The Ultimate Office Solutions Handbook. How To Choose Which Services Are Right For Your Business. Copyright 2010 Metro Offices. All Rights Reserved

Transcription

1

2 The Ultimate Office Solutions Handbook How To Choose Which Services Are Right For Your Business Copyright 2010 Metro Offices. All Rights Reserved This report may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the publisher. Every effort has been made to make this guide as complete and accurate as possible. Although the author and publisher have prepared this guide with the greatest of care, and have made every effort to ensure the accuracy, we assume no responsibility or liability for errors, inaccuracies or omissions.

3 Table of Contents How To Choose Which Services Are Right For Your Business... 2 Today's Transitioning Business Environment... 5 What Can Help Your Business Grow?... 5 Finding Business Solutions Workspace... 7 What Workspace Options Are Available?... 7 Finding Business Solutions Technology What Technology Options Are Available? Can You Make Your Business Greener While Increasing Your Bottom Line? Finding Business Solutions Services What Service Options Are Available? Metro Offices: Cost-Effective Business Solutions to Grow Your Business Small Businesses Start-Up Business Home-Based Businesses Government & Independent Contractor s Why Metro Offices? Locations, Locations, Locations A Track Record of Excellence Cost Benefits of Working with Metro Offices About The Author

4 How To Choose Which Services Are Right For Your Business Whether you are a start-up, high growth or mature business, today's business market requires an increasing amount of flexibility and savvy as companies struggle to balance rising costs, new workplace technology and a tough economic environment. From the smallest businesses to the major international companies, business leaders are evaluating their operations in an effort to improve their bottom line and customer service. Businesses of every size are developing smart strategies to meet their daily business demands while reducing capital and fixed costs. Sophisticated technologies now allow businesses of all sizes to compete, leveling the playing field in three major areas: Workspaces Businesses simply don't need to pay for the same amount of square footage they once did. With more and more business transactions and client interactions completed virtually without the need for a brick-and-mortar location there simply is no reason to keep pouring money into expensive office space. Today's business environment is becoming increasingly streamlined, allowing businesses to thrive while keeping capital commitments and overhead costs low. You can meet in clean, comfortable conference rooms and work spaces when you need them for client or work team meetings. Technology No longer is technology limited to super-sized companies with unlimited capital and massive employee resources. Flexible office spaces, web services, Voice over the Internet (VOIP), wireless computing, mobile messaging, video conferencing and virtual phone systems have enabled small to mid-size business owners to compete with corporate giants. Services Fully-staffed office space provides the administrative support any business needs to make a good impression on clients and get crucial tasks done. Add in on-site amenities like catering and audio-visual tech support, and the usability of any space rises to the next level, giving a bottom-line-boosting professional appearance to even the smallest organization. 2

5 New technology, combined with reduced space requirements, can reduce cost and improve productivity. Chances are that's why you're reading this. You want to leverage the technology that's out there to benefit you and your business. You want to meet your daily business requirements in a way that is more efficient AND less expensive. Part of the research process behind choosing the solutions that will work best for your business involves identifying the amenities and services you need most, which would be a nice enhancement to consider for the future, and which features are not a fit for your needs. That's where Metro Offices and this guide come in. We provide ideal solutions for a wide range of clients, for businesses of all sizes. But we understand that the more you know about what you want and need for your business, the better we can serve you. Whether you discover that Metro Offices is a perfect fit for you or not, our hope is that this guide will help you identify your needs and priorities so you can find an excellent solution for your business. As you read through this guide, be sure to take notes and ask yourself questions about your business needs in each of the three major areas: Workspace Technology Services Metro Office s solutions are specifically designed to put the latest technologies to work for your business in a way that increases efficiency and maximizes every dollar spent. Our clients include: Home-based business owners Start-up companies Entrepreneurs Government contractors Independent contractors National and international growth businesses 3

6 We feature executive offices, shared office space, and temporary office space each offering a professionally structured environment with complete business support services. For those who prefer to work from another location, our virtual office services allow for a blended workforce arrangement, where companies combine telecommuting and shared office space to accomplish their objectives. We're experts at transforming businesses with smart business solutions. And we have been doing it in the DC metro area for over 20 years! 4

