Archive for 2013

Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2013 by


An “Outsider” Discusses Officing Options
Published Tuesday, July 16th, 2013, by Sue Saldibar.
You have read some excellent Expertorials on Officing Today written by Brian MacMahon, Your Office Agent CEO, on subjects involving business centers and alternative workspaces. Brian recently passed along the article below, which I would like to share with readers. It was written by Jennifer Grady, an attorney and associate of Brian’s, who explored the various “officing” options available and has provided her take as to what they are and when each of them is appropriate.
If you are a business center or coworking space operator, you are an insider, living and breathing business centers every day. There is a tendency to forget that, while we are all well acquainted with the various types of offices and the latest trends, most business owners, entrepreneurs and start ups are not.
I hope you will read this article and learn how an attorney, not a business center insider, views the industry and the officing options available. There are some great thoughts here and I hope these “basics” will provide greater insight into key “pros” and “cons” as seen from the outside.
Get out of your pajamas, inflexible leases, or stuffy office space – and into a location that suits your work style.
by Jennifer A. Grady, Esq.
As the global economy continues to change and evolve at a dizzying pace, with more entrepreneurs opening their own businesses, established companies entering new markets, and employees working remotely, the traditional office space model is about as relevant as a dial-up Internet connection. In the aftermath of the Great Recession and with the proliferation of e-commerce, companies can be more nimble and adaptable to market trends because they no longer require brick and mortar store fronts or a fixed location for their employees to be housed under one roof. Virtual Receptionists and Assistants make the need to be tethered to a specific location almost obsolete.
Which type of office suits your needs? Learn more about the Top 5 Workspace Types below.
1. VIRTUAL OFFICES – Perfect for Startups and testing out new markets
What are they? Virtual Offices provide their tenants with a “Fortune 500” company image (prestigious address and access to conference rooms and a receptionist) for a fraction of the price of traditional office space.
Pros – Virtual Offices are easy to set up globally, and can be available within one to two business days. Packages start as low as $50 per month for use of the address and mail collection/forwarding, and can cost up to $300 for packages that include conference room rental packages and a receptionist. Because they are so cost-effective and usually have month-to-month leases, Virtual Offices are the ideal solution for new businesses with limited capital and short-term business plans. In addition, they are an excellent option for companies that are looking to expand into new domestic or foreign markets without significant office space capital investment.
Cons – Basic Virtual Offices merely provide an address, with optional mail forwarding, conference room rental, and receptionist packages for an extra fee. They do not provide their tenants with an actual place to work.
2. COWORKING SPACE – An alternative solution for individuals seeking socialization and collaboration while they work
What is it? Working from home or noisy coffee shops can be an isolating, unproductive experience for individuals such as writers, designers, freelancers, solo practitioners, contract employees, and Startup founders. For the professional seeking a collaborative environment and sense of community, Coworking Space may be an alternative to working at the kitchen table in a bathrobe and slippers. Costs range from $100 per month to $600 per month (including storage and group meeting space), with an average cost of around $300 per month.
Pros – Coworking spaces provide a stimulating environment in which to work with creative or technical types from other professions. The added benefit to these spaces is that there is an automatic network of peers with whom you can share ideas, learn about upcoming events, work on projects, obtain feedback, and exchange referrals. Some locations even provide designated work spaces, team areas, conference rooms, and storage space.
Cons – Because Coworking spaces are usually open environments without cubicles or offices, it may be difficult to maintain privacy, have an intimate conversation, or make confidential phone calls. However, some spaces offer Executive Suites or private rooms for this purpose. It may also be difficult for companies to forge their own company culture in this group setting.
3. EXECUTIVE SUITES – Customizable work space for the professional who wants a private office and the ability to work with a team in the same location
What are they? Executive Suites provide flexible lease options in a designated space for professionals and their teams with the option to expand or downsize as their staffing needs fluctuate. Tenants on the same floor share a receptionist, conference rooms, kitchen, and mail/copy room. Prices range from $600 to $1200 per office.
Pros – Executive Suites are located in prestigious “A”-rated buildings and project a professional image to employees and visitors. Often, offices and cubicles come furnished and have Internet, phone, and fax systems included in the lease; when bundled together, they can be more cost-effective than traditional office space cost totals. Offices and cubicles can be rented by the hour or the day for special projects or visitors. Administrative assistants can be hired by the half hour for overflow work. As a bonus, Executive Suites can provide an excellent source of referrals because many tenants on the same floor interact with each other in the hallways, common areas, and lunch rooms.
Cons – Incidentals, such as copies, faxes, water and coffee can add up quickly. Read the lease agreement thoroughly and look out for additional hidden costs.
4. BUSINESS LOUNGES – Cost-effective option for the professional on-the-go
What is it? Virtual Office companies are starting to offer “Business Lounge” options as part of their Virtual Office or Executive Suites packages, or a la carte for a small monthly fee.
Pros – This option is valuable for people who travel frequently and have down time between meetings, or for the Virtual Office tenant who wants a change of scenery on an intermittent basis. Business Lounges usually provide an open-seating arrangement with free WiFi; work space areas with outlets; complimentary refreshments; and for an additional fee, access to administrative assistants, concierge services, conference rooms, printers, copiers, scanners, and fax machines. Some of these packages start at $25 per month, and can be used at locations across town or around the world. Members located in big cities can work from a different location every day of the week.
Cons – Business Lounges lack of privacy for conversations and phone calls. Daily parking rates can add up quickly and exceed the cost of the monthly membership after only two to three days.
5. TRADITIONAL SPACE – Semi-permanent space for companies that want to create their own culture and keep tabs on their employees.
What is it? According to Brian MacMahon, CEO of CEO of Your Office Agent, ninety-nine percent of today’s office space is still under the “traditional” format, in which companies build out and furnish their own space under mid-term and long-term leases. Prices range from $2.50 to $5.00 per square foot in major markets.
Pros – Companies can construct and furnish their work area to their own specifications, and can be the exclusive tenant of a particular suite, floor, or building.
Cons – Most conventional lease terms are for 3-5 years, yet the most accurate business plans can only project 3-6 months into the future. Many Startups that have failed in the last few years were unable to survive because they could not keep up with the monthly costs demanded in their strict lease agreements. Most leases have minimum square foot requirements that are three times the amount of space required in leases for Executive Suites. There are many online services to help you locate the right style and location for your office space. As an example, Your Office Agent (www.yourofficeagent.com) has a database of over 11,000 properties and packages in markets around the world.
About the author
Jennifer A. Grady, Esq. is an attorney and business consultant who provides coaching and legal services for entrepreneurs so they can focus on managing and growing their businesses. As a second generation entrepreneur, she founded The Grady Firm, P.C. in March 2012 with the goal of helping her clients take proactive measures to avoid or mitigate costly litigation.

