Using color to brand your office space
September 1, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
It is well known that colour can influence our psyche. In society, colour also possesses meaning. For example, baby girls are always wrapped in pink, baby boys in blue. Interior decorators know what shades of colour to select to create certain moods and atmosphere. In business marketing, the effects of colours on buyers are also examined.
The way you use colours to stage your office in front of your clientele can also affect the message that you are trying to send them. The mood and atmosphere of your office can convey certain meanings, which is a great branding opportunity.
Here are some guidelines on how to use certain colours to achieve the effect you want:
Cool blue – blue is a colour that can be calming, but too much of it can also be depressing. However, used correctly, this colour can also show sophistication and intelligence. If you are an upscale high tech or science-based company then blue is your colour. While you don’t want everything in your office to be blue, you can use this colour for things like your presentation folders, your computer accessories, a filing cabinet, and anything associated with information.
Growing green – green symbolizes growth and environment, no wonder. It is a very warm and welcoming colour. Although it seems cliché, companies vying for attention from eco-friendly consumers will find this colour essential. You can add green to your office with plants and art decorations with vibrant shades of green. Keeping with the ‘growth’ theme, use hard wood desks and furniture to accent the green.
Pretty in pink and… – pink, lavender, baby blue, turquoise and other feminine colours appeal to women only, so use them if your clientele is mainly that. These colours are seen as soft, gentle, elegant and romantic. While home decorating accessories are easy to find in these colours, you may need to be more creative for your office. For example, using an artful mug as a pencil holder instead of a plastic black one, or making a chair cover out of colourful fabric to cover up the leather – are a few ideas to get you started. Fresh flowers are always a nice addition of these colours!
Mystery black – perhaps the most popular colour used in office furniture is black. It creates an atmosphere of mystery and thus, intimidation. Big ‘movers and shakers’ will like this colour for showing assertion during a deal-making process in a darkly furnished boardroom. Black is also a neutral colour, which means it can be a backdrop for other colour effects you want to achieve.
Exciting red, orange, yellow – these colours create feelings of happiness and stir up emotion and alertness. Their brightness makes them great for companies dealing with children, and for those wanting to show their product or service is going to make life easier. On the negative side, these are the colours used in hazard signs. They are usually the first thing people notice, especially yellow (think of traffic signs). Use them well in areas you want to draw attention to, but avoid them for things like confidential filing cabinets you want to keep unnoticed.
While all these colours can be used effectively, they shouldn’t be over done in your office decorating. Keep in mind that neutral colours like beige, gray and black can all be a backdrop to your colour coordination so that your symbolism remains subtle.
Elite Centres Creating Stepping Stones for Businesses
August 25, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
In this ever-changing economy, companies find themselves in a position where they may need off-site satellite offices, flexibility, or perhaps graduated rentals or shorter leases. Business centres are the ideal solution, whether your company is expanding or just starting out. A business can come into a fully staffed, fully furnished centre complete with the capital expenditures of photocopiers and a switchboard already in place for a fraction of the cost of traditional office space.
Elite Business Centres are at the forefront of providing such opportunities for businesses in the Metro Vancouver area. For example, one company was expanding quickly into Canada from New York. They hired a Sales Manager to head up the Western region of their ever-growing business. An entire office staffed with administrators and receptionists was not necessary for this particular satellite office. The new Sales Manager travels frequently, but has to maintain a professional office environment when meeting clients locally.
Image is, of course, of huge importance to the expansion and success of any type of business. The front desk area and the friendly reception provided with his business centre has been extremely helpful. His company calls are answered from Monday to Friday, and can be easily transferred to his mobile or put through to a voice mail box to hear at his convenience.
From a different perspective, an enthusiastic Simon Fraser University graduate had an innovative idea for a start-up company. After the initial meeting with one of the Elite Business Centre owners, the young entrepreneur had not only a mailbox, but a professional meeting place where he could show clients his products and services.
Eventually, by marketing his services effectively, and allowing Elite Business Centres to provide meeting space, mail handling, and telephone answering, our young entrepreneur was ready to lease his own shared office space without needing to relocate. He can still meet clients all over the Lower Mainland using the Elite boardrooms, but now he has his own furnished office space, 24 / 7 access, kitchen and coffee room, plus admin services when he needs them.
The many options and business solutions each of these companies found in the shared office industry were key components to building and maintaining a business. As a stepping stone for any company, Elite Business Centres can customize services to clients’ current needs. From virtual services to leasing a permanent office, people can rely on them to help guide business owners towards success!
Should You Buy Or Lease Office Space in Vancouver
June 24, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
The Reflection of the Marine Building in Vancouver's Burrard Business District.
Vancouver Office Space: Buy or Lease?
Vancouver is a city that is booming with real estate. When you’re in the market for office space for your business there are a few things that you should think about before making this investment.