7 Today's Transitioning Business Environment What Can Help Your Business Grow? Today s successful business is a marvel of resilience and flexibility. Constant change and growth in your business becomes so much easier to manage when your office space keeps up with your needs. Having this need for adaptability met in all three major areas: work space, technology, and services makes growing a business easier. The savvy businessperson looks for workplace solutions that offer the best of both worlds flexibility to make changes in space requirements as needed and the dependability of professional services in one location. Due to the many benefits of using skilled, dedicated virtual assistants, having the use of a live receptionist, as well as other business services; hiring a workplace solutions firm makes complete business sense. Your success will skyrocket as you eliminate overhead, centralize customer service and maximize potential. Questions to Ask as You Look: What is your overall impression of the quality of each office solution you research? Experience is important. Does this virtual office solution have a proven track record for helping its business customers grow and profit? Metro Offices has been committed to the Metro DC area for over 20 years. Every year, Metro Offices successfully leads businesses just like yours through complex business transitions with dependable, advanced workplace solutions. We can provide your business with any number of benefits: An attractive, professional environment Meeting and training room rental Affordable business solutions: internet, phone, video conferencing, mail service and more Live receptionist 5

8 Fully trained support staff Premier Capitol area locations, as well as 650 locations worldwide Complete flexibility to accelerate your business to the next level Metro Offices is ahead of the game because we are masters of the game. We'll make sure your business thrives by using the best technology and resources possible to achieve efficiency and cost effectiveness. It's been our business since

9 Finding Business Solutions Workspace What Workspace Options Are Available? Whether you are a government contractor, business owner, or part of a major corporation, there are many business workspace solutions that will support your success better than an outdated, traditional way of meeting your space needs. Here is a quick rundown of the popular options you ll find: Executive offices offer a private office area at an affordable rate. Comes furnished with everything you need to project the image of a professional operation at a more affordable cost. Virtual office services take care of many of your business and administrative needs, such as phone answering services, mail forwarding, a professional business address; all of which allow you to work from another location. Shared office space enables you to pay only for the space you need, and allows for flexibility should your business grow or change. Temporary office space is an ideal solution if you operate on a short-term basis, such as a government contracting position, or if you are not yet ready to buy or rent a permanent space. Shared Office Space A Smart Move to Benefit Your Business It used to be that entrepreneurs had two alternatives for their business location: home, with the challenge of separating business and personal spaces, or an expensive traditional office space. Then executive offices became popular, giving businesses of every size the benefits of flexibility, administrative support and a turnkey professional environment. The latest development in office space for rent is shared office space. Like executive suites, shared office space gives a company a nearly instant business address. However, there is a core difference between these two types of office space. 7

10 Shared office space generally refers to excess space within an existing company s building. If for some reason a business has extra space, it can recoup some of its expenses by sub-leasing that space to another business. Executive suites are managed businesses that divide large work spaces to lease as individual offices. What are the benefits of using shared office space? Shared office space creates a more efficient environment amongst members of the business. Shared office space is less expensive than traditional office space. No need to spend money at other office locations Internet and phone costs are shared Cost of receptionist or administrative assistant is shared Shared office space allows you to rent out any part of your space, from a desk to an office. This is a great option for start-up companies who are adding to their business frequently and need to increase square footage. Shared office space provides all the amenities needed for your business. Kitchen, conference rooms Furnished office space Office equipment Convenience Sharing office space with a business that complements (but doesn't compete with) your own can be beneficial for both you and your clients. They will have the added convenience, while you enjoy easy leads and a larger client base. Temporary Office Space Ideal for Small Businesses For a company or small business owner, temporary office space can be a lifesaver. Many businesspeople are transient and operate on a short-term basis, such as fulfilling a single consulting contract or managing a construction project. Once the project is completed, it's time to move on. In these situations, a long-term lease is not feasible. In many cases, temporary office space is the ideal solution for a small business owner who is not yet ready to rent or build a permanent office. 8

