4 Things To Consider If You Are Thinking About Switching To A Virtual Office

If you’re thinking about using a virtual office, you aren’t alone. More and more businesses are going virtual as a way to increase productivity and reduce costs. Before you make the switch, here are some things to consider:

1. Communication

As a business owner, it’s your job to lead your team and ensure that everybody is effectively communicating. But without being in the same office every day, communication can break down…if you aren’t careful. Make sure you have a solid plan about how you are going to get things done in a virtual environment and talk to your employees about what changes (if any) need to be made.

2. Software

When you switch to a virtual office, you will be more reliant on communication software than ever before. Whether you’re using Gmail, Skype, GoToMeeting or a combination of these tools, you’ll want to do a few test runs to ensure you’ll be able to depend on this software to stay in touch your crew and keep your business running smoothly. Your software needs will vary greatly depending on the type of business you own, Howstuffworks.com made a comprehensive list of software you might need in a virtual office, you can check it out here.

3. Telecommuting

One of the biggest challenges of switching to a virtual office is telecommuting. While you might not have to worry about sitting in traffic every morning, you’ll still need to make sure everyone is showing up to work. Not everybody is a good fit for working remotely. You have to be extremely self-motivated and somewhat tech savvy. Talk to your team about working from home and consider hiring people who have a proven ability for telecommuting.

4. Meetings

Even though you might be able to accomplish most of your goals in a virtual space, you may still need to meet your team or clients in-person to discuss business matters. If this is the case, you’ll need to find an office that has conference rooms on site. Carefully consider how often you’ll need to use a conference room so you can weigh the costs with the benefits.

Making the Switch

Going virtual can be intimidating for businesses. But with the right amount of planning, you can have a smooth transition and enjoy everything that a virtual office has to offer.

Virtual Office Near Boston

Live in the Boston area and want to learn more about a virtual office in Burlington, MA? Office Evolution Burlington, opening in January 2016, has flexible virtual office packages to meet the needs of business professionals in the Metro Boston area. Our offices are easily accessible from I-95 and Burlington Mall Road and the MBTA. Give us a call at 781-222-8075 to learn more about a virtual office in Burlington, MA.