These days, more and more professionals and businesses are starting to reject archaic and outdated ways of working and opting instead for flexibility.
The result? Remote work is becoming the norm. In fact, it’s grown by 400% since 2010. And with 99% of people stating that they’d choose to work remotely, at least part-time, for the rest of their careers, it’s clear that the traditional nine-to-five office job is going the way of the dodo.
But for all of its conveniences and benefits, remote work simply lacks some of the fundamental aspects of an office.
Think you can’t have the best of both worlds? Think again.
5 Ways to Have the Best Aspects of an Office While Working Remote
Sometimes, your professional situation just doesn’t dictate the need for an office or the overhead costs that come with having one.
Maybe you’re part of a satellite team. Maybe you’re self-employed. Maybe you spend a ton of time traveling for business. Whatever it may be, there are many situations where it simply doesn’t make sense.
But on the other hand, there are some fundamental things you’ll miss about a traditional office when you don’t have access to one anymore.
Mail and Package Handling and a Dedicated Office Mailing Address
Not having an office means having to send mail and packages to your home address. Not only does this lack a professional appearance, it can also come with some privacy concerns.
And if you’re somebody who’s always on the go, there’s nothing more frustrating than missing mail and packages because nobody’s around to receive them.
Meeting and Conference Space
Here’s the scenario: you’ve just landed a new client. Now, they want to get together for an in-person meeting to discuss your work together and kick off your business relationship.
But you don’t have an office. So, where do you meet them? At your house? At a coffee shop? Neither of those necessarily scream “professionalism,” nor are they likely to be equipped with AV equipment that you just might need for your meeting, like projectors and speakers.
Your Office Receptionist
Can’t take a call? Tied up on the other line? On the road or away from wherever work from? One of the most convenient parts of having an office is the administrative support you get with a staff of people who are there to help you with these kinds of things.
A Professional Community
According to Buffer’s 2020 State of Remote Work Report, twenty percent of remote workers struggle with loneliness. What this clearly demonstrates is that being part of a professional community is crucial for your wellbeing. And without an office, it can be tough to immerse yourself in a community of like-minded professionals.
Fundamental Office Necessities
There are a lot of little office fundamentals you take for granted. Not sure what we mean? Think about things like printers, copiers, and fax machines. All of the things you never think about until you’re suddenly in a pinch and need them.
Whereas in an office you’d have access to all of these items, you may not have them at home (or on the road) and, in turn, they end up becoming a massive pain when they should be easy and available.
When you’re in a remote work scenario, it’s the little (and unexpected) things that end up taking a toll on you in the long run.
How Remote Workers Can Have Their Cake and Eat It Too
Now that we’ve covered some of the things you might find challenging about working remotely, there’s some good news to share: remote workers can have all the benefits of an office without the commitment of taking on a full-time space.
Wondering how? We’re glad you asked.
Enter: virtual office services.
Virtual office services are ultra-flexible packages offered by coworking spaces like Launch Workplaces that offer you everything you need from an office without making you pay for the things you don’t.
With a virtual office package, you can get access to everything we just listed at a fraction of the cost of a full-blown office.
This can include everything from mail and address services to live receptionist services, part-time packages, and day office availability, or a combination of a few of these things.
So, you can maintain a professional image, be part of a professional community, have access to the fundamental tools and hardware offered by an office, and enjoy the support and convenience of having an administrative staff without the superfluous and unnecessary expenses of a full-blown office.
The ultimate outcome?
More support for you and your business means less stress and more time available for you to do what matters most: do great work and grow your business.
If you’d like to learn about our virtual office services or to book a tour of one of our Launch Workplaces locations, get in touch with us. Our team is here to help and answer any questions you might have.
