The Importance of Choosing the Right DC Office Space Provider

September 7th, 2010

In a world of value meals, dollar stores and discount products, it makes sense that people are often on the lookout for the cheaper choice. However, when it comes to certain expenditures, it is wise to evaluate more than just the cost of the product or services, especially when it comes to support services and tools for your business.

Just like you can find the lowest-priced generic product at a discount super store, you can find the cheapest DC office space available, but that doesn’t mean you would want to trust your business with the cheapest provider on the market.

Part of the benefit to utilizing DC office space is that you have access to features like a phone answering service, professional support staff, administrative assistance and a variety of business support services. Because you will be trusting your business tasks with the office space provider, it is important to have confidence in the staff’s ability to perform well and present your business in a professional manner.

Consider asking the following questions when determining which DC office space provider is right for your business:

  • What type of employees do they have providing the business support services? Are they trained? Do they promote a professional image?
  • What is the tenure of the typical employee? What is the office space provider’s employee turn-over rate?
  • What are the provider’s current clients saying about their office space and services?
  • What is their longevity record? Are most of their clients short-term, or do they develop loyal customers who come back to use them time and time again?

By digging deeper and asking important questions, you can get the answers you need to choose more than a “value meal” style DC office space provider. You can make an informed decision and choose the provider who has a proven track record of benefiting businesses and agencies through top-notch service offerings, virtual office space and professional meeting rooms.

For more information on Washington Virtual Office, DC Meeting Rooms, Telework, Executive Office Spaces, FlexDesk and other cost-effective business solutions visit Metro Offices online at www.metroffice.com.

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Kathlene Buchanan is the president and founder of Metro Offices, one of the premiere, women-owned, executive office centers in the Washington, D.C. Metro area. With presence in 8 different locations throughout the capital area, Metro Offices offers a full range of innovative business solutions and advanced technologies to help businesses compete in today’s transitioning business environment. Buchanan has been in the industry since 1979, and Metro Offices has been operating since 1989 with locations in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 at 9:03 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

4 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Washington Virtual Office

September 3rd, 2010

You’ve arrived at the point at which you realize a Washington Virtual Office or DC Meeting Space is what you need to promote a professional image and work more productively. An online search reveals several Washington DC executive offices and facilities for you to consider, so how can you choose the office space provider to best meet your unique business needs?

Consider these four questions to ask when choosing a Washington Virtual Office:

#1 Is there an office location available that is convenient for my business purposes and near to my home?

Part of the beauty of working remotely is that you can avoid long commutes to the office, so the last thing you want is to have to travel a distance to your DC virtual office. Seek out executive offices nearer to your part of the DC Metro, so you can hop on the Metro or Metrobus or even walk to be at your office in no time, without having to deal with expensive parking garages or hard-to-find street parking.

#2 What business support services does the Washington virtual office offer?

To make the most of your DC telework experience, it is important to have excellent support services to streamline projects and promote professionalism to current and potential clients. When comparing and contrasting different DC virtual office providers, check to see if they have services such as:

Phone answering

Administrative support

Mail service

Virtual receptionist

Private guest office usage

Wireless Internet

Videoconference, webinar and phone conference services

Business address to use for business cards, mail, website, etc.

#3 What type of workers does the office provider employ? What training do the employees receive and what is the average employee tenure?

It doesn’t matter how excellent the office space facility is if you can’t count on the support staff, so it is important to ask questions about the type of workers the office provider employs. Ask what trainings the receptionists and administrative support team members have received. Inquire about the employee qualifications and the turn-over rate for employees. These employees can significantly impact your business, so it is vital that you are able to have confidence in their abilities and level of professionalism.

#4 What are the office space provider’s current and former clients saying about them?

The best way to learn what is really going on with a DC office provider is to find out what the clients are saying. If you do not know any current or past clients of the business, ask the office provider if they can supply you with references. By contacting these clients, you can get the true story about the pros and cons of the virtual office provider. On the other hand, if the business is hesitant to connect you with current or former clients, this may be a red flag and a reason for you to look elsewhere to find the right Washington virtual office you can trust with your business.

