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Downtown Baltimore, the Trending Business Incubator of Maryland

Written by Officense on June 2, 2017. Posted in Blog.

As a business incubator, Baltimore is the place to be if you’re a budding startup. What makes a particular location a top business incubator? Is it low-cost office space or is it business services offered within a community?

Startup Requirements

Firstly, let us examine what a startup needs to thrive. The Maryland Business Incubator Association states: “the resources that young companies need to grow [are] management guidance, technical assistance and consulting; flexible rental space; shared basic business services and equipment; virtual memberships; technology support services; and assistance in obtaining financing.” Along with these wonderful resources, a new business also needs a dedicated phone service for all their new clients to reach them. A dedicated business line, with live answering, will improve client retention for any business. Furthermore, clients like to know they can reach someone and not just a voicemail box that someone never checks.

Secondly, in addition to a live answer business line, startups need professional office space in a high traffic area without the high-priced commitment of leasing a whole office. This type of office space goes by many names: flexible space, co-working space, shared offices, or virtual office. Honestly, the list is endless! What’s important about this type of business space is that it’s a la carte. Finally, Startups should only pay for the time they need, allowing their resources to be allocated in a more practical way in the beginning of their business’s life.

Your Personal Business Incubator

In conclusion, where can you find all the best resources that the Business Incubator of Downtown Baltimore has to offer? The answer is Officense! Our facilities have a la carte executive office space and conference rooms with amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, executive furniture, conference capable phones, city views, address services, and fully trained executive assistants. With Officense, Executive Assistants will live-answer your calls, greet your clients, handle your mail and that’s all without you even being in the office. So, make the trip downtown and tour our facilities to begin your business incubation journey, today!

Straying from Traditional Office Space: Does Working Remotely Work for You?

Written by Officense on May 26, 2017. Posted in Blog.

Working Remotely

No morning traffic. No rush out the door. At the office, it seems like everyone is focused on their computer, talking on the phone or online anyway. Working remotely is a growing trend in the business world. Is traditional office space really still necessary? Let’s talk about the pros and cons of working from home to see if it works for us.

Working Remotely

With new technology and ways to communicate virtually, there has been a rise in working remotely. In America, there are more than 13 million people who spend at least part of their week working from home. Studies have been done on this new trend that share its many advantages. The article Four Ways to Make Working from Home Work for You discusses how “workers tend to be more productive, take less sick days, tend to feel less stressed, and work more hours than employees who are exclusively on-site”. Plus, there are the obvious advantages. Not having to spend extra time getting ready in the morning, skipping commuter traffic, and the ability to run an errand or travel. Being able to customize your work day is appealing to everyone.

Finding the Right Balance

Why isn’t everyone working remotely? Four ways to make working from home work for you also discusses the drawbacks. Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo, explains “while there are obvious advantages to working early or being able to take [the] time to run a personal errand, it’s also easy for this to work against you. Colleagues may not know when they can reach you or may find you unpredictable”. Marissa has worked both from home and in a traditional office. She shares that when she worked from home she “made every effort to appear as if she has a ‘real office’ with a new phone line, business-sounding address, and corporate feel”. It is important to find the right balance for you and your business when deciding how to work.

How to Make Working from Home Work for You

Together, you can find the perfect balance between working from home while having all the advantages of a traditional office. You can bridge the gap by getting a virtual office assistant, office space when you need it and a professional business address. You have the ability to grow your business from the comfort of your home. At Officense you will have a team of executive assistants, both in office and virtually, who tailor services to your needs. You will gain a fully trained and professional staff that will make working from home work for you.

Our executive assistants answer your calls, handle your mail, greet your clients, follow up with leads and schedule appointments, providing a corporate feel and impressive business address. We provide high-end business facilities with fully furnished dedicated and a la carte office space, as well as conference rooms by the hour. An instant office when you need it, professional phone service to give your home office a corporate feel, and an impressive staff to help you with all of your administrative work. Give Officense a call at (410) 814-7500 to meet your new staff and tour your new business location, today!

The First Impression: The Importance of Executive Assistants for your Startup Business

Written by Officense on May 19, 2017. Posted in Blog.

Executive assistants may be more important for your startup business than you think. They give the first impression and convey your company’s message, which is key for your new brand’s image. For every company, especially a startup, customers are extremely important for the future of your business.

