Keeping an office busy

[tentim]

I presently operate from home as a web developer.
Contact clients mostly online or by phone.
Thinking of moving to an office - dont think is that
neccessary-but just for the sake and for more professionalism,I
guess.

Thinking of what other activities to engage in in the office,
just to make it look busy a bit as an office
(especially drawing some human traffic), since it's just a one-man show.
What job for a staff, if i should get one - or is it really worth it,moving to
an office....

[Unit7285]

If you rent an office and staff whose function is just to make you look busy, you now have a whole heap of additional costs to cover every month. You also have less time to earn money because you're spending more time dealing with administration and bureaucracy, and commuting to work.

Unfortunately no one will ever come to your office to see your expensive ornamental staff, because clients would rather you took time out of YOUR day to come to them rather than waste their own time travelling. And it doesn't necessarily impress people anyway. Plus, so many small businesses have 'virtual' accommodation addresses at smart business centres (ie no actual office) that many clients may assume this is the case and so, once again, your 'investment' in a real office and staff may fail to impress.

So your rates have to go up, and now your existing clients can't afford you (or don't see why they should suddenly pay more for the same service). Your service levels go down, because minimum-wage staff seldom impress anyone. The clients leave and now you have no business, and therefore no need for an office or staff either. So it's back to square one!

How's that for a depressing scenario?


Paul

[Sagewing]

Your question answers itself. You could rewrite it like this:

"I am considering getting an office. I don't think I need one, however. I think it might make me more professional, but I'm not sure about that. Since I don't need an office, I might have to find ways to make it look like a business office, because I'm just one person and have use for it anyways. Should I get an office?"

And of course the answer is, probably not!

[tentim]

ok

[mrmwangi]

I would look for shared office space - google "shared office space" there are a ton of companies that are looking to sub-lease space during these hard economic times. Some companies are even letting people use their receptionists and conference rooms.

Originally Posted by tentim

I presently operate from home as a web developer.
Contact clients mostly online or by phone.
Thinking of moving to an office - dont think is that
neccessary-but just for the sake and for more professionalism,I
guess.

Thinking of what other activities to engage in in the office,
just to make it look busy a bit as an office
(especially drawing some human traffic), since it's just a one-man show.
What job for a staff, if i should get one - or is it really worth it,moving to
an office....

[helen6391]

Originally Posted by tentim

I presently operate from home as a web developer.
Contact clients mostly online or by phone.
Thinking of moving to an office - dont think is that
neccessary-but just for the sake and for more professionalism,I
guess.

Thinking of what other activities to engage in in the office,
just to make it look busy a bit as an office
(especially drawing some human traffic), since it's just a one-man show.
What job for a staff, if i should get one - or is it really worth it,moving to
an office....

When I was running my business using an office, I look for a shared office right in the heart of the city of london and in a good reputable place, well mine was in Covent Garden in the up market end and make sure your company has a good name also help, I had a lot of clients, a good address do help businesses but again as mentioned you need to attend to your client and offer good services that's what a business is all about. I now run my business from home because I don't need to worry about rent and costs etc I am still doing ok. if you are a man man business that shouldn't be a problem a client don't worry about your work force it's the quality of your service they want.

hope this helps


helen