Virtual Assistant: The New Sheet Anchor Of Small Business Success

Posted on Friday, June 14, 2013 by

 By Mike Viena.

Optimum utilization of skilled manpower is a challenge for all types of companies and businesses. While big companies enjoy the luxury to hire any number of full-time employees, the small and medium size businesses cannot afford that luxury because of resource constraints.
But small businesses are overcoming that handicap by hiring the services of remotely working virtual assistants. In other words outsourcing of virtual assistant services is the new recipe for business transformation that translates into higher productivity and profits.
How they Work?
An assistant can work from any part of the world. They can make the time flexible and customize it according to the needs of the client. The task may be for a few hours a week or a full-time job of 40 hours a week, the rate per hour or per project basis pricing variable and depend on the skills of the virtual assistant.
A virtual assistant is different from regular employee in many respects. To hire an assistant means hiring a professional on a contractual basis. The demand is soaring because hiring Virtual assistants or virtual secretaries are incredibly cost affective compared to the traditional method of placing a full-time staffer for a particular task.
Best Services
A virtual secretary can support a business office with the following functions such as:
 
• Administrative Assistant
• Executive assistant
• Personal assistant
• Telemarketing
• Lead generation
• Bookkeeping
• Accounting
• Real estate assistance
• SEO
• Social Media marketing
• Web Designing
• Web Development
• Content Writing 

 
 
Gains Galore for the Client
While hiring a VA, a client gets huge saving in operational costs and the service of a high quality professional at affordable costs. This is immediately reflected in the higher efficiency levels in the business processes leading to better productivity and sales. While hiring a secretary, the Client is not committed for any employee-related wages or taxes; logistical systems such as equipment, software, extra office space or obligations on paid holidays or sick leave. The secretary is paid only for the hours worked.
Unlike temps or freelancers, Virtual assistants or a Secretary's service will be long-lasting as they perform as substantial partners of the business clients with clear goals. There are at least 5 things make Virtual assistants special:
• Professionalism
• Perfect Project Management
• Round the Clock Availability
 