Ability to Make or Break Your Business

In Micah Solomon’s article “Leadership is Swell, But Your Receptionist Makes or Breaks Your Business” he claims a “clueless receptionist today, a bankrupt business tomorrow”. His article provides the example of the Ritz Carlton Hotels rigorous training for their receptionists. This customer service focused approach is based on their belief that every single employee is a representation of the brand. Solomon believes that the“first and last impression creator is among the most important positions in your enterprise.” Executive Assistants, receptionists, or any employee on the front line, are essential for your entire business.

Keep a Lean Team and Spend Wisely

Now, I understand that a startup business may not always have the means to provide rigorous customer-service training for their employees. Or perhaps, even have the time to hire or train new employees at all. In an interview, a first-time business owner gave tips to make a successful startup company. Her #1 tip was to “Keep a Lean Team and Spend Wisely,” where she advises avoiding unnecessary hires and spending every dollar intentionally. This cost efficiency is what all startup business owners can connect with. As a business owner, having an executive assistant would allow you to use your time adequately. But, there is simply not enough time or money to hire and train these employees.

Your Executive Assistants

Having professionally trained executive assistants who exude your new brand’s image, without having to spend time training, while staying on budget. I know what you are thinking- this is not possible for my business. Well, with Officense it is! At Officense you will have a team of executive assistants, both in office and virtually, who tailor services to your company’s needs. Our team comes at a fraction of the cost of hiring an assistant on your own. You will gain a fully trained and professional staff that will give your startup the great first impression it needs.

We have executive assistants to answer your calls, greet your clients, follow up with leads, schedule appointments, and much more. We also provide high-end business facilities with fully furnished dedicated and a la carte office space, as well as conference rooms by the hour. Give Officense a call at (410) 814-7500 to meet your new staff and tour your new prestigious business location, today!

Co-Working Space in Offices

Written by Officense on May 15, 2017. Posted in Blog.

The business world has been praising the success of co-working space in offices. Indeed, they have many benefits for dynamic companies. Co-working space promotes teamwork, healthy work relationships, and assists with company office costs.

Collaboration in the Workplace

Ah, teamwork! This dreaded activity is one that everyone can relay a horror story on. Indeed, many businesses have a difficult time promoting collaboration through teamwork among their employees. One sublet tactic for promoting teamwork is creating a co-working space within your office. It allows your employees to see the work others are doing and potentially offer assistance. As the saying goes, “Two heads are better than one.” If co-working space promotes collaboration, then it is pivotal to provide this to your staff.

Healthy Work Relationships

Co-working space can also foster healthy work relationships. These spaces promote interaction among your employees. Spending positive time with one’s coworkers can assist with employee retention and an optimistic company culture. Employees are more likely to be satisfied with their work if they have workplace friends. Who wants to come to work and feel like a stranger among their colleagues? Answer: No one …

Cost Effective Co-Working Space

Having multiple offices or cubicle for your employee is not a cost-effective use of office space for most businesses. Not only is this practice stifling to your employees’ potential collaboration, but it is also costly. Co-working space has the potential to require less construction and costly cubicle walls. Instead, allow your office to breath well protecting your profit margin. Another benefit for businesses is telecommuting employees can utilize the co-working space, during the times you briefly need them in the office.

If your business is in the market for High-end office or co-working space, give Officense a call! We provide all inclusive business facilities with fully furnished dedicated and a la carte office space, as well as conference rooms by the hour. Give us a call at (410)- 814-7500 to schedule your tour of our downtown location, today!

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Furnishing Your Business

Written by Officense on May 5, 2017. Posted in Blog.

Furnishing a business office can be a cumbersome task. There is choosing the right pieces, purchasing, transporting, assembling, and placement. All of the steps can be time-consuming and costly to a new company. However, high-end furnishing will provide numerous benefits to your company.

Business Appearance

If correctly chosen, your business clients will be impressed with your taste in design. When clients walk into your office they should feel an air of professionalism and class. If you walked into a business with some shabby furnishings, no doubt you would think twice before working with that company! A client will gauge your company on appearance, furniture says a lot.

Furnishing for Employees

Another added bonus is the morale of your employees. For example, simply providing top quality desk chair will provide a more comfortable and healthy working environment. Another benefit could be promoting collaboration amongst your employees. Having low cubicle walls or none at all will assist in building a team environment. There are numerous other benefits of a tastefully furnished office, but I know what you are thinking: How much is this going to cost me?

Indeed, office furniture is not a cheap expense for any business. Your solution should be Officense. We provide high-end business facilities with fully furnished dedicated and a la carte office space, as well as conference rooms by the hour. Given us a call at (410)- 814-7500 to schedule your tour our downtown location, today!