11 The business can lease a temporary office until it outgrows the space, at which time it moves on to a more permanent arrangement. A business that is unexpectedly forced to relocate may opt for temporary office space until a permanent facility can be acquired or built. And temporary office space certainly benefits contractors who are always on the move. Their combined needs for flexibility, mobility and a highly professional work environment make shared temporary office space the perfect choice. For government contractors, accessibility is at the top of their clients wish list. Look for office centers that are centrally located to make it easy for anyone to get to. From temporary office space to virtual office services including phone services, video conferencing and mail service, make sure you get all the day-to-day necessities you need to operate at peak productivity. And once your clients arrive, they'll be impressed by the prestigious appearance of the building and the exclusive amenities included in your office package. Meeting Rooms for Rent Quality Meeting Room Space Available Worldwide Professional meeting room space gives your business a competitive advantage and helps you seal the deal. No matter what business you are in, there are times when nothing can substitute for a face-to-face meeting in a professional setting. For home-based businesses and small-to-mid-sized business entrepreneurs, permanent meeting space is out of the question. Having a meeting room for rent for client meetings or team meetings anytime you need it meets that need perfectly. Do you also need video conferencing capabilities? Make sure your workspace solution provides an inexpensive way to conduct remote meetings with high-tech video conferencing technology. Reduce your travel expenses and still conduct business on your terms without having to invest in expensive technical equipment. Video conferencing brings you face-to-face with clients and colleagues anywhere in the world. 9

12 Look for a workspace solution with an on-site team to manage every aspect of the video conference, providing technical support throughout the meeting. Some meeting room features you may need: Conference Rooms 34 meeting and training rooms locally LCD projectors, whiteboards, flip charts, Polycom speaker phone systems Catering Support staff Video conferencing, wireless Internet, dedicated bandwidth 24/7 online meeting room reservation system Video Conferencing Worldwide Locations 650 locations worldwide High-Speed Internet Wireless Internet Access (Wi-Fi) Nortel Speaker phones with Conference Call Feature LCD Projector High-Resolution Overhead Projector White Boards Flip Charts Beverage and Catering Services Ergonomically-Correct Herman Miller Seating 10

13 Training Rooms For Rent On-Call Conference Rooms for Your Growing Business In a car, at a restaurant, at someone s kitchen table training one-on-one you could do anywhere. But when you need to train a group of employees or customers all at the same time, it s time to consider renting professional conference room space. Look for fully-equipped, high-tech conference rooms for rent to meet your needs for training facilities. Flexible room layouts mean you can schedule and execute effective meetings whenever you need to get down to business. With the best training rooms, all you have to do is show up and train. Training your employees and customers becomes easy. These flexible training venues are state-of-the-art and built to meet all your training, corporate meeting and conference needs. Metro Office offers a wide variety of room styles to choose from and the setup can be customized to meet your specific requirements. You may also need on-site technical services to support your event. Having tech support on-site means you ll never again be embarrassed when you can't get your big presentation to appear on the screen, or when you can't get an important video conference going. Tech support takes care of the technicalities so you don't have to worry about anything but business. Here are some training room features to consider: Seating for 1-35 users Modular seating and table configurations Polycom speaker phone systems Video conferencing Wireless Internet Dedicated bandwidth Support staff For the biggest impact, look for graciously-appointed training rooms, the latest technology at your fingertips on-site administrative support. 11

14 Finding Business Solutions Technology What Technology Options Are Available? Today s technology centric business environment demands that your organization no matter its size fully utilize the Internet to communicate directly with clients, partners and employees. When you connect your business to the information highway, you allow your company to become accessible around the world and that could mean astounding growth. Metro Office's unique understanding of today's rapidly changing business needs stems from two decades of business presence focused strategically in the Washington Metropolitan area. We're committed to focusing on your individual IT requirements so you can focus on your business. Some IT offerings you should look for: 24/7 IT Support Wireless Internet Web and Hosting Packages Datacenter Overview Automated Data Backup On-site Server storage Public IP Static IP Networked printing and scanning Business Class Hosting Solutions Shared Server Hosting Virtual Private Machines Dedicated and Fully Managed Hosting Services (Single Server or Multi-Server) National and International Co-location Facilities 12