Impact on Business
The positive impact of hiring a virtual assistant makes a direct contribution to the efficiency and productivity of a business organization. All Virtual Assistant jobs are contract jobs and they are paid on hourly rates. Once a tried and tested VA takes over, the hiring business owner can enjoy peace of mind. Yet another benefit is that the VA can also be kept as a retainer without any liability of orientation or training.
Overall Assistant jobs and services mark a paradigm shift in the way businesses are working. This new genre of remote employment is not limited to any specific place or region. The Virtual assistants bring to table the option of multiplicity as different specialists can be tried as against the conventional practice of hiring a single person to meet too many skill requirements.
For more information on Intelligent Office virtual assistants, please contact:
Richard Rey
Business Development Manager
Intelligent Office Miami
rrey@intelligentoffice.com
www.intelligentoffice.com
Tel: 305-777-1300

How Self Employed People Can Benefit From Virtual Office Services

Posted on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 by

At first it is highly likely that many people used to working for themselves will say no. Those who are self-employed individuals do tend to become rather protective of their brand, wanting to answer every call, respond to every enquiry and answer every question, even whilst trying to carry out the work for other customers at the same time.

It's never been tougher for self-employed entrepreneurs or tradesmen, trying to cope with demand in a timely fashion whilst also carrying out quality work that doesn't become rushed. The financial climate right now is not good, and those who are self-employed individuals are finding it increasingly tough. So might outsourcing office services actually be an answer?
 
If you're up a ladder, answering the phone isn't ideal. If you're driving, you really can't use the phone, because even if you do use a hands free kit, you're almost certainly not going to be able to concentrate fully on both the customer and the road. If you're stuck behind a washing machine, turning over a garden or lugging a double wardrobe up a flight of stairs, you really can't be answering your phone.
 
Which creates a problem self-employed people don't like. Missed calls. A missed call doesn't look good for your business, and it's very likely that the customer will simply call the next number in the telephone directory. A missed call doesn't just mean one missed job, but each enquiry could potentially lead to a long term, loyal customer who keeps coming back.
 
But of course not every call is a potential new customer. Sometimes it's a wrong number. Sometimes it's simply a call to find out prices, or check on an appointment time. These calls can easily be dealt with at a later time if needed. But when the phone rings, you never know whether it will be a wrong number, a simple enquiry from a existing customer, or the next Big Job.
 
All of which means that as a self-employed individual working in the current financial climate, outsourcing to a virtual office is not just good sense, it's essential.
 
Now let's just clear up one thing here. Because many people will be thinking that virtual office services are not for them, because it must mean redirecting their customers to either an overseas call centre, or some warehouse stuffed full of thousands of operators, most of whom only know your business because it flashes up the script for them to use on their computer screen. Loyalty? Forget it. Commitment? None.
 
But the truth is that while these sorts of virtual offices do exist, that's not the only type there is.
 


Because you really can find more personal virtual offices. These are remote receptionists who do have a loyalty and commitment to your business, who do know you and your customers, and can become a part of your business your customers become familiar with, and who they trust.
 
Rather than two thousand operators in a battery chicken style warehouse, imagine an office with half a dozen operators, all who share the same teapot. Imagine them not even needing a script because they know you, your business and your customers. Imagine your customers being able to get through to the same virtual receptionist every time.
 
This means that you can confidently leave your business in safe hands, while you concentrate on dealing with your customers and their needs face to face, either up a ladder, down a drain, under a car or in front of an obstinate computer.
 
The virtual receptionists can then decide on your behalf whether you need to be disturbed or not. If it's a simple enquiry your receptionist can handle themselves, then you don't need to be disturbed at all. You'll simply receive a report at the end of the day which informs you of the calls and the action taken.
 
On the other hand, you may want to have some calls sent through to you in the form of a text message, so that you have a written record of people you need to call back, or changes you need to make to your schedule.
 
Then there will be some calls you really will need to take. But at least you'll know that if your phone rings, it really will be important. Either that or it will be your partner reminding you to pick up some onions and a loaf of bread on your way home.
 
For more information on Intelligent Office virtual assistants, please contact: 
Richard Rey
Business Development Manager
Intelligent Office Miami
rrey@intelligentoffice.com
www.intelligentoffice.com
Tel: 305-777-1300






 


Virtual Assistant - A Boon for Online Business

Posted on Friday, May 24, 2013 by

"You can't do today's job with yesterday's methods and be in business tomorrow". This popular saying fits perfectly in today's scenario of tough competitions. Today's business demands quality with perfection and innovation.

