TC: BENEFITS OF A VIRTUAL OFFICE
Many small business owners are a “one-person-shop.” I want to suggest an alternative to being in business alone. There are many names by which we can identify others that work with us such as strategic alliances or our team. I personally prefer the term Virtual office because, in my mind, it sounds like a more cohesive unit.
The members of a Virtual Office should be selected around the needs, wants and preferences of your target market and should be in the same service/product realm (related to) as your product/service.
As an example, a yard maintenance firm could have a nursery, a landscape architect, gravel supplier, swimming pool company, etc. as part of their virtual office.
At this point I won’t go into the legal or financial arrangements that become part of your Virtual Office, but I want to discuss the benefits.
- They become a strong referral partner.
- You select your virtual office community based upon your research as to their reputation and performance level.
- To have the ability to share other resources
- They become an unofficial peer group
- It is in their best interest to help each other grow.
- It provides alternative marketing opportunities
- You can better serve your customers and target market and provide additional value
Your virtual office community can be further identified by the use of a common logo/brand which will help the entire group in its marketing efforts.
Start this challenge by making a list of potential members for your virtual office. Lay out a plan of action including your vision for the office. Review your list and select one to start the formation process. Don’t be in a hurry; it may take 3 to six months to select and on-board all of your members.
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