15 Off Site HOT / COLD Data Storage Disaster Recovery / Contingency Planning - Continuity of Operation Planning (CoOP) Remote Network Monitoring - Intrusion Detection Services Cisco Commercial Grade network Dell switches Dedicated bandwidth Wireless network Can You Make Your Business Greener While Increasing Your Bottom Line? While a virtual office is extremely cost-effective and increases work productivity significantly, it also allows you to play an active role in creating a greener environment. Use a virtual office for your professional needs, and you ll be doing your part to save the environment. Who knew that something this easy and convenient could actually play a significant role in making our world a greener place? Virtual office desktops save time, money and energy while boosting productivity. Here are some ways high-tech virtual business solutions help you do your part: Cut costs by not running an office building air conditioning, heating and electric consumption in traditional offices accounts for significant expenditures. Electricity is minimized because you have full control over what s connected and when. Reduces common energy consumption by digitizing as many of your documents and procedures as possible. You ll use just a tiny fraction of the paper traditional business procedures require. A green business creates winning results for its customers, employees and contractors, its own bottom line, and the environment. Using virtual office space and virtual office services is a profitable, convenient, and eco-friendly solution for any size business. 13

16 Finding Business Solutions Services What Service Options Are Available? Many companies and business professionals lack the proper funds to be able to employ a full-time receptionist to handle administrative duties. For others, the time and hassle involved in hiring and training an administrative assistant puts this staff addition out of reach. The time and money involved in traditional staffing are two reasons virtual office services are more popular than ever. What Is a Virtual Receptionist? A virtual receptionist is the most convenient and cost-effective way to run your virtual office. Here are three ways businesses benefit from having a virtual receptionist: Virtual office services allow you to run your business on your own time. For a fraction of the cost of a telephone answering service, you can have a live receptionist to answer the phone at all times. Your virtual receptionist can: Forward messages; Assist with scheduling; Ensure your customers and colleagues receive prompt and professional responses to their queries. A virtual assistant is more efficient and cost-effective than an on-site assistant. You save time and money because you pay only for the services you need without being responsible for benefits, payroll taxes, training and management. One person is responsible for all administrative tasks. This centrality creates less confusion than having a dozen different employees working on a project with no clear idea of who is accountable for what. Easy for your current staff because you can instantly increase or decrease your project coverage as needed. Get the backup help you need during busy times and pare down your support team during slower times. Virtual office services benefit your bottom line. Have a live human being answer your phone rather than sending your valuable clients and prospects to voic . 14

17 Many receptionists are skilled in other trades, which minimizes the need for outsourcing or supplemental hiring. As valuable as virtual office services are, you d probably expect to pay top-dollar to use them in your business. But, you ll be very surprised to find out how affordably you can work with a virtual receptionist. And once you see the positive effect on your bottom line, you ll understand why so many businesses consider this to be one of the best cost-containment tactics they ve ever implemented. Why Outsource? The goal of business support services is to let you focus on what you do best: building your business. When they're first starting out, most business owners learn to do just about everything for their businesses, from mailroom tasks to website design, bookkeeping to catering for meetings. But once you're ready to take your business to the next level, it's time to rethink the way you operate. Every single task you do that takes you away from building your business costs far more than you might think. By using business support services, you make the most of every dollar and every hour. Outsourcing tasks that are not the highest, best use of your time just makes good business sense. Metro Offices has developed a complete portfolio of business support services that keep our clients at the forefront of their respective markets. We are well equipped to provide you with any business resource you need, large or small. At each of our professional office centers, support services are provided by a staff of highly trained, friendly professionals who know how to keep your business functioning at optimum speed. Here are some of the many business support services you should consider: Word Processing Enhanced Word Processing Desktop Publishing Project Design/Consulting Video Conferencing Excel Spreadsheet Database Management Data Entry Internet Research Software Support/Training Website Design Notary Services Color Printing Scanning 15

18 Additional Services Catering Service Incoming Mail Processing Outgoing Mail Processing Metered Mail Photocopying Binding Office Supplies Concierge Services Shipping Services Courier Services Directory (411) listings Printer/Scanner Connection In Center Technical Support Facsimile Outgoing/Incoming Cable Television Additional Voice Mail Boxes Toll Free Numbers Audio/Web Conferencing Calling Cards Virtual Office Services Helping You Take Care of Business Stay ahead of today s transitioning business environment. Scalability is the secret to growth. Today s business is a more cost-effective, operationally efficient environment. Just because the operational environment is changing doesn t mean that your business has to cut back on the services you need to succeed. Metro Offices has solutions for every business to help you grow and continue to succeed in today s business environment. Virtual office services provide all the support you need to do business without the hassle and expense of a traditional office. Any business small, medium, or large thrives best when it leverages its resources well. Getting the most value possible out of every dollar is easy when you have the flexibility of buying only the services and space you need. Metro Offices offers you all the resources, space and support your business needs to flourish without the commitment and permanence of investing in your own business address and office support. That leaves you free to handle what you do best: grow your business. 16

