available to you. They are also there to help you set up the plan that’s right for you or to answer any questions you may have.

Upscale Décor. The modern decor is upscale and professional which greatly aids in the perception your visitors and guests have of you and your business.

Convenient Location. You don’t want your clients, prospects and visitors to have to spend an inordinate amount of time searching for your place of business. Quick, convenient access with plenty of available (hopefully free) and well-lit is a must.

A plus is if the center is located in close proximity to hotels, restaurants and shops.

Security. The user-friendly security system allows for 24/7 access to your office plus a safe working environment.

State-of-the-art Conference Facilities. Available by reservation and equipped with appointment and offers all of the assets you need to conduct a successful meeting. Such assets include Wi-Fi access, 3-way conference speaker phones, white boards, liquid refreshments and presentation equipment.

Concierge Services. The concierge attendant is available to assist you with meeting and catering planning, dinner reservations and any other professional needs that may arise.

State-of-the-art Answering System. The phone system provides a personalized telephone answering service plus 24-hour voice mail and message retrieval. Added value is obtained if the voice mail message is carbon copied as a wav file and emailed to you.

High Speed Internet. High-speed access provides always-on Internet.

Copy/ Facsimile. For your convenience, a copier and facsimile machine are available for your use. This saves you from having to commit to a long-term rental and/or service agreement.

Mail Service. Along with a prestigious business address, you should receive a private mailbox for your incoming mail.

Utilities, Janitorial, Maintenance Services. Your lease should include all of these which ensure a professional, functional working environment.

A La Carte Services. You should be able to access a wide variety of professional business services to support you in running your business. This saves you from having to employ an executive assistant or or administrative staff. Typical services include:
• Research/respond to RFP’s
• Production jobs
• Evening meeting services
• Information Management
• Website services
• Creative services
• Invoicing
• Professional administrative services
• Witness services
• Scanning service
• Printing services (color, black and white)
• Facsimile service
• Express shipping, postage and private courier services

You will find all of these amenities, and more, at Executive Suites at Lakewood Ranch. To learn more call us at 941.373.1400.

March 24, 2014

On Your Own Without Being on Your Own

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Are you a freelancer or considering freelancing? The number of freelancer workers in the US workforce is expected to outgrow full-time workers by 2020. Although part of what it means to be a freelancer is to not be confined by a confined space, it might not be wise to discard the idea of an office space all together. Executive suites are an excellent compromise that doesn’t confine like a cubicle, but maintains the professionalism and productivity necessary to successfully grow your business. Here’s why freelancers need an executive suite to succeed and standout in the increasingly competitive DIY economy.

They’re Ideal for Getting Started

The toughest part about being a freelancer is getting started. You need to find clients that are willing to take a chance on someone new, even if that new person comes with a wealth of experience. First impressions are crucial in situations such as this. An executive suite in a class A office environment helps to make that valuable good first impression because it shows that you are serious about your work.

With an executive suite, you have a professional business address that you can add to your email signature or on your business card. Its location can add immediate credence to your business reputation and it also provides you with valuable business cred. After all, your clients most likely spend their work days in a professional business environment and it’s normal for them to have the same expectations when it comes to choosing a vendor.

Executive Suites at Lakewood Ranch provides class A office space in a class A professional building at a class A business location.

Privacy When You Need It

Executive suites have a door, and when you’re a freelancer on the phone with a client or with a source, privacy can be extremely important. You don’t want to risk jeopardizing a client’s trust because they think someone can overhear your conversation. And you don’t want to risk misunderstanding the conversation because of competition from any background noise.

Being able to shut the door is essential something not available in a co-working space, a table at the local coffee shop or even from your home office as shutting the door doesn’t necessarily drown out the kids in the next room or noises from outside. It goes without saying that none of these other options are acceptable if the client wants to come to meet you.

Executive Suites at Lakewood Ranch has private, fully-furnished, and quiet, office space and conference rooms.

Get Away from Time-Wasting Distractions

Although email and social media will always find you, there are distractions at the home office or coffee shop that won’t follow you to the business address. These distractions can include raiding the refrigerator, watching TV – just for a minute – and even unproductive people (not everyone at the coffee shop is there to work or to study). Any or all of these distractions hinder your ability to be productive. With an executive suite you don’t have food in the refrigerator or kitchen pantry to tempt you and you don’t have a television on in the background as you’re working.
Also consider the executive suite as a way to be part of the working world, but on your terms. You are freed of forced schedules, costly commutes and awkward meetings. You have complete control over when you are there or not. Even when you are not there your professional address is. Most shared office spaces have a staffed lobby so even if a client pops in unannounced and you’re not there someone is there to let them know you are out and take a message on your behalf. With this service you look professional even when you are absent.

Executive Suites at Lakewood Ranch provides fully furnished work spaces, the services and technology that enhances your performance and productivity. Learn more by calling 941.373.1400.

January 7, 2014

Are You Running Your Business By Your Cell Phone?

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When you’re first starting out and trying to keep your costs low it’s tempting to run your business from a cell phone. It also gives the illusion of being connected with your clients whenever and wherever they need you. This illusion, however, bears no semblance to reality.
The problem is that most small business owners have made accessibility a core differentiating value of their business from the beginning. They ask, ”Why use me and my service over any other competitors?” And they answer with, “Because you can reach me whenever and wherever you need me.” That’s just good customer service, right? After all, you don’t want to run your businesses like some giant, impersonal corporation.

One large problem with using accessibility as a focus of a brand promise is that it’s too hard for one person to sustain over the long-run; and your customers know that too. “Rely on me, call me on my cell phone” is not nearly as compelling as “call my company – trust my company.” Customers want to know that they are purchasing your goods or services from a company or reliable and professional organization, not just you.

Your business is going to grow and you are going to need help. Finding ways to manage this growth with part-time help, virtual assistants, and virtual receptionists is a proactive way to position you for continued growth. And it positions your business as a totally professional one that proves to your customers that they can rely on your company.

Many new business owners do not include staffing costs in their initial budget because they think they might not need to have a support staff or don’t know the real costs but still think they can’t afford it. But with virtual assistants, shared receptionists and virtual services they can afford the help they need to really make their company stand out. Executive Suites at Lakewood Ranch offers more than furnished, on-demand offices and conference rooms, we offer shared help at reduced costs. Our receptionists can answer those frequently asked questions posed by your clients and prospects. Our services assure your clients that their needs are handled and their problems will be resolved by your company. We do the things that keep you from growing your business. That’s something that you can afford.

For more information on ways we assist your business simply contact us. It’s OK, just use your cell phone and call 941.373.1400.