Big entrepreneurs and officials in large business organizations are looking for innovative and supportive solutions for generating more and more profits in their business. With their common concern, a term virtual assistant services is said to be quite beneficial for the businesses. Though a new concept but more and more people be it a small business entrepreneur or an individual businessman, are accepting it.
A lot of discussion has been made on this term but still people are confused with its real meaning. When a business organization outsource its various administrative services to a person sitting miles away from him without actually meeting him physically then that person is said to be working virtually for the organization. This is the meaning of virtual assistant services.
Availing the services of a virtual assistant never cause any added cost to your business. This is because you neither put any infrastructure or resources nor there is any need for insurance and health benefits. In fact, you can hire a virtual employee as per your project's requirement. Quality from a virtual assistant is assured because the success of your company will give him/her better rewards thus adding positive aspects of his/her career. Additionally, as the person can be hired from the global market, you have an amazing choice of skilled and expert personnel in the required field.
For contacting a virtual employee, you can use communication sources like email, telephone, facsimile, courier and other postal services. There is no need to have any physical meeting with the person.
What activities can a virtual professional handle?
You name it and they have it, yes!! A virtual employee can efficiently handle transcription services, designing and maintenance of websites, setting appointments, desktop support training, answering your calls, travel and transport arrangement and a lot more. Even all types of secretarial and personal assistant jobs are handled perfectly by this virtual service provider.
Owing to the growing popularity of these services, there are several organizations who have started virtual services for their offshore clients. These organizations have a team of experienced and skilled professionals who carry expertise in different arenas and thus deliver their services to the remote clients.
If you also want your business to take a leap towards success in available resources then virtual assistant services are fruitful option. When such person would handle your daily tasks, you can channelize your energy in some productive ideas and innovative tasks. Go ahead and search for reliable services on the internet and see the change after outsourcing business to virtual professionals.

Virtual Office Help Means More Green For Your Wallet and the Environment

Posted on Sunday, May 12, 2013 by

With gas and food prices rising along with the expectation to go green, virtual office assistance has now found it's place in the competitive world of administration. Currently most companies, when in need of office help, have to pay for wants ads or staffing agency fees, spend hours going through resumes and interviews and then spend additional money for federal taxes, benefits and overhead costs. Now there are a growing number of administrative assistants who provide all of their services virtually (hence the name) via phone, fax and internet based technology. Most daily office tasks such as faxing, copying, returning emails, data entry, mass mailings, travel itineraries, internet research, word processing and bookkeeping can all be done from a home office with the right equipment and training.
If a company has a database that is internal, then the company can use an online tool such as http://www.gotomypc.com which allows them to set up a log in to the company database from a home computer. This allows greater freedom and financial control and also allows businesses to only pay for the time they need an assistant. For example the cost to hire a new individual can be up 100% of their salary. This can impact the bottom line of a small business tremendously especially if the individual may not be needed 20-40 hours per week permanently. Hiring a virtual assistant requires a phone call, email or fax entailing the job needed to be done and an estimate to approve for the job task entailed. Once the estimate is approved, the job is completed and the payment is made. The taxes, overhead costs and other usual full time employee expenses do not apply since you are hiring out an independent service provider.
An added benefit of using a virtual assistant is the impact you are making on the environment. Since these individuals provide their services virtually, the daily commute to and from an office location is eliminated thereby saving hundreds of gallons of gas and vehicle emissions that pollute the air. Most practices also use recycled office paper, ink cartridges and eco-friendly office supplies.
Hiring an intelligent, trustworthy and trained individual who can provide convenience and long term financial savings while helping to protect our precious environment is a benefit to any company.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1230861






Location: Hotel Felix 111 West Huron Street, Chicago

Hiring virtual office services: Call center services

Posted on Sunday, May 5, 2013 by


Author: WebNetLet
Hiring virtual office services can be as complicated or as straight forward as you like. Multinational virtual office providers have delivered exponential growth during the recent recession as companies seek to downsize their operations in remote locations while at the same time, correctly, not wishing to show signs of retraction from their desirable markets.

In these times of 24/7 constant online communications, customers and suppliers alike expect and demand to be able to talk to their contacts at a time that they wish and it is interesting that the larger companies who embrace unified communications are the slowest to adopt all that this technology offers. Perhaps their view is we’re big, you’re small, or at least not as big as us, so “speak to the hand” or the usual “leave a voice mail after the tone” and maybe they will get back to you eventually – this is a huge mistake.

Users and customers are not lacking in the intelligence department, they want to speak to a human being. In a recent survey, most callers valued the option to speak to an operator or call agent as worth 90% more than most of all the other options presented on an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. Essentially, they just want to talk to somebody and often wanting to be able to clarify doubts easily.

