Archive for January, 2009

Use a virtual office and save money. Many business owners have already started moving all of its business proceedings; if not part of it to cyberspace. They have come to realise that virtual office is indeed cost efficient and as a result, they are able to enjoy the taste of success. The necessity for such a move is primarily to cut total cost and widen their profit margin. This is especially so for small countries like Singapore where land is limited. Due to the shortage of land, getting a lot for you business operation can create a wide whole in your pocket.

The costs involved are literally astronomical because you are not only dealing with rent, you are dealing with a whole plethora of variable and hidden costs that will hit you when you least expect it. This article will explain the types of variable cost that you may get involve with and the magic of virtual office in solving these expenditure problems. The most pertinent one is of course rent, and the fact of the matter is, that you would have to sign a lease (minimum 6 months) in any location that you choose. If you are a start up business, this means a huge chunk of investment capital that is going into only your rent, pumping in money into an empty space (maybe minimally furnished) that is not even prepped and ready to start doing any sort of business.

Then there is the question of renovation, and no matter how little you have to do, that is cost and stress. Dealing with contractors and electricians to ensure that you maximise every square inch of space that is given to you. This also takes time, which means your business is put at hold as your office lacks the proper facility to get you business running. Also, you have to think about things like office equipment, computers, partitions, furniture, rest areas, amenities for your staff, paper – and these are just some of the variable costs involved in setting up an office. Add to that the hidden cost of maintenance, when something breaks down, or when expansion sets in and you start to hire new people.

Add to that list the internet bill, water and of course electricity (being the big three) – and what do you get? A 5 digit a month liability that is causing your profit margins to be inch high. That is the reality of the situation. However, if you are able to settle the bills and see it as a necessity for you business to have a physical office of your own, then by all means. But if you feel that you can save more money by shifting your operations to the virtual space, then do not hesitate. It will definitely surprise you at the amount of profit you can make. In addition, with virtual office you can save precious time from travelling as communication among your office workers, employees and you can take place online. Use a virtual office and save money, get your business going in the right direction and save costs right from the get go.

Location, location and location. In Singapore, the site and the reliability of your business plays a major role in influencing your business prospect. It is this unlikely couple that determines the success of a business in attracting either customer or investor confidence. Singapore being a small country lacks natural resources, mainly land. As a result, many business owners are only left with the city outskirts to set up their base of operations. Furthermore, with the falling supply of business realty, prices are slowly increasing and lease period are shortening.

This is because the property market has become a jitter bug in its own right. Prices are soaring up and down, and this tenants are quite unwilling to sign long leases in case the market takes a drastic turn on the property curve. So what does this mean for you? This means you need to expand your options and think about newer, more digital horizons when choosing a business location. Singapore virtual offices are the safest medium for new or current businesses to try out or expand their operations into volatile markets. All you need is a few minutes to think through your business proposal. Does it require you to meet your clients all the time? Is the business mobile from your side or your customers side? Are your products in a category where a more personal and sensory selling experience is required?. If you are able to operate from a remote location and not compromise any of your brand pillars, then you would be able to work in the comfort of a virtual office.

Before you decide on a virtual office in Singapore, you need to take in to account several factors. The virtual office should give you address that is preferably right in the heart of the Central Business District or in an area known for credible corporate presence. Some of the possible addresses that a good virtual office will provide are Robinson Road, the Central Business District, Clarke Quay, River Valley Road, North Bridge Road. In addition, the service of a receptionist who will deal with all your calls, mailing services and your faxes and emails should also be arranged.

You also need to ensure that the receptionist or administrator slotted to handle your calls has good knowledge on your business and that adequate training is given before hand. Nothing can hurt a business more than someone who doesn’t know anything about it answering queries from potential clients. You should also consider a virtual office that provides you with additional facilities like a virtual boardroom, high capacity internet and maybe even the option of renting a physical space to conduct crucial meetings. These are just some of the guidelines for you to take note when you are looking for a suitable Singapore Virtual Office.

A business address is like the icon of success for any one who wants to start their own operations, and it is imperative that you do get. The reason for this is not so much that you need a base of operations, but you need to inspire customer confidence and let them feel that their money is in real good hands . First impressions last, and the quality of your business address plays an important role in changing your consumer’s buying decision, this also applies for your website and your name card.

It had always been difficult to obtain satisfactory property for business and even if you do manage to secure a swanky up market location with a view to kill for, you are in for roller coaster ride of bills and worries. For example, if you are starting up, you would need to practice effective money management, and for money, having a sky high rent to impress potential customers is not an example of it. Further more, you need to sign a lease, which is going to run into a minimum of 5 digits. So now you have your office space, but you have come to realise that its interior is bare – adding up to the cost of having to furnish you office.

The endless list of setting up the reception, furnishing, installing wirings, buying essential items such as paper, stationary, basic office equipment, computers, partitions etc can prod you to bankruptcy. You need to rationalise your options carefully, especially if you are just kicking off your business and need to gain that impetus. Most of the consumers today are moving on par with the rapidly changing technology, with a PDA in one hand and laptop in the other. The world of consumer capitalism has gone mobile, with greater preference for online correspondence. This is a good thing, especially for new businesses.

