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Home Office Setup

A Home Office Setup to match your Virtual Plan

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Setting up a home office can be a difficult task. Things that at first seem like they may not be a big deal, like avoiding a morning shower, getting properly dressed, or working from your couch, quickly become a big deal once you realize that your back will not agree with all your couch “potato-ing”.

It’s of the utmost importance then to set up your home office to be as comfortable, and productive as possible.

Office Chair

The proper office chair is the main thing you’ll need for a comfortable and productive home office. It’s common for those who are designing a home office to attempt to save money by selecting a lower quality chair, forgetting that the majority of their time spent will be in this important piece of furniture. This is “penny wise dollar foolish”, meaning you may save more up front, but the long term effects can be detrimental. There is a reason why ergonomically-correct office chairs can be very expensive. It’s because they’re high quality, and will pay off dividends in terms of gained productivity, and avoiding long term back issues. There is nothing worse than trying to work, while being distracted by back pain, and constantly having to adjust your seat. This is the most important investment you can make when it comes to your home office.

Desk Space

While somewhat less important than a good office chair, a proper desk is less about the quality of the item, and more about it being present. One may think working from a couch may be productive; however, working on your laptop from a sitting position at a desk has proven to be a more productive setting. Those who have migrated from their lazy boy to a proper desk quickly found that their thrived with the extra desk space. It proved beneficial, not only to place their working materials down, but also to organize documents, and to give themselves a place to get in a “working” mood. The home office may seem like an ideal solution to sit away from your cubicle at work, but you’ll still need the desk.

Home and Office separation

The third ingredient in the equation is less about a physical item, but just as necessary as the previous items. When working from a home office, there is a tendency to let the mind wander. And while common remote working arrangements allow for extra time to go do errands around the house or go pick up the kids from school, the wandering mind can destroy productivity. Unless you have excellent discipline, you may slowly find yourself slipping more into pleasure, and less work.

That’s why the distinction between “home” and “office” is so important. Getting into a routine to start the work day just as you would if travelling to work is essential. Take a shower, get dressed in professional clothes, and grab a coffee. Then you’ll be ready to start your workday.

If you’re ready to start a new business take a look at our packages and start your Virtual Office today! 

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Virtual Services: The Key to an Effective Online Presence

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Virtual Services: The Key to an Effective Online Presence

Virtual Services: The Key to an Effective Online Presence

It’s 2020 and the world is operating, although barely, in a very unusual and increasingly virtual manor.  With the Covid-19 pandemic still lingering, everyone continues to shop online, date online, exist online. With everything, and everyone, getting used to this switch, it’s important to ensure your business is able to thrive without physical office space.

The key to all of this is an effective online presence.

Even before the global shutdown, businesses that were pulling ahead of their competition grew increasingly reliant on their ability to attract their target audience via the web. Now, that’s the only real option! Countless work hours and funds are allocated to creating an online experience that distances them from their competitors.

Whether it is ordering a pizza from Domino’s, purchasing a TV from Amazon, or finding an e-date for Friday night on Tinder, there is an industry leader who has developed a plan for operating remotely, until things return to normal.

So, what is it about an online presence that sets the industry leaders apart?

According to Spin, elements like solid navigation, clear call to action; proper layouts and being mobile friendly play major roles in making a good website successful. While these elements seem discernible, you’d be surprised at how many former industry leaders are finding that they’re step behind because they aren’t changing with the times. Now, with the entire world online, it is IMPERATIVE that your website is the best it can be.

The trial-and-error period of creating an online presence is over. Users don’t hold the same level of patience as they would have 5 years ago. If a website isn’t easy to navigate, mobile friendly, or attractive, potential business will fall by the way-side.

Placing greater emphasis on research and design, structured management, clarity of vision, and a reliable support system is paramount to ensuring that your online platform reaches its potential.

One of those invaluable support systems is a reliable virtual office provider.

