The idea of starting your own business may frighten you – and that’s okay; it’s normal to have some questions when you’re stepping into new territory. But the longer you spend doubting yourself, the sooner someone else can come up with a similar idea, leaving them to start making profits before you even made the decision for yourself. And with it being the start to a new year, it’s time to start building healthy habits for ourselves (and our businesses), such as decision-making.

Officense has helped numerous startups over the course of us being in business, and with that we’ve been able to share some helpful tips with business owners and entrepreneurs along the way. To share with you too, here’s a list of 4 simple, yet helpful tips to answer the most common questions that may be delaying you in your independent business owner journey.

Question 1: DOES THIS MAKE A GOOD BUSINESS IDEA?

OFFICENSE’S TIP: If your idea can solve a problem or address issues that can affect individuals, then the answer is YES. It’s important to consider the audience you are trying to reach, and why your service could add value to their lives. You should test out your theory on a couple of friends or family members before trying your product on potential customers. This allows you to determine the pros (and cons!) of your product or service before putting yourself out there. You’ll also want to consider the price point of what you are offering and how it appeals to your target audience, as that will play a key role in your business both initially and over time.

Question 2: SHOULD I WRITE OUT A BUSINESS PLAN?

OFFICENSE’S TIP: Business plans are always a good idea, whether it’s formal or informal is up to you. Some people find that writing Elevator Pitch plans work best for them – they’re naturally short, sweet, and to the point. Other entrepreneurs require more detail to ensure they don’t miss any important aspects of the business and operation of it. Some banks, angels, or venture capitalists will want a formal business plan that should include a financial overview of expenses and marketing strategy. Again, it all depends on the audience you are targeting.

Question 3: WHEN SHOULD I GET A PATENT?

OFFICENSE’S TIP: You should only get a patent if you do not want your competition to take your ideas. Tesla founder Elon Musk decided he would not sue anyone who used Tesla’s patents. He said, “Tesla, other companies making electric cars, and the world would all benefit from a common, rapidly evolving technology platform.”. However, if you need an investment, investors tend to favor companies that hold patents.

Question 4: DO I HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A FOUNDER?

OFFICENSE’S TIP: Being a risk-taker plays a key role in becoming a founder. However, some people could struggle with that mentality. If you struggle with it, you might want to consider joining a team/mentorship for added support, rather than working alone. At Inc. 500, 85% of CEOs identify as risk takers. Another key factor in becoming a founder is having what it takes to identify and solve problems. Once you acquire these skills and characteristics, then you should have what it takes to be a founder.

If you’d like to discuss more details or questions about your business, contact Officense to speak with an Executive Assistant. We’ll assist you with a business consultation, and discuss other details, such as adding a mailing address, or call answering. Give us a call at 410-814-7500 for further details.

Running a business isn’t easy, especially when you take a hands-on role in keeping things going yourself. You may wonder how to balance all the different roles: fielding calls from customers, suppliers and others while still running your business and spending quality time with your family over the holiday season.

The best way to never miss a call throughout the holidays is with Officense Business Phone Services. Depending on the type of incoming call, we adjust our call handling according to your instruction. We answer and screen your calls, then connect the call to your correct team member, anywhere in the world! We can capture sales lead information, share info about your company or even schedule appointments through your own custom CRM. On top of that, never mind filtering out the spam and robo callers – as Officense will be sure to filter those out before the call reaches you.

BUSINESS PHONE SERVICE

Selecting a Business Phone Service may be challenging, but using it should be nothing but easy. Your organization needs a cost-effective business phone service that offers exceptional reliability, quality, outstanding customer service, and features to match your needs. With an understanding of the capabilities and attributes that are important, you can sort through the abundance of options available with confidence. And it’s all here in one place – at Officense.

STAY PROFESSIONAL

If you give clients your office number, there’s a risk you’ll miss the call if you have to step away. On the other hand, giving out your cell phone number could really put a kink in your positive work/life balance. It can also sometimes appear a little less than professional. That’s why Officense gives you the tools you need to take your business with you. We provide a dedicated business number, plus the ability to present menu options to all your callers and connect them to anyone in your company, no matter where they are or what device they’re using.

Our on-site receptionists greet your clients in a friendly manner and project a professional image for your company. We answer and screen your calls, per your instructions, then announce and connect the call to the correct member of your company, anywhere in the world! At Officense, we focus on delivering a level of service unmatched by any other Business Call Handling Service.

The article “WHY COWORKING WORKS FOR MILLENNIALS” discusses the pros to working in a shared office space. Shared office spaces are where individuals from multiple businesses can engage in work. Millennials are becoming entrepreneurs, building and joining startups. and consequently are starting to shape the trends of how and where we work. The article discusses why millennials use shared office space.

