Virtual offices are becoming more and more popular all over the world, as they offer a range of benefits to businesses operating in different industries, including flexibility, improved productivity and cost savings.
In this article, the specialists at The Bower break down several virtual office pros and cons to help you decide whether this could be the right decision for your organisation.
What is a Virtual Office?
A virtual office is a type of flexible, shared workspace offering all the services and resources of a traditional office, but without requiring you to be physically present to access them. A virtual office allows your staff to operate from anywhere in the world with just an internet connection, making it an excellent option for entrepreneurs or small businesses who want to save money on operational costs or need flexible work arrangements.
Virtual offices come in many forms and typically offer different services, depending on what is required of each business owner. Some standard features include mail handling, telephone answering services, meeting spaces, conference rooms, copy machines or printers, administrative help, high-speed internet service, and more.
What are the Pros of Virtual Offices?
Lower Overhead Expenses
Virtual offices remove the need for a dedicated office space. With the ability to work from home, as well as the capability to visit a physical address when needed, organisations are no longer forced to enter a restrictive, long-term and expensive contract for an office that isn’t always fully utilised.
Instead, they can significantly reduce their overhead expenses with a flexible work policy and membership that requires them to pay for the services they actually use.
No Office Maintenance Required
In addition to lower overhead costs, another significant benefit of virtual offices and a flexible work policy is that it eliminates the need for any routine office maintenance tasks. You won’t have to be responsible for certain tasks like ongoing cleaning, equipment repairs and replacement, or refurbishing of a workspace, as these responsibilities will be handled by employees within their own homes or by the shared workspace provider.
Added Flexibility & Options to Work at Home
Virtual offices also provide more flexibility and options regarding how and where your teams work. For example, if staff or contractors need to travel or work from another geographical area, a virtual office can enable this while still projecting a professional image and maintaining your business connections.
Boosts Your Reputation with a Professional Business Address
Prospective clients and partners are often more likely to work with businesses displaying a credible business address. Even if you don’t actually utilise the physical aspect of the workspace, virtual offices provide a physical address in a well-respected part of the CBD, making it far easier for you to be found and seen as a trustworthy organisation.
Utilise Phone & Mail Handling Services
Virtual offices also provide phone and mail handling services that can help streamline your communications needs and make it easier for you to stay connected with your contacts. Whether it’s taking messages, routing calls, or handling your mail, these virtual office services can help simplify and improve your business.
What are the Cons of Virtual Offices?
Updating Operations to Meet a Flexible Work Policy
After a long history of working in a physical office space, transitioning to a virtual office may be challenging for certain team members. Companies should update their operations and policies to reflect the changing needs of their workforce. This can involve aspects like implementing new video communication technology and project management tools, developing a more flexible work policy, and creating new guidelines for remote work, as well as dedicated training and support.
A Need for Home Office Resources
Another potential disadvantage of virtual offices is that they require specific resources to be effective. For example, modern companies need reliable internet access at all times, and so will their remote workers to utilise communication tools and document-sharing platforms required to do their job effectively. They will also need to introduce the appropriate furnishings and technology in their home office, including desks, chairs, ergonomic footstools, monitors, keyboards and so on.
Without these vital resources, employees may struggle with staying connected or completing projects on time.
Learn More About How Flexible Work Arrangements Can Benefit Your Organisation
Interested in learning more about how virtual offices and a flexible work arrangement can benefit your organisation? Please contact us at The Bower today.