Virtual Business Offices provides the kind of support that allows our clients to concentrate on the task at hand and further expand their businesses online presence.

With a Premier Bay St. Address, Live Reception Services and Fully Equipped Meeting Rooms, you can run your business from anywhere in the world, knowing that all your needs are being met with the utmost professionalism.

Virtual Services are the key to an effective online presence.

Find out our Virtual Services can help boost your digital footprint.

 

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You Rent A Virtual Package.
We Plant A Tree!

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You Rent A Virtual Package. We Plant A Tree!

You Rent A Virtual Package. We Plant A Tree!

Virtual Business Offices is partnering with Tree Canada.

We feel that as a Canadian corporation, it is our responsibility to give back to the world we live in and Tree Canada is the perfect partner to ensure this happens.

Tree Canada is a non-profit organization proudly dedicated to planting and nurturing trees. For over 25 years, they’ve engaged communities, governments, corporations and individuals in the pursuit of a greener and healthier living environment for Canadians.

Since 1992, they’ve planted more than 82 million trees, greened more than 660 schoolyards, helped restore places hit by natural disasters, and brought together urban forestry experts greening cities all across Canada.

Virtual Business Offices will be focusing its efforts on the National Greening Program 2020 Project at the Ontario site in the greater Sudbury area. This project is set out to support the restoration of areas in and around the municipality impacted by historic mining operations.

The program has restored areas for over 40 years and aims to continue planting a wide range of tree species and shrubs to afforest areas or increase species diversity.

With 82% of the population now living in urban areas, it’s important to recognize the many benefits that trees provide.

Trees reduce the effects of climate change, naturally cooling cities

  • One large tree can provide a day’s oxygen for up to four people.
  • A mature tree can lift nearly 400 litres of water out of the ground, helping to prevent flooding.
  • Trees sequester CO2, other gases and particles.

Trees can help our economy

  • Mature trees in a well-landscaped yard can boost home values.
  • Shade from trees can help us feel up to 15°C cooler on hot summer days and reduce energy costs by 15% to 25%.
  • Trees can improve the “shopping experience” and demand price.

Trees help us live longer, healthier lives.

  • Exposure to trees helps reduce stress, speeds healing and improves mental health.
  • A 10% increase in tree canopy can lead to a 12% decrease in neighbourhood crime.

 

Want to Contribute to this important initiative?

At Virtual Business Offices, we have solutions for you.  Whether it be a Bay Street corporate address, live reception services, or access to meeting rooms, our wide range of virtual office packages are fit for any business.

If you are looking to rent an office or a virtual package and contribute to the planting of a tree, contact The Rostie Group by visiting Virtual Business Offices or calling (416) 214-1840.

Your contribution will have a lasting impact on the lives of Canadians now and for generations to come.

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We’ve Got You Covered – Under our Umbrella, Ella, Ella

You’ve all heard the saying “we’ve got you covered – rain, sleet, or snow.”

Now, let us prove it to you.

Corporate Address

Bay Street. Need I say more? This iconic street is one of the most well known in the country, as it’s recognized globally as the Financial centre of Canada.

And that’s not just boasting.

Aside from our neighbours in the financial industry, Bay Street is also shaping up to be the new home of Toronto’s tech hub. With companies such as Microsoft, Acumen Solutions, Cisco Systems Inc, VMware, and Salesforce, Bay Street is further proving to be THE place to be for business operators of all industries to call home.

Virtual Business Offices has long been offering the ability for companies, from the newest startups, to enterprise corporations, to create and reinforce their corporate identity with at Bay Street address and be looked upon as an industry leader.

Live Reception Services

Aside from a great address, having professional live reception & phone services is also a large boost to the success of a company.

Our professionally-trained live reception team can do just that for you and your business.

With customizable greetings, call screening & forwarding, appointment scheduling, and voicemail options, we have the ability to personalize our phone services for each client.