THE 7 REASONS WHY MILLENNIALS ARE USING COWORKING OFFICES

1. Lower Costs – Shared office spaces are almost always cheaper than their full-office counterparts.
2. Fewer Responsibilities – “Things like cleaning and maintenance are taken care of by the building’s owners”.
3. Networking Opportunities – “It’s a perfect place to meet new people in the professional world”.
4. Smaller Commitments– Shared office space is used monthly, daily, or hourly rather than having a long-term lease.
5. Support for Startups – “Shared spaces are ideal for entrepreneurs with small budgets, uncertain futures, and a need for networking with other businesses”.
6. Urban-Centric Locations – “Shared office spaces usually occupy urban centers, making them a perfect fit in millennials dream locations”.
7. Resistance to Traditional Offices – “They’re breaking down corporate hierarchies, dismantling 9 to 5 mentalities, and even redefining social norms in business interactions”.

YOUR COWORKING SPACE

At Officense, we can meet all of your co-working needs. We can provide you space to collaborate and be around others, while also giving you the freedom to make your own schedule. We offer fully furnished dedicated office space and month to month office space as needed, without the hefty price tag. Not only are there conference rooms by the hour, but they’re at the low rates you need. You avoid using resources to pay an expensive rent, while having an impressive office to use when you need it. In addition, we offer beautiful startup office space overlooking the Inner Harbor in downtown Baltimore. You are able to completely customize the way your run your business. Officense a call at (410) 814-7500 to meet your new staff and tour your new business location, today!

We all have dealt with our phones ringing off the hook in the middle of a job. And we all know it’s a headache, to say the least. However, while you may be busy installing floors, the phones have clients on the other end who need answers. This always gets tricky for any business owner, even more so with such hands-on service, like flooring contractors. Running a company requires answering calls from new and current clients, but should never be at the expense of efficiency. If you want to maximize your workflow and maintain call handling, let Officense help!

OFFICENSE’S PHONE ANSWERING

When you partner with Officense, you gain more flexibility with your workload and your free time. Our executive assistants will handle the phone conversations, while you handle the floor installations. Officense can collect pertinent information on your behalf, answer questions callers may have, or even connect calls to you personally. Our team can filter your calls, and manage them per your exact instruction in a very professional manner. It’s also important for many companies, but especially contractors, to give their clients round-the-clock access. Our service can be used any time of day, as we have 24/7 plans with live staff available that also offer Spanish phone options for your clientele.

While we’re able to guide the callers and connect them to the right people, we can also source your leads for you! Our executive assistants can use your shared calendar to set estimates, book appointments, track leads, follow up with them, and much more for you. All the while, we’ll be collecting a detailed set of information for your record, preparing you to meet your clients’ needs before the appointment even takes place. We partner with you to gain as much knowledge as you want us to have, and use intuitive thought to anticipate your customers’ needs. That’s the added value of Officense.

CONTACT OFFICENSE

Along with our phone answering services, we also provide business mailing and address, along with private conference and office space, offering a professional setting. For more information on our contractor services, contact us by phone at 410-814-7500. You can also email us at info@officense.com. And of course, feel free to visit us in person at 300 E Lombard St, Baltimore, MD 21202. Our offices are currently open 10 AM – 5 PM, Monday thru Friday. We’ll look forward to meeting you!

As a plumber, you have the capability to unclog a pipe or stop a leak. However, when it comes to answering phone calls in the middle of a job? This always gets tricky for any business owner, even more so with such hands-on service. Running a business requires answering calls from new and current clients, but shouldn’t be at the expense of efficiency. As any businessperson knows, not only do current clients reach out by phone, but so do leads and returning customers. If you want to maximize your workflow and call handling, let Officense help.

ADMIN SERVICES WITH OFFICENSE

When you partner with Officense, you gain more flexibility with your workload and your free time. Our executive assistants will handle the phone conversations, while you handle the service aspect. Officense can collect pertinent information on your behalf, answer questions callers may have, or even connect calls to you personally. Our executive assistants can filter your calls, and handle them to per your instruction in a very professional manner. Our service can be used any time of day, as we have 24/7 plans with live staff available that also offer Spanish phone options for your clientele.

While we’re able to guide the callers and connect them to the right people, we can also source your leads for you! Our executive assistants will use your shared calendar to set estimates, book appointments, track leads, follow up with them, and much more for your business. All the while, we’ll be collecting a detailed set of information for your record, allowing you to meet your clients’ needs before the appointment even takes place. Finally, our assistants can provide lead tracking on your scheduled estimates for your marketing department. We partner with you to gain as much knowledge as you want us to have, and intuitive thought to anticipate your customers’ needs. That’s the added value of Officense.

CONTACT OFFICENSE TODAY

We also provide a business mailing and address services, along with private conference and office space, offering a professional setting. For more information, contact us by phone at 410-814-7500. You can also email us at info@officense.com. And of course, always feel free to visit us in person at 300 East Lombard Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202.