Virtual office services therefore divide themselves into two categories and therefore, 2 price ranges. If for example, you are a US company with the need to service your clients in Portugal and you are considering virtual office services but only comfortable negotiating for these services in English, you will have to pay a certain premium. If however you have someone on the ground who has a mother tongue in Portuguese, this is another matter; a locally brokered deal will work better for you every time. The basic maxim is “the further away you are, the more you will pay”.

Before buying or contracting a service, ask for user references from companies similar to yours, the most important thing is that the call agents should be professional and look after the caller, even if they know that the party sought by the caller is on a sales trip to Timbuktu and cannot be reached for 2 weeks, they should be seen to try to transfer the call. If all fail, note the caller’s correct name and contact details and promise to get the called party to get back as soon as possible to the caller.

The call agent from a virtual office service center should also take note of the callers who have called in, even if the agent who took the call is not working on the shift, they should pass the details on to their colleague with key details. Assuming the caller has something urgent to discuss, the real value of the virtual office services come into play here. If the operator is able to say with true conviction that they have talked with the called party and he or she understands the matter is urgent and will get back to the caller as soon as possible with the caller being satisfied, the mission will be accomplished and the reason for using a virtual office service will have been justified.

Posted in Articles | Tags: call center services

Location: Sunny Isles Beach Sunny Isles Beach

Virtual Assistant Service Provides Crucial Emergency Communication Service for Business Owners

Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 by



Virtual Assistant Service Provides Crucial Emergency Communication Service for Business Owners


Miami, Florida, April 24, 2013  

Intelligent Office of Miami, a virtual and professionally staffed office concept that provides concierge-style business and back office services, has rolled out a new virtual assistant service designed to help businesses with their communication needs during emergency situations.
Many businesses have experienced a down phone system, flooded office, building evacuation or even a receptionist that has called in sick at the last minute. These interruptions can halt normal business operations and cost money. Intelligent Office's Intelligent Assistant service can come to the rescue in dire situations like these.  
Intelligent Office of Miami’s highly trained Intelligent Assistants can ease the woes of a business emergency by temporarily handling phone calls, emails and other vital administrative tasks while businesses deal with getting their operations back on track.  Intelligent Assistants are local and professionally trained virtual receptionists and assistants who can handle a wide array of other administrative services.
Intelligent Assistants can be hired temporarily to mitigate the effects of many emergency situations like disabled or down phone systems, power outages, last minute receptionist absences, unforeseen office closures, hurricane or storm closures, building evacuations, and any other business emergency that calls for extra manpower. 
Recently, one of Intelligent Office of Miami’s clients Gina Polo, who runs a busy law firm, experienced the benefits of using an Intelligent Assistant in an emergency situation.  “Intelligent Office’s Intelligent Assistants came to the rescue when our office phone system stopped working,” said Ms. Polo. “All I had to do was call Intelligent Office and explain the situation. Within a few minutes, our phone lines were transferred to their system, and our new emergency virtual assistants were there to answer all of our calls. They answered our phones for six full business days before we were able to get back up and running. I don't know what we would have done without them.”
Prices and service plans for Intelligent Office’s emergency virtual assistants are uniquely tailored for every situation and budget. For more information about Intelligent Office of virtual assistant service and customizable packages, please contact Richard Rey at (305) 777-1300.


####

About:  Intelligent Office Miami is a virtual and professionally staffed office suite concept that provides, virtual assistants, concierge-style business and back office services, located in the heart of Downtown Miami on the 37th floor of One Biscayne Tower.  The location features private office space, two conference suites, a kitchen, and private, locked mailboxes, all of which are available 24/7.  You can rent office space by the hour, day, week or month. For more information, please visit http://www.intelligentoffice.com/locations/florida/miami/miami-downtown.aspx

SOBE SPRING NETWORKING EVENT

Posted on Tuesday, April 23, 2013 by

In 2013, the “Company Man” Will Become the Solopreneur

Posted on Thursday, April 11, 2013 by


Our series of Work IQ surveys has continued to show that the work style and desires of modern workers is undergoing a drastic change, shedding light on a new, more independent generation of workers. Instead of climbing the corporate ladder, their priorities are shifting to place more importance on things like flexibility and mobility, wanting to take their work with them, rather than being confined to a desk.

It would seem that former corporate employees are also starting to re-evaluate their life direction and career paths, choosing instead to add to the ranks of small businesses. Since small businesses in America have generated 60 to 80 percent of net new jobs annually over the last decade, this may be exactly the boost the economy needs.

In 2013, we think that this trend will only continue to grow. The landscape of working professionals will continue to favor entrepreneurialism, independent working, and mobile working. And in doing so, more and more will wave goodbye to the corporate lifestyle and it’s demanding schedules and structured environments. 2013 is likely to see a continued growth in the number of what we’ve termed “solopreneurs”.