19 Whether you need a professional voice to answer your phone, a prestigious business address to collect your mail, or a convenient location to meet your clients, Metro Offices will provide you with an instant and professional image. Have a cup of coffee and work comfortably in our Virtual Club business lounge while using our high-speed Internet. Make a few phone calls or pop into our Business Services Center and let our friendly staff assist you with your administrative needs. 17

20 Metro Offices: Cost-Effective Business Solutions to Grow Your Business Small Businesses Have you recently launched your own business and can't yet afford traditional office space? Do you operate a web site, or primarily use the internet to market your products and services, complete transactions and communicate with clients? Do you run your business out of the comfort of your home office? If any of these scenarios fit you, chances are you have wondered what will happen when that big client wants to get together for a business meeting, or what your prospects will think when they see your home address or a P.O. Box on your business letterhead. Enter the executive office suite, the secret weapon of the entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, you need to stay ahead of your competition, and that means you need to maintain a professional image. You can with Metro Offices. With advanced technology and a complete business support system, we make it easy for you to dominate your market. Metro Offices offers custom solutions starting at only $95 per month. Metro Offices can accelerate the growth of your business with cost-effective operational solutions. If you re not using virtual or blended workforce office solutions in today s competitive market, you are operating at a disadvantage. Operate more efficiently using Metro Office's virtual office services. Meet with your important clients in one of our professional conference rooms, or rent an office space and enjoy a prestigious business address and access to our full-service staff and other corporate amenities. Move fast. Think faster. A virtual office makes it possible. Outsmart your competition with affordable solutions that will take your business to the next level. Service offerings for the entrepreneur: Virtual Office Rental Business Support Services Meeting Rooms Training Rooms 18

21 Start-Up Business Starting your own business is not only the American dream, but also the opportunity of a lifetime. The great part is you have resources today that companies in the past only wished they had had. If you don t leverage the new technology and virtual services available to you, you can be sure of this: your competitors will. At Metro Offices, we understand what it takes to start a business and get it up and running as quickly as possible. Today's sophisticated technologies allow new business owners to make quick strides toward leveling the playing field for their business. No longer are these technologies limited to super-sized companies with unlimited capital and massive employee resources. Laptops, mobile messaging, video conferencing and centralized phone systems have enabled fledgling business owners to compete with long-time business giants who lack the personal touch of an individual or small company. You've got the capital, the vision and the enthusiasm all great. No meeting space, business address, no telephone answering service not always so great. Just because your business is just getting off the ground doesn t mean you can t operate like a fully-staffed office with a big business identity. Metro Office's business solutions allow your new business to appear bigger and operate more efficiently than your competition. Enjoy all the benefits of having the professional support of a virtual staff, a prestigious business address, and corporate meeting rooms when you need them. You have so many tasks to take care of as you build your business. Metro Offices can take the worry out of your office space and operations, and provide you with cutting edge technology solutions to cost effectively operate and grow your new business quickly. 19

22 Service offerings for the start-up business owner: Virtual Office Virtual Office Services Business address Live receptionist Phone answering service Virtual assistant Mail service Meeting Rooms The space and support you need value at prices that will surprise you. Home-Based Businesses Maintaining a home office is, without a doubt, one of the most cost-effective small business solutions out there. Your overhead is much lower, leaving you more resources for growing your business. But there are disadvantages: not having a business address or receptionist to answer the phone makes you appear less professional, and you can quickly become overwhelmed by the countless little things that need to get done. One of the biggest challenges is separating your business from your personal life. Every home office worker knows two things: the value of their time, and the importance of running that business on their own terms. Time truly is money, and spending even a minute of potential income-producing time ineffectively is an expense no business can afford. Make the most of your home-based business with Metro Office's virtual assistant services. A virtual receptionist works for you on a virtual basis rather than in your office space. Have us do your administrative work, around the clock. Makes your work time more productive because you stay focused on income generation rather than on busywork. Use a virtual receptionist as a telephone answering service and your business will have a professional image instantly. 20

