SMALL BUSINESS NEWS & NOTES |
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(NAPSI)-How do you continue to grow your small business in an increasingly uncertain economy? It’s a question many entrepreneurs are asking themselves and the answer may lie in thinking small about how to be big. “Small-business owners who take baby steps toward growth, rather than making major or risky investments all at once, are more protected financially if a downturn hits,” said Guillermo Rotman, chief executive officer of The Regus Group Americas, the world’s largest provider of workplace solutions. “For example, there are more affordable alternatives to setting up a traditional office that allow you to compete at a high level without real estate, employee salaries, and office equipment and furnishings costs.” Here are four steps Rotman recommends entrepreneurs take to help build success one small step at a time: Find a Home Away from Home When lack of space or barking dogs make working from home an exercise in frustration, it’s time to make your move. Don’t think an expensive, long-term lease is your only option. Full- or part-time, move-in-ready offices in business centers are less costly, come fully furnished and equipped and offer business-grade copiers, on-site administrative support and high-speed Internet access. Meet in Style If you need professional space for the occasional client meeting, leasing a full-time office is overkill. A well-kept secret is the availability of by-the-hour meeting rooms at business centers. For less than the average hotel meeting room, you can book a private conference room in a prestigious high-rise, get on-site technical and administrative support and have catering arranged for your group. Get Help, Virtually If you need an assistant to answer phones and sort mail, think twice before hiring a full-time employee. Consider the cost of salary and benefits. It can be simpler and cheaper to use a virtual office, which provides a phone number and address at a first-class office building, plus a shared administrative assistant to answer calls in your company’s name, greet clients and help with clerical work. Fly the Friendly Airwaves Can’t afford to fly to meet with clients or business partners? Set up a videoconference. Chances are there’s a business center near you and your client where you can rent a videoconference suite by the hour, save hundreds in travel costs and still be home before dinner. A sluggish economy doesn’t mean you can’t grow your business, but proceeding with caution can really pay off. Learn more at www.regus.com. Flexible office space alternatives can help small businesses grow more affordably. |
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