As the economy continues to show signs of improvement, the opportunities for solopreneurs will only continue to rise, and the tools available to them are becoming more readily available. Here are a few of the things that we think will be the solopreneurs best friend in 2013:

The Cloud: Being able to do business in the cloud has translated into increased productivity and efficiency for businesses across the board, and the associated costs are often minimal or even free. Taking advantage of tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, Skype and Quickbooks Online will give businesses owners and independent workers an opportunity to get the most value out of limited resources.

Alternative Workplaces: 2013 will be the year of the shared or alternative work spaces, like coworking spaces and virtual offices. As rent costs in desirable locations have continued to skyrocket, more and more professionals are turning to these shared spaces. In fact, our latest survey showed that 70% of workers today are working from alternative locations on a regular basis. Our recent surveys have also found that professionals who simply want to take their work on-the-go are also taking advantage of these resources in order to be able to stay productive without being confined to their offices.

Working from Home: In that same vein, more and more people are going to take advantage of the opportunity to work straight out of their home. New information from the US Census Bureau is showing that the number of people working from home at least 1 day a week has been on the rise for over a decade. And with the ability to conduct business in the cloud, productivity from home has never been so easy.

The opportunities for those wanting to start businesses, work independently, and work with more mobility are only going to continue growing in 2013. By taking advantage of the tools and opportunities available to them, this is likely to be the year of the solopreneur.

How do you know if a Virtual Assistant is right for you?

Posted on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 by


So, how do you know whether hiring a virtual assistant is the right move for you? That's easy. I'm going to provide a list of questions for you to consider to help you determine if you're ready.  If you're new to the term "virtual assistant," it simply describes a professional who works from a remote location and typically from their home. Our virtual assistants, called Intelligent Assistants, are professionally trained, local and capable of a variety of administrative tasks. They'll save you money on employee benefits and taxes, office space and equipment and unnecessary working hours when business is slow.

Are you regularly working overtime?
If you find yourself extending your working hours to catch up on business tasks because there's just too much to do in the day, you can take the pressure off your schedule to allow more time for your family and other priorities by hiring a virtual assistant.

Do you feel overwhelmed by work or have difficulty focusing?
When tasks pile up, it will become more difficult for you to focus on everything that needs to be accomplished. A virtual assistant can ease the grind by taking on your low priority tasks that impede your productivity.

Have you missed client/project deadlines?
If you're not on top of your to-do list at all times, it's easy to fall behind. If you are having difficulty meeting important deadlines, your business will start to stagnate. If you want your business to grow, you have to constantly move forward.

Take some time to carefully evaluate exactly what your goals should be for your business and how you might delegate some responsibilities to one of our qualified virtual assistants. If you answered yes to any of the questions above, I'd recommend you inquire about Intelligent Office's Intelligent Assistants. They will relieve some of the pressure, before you burn out or your business suffers.

Contact me today if you're interested in learning more about this valuable and reliable business service that starts at only $2 per day!

Sincerely,

Richard Rey
Manager
Intelligent Office of Miami
RRey@IntelligentOffice.com
ph: 305.777.1300

Use of Virtual Assistants on the Rise

Posted on Monday, April 8, 2013 by


Use of Virtual Assistants on the Rise as

More Americans Work From Home

 

Miami, Florida, April 8, 2013 – A recent report released by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that more than 13 million American employees are working from home at least one day per week.  

Working from home and the use of virtual assistants is a growing trend that can lower a company’s operational costs and boost productivity.  The Census Bureau report shows that about 13.4 million people, or 9.4% of the U.S. workforce, worked from home at least one day per week in 2010, compared with 9.2 million people, or 7% of the U.S. workforce in 1997.  The industries that demonstrated the greatest amount of growth in work from home employees included healthcare, construction, technology, sales and financial. 

Intelligent Office of Miami, a virtual and professionally staffed office concept that provides concierge-style business and back office services, is experiencing this work from home trend first hand.  Their expanding client roster reflects the industries that showed the most growth in work from home employees.  This clientele is also utilizing their Intelligent Assistant service, a highly professional interpretation of the usual offshore virtual assistants you find on the Internet. 

Intelligent Office’s Intelligent Assistant service allows employees, small business owners and entrepreneurs to maintain traditional office support without the cost of a full time assistant.  A part time administrative staff person or receptionist can cost tens of thousands of dollars annually to maintain. With Intelligent Assistants, businesses pay a fraction of the cost and get all of the same benefits of a full time assistant without worrying about benefits, sick days and turnover. 