23 Metro Office can help you maintain a professional presence with virtual phone and mail services that will allow you to spend less time sweating the small stuff and more time growing your income. Government & Independent Contractor s The top needs of government contractors today is location/space flexibility, speed, technology and efficient economics. Contractors face several important questions after they are awarded a project: How quickly can you secure office space that will satisfy all the parties to the agreement? How much capital and time will you have to invest in coordinating the lease, furniture, security and technology? Is the office space convenient to the client and sub contractors working on the project? Will the commute to this office space keep you from hiring the best employees? Fortunately, government contractors today are learning that there is a new way to answer these questions. Flexible office space to meet physical needs, secure communications and computing technology to meet the needs of a distributed, remote work team, and instant infrastructure and expert coordinators stand ready to make it happen for you, Through the use of a new blended workforce model, the contractors can cut their cost substantially while providing a better quality of life to their employees and serious momentum for their clients new project. The key to the new blended workforce model is having the ability to have physical office and meeting space as needed, supported with state-of-the-art VOIP capability. This technology allows people to work from anywhere, but use VOIP implemented on each person s PC to conduct business as if they are in the same office. This is a major paradigm shift that changes the amount of office space a contractor needs to lease, creating savings and profits to be more competitive. For example, a contractor would lease a few offices with at least 2 workstations in each office but use the conference rooms for client meetings or team meetings; when you actually need more office space. Even better, a contractor could use the most convenient conference room for team or client meetings, not necessarily the same location as the leased office space. The use of conference rooms in many locations throughout the DC metro area allows a contractor to meet distance requirements from the client. Over the page is a comparison of the economics and cost of the blended workforce model against the conventional model: 21

24 Example: Provide space for 10 workers to work on a 6 months or more project: MO_022 MO_020 MO_023 MO_021 Metro Offices has been a leader in developing and providing this new blended model to its clients. We cater to the needs of government and independent contractors from the inside out. We understand the importance of having a secure environment. That s why locked offices, badge access to elevators, and trained receptionists in every lobby are all standard in our buildings' infrastructure. Here are some of the reasons contractors are blended workforce solutions now more than ever: Many government contractors need a business address that complies with government rules and regulations. It is far more reputable to be able to use the address of a large office building than a home address or post office box. Blended workforce solutions provides government workers a secure and private place to work on confidential tasks and information. Contractors often seek blended workforce solutions because of their flexibility. Whether you want to telecommute or work in the office, virtual office space gives you this option, without being disconnected from your clients and colleagues. Using a remote office or shared office space can help them react to new business opportunities more quickly, which gives them an advantage over their competitors. Blended office services allow contractors to work more efficiently and maintain a professional interaction with their client. They spend less time handling administrative tasks, and more time focused on the task at hand. Complete flexibility, excellent support, advanced technology and security. In today s business world, virtual office services are the solution more contractors rely on for an optimal work environment. 22

25 Why Metro Offices? Locations, Locations, Locations Whether you are in need of business address, a temporary office space or a permanent location to run your business, Metro Offices has a business address that will work for you. We offer prestigious business locations, furnished and serviced offices with flexible lease terms and minimal up-front costs. Our attractive centers are fully staffed with highly trained, friendly professionals. Metro Offices offers premier Capitol area office locations that give your business a status boost. Metro Offices continues to expand with additional strategic locations as the market dictates and offers the most prestigious office locations throughout the Metro DC area. They feature convenient access to major business centers, Metro s professional team, and all the business amenities you could ever need. Metro Offices locations are set apart by their dramatic architecture, luxurious furnishings and a host of exclusive amenities, so both you and your clients will enjoy your time here. Metro Offices offers locations in Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland. They also offer 650 worldwide locations that you can conveniently use when you are on travel. A Track Record of Excellence Over 20 Years of Success Helping Our Clients Succeed Metro Offices is a successful woman-owned business that has over two decades of proven experience in assisting businesses of all sizes to more effectively operate. Throughout the Washington, DC, metropolitan area and the world, Metro Offices has had the pleasure of working with many long-term customers, providing solutions to help their businesses grow to the next level. Kathlene Buchanan, President and Founder of Metro Offices, has been active in the executive office industry since She opened the first Metro Offices location in Northern Virginia in 1989, forecasting the need for serviced office space. Buchanan further developed the business center concept by recognizing the need for well-trained, highly motivated customer service professionals. 23