To combat the afferent experience that some customers may demand for when ordering, business have gone high tech with their showcasing platforms and have given no nonsense money back guarantees. This stimulate a level of boldness that almost matches going into the shop and testing the product. You need to consider about getting a business address cheaply and you need to start thinking about a virtual office. A virtual office solves your problem of obtaining a good business site. It provides a potent address, a receptionist to handle your business calls, fax and mail services and even virtual boardrooms for those times when it requires you to meet up with your clients. It is a great and very cheap alternative to renting an office and it is something all new business owners should consider before starting up on their own.

This article discusses the many advantages that can be gained from obtaining a virtual office of your own for the undertaking of your business . Virtual office spaces arise subsequently after the internet gained its popularity, shifting from consumer levels uses to creating more opportunities for business operations. The free form incarnation of the virtual office was a response to rising costs and increasing wages of workers. While many offices and such had already began to grasp the idea of an internal network to cut down on physical costs, the idea of having ‘no’ physical presence for some operations only took hold recently. It was a business tradition to have a base of operations where everyone could meet, discuss and carry out the critical aspects of work.

Technology then waved its innovative flag at everyone and they soon realised that communication online was just as good as communication f-2-f. With virtual boardrooms, video streaming, large carrier data deliveries, emails, instant chat – businesses can now shift to cyberspace and cut down costs.This is one of the main reason why so many business are turning to virtual office, to save money and increase their profit margin. The hassle of setting up a physical office is truly a stress maker, you have to coordinate with contractors, the electrician, the cable guy, network; you have to set up an internal network and even have to worry about office fixtures and furnishing. Estimates for 2008 saw that businesses were investing in excess of $100, 000 on a minimum average to start their business; and we are only talking about critical operations. If expansion takes hold, then the costs rise.

The amount of fixed costs can increase to the ceiling rather rapidly, electric bills, internet, email, hosting, maintenance, paper. The clout towards a paperless and cashless environment should be the fore runner to make business be more alert and think. Sure, working at home has its many disadvantages, however, with the probability of the benefits out-weighing the drawbacks, it is definitely a gamble you should take. All you need is a good dose of self discipline and effective communication management involved for all parties who are working together. You also need to look into getting the basic office equipment set up around your house and also, cordon off a quiet space where you can work. Irregardless of whether you are a business owner or an employee, the advantages that can be gained are observable.

The costs will plummet. Anxiety levels will decrease and even productivity levels will spike on the crest of a wave. Having your own virtual office means you are taking a step in the right direction. In the end of the day, creativity, technology and fiscal management are the epitome of an effective business and a virtual office has all these traits. If you need information on virtual offices, the internet is rife with websites and business who offer these services for you with just a few clicks of a mouse.

If someone asked you to name the four most important qualities of a leader, you would probably say self-confidence, assertiveness, vision and the power to convince and influence people.

All these are of course admirable qualities, qualities we all want, but sometimes we believe it isn't possible for us to acquire these qualities, and a gap appears between our wishes and what we achieve in reality. We all dream about being promoted, achieving success and acquiring leadership positions, but it is sadly often our own negative attitude which prevents us from realizing these things.

Obviously we would need to let go of our limiting beliefs and change our negative attitude in order to climb the ladder of success, but the vital question is how do we go about changing our self-perception and attitude and really acquire leadership qualities? The following techniques may throw up some answers:

Positive affirmations

Positive affirmations work by the simple logic that whatever you hear repeatedly becomes your belief. So, whether you have received negative criticism from other people or through your own negative self talking, you are more likely to start accepting these as the truth and they will become your reality.

For example, if 2 children after giving a performance on stage receive different feedback - one being praised and congratulated, while the other is criticised by their parents, then the first one will be much more likely to develop confidence for public speaking and performing, and perform better next time.

This happens because of this difference in the feedback and criticism given to the children. If these children were exposed to these negative and positive messages continually, eventually they would start to believe them. This negative and positive self-talk respectively would shape their self-beliefs. While the former would grow up into a person low on confidence the latter would turn out to be a confident individual. Therein lies the power of positive affirmations and self talk. Positive affirmations are basically just positive self talk.

So, when you keep affirming positive things about yourself, eventually you begin to accept them as your truth. The following positive affirmations can help you build your leadership qualities:

“I am confident and secure”

“I feel safe to express myself freely”

“I have the vision to succeed”

“I have the power to say “NO” when I want to”

“I love and accept myself the way I am”

Subliminal messages

Our subconscious directs our so called “natural behavior”. Our natural behavior consists largely of habits and beliefs formed and ingrained over time. Subliminal messages can modify this “natural” behavior” as they have the power to influence our subconscious – and by doing these techniques they will increase your leadership potential by implanting suggestions to make you act and think like a natural leader:

• Increase your self confidence as a leader

• Develop your mental toughness & concrete self belief in the face of opposition or criticism

• Develop your ability to create a vision, and inspire your team / workforce.

• Develop your ability to naturally command respect

These techniques can be of immense help; however, one must not forget that even subliminal cds won’t help you instantly, it is a gradual process and requires patience and persistence.