“Our Intelligent Assistant service caters to any home-based employee, small business or mobile entrepreneur looking to avoid the costs of a fulltime assistant,” said Allan Sirotkin, Managing Director of Intelligent Office of Miami. “Our virtual assistants can be utilized anywhere in the U.S. or internationally, so all you need is a phone and Internet connection to stay connected to your designated virtual assistant.  Additionally, our virtual assistants are based in the U.S., extremely reliable, highly skilled in various industries and capable of handling complex tasks.  The best part is that our customers only pay for what they need because the Intelligent Assistant packages are fully customizable to meet any budget.” 

For more information about Intelligent Office of virtual assistant service and customizable packages, please contact Richard Rey at (305) 777-1300.
#### 

About:  Intelligent Office Miami is a virtual and professionally staffed office suite concept that provides concierge-style business and back office services, located in the heart of Downtown Miami on the 37th floor of One Biscayne Tower.  The location features private office space, two conference suites, a kitchen, and private, locked mailboxes, all of which are available 24/7.  You can rent office space by the hour, day, week or month. For more information, please visit http://www.intelligentoffice.com/locations/florida/miami/miami-downtown.aspx

Intelligent Office of Miami’ Combines Virtual Assistants And Hosted VoIP Phones for Innovative Service

Posted on Friday, March 8, 2013 by


Miami, Florida, March 8, 2013 – Intelligent Office of Miami, a virtual and professionally staffed office concept that provides concierge-style business and back office services, has launched its Teleworker service, a unique hosted Voice Over IP (VoIP) phone service for South Florida businesses.  

This innovative service allows businesses to reap the cost savings and benefits of a hosted phone service and take advantage of Intelligent Office’s Intelligent Assistants. Intelligent Assistants are local and professionally trained virtual receptionists and assistants who can handle a wide array of administrative services. 

Intelligent Office of Miami recognizes that telephone systems and the personnel who answer the phones, are the communication lifeline between a company and its customers.  But as technology advances, upgrading phone systems on a consistent basis and maintaining reliable staff can be costly and time consuming.  In recent years, hosted VoIP phone services and virtual staffing have become more popular as businesses across the nation continue to maximize their budgets and improve operational efficiencies. Another recent trend has shown that insourcing support staff continues to become more popular, as more customers prefer local customer service that is more effective and understanding of their needs.  

Intelligent Office’s Teleworker service considers these trends and has married two of its most innovative services to provide tremendous added value for businesses.  Some of the Teleworker benefits include no long term lease commitments, no credit checks, no up front costs, a 100% refundable deposit, no monthly telephone utility bill and no need for multiple lines. The Teleworker service plan utilizes the Intelligent Gateway Phone. This phone is a VoIP phone that does not require a landline; it only needs an Internet connection, making this a portable service, with a minimal monthly fee.  

A traditional phone system and even a part time administrative staff person or receptionist can cost tens of thousands of dollars annually to maintain. With Teleworker, businesses pay a mere fraction of those costs. Furthermore, you get a state of the art VoIP phone that can be installed wherever you have an internet connection, and you get all the benefits of a full time receptionist without the headaches and cost of paying for an employee. 

“Our Teleworker service is well suited for any small business or mobile entrepreneurs looking to avoid the costs of traditional phone systems and support staff,” said Allan Sirotkin, Managing Director of Intelligent Office of Miami. “The Teleworker service can work anywhere in the U.S. or abroad, so all you need is an Internet connection and your set. You don’t have to worry about costly hardware, contracts, or roaming fees. What’s more, our Intelligent Assistants are included in the package so that you can have professionally trained staff handle your calls while you conduct your business’ priorities.” 

Intelligent Office’s Gateway Phones are installed for your use in your home office, satellite office or other location of your choice.  The phone has a dedicated button so that your Intelligent Assistant can be reached in an instant, incorporating these two Intelligent services. The phone also features caller ID, a speakerphone, date and time display, mute button, speed dialing, conference calling and much more. 

For more information about Intelligent Office of Miami’s Teleworker service and customizable packages, please contact Richard Rey at (305) 777-1300. 