With ever-changing office vacancy rates in the city of Vancouver and stock markets globally, it is uncertain what the future may bring. You need to carefully weigh the pros and cons of leasing or buying office space.
Here are some pros and cons of leasing vs. buying in Vancouver.
Pros of Buying Office Space
- Tax Deductions – the associated costs of owning and running a commercial space can provide expense deductions.
- Fixed costs - locking in your commercial mortgage can give your business clear, fixed costs.
- Additional income - owning your office can add the advantage of renting out extra office space and adding more income.
- A Retirement Fund – the prospect of owning commercial space allows the owner to sell out and fund their retirement.
Cons of Buying Office Space
- Upfront Costs - buying space usually costs more money upfront which is not practical for new businesses and entrepreneurs.
- Lack of Flexibility - a new or growing business may experience unexpected needs in the future.
Pros of Office Space Leasing
- Free-up Working Capital – with your money not tied up, your business can respond to opportunities in the market.
- More Time – allows more time to focus solely on running your business.
- Prime Property – leasing allows opportunity to be in a great location with a high image.
Cons of Office Space Leasing
- Variable Costs – when you lease you may be subject to annual rent increases and higher costs at the time when your lease expires.
- No Equity – When you lease you are funding someone else’s retirement with your lease payments.
There are pros and cons to both buying and leasing. Making a decision will come down to finances, tax, and personal issues.
Investing In Vancouver Office Space
Here are some simple tips and things to think about before investing in Vancouver office space.
- Decide How Much to Invest
When considering how much money you should invest in your office space you should think about your present needs, how much you can afford, and whether you wish to use this space as an investment vehicle.
- Think About Timing
When is the right time to buy or lease an office space in Vancouver? Factors to consider are your personal situations, and “market timing.” Market timing is your judgment of whether the market will be going up or down.
Spring and fall usually have greater market activity, and a wider choice of reasonably priced properties for sale, than summer and winter. However, looking back over many years it is clear that no season is predictably the least expensive time to buy in this area. Sometimes the best time to buy is when nobody else is looking. A little-known secret is that there is usually a noticeable drop in prices at the end of December, creating an opportunity of which very few buyers take advantage.
When looking for an office space in Vancouver the most important thing is that you consider the long run and the needs of your business.
Vancouver Business Networking Where You Work
June 18, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Robson Square lit up at night during the 2010 Olympics.
Getting involved in your local Business Improvement Association is a bit like joining a board of trade on the street where you work. You get to know the local banker, barista and nail bar owner on a first-name basis. They provide a great opportunity for Vancouver business networking.
Based on a long and successful history in the United States, the Business Improvement Association represents all businesses within a neighbourhood bringing together local merchants, entrepreneurs and professionals.
In Vancouver’s Lower Mainland, there are 35 individual Business Improvement Associations. Downtown Vancouver itself has seven BIAs including Robson Street, Gastown, the West End, Yaletown, Chinatown and Strathcona.
Unlike other business organizations and associations which charge a fee at the door for everyone who attends, participating in BIA events, meetings and committees are free. All business owners within the zone contribute financially through an annual levy against property taxes.
Whether you own a business or work for one, attending meetings and joining committees provides an inroad to developing local clientele as well as networking among those who run businesses or work near you. It also provides free access to marketing surveys, neighbourhood profiles, special studies and reports for the area.
Most Business Improvement Associations are run by a volunteer board of property owners and business community members. Apart from regular meetings, the BIA holds special events, business networking events and forms committees to promote community awareness, marketing and street beautification /image enhancement as well as safety. Marketing committees get involved in everything from developing advertising and media campaigns to orchestrating street festivals and community events.
If you are a professional, getting involved in your BIA will bring you in touch with neighbourhood lawyers, accountants, insurance brokers, and medical and dental practitioners. The opportunities for business networking and making new contacts with other Vancouver professionals and business owners are excellent.
If you are a newcomer, the first step is to get to know your BIA’s executive director or president. This individual is your personal welcome wagon host to the local business community – in many cases, on a first name basis with business owners and bankers alike.
Vancouver Business Networking at the Local B.I.A.:
To find out more about the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, go to http://www.downtownvancouver.net
For more details on business associations within Vancouver, visit http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/cityplans/bia/index.htm
Finding The Optimal Work-Life Balance in Vancouver
June 1, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Vancouver is the ideal place to find the perfect work life balance (Image Credit: JMV)
Find Your Right Work-Life Balance
Once upon a time, working meant clocking 40 hours each week, Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm unless you worked at a bank, or held a shift position. These days, the boundary between working and non-working hours has blurred thanks to flex-time, working from home, and the technology that we use in our work and personal lives.
Whether you work for yourself or have an employer, it’s important to set up boundaries that define the hours you work. Carve out business days and hours for yourself – making it clear where weekends and evenings fit into the picture. Let your clients, subcontractors, suppliers and business partners know when they should not expect to reach you on your cell phone, Blackberry or mobile device.
