Tools for Working Outside of the Box

Convenience, freedom and reduced costs are all attractive features of virtual office space, and emerging technologies are making it easier than ever to turn the concept into reality. Whether you’re just starting up, or have made the decision to start sizing down, there are a few important tools you’ll need to hit the ground running and remain successful.
 
Communication is key
With so many ways to stay connected in today’s world, you can conduct business from virtually anywhere. Email is one of the most universally accepted and established forms of reliable communication for both individuals and businesses, and can usually be accessed from anywhere. Most mail clients also come with tools and features to help users prioritize messages from important contacts and sync meeting requests with their calendar(s). More direct forms of communication include mobile phones, text and instant messaging, and video chat, all of which have budget-friendly options and are acceptable means of communication. The more of these you have access to, the better.
 
Sharing is caring (and convenient)
Going virtual doesn’t necessarily mean you’re running a business on your own. In order to seamlessly collaborate with colleagues, as well as clients, you’ll need an online file storage and sharing system that is convenient and secure. The Cloud, Dropbox and Google Drive (free with a Gmail account) are a few programs that enable users to exchange documents and work on projects together from anywhere with internet access.
 
Plans for planning
Virtual office success relies heavily on your planning and organizational skills. Online calendars can be synced with your email account and mobile devices, and are an effective way of organizing appointments, meetings and deadlines. If you’re looking to go beyond the power of online calendars, applications like Pageonce and Mint can serve as virtual assistants. Sync them with your bank accounts and monthly bills to receive notifications when payments are due, easily track spending activity and monitor your budget.
 
Hardware
Last but not least, you’ll need the gadgets and technology that make having a virtual office possible. Outside of the obvious laptops and wireless networks, there are a few pieces of hardware that will come in handy. For those who don’t want to store their files online (or just want a back up plan), USB drives and SD cards are portable and widely compatible. And for those noisy coffee shop days and on-the-go conference calls, a quality pair of headphones or small headset will come in handy more often than not.
 
To find out if a virtual office is the best solution for your business, give us a call today at (813) 229-1500. We specialize in creating customized virtual office packages that will best suit the needs of you and your business.