In addition to the customizable service, we offer our clients a highly sought after 416 phone number that reinforces their position in Toronto’s competitive downtown core.

At Virtual Business Offices, we have solutions fit for you.  Whether it be a Bay Street corporate address or customizable live reception services, our wide range of virtual office packages are fit for businesses at any stage of their growth.

If you are looking to add a new corporate identity your business, contact Virtual Business Offcies by visiting www.virtualbusinessoffices.com or calling (416) 214-1840.

If you’d like to begin working in Toronto’s hottest area Sign up online today!

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Entrepreneurial State Of Mind

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Being an entrepreneur is an innate trait that some are born with and some aren’t. It’s a mind set that many with this gift can’t seem to escape. They see the world as a large opportunity and continuously seek ways to seize the moment.

The world has seen its fair share of entrepreneurs who have succeeded and others who have failed miserably. It truly is a high risk, high reward life style.

Companies such as: Microsoft, Apple, Virgin, Tesla & Amazon all began as an idea on a piece of paper, by larger than life personalities that once started out in their parent’s basement. After countless trials and tribulations, these individuals were able to successfully penetrate a market and become king pins of their respective industries.

However, this success certainly didn’t come overnight. It’s a known fact that even these successful would-be billionaires were once on the verge of being homeless, surviving on ramen noodles and living out of the back seats of their vehicles. It was only their entrepreneurial instinct that kept them pushing through these hard times and as luck would have it, their hard work and determination paid off.

Then, you have the other side of the coin.

In the early 2010’s, the world became obsessed with the reality TV concept of seeing entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to investors on shows like Dragon’s Den or Shark Tank.

These shows gave the everyday viewer a chance to see what entrepreneurs were coming up with, prior to their multi million dollar success. Some were successful, while most failed to develop a concept that could wow not only the investors, but the audience who were watching the show. In some cases, the feedback went as far as telling these individuals to “stop putting money into this and walk away while you still can” or “this is the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard of”.

One thing to be taken from the countless seasons of good ideas and bad ideas is that the mindset of the participants never veered from their end goal of being a successful entrepreneur, regardless of the feedback they received.

Whether you possess this way of thinking or not, it’s important to remember that each person has a place in the world to be successful.

Most importantly, any good entrepreneur needs the proper business solutions to complement their ideas, so they can continue to develop and grow.

At Virtual Business Offices, we have those solutions for you.  Whether it be a corporate address, live reception services, access to meeting rooms or a combination of all three, our wide range of virtual office packages are fit for businesses at any stage of their growth.

Sign up online today!

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How To Effectively And Productively Work Remotely

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Over the last decade, the number of employees working remotely has skyrocketed, and continues to increase year-over-year. Roughly 70% of the global workforce works remotely at least one day per week, and reports estimate that 50% of the U.S. workforce will be remote within the next ten years. Despite these numbers and the increased popularity of working from home, remote work is still relatively unchartered territory. There are still mixed opinions on teleworking, and many managers remain hesitant and unsure on how to manage remote teams. As a result, it is imperative for remote employees to work efficiently and professionally off-site. I’ve written some key productivity tips below to help remote employees keep on track and stay in their managers good books.

First things first, you need to look the part. A lot of people have this idea that working from home involves sweatpants and a t-shirt, or just throwing on something quick and comfy. Dressing too casually can make it feel like you’re just relaxing at home or hanging out, resulting in lower productivity. Dressing the part, and wearing what one normally would to work, will help you get into the right mindset and feel prepared for your workday.

Secondly, it’s extremely important to keep a proper schedule and work regular hours when working remotely. Some people get into the habit of starting later, and sleeping in, or working different hours when working from home. To be successful and establish a proper routine, it’s important to work the same hours and the same times each and every day.

