by Deanna Ayres, SEM Strategist and Community Outreach Supervisor at The Marketing Zen Group
Virtual offices like Sococo are more common than ever and many are enjoying the benefits that they bring. Operating a virtual office and having a remote workforce can increase your organizations productivity exponentially.
Here are 11 ways to stay competitive and productive with your business:
1. Flexibility.
A virtual office provides flexibility for both management and employees alike.
You can work from anywhere in the world as long as you have a computer and internet access. The flexibility of time & location provided by an online workspace increases time management and the ability to meet deadlines even when travelling.
2. Comfortable Environment.
Who wouldn’t want the chance to work from their home and in their pajamas? Working in a comfortable and welcoming environment that has fewer distractions than the traditional office environment can dramatically increase your productivity. Feeling comfortable and focused increases not only the ability to perform but also allows your staff to reach their full potential and allows introverts to shine.
3. No Commute.
Not having to sit in traffic for hours on end would be a blessing. If you add up how much time each employee spends in their car sitting in traffic, those extra hours can be utilized towards working or for some would mean more time with family and friends, which would equate to less stress for everyone involved. With less stress and more time for hobbies and family productivity and happiness levels increase.
4. Diversity of Talent.
By being virtual, you are not limited to a certain location and demographic. You have access to millions of educated and talented individuals to help increase your productivity. Having a diverse workforce you can guarantee that you have talented and hard working employees who value the position and thrive in this environment. No longer are you bound by sourcing talent only in your city, nor will you miss out on talent because you would require them to otherwise relocate and can’t afford to fund such a move. It’s a win-win for everyone. You can pick the best regardless of location.
5. Less Expensive.
Virtual offices eliminate the need for a physical office location and can be done from your home, a coffee shop or any place that offers wi-fi. This alone eliminates the expense of maintaining a physical office space and everything that comes with that responsibility. Granted there will be the expense of computers, phones, software, and the expense of a virtual office but not having to pay for office space means huge savings. However, it will save a lot of money overall – money that can be spent on more tools and bonuses which in turn increase productivity.
6. Schedules.
Having a virtual office can help cut costs on how many full time employees you have on staff which equates to less expense of providing vacation time, sick time, and benefits. Schedules can vary because of different time zones, but that also works in your favor.
7. Increase Morale.
Granted you still have the same expectations with a virtual office but with advantages of flexibility this leads to happy employees. This is especially true for working parents. Daycare, sick days, and time constraints are a constant worry that no longer matters with working from home.
8. Less Attendance Issues.
Working from your home and not in a physical office also can help decrease employee absences by providing the option of being able to work even when they feel under the weather. This is also a huge advantage for working parents with children as they can work and be a parent at the same time.
9. 24 hour Accessibility.
Not having the normal 9-5 hours allows your company to have 24 hour operation if necessary. Due to the fact that you have a workforce that is not stuck in one region you could have *day time* employees producing on a 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
10. Freedom.
Running a company is a time consuming and 24/7 operation. Having a virtual office provides the freedom to travel and be able to stay connected. The freedom to come and go and not be tied down to a physical office with the ability to connect anytime helps with time management.
11. Outsourcing Resources for Certain Projects.
Outsourcing for projects is helpful and an easy way to meet deadlines without having to break the bank. You can obtain talent that is specific to the needs of your business for a fraction of the cost instead of hiring a permanent employee and include them in your virtual office regardless of their location. The result can also be a strong partnership and a way of networking to establish relationships within the industry.
Deanna Ayres is the SEM Strategist and Community Outreach Supervisor at The Marketing Zen Group. She loves to come up with new content strategies for and with her team and believes that connecting on a personal level is vital to success. Growing up in Europe has allowed her a unique insight into cultural differences in business & marketing.