Is technology making work invade your personal life? Are PDAs, cell phones, laptops and other electronics intruding into your family time, your evenings and weekends? Turning your cell phone off and stopping from checking your email are two steps that can help restore a balance and protect your private time.
Freelance writer Anne Troy tells agents and clients alike that they should not expect her to answer her phone or reply to email during evenings and weekends. By repeating that message clearly and consistently (as well as not picking up her cell or home business phone after 6pm and on weekends), Anne got her point across.
Separate Work From Your Private, Family Life
While it`s tempting to bring work home, the experts agree that separating work from your private and family life can help to achieve a work-life balance. If you work from home, you may be more effective locating work tasks in a separate space such as a library, quiet internet cafe, virtual office or furnished office space.
Achieving a work-life balance means a state of equilibrium between the activities, roles and responsibilities in your life. Know your limits. Keep track of how much time and attention you devote to each. Are there blocks that get in your way to attain a balance?
Committed parents love spending time with their children, but with today’s pressures of work and other priorities, work life balance can be difficult to achieve. Book time with your children and family as though they were your most important clients.
It`s important to sort out what saps your time and energy versus revitalizes you, and to say `no` to low priorities. Are there involvements and activities that you can shelve, temporarily stop, or delegate to someone else? Allow yourself to rely on others around you while you focus on top priorities. Tag-team with your associates and coworkers for carpooling as well as attending after-hours functions and handling tasks that encroach on your private or personal time.
Play time can be as important to allow you to recharge and improve your effectiveness. You don’t need to join organized groups or spend money on equipment. Lunch hour escapes can be as simple as taking your lunch into the park or sitting beside a water fountain to read a magazine. One of the easiest and simplest ways to meditate is to watch flowing water such as a river or fountain.
Vancouver Is An Ideal City For Work-Life Balance
Greater Vancouver is surrounded by almost 20 kilometers of beaches with specially-designated quiet beaches where loud music is banned. Whether you like to skimboard, spike a volleyball or stretch out on a blanket, Vancouver has a beach for you. Sunset Beach, no more than 30 minutes from the downtown core, is a quiet zone where there is nothing but sand dunes and spectacular views of Kitsilano and the Pacific Ocean to gaze at. If green space is more your scene, Vancouver offers more than 200 parks to choose from including woodlands and ravines, display gardens and small urban parks.
If you work alone in an office or home office, it can be challenging to find social interaction but it`s important to get away from the solo setting to find balance. Make lunch arrangements with former colleagues, meet up with friends after work or connect with peers through a professional association.
Ultimately, consider the important – and neglected – aspects of your own life and make a date with the opportunities to optimize them.
How a Live Answering Service can Assist Your Small Business
May 11, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
A live answering service can be a great asset to a business. In order to discuss the advantages of a live answering service we must first define it. A live answering service is a business service that answers clients’ phone calls and dispatches messages.
There are many ways that a live answering service can assist your small business.
Why do I need a live answering service?
- First, if your hours of operation are around the clock, 24/7, you are going to need someone to manage your calls when you are not available to answer them. If you are not 24/7, customers are still going to call when you are closed, out to lunch or unavailable. A live answering service will reassure your customers you will be there for them to answer and respond to any calls, or answer questions if you are there or not there.
- Live answering services can save you money. Hiring an employee in-house for the task of answering phones can be very expensive. A live answering service is a cost effective and professional alternative to hiring more staff for the same purpose.
- A live answering service will be able to keep up when your company grows. If your business cannot manage your overcalls during the day, a live answering service can. Normally, overcalls go to voicemail or automation, but a live answering service is a good alternative. Ultimately it becomes your staff and is able to answer basic questions about your business. Also, if you need more advanced services (such as order processing or package training) the advanced call center could help manage your needs. Your business will never out-grow a live answering service!
How it can give you a leg-up!
- A live voice to answer your phone calls will give you a big advantage over your competitors. A professional staff will help you when you are busy helping clients. This frees up time for you and puts you at ease that all of your phone calls are being taken care of.
- People are three times more likely to leave a message with a live voice than a recorded voice. Usually, a voicemail message leads to more hang-ups which results in lost revenue. A live voice is there to answer their call when they need help.
- It is more personal. A live answering service can customize their answering with your company name. The representatives will take messages, enter data into your web form, or forward calls to you as if you’re in the next office.
- It’s just more convenient for you! You don’t need to take the time hiring and having a new employee fill out paperwork. You can sign up for a live answering service and cancel at any time with no trouble at all.
A live answering service is not only going to help your small business around the clock , but it’s going to cost a fraction of what you’d pay an employee. It can help bring your company more revenue because of the personalization of a live person rather than a voice recording.
Now, you know a bit more about what a live answering service can do for your small business!