About:  Intelligent Office Miami is a virtual and professionally staffed office suite concept that provides concierge-style business and back office services, located in the heart of Downtown Miami on the 37th floor of One Biscayne Tower.  The location features private office space, two conference suites, a kitchen, and private, locked mailboxes, all of which are available 24/7.  You can rent office space by the hour, day, week or month. For more information, please visit http://www.intelligentoffice.com/locations/florida/miami/miami-downtown.aspx

Top 10 reasons to use a virtual office

Posted on Monday, February 4, 2013 by


First of all, the use of a virtual office is not a universal panacea but there are many good reasons why they really make sense in these recession restricted times. The key advantages are that they can get yourself operational fast and with a virtual foot on the ground in your chosen territory, for example, you need a Miami branch office responding to customers in Spanish by tomorrow night, with a virtual office you can get deliver in time, on time, everytime.

1) Apart from handling phone calls, you need a prestigious city center address for mail and deliveries, your choice of a virtual office can also give you meeting facilities where you can meet clients from time to time in a place that reflects their impression of where you should be and at a fraction of the cost that traditional premises would have cost.

2) You need not get bogged down with leases, mortgages and rental contacts. It is a simple business proposition “land and expand”, there is little financial commitment, you use the services and facilities for as long as it works for you. If your business warrants moving to something more permanent, you sign off and leave. It’s that simple.

3) You will be operational instantly, you concentrate on the business and the virtual office service company concentrates on kick starting your business fast.

4) It is certainly more cost effective because you cut overheads and in some cases, you get your own virtual secretary to handle all the calls and you can handle all the sales remotely.

5) A professional virtual office company has recruited a multi-tasking staff fully equipped to manage multi-tenant clients, they can handle calls, take messages and do everything a professional secretary or secretaries would be expected to do. If the secretary is sick, this is not your problem but theirs; you only pay for the service, not the medical bills.

6) If you need access to dedicated meeting room or presentation theatres, you only pay as you use by sharing the costs with other clients. Pay as you use makes sense at all times as “get the best for less” is the motto.

7) Be eco friendly and this means travel to the office facilities when you really need to, burn the lights as needed, this is a personal decision but if you can work from home without clogging up the highways to go to the office just to function, it’s got to be good news, “use, don’t abuse” is the mantra.

8) A virtual office is a fantastic way to dip your foot in the waters of the market before taking the plunge; you can gauge customer reaction and market opportunities before seriously splashing the cash with a full market investment plan. A few years ago, this was not an option in most countries.

9) A virtual office can be accessed easily by you and your employees wherever there is internet connection. You can be on the move yet working full time in the virtual office.

10) When you put together a staff working in a virtual office, you will get higher productivity because your employees are able to prioritize their working hours and produce quality at their best available times. In fact, if you set up the parameters of your virtual office well, your business can attend to worldwide customers all day with staff working remotely in different time zones, yet fitting their regular working hours respectively in their own country.

Virtual Office Services Ease Operational Expenses for Small Business Owners

Posted on Monday, January 21, 2013 by

 

Intelligent Office of Miami, a virtual and professionally staffed office suite concept that provides concierge-style business services, has introduced new customizable virtual office packages for small businesses owners and entrepreneurs.


Intelligent Office of Miami, a virtual and professionally staffed office suite concept that provides concierge-style business services, has introduced new customizable virtual office packages for small businesses owners and entrepreneurs.
Maintaining lower operational expenses without sacrificing earning potential is a delicate balance. Most businesses and entrepreneurs face difficult budgetary decisions for a variety of line items including: office leasing, property insurance, furniture, telephone and utility expenses, staffing and much more. A balanced budget needs constant attention because of fluctuating costs and needs. Keeping up with these operational costs can be distracting and pull the focus away from the bottom line: selling your goods and services. Intelligent Office of Miami’s services help small business owners cut costs without reducing productivity.
Marty Davis of Legal Solutions Group, utilizes Intelligent Office of Miami’s Business Identity and Intelligent Assistant packages. His customized package provides his company with a prestigious Downtown Miami address, mail service, package handling, conference room access and a virtual assistant who handles phone calls, company FAQ’s, appointment scheduling and much more. Had Mr. Davis gone the traditional route of securing an office lease and hiring an administrative assistant, Legal Solutions Group’s annual expenses could have been well over $85,000.
“My company’s main office is in Ft. Lauderdale and I needed a location in Miami. With Intelligent Office, I’ve been able to get a Miami office, streamline my operational expenses, maintain a professional image, and administrative staff for a fraction of the cost of a traditional brick and mortar office,” said Mr. Davis. “I’ve been able to avoid the costs of property insurance, furniture costs, utilities, administrative employee salary, and benefits. My customized package allows me to pay for only the services I need.”
Intelligent Office of Miami’s virtual office and virtual assistant services help businesses succeed with limited overhead. For more information about Intelligent Office of Miami’s customizable packages, please contact Richard Rey at (305) 777-1300.