26 Since that time, Metro Office has been a leading operator of business centers in the metropolitan Washington, DC, area. Our strategically located centers offer a full range of office solutions to entrepreneurs as well as regional, national and international companies. By partnering with our clients, we are able to contribute to the growth and success of their businesses focusing on their needs for the most current technology in today s business environment, explains Buchanan. Here s what just a few of our clients say about our executive offices and corporate solutions: The well-run operation and the professionalism of the management at Metro Offices has provided the confidence I need to run my company on a daily basis and not be concerned about the little things. Kodali V. Rao President, VASA Associates, Inc. Ever since our first day here, I have been very impressed with Metro Office's entire operation. Your staff is very professional and eager to assist everyone. It is almost as if they work for me. Paul G. Bongiorno Managing Director of Sales, PENN 1st Financial Svcs, Inc. As Financial planners, having a professional image and providing a personal and responsive level of services to our clients is critical to our success. You and your staff have met those expectations on every level, allowing us to focus on expanding our business. Amy Brandts, CLU, ChFC President, Washington Capital Financial Advisors My experience at Metro Offices has been exceptional. I used to think of office business centers as a real estate business. It is actually a customer service business, where responsiveness and accuracy, as well as style and tone, are crucial. I would recommend Metro's services to anyone requiring quality location and execution." John W. Franklin, Jr. CEO, JWF Advisors During my nine years at Metro Offices, the services that I have come to appreciate afford me the assurance that effective communication will continue despite my frequent absence from the office. I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to you and your staff for providing this professional yet friendly environment for me to conduct my business. Robert J. Kelly Vice President, Cavan Corporation 24

27 Cost Benefits of Working with Metro Offices Time truly is money, and spending even a minute of potential income-producing time ineffectively is an expense no business can afford. On the other hand, the more you can focus your time on income generating activities, the more likely your chances of overall business success. In the Information Age, Metro Office s workplace solutions are cutting-edge tools to help you do just that. Our business solutions are the perfect marriage of convenience and cost-effectiveness. By shrinking overhead costs, cutting down on hiring risks and increasing the amount of time and flexibility you enjoy, Metro Offices effectively puts your day-to-day business functions on auto-pilot so you can really get down to business. Here are some of the cost benefits of Metro Offices: 1. Little to no overhead. When you utilize Metro Office s services, you eliminate the need to rent or purchase expensive office space, as well as expenses for furniture, equipment and IT infrastructure. And when you have fewer employees, you save on human resources staff and employee benefits. Virtual assistants are skilled independent contractors, additionally saving you the headache and financial burden of dealing with tax issues. When you add it all up, you've got lots more money to invest in growing your business. 2. Fewer employees to hire. Spend less time shuffling through resumes and conducting timeconsuming job interviews. You'll gain access to dozens of highly trained professionals who generate outstanding results all without the hassle of hiring a single one. 3. Less risk. When you hire someone to fill a position within your company, you take a chance that your investment will result in a productive addition to your workforce. With a virtual office setup, you'll be able to find and keep top talent to help your business grow, without the responsibilities of training and management. 4. Increased time and flexibility. Not only does more time allow you to apply your talents and skills to the most important aspects of your business, it also improves your quality of life. Less stress and hassle gives you the freedom to enjoy success in both your business and your personal life. Why move from the storefront to a Metro Office Center? Because the money and headaches you'll save will free you up to do what you've always wanted to do: be successful. Contact Metro Offices today to request a quote for office solutions that fit your business needs. 25

28 About The Author Kathlene Buchanan, founder and president, of Metro Offices, has been a leader in innovative workplace solutions, in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area, for the last 20 years. Metro Offices has expanded to 8 different locations in the capital area due to the Kathlene s knowledge and expertise of the virtual office industry. She understands what it takes to maintain a successful business in today s professional environment by offering effective solutions to entrepreneurs, start-up businesses and corporate professionals. For more information, please visit: