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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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Top tools for remote workers

Top Tools for Running your Business Abroad

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The desk life just isn’t for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t build a successful business. Having the right tools with you can make it easier to enjoy your new Digital Nomad life.

When it comes to these tools, you have to look both at hardware, and software. What products and services will fit you best, and are an addition to your travel experience, rather than a detriment.

Tool #1 – A new Laptop

If you currently have a laptop, there may be nothing wrong with it. Today’s portable computers are built well, and last much further than their older brethren. So why would we suggest such a large expense when you’re just about to start travelling and building a new business?

Because of the small differences.

At first glance, any new laptop may seem the same as your older one. Afterall, it’s a screen and a keyboard. It may have a few fancy new features, but is it really worth it if your current laptop works? Well, yes.

The main benefits are going to come from 3 places: Battery Life, Processor, and WiFi capabilities.

The battery life is obvious: A newer laptop will have a newer battery, which will both last longer, and will be more reliable. With laptops these days sticking to integrated and non-removable batteries, it will be a huge life saver. You won’t even have to leave your beach chair in order to recharge! The processor is a bit more interesting: newer processors are not only more powerful, but they are also more efficient. Efficiency in this case refers to power drain – meaning providing more battery life for more power. Finally, WiFi is improving everywhere in the world, but new technologies like WiFi 6 are not commonly used yet. A newer laptop will also contain a more powerful, and also more efficient WiFi adaptor. Meaning you can get a better, more consistent signal and connection, no matter where you are.

Tool #2 – A new(ish) Smartphone

A smartphone is your companion. Between notes, contacts, calls, agenda, calendar, and myriad other features, for some it’s closer than their own family. A new smartphone can also have many of the same advantages of a new laptop, meaning a newer, more efficient processor, a newer battery, and more powerful signal.

But unlike a laptop where usually the higher you go in price, the better it is, with smartphones, you’d want to be aiming at a new – but midrange – smartphone. Why midrange?

Today’s midrange smartphones tend to be more powerful than yesterday’s flagships. The technology is moving THAT fast. And some of the limitations are what make the midrange phone experience better than a flagship for travelling.

The processor tends to be more conservative. While certainly fast, it will draw less power, by the fact that it’s more efficient than previous processors. Battery life tends to be better on midrange devices, with companies not being as concerned with aesthetics, making thicker devices with chunkier batteries. And things like a lower resolution screen, and less gimmicky features tend to leave you with a solid smartphone experience, for a smaller price, and no frills. Since today’s devices are built as a SOC (system on a chip), the same improvements in terms of signal strength and performance will be included.

And of course, less people will want to steal your chunky plastic brick, rather than your shiny new iPhone.

Tool #3 – VideoConferencing Software

If you work with a team, you’ll want to speak with your team. If you work with clients… you’ll probably want to speak to your clients. As you’re travelling, email and messaging may be the best way to reach you, and conversely communicate with your stakeholders. But text on a screen pales with comparison with a phone call. And that in itself pales in comparison to a full fledged face-to-face conversation. Videoconferencing is the next best thing, and one more of the essential tools you need.

You can truly engage all of the senses of a viewer when they can both see, and hear you.

Just make sure that you’re not calling in from a beautiful beach somewhere, if the place you’re calling is in the middle of a dark and dreary winter.

Tool #4 – Noise Cancelling Headphones

Silence is Golden. On a plane? Put on your headphones and relax. In a busy cafe? Put on your headphones and tune out the noise. Making a video call to your clients? Better believe you need to put those headphones on. Yes the noise cancelling needs a charge, but the trade off is worth it. The sound of silence speaks for itself.

Consider a wired pair, that can be plugged in to the laptop to save some battery life. But with smartphones these days dropping the headphone jack, you may find yourself having to go completely wireless. Which can be a microcosm for your new life, living untethered from your desk.

Tool #5 – A Notebook

Know what the tools above this one all need? Yup, the occasional charge.

Even with a new laptop with a highly efficient processor, a new midrange phone with a massive battery, and some great new headphones… you’re gonna run out of juice.

Know what doesn’t run out of battery? A notebook and a trusty pen. Has worked for centuries, and will work for centuries more. Take down notes, write appointments and important information. And even doodle while you’re waiting for your laptop to charge.

A notebook may be the most essential of the tools on that list. Except for just one more…

Tool #6 – Sunglasses

To enjoy the beaches you’ll be visiting of course.

So if you’re ready to start your new business venture, and have a great time travelling. But still need a central place to receive your mail, and a competent staff to answer your phone, then look no further than Virtual Business Offices. Pick your package and sign up today!

 

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