The Virtues of Going Virtual

Many people consider the pros and cons of moving to a completely virtual office setup but aren’t sure whether it is right for them. I recently came across a blog post from Don Loper who manages a web design firm. At the end of May he made the jump from a physical office to a full virtual office. Read more about his thoughts and experience in this post – The Virtues of Going Virtual.

He also posted some thoughts about the experience a few months later in his post The Virtual Office is Complete (love the photo Don!)

Now while many of you may be thinking it’s easy for him to go with a virtual office setup because he runs a web design firm, I think you will find most of the points he makes to be true of many businesses in varied industries.

Many advantages to a virtual office and company

I came across a great article in last Sunday’s Boston Globe called “Virtual Office is what you make it” talking about the trend of working in a virtual office and how for many entrepreneurs and startups they grow their businesses this way from the ground up.

“The future is likely to be the age of virtual businesses,” writes Anita Campbell, founder of Small Business Trends. “Forget three guys in a garage — that was your father’s startup. Today it’s three people spread out across the country or even across continents, each in their home offices or back porches with laptops, mobile phones, and WiFi.”

Check out the article for some interesting insight on virtual companies.

Show #9: Work Unchained – Work where and when you want with a virtual office

This week we explain the concept of a virtual office including the different types of virtual offices and their uses. Thanks to Guillermo Rotman of Regus for joining us as our guest on the show.

If you missed the show you can listen in below or download the MP3 file.

Show # 9: Work Unchained – Work where and when you want with a virtual office

Whether it’s a web-based collaboration service or an actual physical office that you can use on an as needed, on-demand basis virtual offices are empowering teams, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. This show will cover the ins and outs of all types of virtual offices and new ways to collaborate. Phil and Jason will be joined by Guillermo Rotman president of The Regus Group Network for the Americas, the world’s largest provider of outsourced workplaces for companies of any size.

Here’s what we covered:

• The rise of virtual offices: We look at the way that working and workplaces have changed to embrace a more mobile, flexible style of work.
• Different Types of virtual offices: We explore the different types of virtual offices and how solo professionals, teams, and companies of all size are using them to improve productivity and collaboration. Smart phones, free web-based collaboration tools, web-based virtual offices, and physical virtual offices.
• Websites and Resources:
  • Yahoo Groups and MSN Groups – setup a shared collaboration space or virtual office for free. Basic features include calendar, discussion boards, document and photo storage.
  • Webex Weboffice – Professional level web-based virtual office. Shared contacts, calendars, documents, task lists, and more. Get everyone on the same page. This is what we use at Montero Consulting.
  • How Virtual Ofices Work – Good article that guides you through some of the issues you have to deal with when setting up a virtual office. They also discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of operating solely in cyberspace.
• Guest: Guillermo Rotman, President of The Regus Group Network for the Americas, the world’s largest provider of outsourced virtual offices and workplaces for companies of any size.

To listen to the show you can use the flash player below or download the MP3 file. Use the PLAY IN POPUP link below if you want to use our flash player and roam the web while listening.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:19 — 10.8MB)

TAO Podcast – eMarketing Overview

This episode is a change of pace; rather than a segment from last week’s radio show, this is lesson one of a 6 part eClass that we offer on internet marketing through our smallbizemarketing.com site. We discuss some fundamentals of successful eMarketing. In a few weeks we will be dedicating a number of full radio shows to how small businesses, entrepreneurs, and solo professionals can utilize the concept of The Anywhere Office. Some of the strategies and technologies introduced in this podcast will be examined in detail during those shows.

Visit www.TheAnywhereOffice.com and sign up for updates to learn more about this special series. While you are there be sure to visit our blog and post comments and feedback as well.

TAO Podcast Theme Music – Begin by Andy Simon

eClass Music Bed – Walking Along Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:29 — 0.0KB)

TAO Podcast – Multimedia for Business

This episode contains the opening segment from last week’s radio show. We discuss the rise of multimedia and the various ways businesses can use audio and video as a marketing tool, for after sales support, and to create information products for sale.

Visit www.TheAnywhereOffice.com and click archives to listen to the complete show. While you are there be sure to visit our blog and post comments and feedback as well.

TAO Podcast Theme Music – Begin by Andy Simon

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:57 — 6.4MB)

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