Similarly, it’s important to remember to take breaks, just like you would at the office, when working from home. A lot of remote workers tend to stay in one place and try to get all of their work done as quickly as possible to have more free time. Instead of cramming, it’s best to take time out of your schedule to get up and get out of your workspace for a few quick breaks.

When working from home it’s also extremely important to pick the right workspace. Creating a dedicated workspace is essential to separating work from your home life and getting into the right mindset for your daily job. When selecting your workspace its important to choose a bright lit space in order to increase your energy, reduce eye strain and keep you focused.

Finally, working from home doesn’t mean you should isolate yourself or work in a completely isolated setting. It’s important to take the time to go outside, get some fresh air, and connect with others. Many remote workers complain of loneliness or of feeling disconnected from the rest of their team. It’s therefore important for remote workers to reach out and connect to their co-workers, friends and family to counteract this.

Remote working is no longer a fringe practice, it’s a legitimate option and could very well be the new norm in the near future. It is therefore important to prepare for remote opportunities and establish strong habits to succeed.

IF you’re ready to build your business and start working remotely, you can check out the Virtual Plans that The Rostie Group has to offer you. All the advantages of having an office in a physical location, with the ability to work anywhere in the World!

Sign up online today!

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Social Distancing Remote Work

Social Distance Doesn’t Mean Professional Hiatus

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Socially Distant but still need to run your business?

Minimize the loss in productivity that working from home causes with a virtual office solution. No, it’s not an office you can tour through VR. It’s a comprehensive service that sees us provide you with everything you need to run your everyday business remotely.

Virtual Business Offices provide you with a Bay Street address that’s not your home (everyone looks at Google Maps these days), as well as mail reception, forwarding, and scanning services. We also offer live reception services, because staying professional on the phone might be a little bit more difficult when you’re working from home; with kids, pets, and all the other distractions that are present outside of the office.

Let us manage the day to day errands that take up significantly more time when working from home – most people don’t have a mailbox or receptionists in their kitchen, after all.  Our services provide you with more time, energy, and willpower to stay focused on your business, your career, and your success – even in these very distracting times.

When this is all over and society returns to a happy and healthy normal, we can work to provide you with a tailored plan that suits your businesses needs.  Maybe you need space to meet clients every week? Or a physical office space to operate from? Virtual Business Offices can provide anything required to turn that virtual office into reality.

For more information on our virtual services, please see our virtual packages, contact us, or call 416 214 1840.

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Hiring Remote Workers

Hiring Remote Workers for your new Virtual Business

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Hiring remote workers for your new virtual business is a real no-brainer. If you’re working from a remote location, it just makes sense that the people you employ do the same.

It can also prove to be a way to save costs, and attract top talent.

Salary alone will not bring you the best. At times in the past that may have been the case, but right now, benefits and flexible work arrangements rule the roost. This is especially true for a startup or small company. When the value of every penny needs to be stretched to ensure the continuation and growth of your new virtual business, then there is little left over to spend on hiring. This makes the ability to offer remote working one of your most valuable recruitment tools, allowing your staff to work with the same freedom of mobility that their CEO enjoys.

The other advantage of hiring remote workers is getting top talent. When you’re looking for specialists, you won’t be the only one vying for their time and experience. And they are far more likely to agree to work with you, if they can work remotely. Furthermore, sometimes these specialists are not necessarily located in your country. Previously, trying to get talented workers to re-locate to suit your needs would have been prohibitively expensive, now, that simply isn’t a problem.

In cases where you’re less dependent on specialists, instead searching to just lower your startup costs, hiring remotely can certainly help to do just that. Similar to outsourcing, hiring remote workers can help lower your own costs due to salaries being lower internationally. You can still pay someone well, and be an attractive firm to work for, but save yourself thousands of dollars. Just make sure that you vet your new hires well. 

Now that you know how hiring remote employees can save you money, it’s the right time to start your new virtual business. Take a look at our available packages and sign up today! 

