10 Common Sense Tips For Using a Virtual Office

Virtual office setup is rapidly growing and becoming a popular choice for many companies. The economy has forced many people to find work and to do so from the comfort of their homes, which often means using an office. To avoid being misunderstood, it’s important that you know a few simple office Etiquette. These simple rules can make your virtual office experience easier, more professional and enjoyable: Follow orders: Any time a Virtual Office provides services to a client, it is his or her responsibility to perform them to the best of their ability. If you call but don’t get an immediate response, follow-up. A good Virtual Office will always put a personal touch into each service that they provide. When someone misunderstands something, simply correct the problem. If you want something done, ask. It’s your office and you are the one who choose who provides Virtual Office services. Treat clients as you would like to be treated: Each client is different. Virtual Office’s that do not treat their clients in a professional manner may soon find that they are no longer clients. Do not offer unsolicited advice, services or information. Also, be honest and do not promise more than you can afford. You want the Virtual Office to be a profitable business for both you and the person you are providing the service for. Be courteous: In office after office, you will be met with a lot of discouragement. “Are you coming to my office? We need to talk.” All office conversations should be cordial no matter who is involved. Even if you are the Virtual Office Assistant, your boss is still on your team, so keep it professional. Do what you say you will do: If you have committed a mistake, tell the truth. Never hide or procrastinate. If the Virtual Office needs more time to complete a task, then it is up to you to complete it. Any deviation from this policy should be reported immediately. By doing so, you are being professional and your own service is being delivered. Off-labeling: It is OK to say “no”, but don’t do it. When you’re dealing with multiple clients, there may be things that can’t be done. Say it, and don’t try to change it. By saying “no” to the multiple requests, the Virtual Office is not breaking any rules. If the request was acceptable to the first client, then it is also acceptable to the new client. Keep good communication by giving the client time to review your services and decide if it is something they need. Don’t be afraid to ask for help: Nothing is worse than trying to accomplish a task only to spend more time doing it yourself. So long as you’re reasonable about asking for help, you can accomplish most anything. And, if you get help on the job, it makes the office run smoother. Don’t let Virtual Office Etiquette keeps you from being your best at work. Keep these tips in mind when you use the office. It keeps things running smoothly and makes your business better. Now go make your business great! Etiquette is one thing; taking advantage of it is another. Be sure and get the best deal on the space you are renting. You can save money by not paying for a desk when you don’t actually need one. If you can, don’t let someone else sign for the space as well, this will cost you money and a lot of energy trying to deal with. No eating or drinking while on the job. This includes chewing or drinking on company time. No cell phones, texting, paging through email or other distractions while on the clock. In addition, no physical gifts (unless it’s an award) unless the business truly needs them. Don’t take up their space! Etiquette isn’t just about following it, but about enjoying what you do. Even if you are the type of person who constantly emails, posts, e-storms and stays up all hours of the night, having an office space where you can go in and shut off the world will help keep you sane. If you love to play video games, but have to go away for work, having your own home office can help you stay on task. Even if you love to read, the quiet of a desk can help you get the entire concept down. You can use a virtual office to set up a business, expand a client base, and run a professional operation. However, you need to follow some basic virtual office etiquette so that everyone understands the rules and can have a professional environment. If you have questions or concerns, it is important to make them clear from the start, and also let the other people involved in your business know. There is nothing worse than bad business relationships where people get hurt because you didn’t think about the rules or didn’t listen to their needs.