For more information on Washington Virtual Office, DC Meeting Rooms, Telework, Executive Office Spaces, FlexDesk and other cost-effective business solutions visit Metro Offices online at www.metroffice.com.

This entry was posted on Friday, September 3rd, 2010 at 8:02 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

VoIP Technology: The Key to Successful DC Telework Programs

August 5th, 2010

As Federal agencies are seeking the most effective methods for incorporating telework into their business practices, VoIP technology is emerging as a top tool for successful telework programs. Voice over Internet Protocol is cutting edge technology that allows teleworkers to achieve optimum communication without skipping a beat, whether they are on-the-go, working from a home office, or working remotely from anywhere that has Internet access.

VoIP provides increased flexibility and productivity to keep government contractors and federal agencies working optimally while meeting the federal government’s call to increase telework efforts. It’s the ultimate multi-tasking tool, allowing teleworkers to use the phone while simultaneously accessing all other essential information and working online. All of this can be done away from the traditional office, which means teleworkers can conduct business as usual from remote locations.

Additionally, VoIP technology keeps employees connected to other team members and clients, maximizing communication efforts. Good communication is key to the success of new telework programs.

VoIP technology comes as part of Metro Offices’ Telework Solutions packages custom designed to meet the individual needs of teleworkers. With these services, there’s no hassle with complex hardware or maintenance, because expert tech support is available to ensure the VoIP technology runs smoothly at all times, day and night.

For agencies and businesses seeking to decrease costs, VoIP technology is a great choice. Businesses utilizing VoIP reportedly save from 30% to 50% of traditional phone bills.

The additional benefits to utilizing VoIP service include:

  • Call forwarding to an available person
  • Calls answered from a prestigious DC Metro office
  • Calls transferred efficiently
  • Call screening
  • Voicemail to e-mail
  • Follow me/Find me phone technology
  • All essential information anywhere there is wireless Internet
  • Unified Communications and a local number, even if your physical office is in another state.

For more information on Telework, Executive Office Spaces, Blended Workforce Solutions and other cost-effective business solutions visit Metro Offices online at www.metroffice.com.

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 5th, 2010 at 4:52 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Telework is Not Just about Employee Satisfaction

July 28th, 2010

Often telework supporters point to the fact that employees who have the freedom to telework are happier, more loyal to the company and less likely to search for jobs elsewhere. But employee morale and satisfaction are just a tiny sliver of the pie when it comes to the benefits of teleworking.

Businesses that have incorporated successful telework programs know that the right combination of telework solutions increases productivity and flexibility. Additionally, transitioning from office-based employees to teleworkers means reduced costs for office space, maintenance and administration.

Some companies can even eliminate the traditional office space and go office-less, which greatly benefits the bottom line. Instead of using the office for day-to-day office tasks that can be completed remotely, teleworkers can reserve affordable, on-demand DC meeting rooms and Executive Offices for times when a professional physical workspace is necessary.

Creating Confidence in Telework

Federal agencies and DC government contractors often express concern that telework may not provide the security necessary to keep classified information protected. However, DC telework solutions, including executive office spaces, are secure, enabling contractors and federal employees to work on confidential tasks and handle sensitive information discreetly.

Locked, private offices and managed, secure IT infrastructure make DC telework solutions the ideal package for federal agencies. With the right solutions in place, teleworkers can focus on the tasks at hand, rather than worrying about privacy issues.

More and more federal agencies and government contractors DC are experiencing the numerous ways telework solutions improve business. As the doors are wide open for more agencies to establish healthy telework programs, now is the right time to take advantage of the proven telework solutions available to gain a competitive edge.

For more information about Virtual Office Solutions, Telework, Washington DC office space, and other cost-effective business solutions visit Metro Offices online at www.metroffice.com.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 at 9:00 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.