Archives for December 2017

Whether you own a business in Sydney, Tokyo, London, New York, or Hong Kong, rent is likely to be your biggest expense. In central districts especially, rates rise at a relentless pace, and it isn’t unusual for smaller companies to be priced out of the market.

It is a big problem in Hong Kong, a region that is home to the most expensive office spaces in the world. You have to be cash rich to become established here. Or, you must be clever. Over the last five years, younger businesses have developed a novel solution to this old dilemma.

It is called the virtual office, and it makes corporate resources available, without the need to pay for a full-time lease. Visit www.servcorp.com.hk/en-virtual-offices/ to learn more.

Virtually No Overheads

The special thing about virtual offices is the lack of physical space. This leasing model is not designed for allocating privately rented environments. Instead, the central facility operates a kind of ‘cloud’ office system that tenants pay to access.

Using a combination of online and telephone contact, you can ‘check in’ to your virtual office at any time, from any location. You can get updates on phone calls, voicemails, letters, memos, and more. It’s just like running a regular office; only you don’t spend the day there.

Maximum Mobility 

So, by eliminating the burden of physical space, you also get to rid your business of heating, lighting, cleaning, and a host of other expenses. You don’t need to care for employees because anybody you work with will be in their own location.

There are no rent payments. There is nothing to pay for furniture or décor. Yet, far from having nothing, virtual businesses enjoy all the freedom in the world. With no physical ties, you can use the remote office to take your brand around the globe if desired.

Greater Productivity

Again, far from being a limiting factor, the lack of physical space can end up eliciting better performance from your team. One of the biggest problems with traditional leases is the focus on rigid schedules. They are mostly concerned with whether or not employees are present.

Yet, this doesn’t answer the question of whether they are spending their time wisely. Simply being in the office doesn’t guarantee productivity. When you go virtual, the only proof of performance is the literal work. Therefore, it’s easy to see how much effort is being invested.

All Gains, No Downsides

There is no need to worry about the impact of having no address either. In fact, virtual vendors encourage tenants to direct mail and calls to the facility, as if it were their own address. This is a perfectly legal practice. It is entirely up to you how much you want to tell your clients.

It is easy to benefit from all kinds of reputation boost just by associating yourself with a top spot. While everybody else is paying a high price for theirs, you can be enjoying the benefits and not pay any rent. Having a formal, professional address is also handy for SEO purposes.

Why Virtual Office Solutions Are Worth Your Time

Every year, more businesses realise the advantages of going virtual. As rent rates continue to rise in central Hong Kong, it is often the only way for smaller companies to compete. With the support of these vendors, you get to access the same opportunities for a much smaller fee and it will help you save money.

Therefore, the lack of a private, long-term lease does not have to be a negative outcome. In fact, if you take advantage of the many chances to grow and network, it will open up brand new prospects.

This is the best marketing opportunity that you’ll have this year. Consider some of the tenets of customer service and marketing, those that form the foundation of any successful business. If you have a working list of just a few crucial elements, you’ll have more than enough reasons why you must exhibit. The key is to compress your best service and marketing efforts into the exhibition time period with the display as your primary communication vehicle.

#1: Interaction

There is one ultimate reason for exhibiting at such business events and making that exhibit the best you can afford. That reason can be stated in one word: “interaction.” Having attendees see, touch, and hear is much more effective than classic advertising will ever be. Human beings are visual and emotional creatures so giving them the proper clues can be extremely effective in setting your message firmly in their minds.

#2: Make it Memorable

It’s essential for the visitor at your booth or display to take something away from the exhibition floor, something that will make the connection back to your company. This is why promotional items can be effective. But you must be creative and make sure that these items fit with the interests of your target audience. Exhibitions are a perfect time and having exhibition stands are a perfect method for this.

#3: Return on Investment

If you’re seriously considering an exhibit or display at an exhibition, your ultimate goal must be getting a good return on your investment. That’s why each decision you make about your exhibit, from the very beginning, must be about ROI.

#4: The Right People

 It’s essential for you to think about the people who are at the exhibition in the first place. Almost every one of them is active in your specific industry. But even more important than this is that the majority of those in attendance have authority to buy or can influence purchasing decisions.

#5: Part of the Action

If you use exhibition stands at business events, chances are very good that you’re in a competitive field. This means that the event can be an outstanding opportunity to learn about your competitors and really be part of the action. You’ll learn a lot about the developments in your industry and create some opportunities with what you’ve learned.

#6: Brand Building

If you’re not Apple or Coca Cola, you probably shouldn’t be too concerned about brand building as a primary activity. In fact, you should focus on direct marketing, which in this case means being face to face with your potential customers at exhibition stands.

#7: It’s All Marketing

 Some of the most successful marketers, entrepreneurs, and sellers in the world insist that everything you do is marketing. It just depends on how you view it. For example, you should always make an offer when you contact a customer in any way. What better way to make an offer than to give it to the visitor when he or she is standing at your display? Exhibits are not separate from everything else you do. They are physical evidence of everything you do!

Take note of the points we’ve discussed as this will help you with exhibiting and in your marketing efforts.

To be an entrepreneur, you should love what you do, be willing to learn from others, do things with small steps, develop a positive attitude, always keep moving, look ahead, and be always ready to promote yourself and what you do.

Take some simple steps to learn how to be an entrepreneur and enjoy a new and exciting journey to success.

Find a niche
You should choose an area where you want to work. Being able to use some knowledge you already have, and being able to enjoy learning about your specialized area will make this a more enjoyable and exciting task for you.

Develop habits
There are some important habits that you need to have as an entrepreneur. When you start your activity you will be setting the tone for everything about your operation. By developing good work habits and presenting yourself and what you do in the best possible way, you will be setting the foundation for your success.

Improve your skills
If you need to know more about how business works or how to make an approach to marketing and business development more successful, then learn about these things. It will be useful to understand the environment that you are working in and how you will be able to boost your activity. There are many courses available to help and you can learn from people who have knowledge and experience.

Develop a plan
If you do not want to waste time, then having a plan will make a lot of difference. It will keep you focused on what you need to do and prevent you from heading off on other activities that do not relate to your business. It is important to be able to stay focused on your goals. You may need to adjust that plan as you find out more information.

Determine costs
You should have a budget in mind that will be used when you are developing your business plan. It is important to identify just how much it will cost to do what you think is important. The money you have available will influence some of your choices and impact on the scale of what you are doing. It is important to be clear about not only where you need to spend money but exactly what it is that you need so that you do not waste money.

Take action
To be an entrepreneur, you need to be ready to take action. A well-researched plan is not much use unless you are willing to implement it. You will learn as you go along and you will need to make decisions. There will be challenges but as long as you keep moving then you will find that you progress more quickly
than you realize.

Build a team
It is not possible to do it all by yourself. There will be some areas of activity where you are going to need help. Do some research and find out what you can comfortably pass on to others. As you progress, look for people who you want to continue working with. If you are able to build a good team then you can focus on your core work and leave other activity to those with suitable skills.

Set the attitude
You are the leader and your attitude will flow through all that is done. By creating the right environment with the right attitude you will find that work will flow better and your contacts will enjoy assisting you. There is a lot to be gained from working as an entrepreneur and your attitude will reflect what you offer.

Lastly, remember to believe in what you are capable of and do not let the fear of failure stop you from pushing forward. Be passionate about what you are doing and enjoy the experience. It will come with challenges but it will bring you satisfaction when you look at what you achieve.