A virtual office presents many benefits, including the ability to work remotely. Studies have shown that working remotely does not only increase employee productivity and flexibility but also leads to increased autonomy and reduced stress. With advanced technology and changing work patterns in the modern workspace, a virtual office will not only save your finances but also offer many other benefits.
Unless a business is structured in such a way that workers must be present, there are very few benefits of working in a physical office compared to a virtual one. Below we explore the many benefits of having a virtual office.
No Commute Time
A virtual office from Opus virtual office reduces the cost of commuting to and from a physical office. Besides the costs, you save time on the amount of time spent sitting in traffic jams besides other distractions such as accidents, closed roads, the occasional public demonstrations, among others. This time can be conveniently used on important tasks while working remotely. A lot of time is also wasted when preparing for work, including grooming and giving instructions to home workers. Most workers spend approximately two to three hours every day getting ready and traveling to work. With a virtual office, you may work in your pajamas as long as you deliver. The reduced commute is also key in environmental conservation as it helps reduce your carbon footprint.
There are Fewer Overheads with a Virtual Office
A virtual office enables you to save on overheads such as lease, utility bills such as power, professional cleaning, water bills, and toiletries, among others. You also cut out service providers, such as lunch and tea programs, among many other costs. This is in addition to the cost of having positions such as a full-time receptionist, messengers, and personal assistants to every senior executive. You also cut out the need to keep purchasing or replacing office equipment as a result of wear and tear due to constant use by different people.
Increased Productivity
A virtual office enables you to move from monitoring and managing employees to establishing specific goals. You set targets that need to be achieved either daily or weekly. This way, there’s an increase in productivity since everyone is on their own. It’s also easy to replace unproductive employees with such an arrangement if they do not meet their goals. The employees also know there is no one to save them. There’s a lot of drama that goes on in an office setting, including office politics and gossip. With a virtual office, everyone directs all their energies on their work since there are minimal interactions and distractions.
Work-Life Balance
Working remotely helps create a work-life balance. There is no more working for long office hours followed by lengthy commutes, which is a major source of stress to many workers. A virtual office enables employees to organize their time in a way they can easily transition from office work to family life. Much of the time saved from commuting is also put into use elsewhere.
Access to More Talent
With reduced overheads to run a brick-and-mortar office, you can use these saved funds to acquire more talent. You can also hire talent worldwide since as long as they have the specific skill, you do not need to specifically hire local talent. A good example is graphic and web designers. A typical office limits the number of people that can be at the office at the same time. A virtual office means more employees working at any given time since space is not a limiting factor.
Allows For Expansion
A virtual office allows expansion without the risks associated with moving and establishing a new location. You do not need to lease a new building in the new location, sign long-term contracts or hire staff for the site. If you intend to test a new location, you go ahead without unnecessary commitments, and if it doesn’t work, there are minimal losses. You may also expand to international locations without incurring the cost of travel. This is not only an effective but also an affordable way of doing business.
Due to the nature of work, some businesses may not be able to adopt a virtual office. However, for businesses where remote work is possible, the benefits always outweigh those of a traditional office, as outlined above.