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Startups can be difficult to build

How Startups can use Virtual Offices

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Building Startups is difficult. You have to not only figure out every detail of your business model, but you also have to assemble a team, determine your costs, shake hands with other business people, find space, etc. The list is endless. You’re creating something out of nothing, and that can be years and years of hard work to achieve. 

However, that isn’t to say that you have to come up with details yourself, and that there isn’t help out there. Smart entrepreneurs know that the key to success in their startups is not to do everything yourself, but to build a good team around you. “No man is an island”, such as no business can be.

But you’ll have to allocate a good portion of your budget to attract top talent. Just as you want the best and brightest to be part of your arsenal, there are also many more entrepreneurs out there also building their dream and also seeking those people for their own startups.

So you have to budget carefully. And as anyone who has built a business in the past knows, it can be difficult to find funding, especially if your business model requires a large investment before it can start returning profits. Startups are built on early labour, and many fail before they turn profitable. Additionally, investors in your business want to know how their money is being spent, and if it is being spent well. That means you have to be smart with those investments, and save where you can, and spend where you need to.

Thankfully many companies have been built from exactly that premise: Saving you money on your own endeavours.

You can outsource email, accounting, graphic design, and even fabrication.

However one major cost center for startups is their space. Rent is high, especially in large cities, which of course, is where you want to be.

You and your staff may spend most of their time working from home. And there are definite advantages to that, especially when it comes to cost and time spent commuting. But working from home does come with two large caveats: How will your staff ever meet to discuss their issues, and how likely are you to be taken seriously as an Entrepreneur if you give someone a residential address?

Appearances can be powerful, and something as simple as the location of your business can give off the wrong idea.

So not only do you need space, but you also a prime address, and that will be especially expensive. With the need to save money in mind, Virtual Business Offices can help you.

With us, you’ll get a world recognized Bay Street Address. As well as professional phone answering services, mail receipt and forwarding, and even professional meeting spaces for when you absolutely need to meet your clients face-to-face.

Take a look at our plans, and get one step closer to building that business today! 

 

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Virtual Office Worker

The Uprising of Virtual Business Offices

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Virtual Business Offices have been growing in popularity exponentially for the past few decades. If you have any reasons to believe that a physical office is not for you, then here is a solution perfect for you. Welcome to the modern world where convenience has never been so… convenient!

The Beginning

It is unknown who originally coined the term “virtual office”, but there are two feasible possibilities. One being that in 1989, Ralph Gregory from Boulder, Colorado created The Virtual Office Inc. He built the business to work from home so that he could spend time with his children. However, there is record from 1982 in an article that a John Markoff mentioned “virtual offices”. Markoff wrote “A virtual office would be built around a portable personal computer and local area network that would expand working horizons dramatically”. Regardless of which is the true origin story, the idea of virtual offices have been around for over 30 years. Working away from the site would begin the journey towards convenience for commuters.

The Significance

As time goes on, cities become overwhelmingly populated. This causes difficulty travelling everyday to get to work. Sometimes a simple 20 minute commute to work can turn into 60 minutes if the traffic is bad enough. Perhaps this isn’t enough to convince you of the convenience of virtual offices. Imagine you are located several miles away from your business to the point that commuting to work just isn’t a possibility, and there is no option of moving closer to the location. A virtual office is just what you need. This allows you to work from home for a business that may be across the country should that be the case.

The Advancement of Virtual Offices

In the present day, virtual offices are very common. Due to overpopulation in some cities, commuting is quickly going out of style. Residents are constantly searching for ways to simplify the travel. Virtual offices have risen to popularity because of this issue of inconvenience.

It is not too late to get your virtual office! Here at The Rostie Group, we have many options for you to select from. Check out our web site here!  Try it out and see how you can take care of business from the comfort of your home. Keep your business up to date with modern trends in order to compete! Don’t forget that a virtual office can benefit your clients and business partners as well. Making you look more professional and reliable as an employee or employer.

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