Executive assistants are essential to a company’s daily operations. They are the conduits to your customers. They give the first impression and convey your company’s message, which is key for your new brand’s image. For every company, especially a startup, customers are extremely important for the future of your business.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS MATTER

In Micah Solomon’s article “Leadership is Swell, But Your Receptionist Makes or Breaks Your Business” he claims a “clueless receptionist today, a bankrupt business tomorrow”. His article provides the example of the Ritz Carlton Hotels rigorous training for their receptionists. This customer service focused approach is based on their belief that every single employee is a representation of the brand. Solomon believes that the “first and last impression creator is among the most important positions in your enterprise.” At Officense we share Solomon’s belief when training our Executive Assistants.

COST BURDEN OF EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTS

Now, I understand that a startup business may not always have the means to provide rigorous customer-service training for their employees. Or perhaps, even have the time to hire or train new employees at all. In an interview, a first-time business owner gave tips to make a successful startup company. Her #1 tip was to “Keep a Lean Team and Spend Wisely,” where she advises avoiding unnecessary hires and spending every dollar intentionally. This cost efficiency is what all startup business owners can connect with.  As a business owner, having an executive assistant would allow you to use your time adequately. But there is simply not enough time or money to hire and train these employees. Minimum wage in Maryland is increasing and not to mention shelling out for benefits like healthcare, parking, and retirement. Keeping a full-time Executive Assistant may not fit the budget or be your best option.

OUR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTS

Having professionally trained executive assistants who exude your new brand’s image, without having to spend time training, while staying on budget. I know what you are thinking- this is not possible for my business. Well, with Officense it is! At Officense you will have a team of executive assistants, both in office and virtually, who tailor services to your company’s needs. Our team comes at a fraction of the cost of hiring an assistant on your own. Finally, you gain a fully trained staff that will give your startup the great first impression it needs.

We have executive assistants to answer your calls, greet your clients, follow up with leads, schedule appointments, and much more. We also provide high-end business facilities with fully furnished dedicated and a la carte office space, as well as live 24/7 call answering services. Give Officense a call at (410) 814-7500 to meet your new staff and tour your new prestigious business location, today!

Can you remotely do it?

Imagine telling someone 15 years ago that you do not have to go to an office to work. You can handle work calls, manage your office, and save your business money, all from the beach, mountain resort, or your bed remotely. They would have called you crazy. They might remind you that you were forgetting about your normal daily-grind.  Think about all of your basic duties when showing up to a traditional office. How could you remotely handle that?  In 2019 work is happening everywhere and anywhere except traditional office spaces, and employers and employees are loving it.

Is it to much money?

As time goes on, the cubicles and costly office space of the past is adding up to be a poor decision. Especially in the current fast paced, technology driven business world. The trend line is clear. Offices are falling by the wayside and new services are replacing them. The costs of a traditional office are simply too much for some small businesses. Start-up cost are increasing, entrepreneurs are rejecting these unnecessary expenses for more efficient solutions. Besides costing less, the advantages of virtual space are higher productivity and general job satisfaction. Anyone would be happier taking a work call while relaxing on the couch rather than in an office! How could you remotely go back to a traditional office setting?

You still need a place to meet

While the physical idea of being in an office is changing, the implications and thought process behind the word are not. People are interactive and social beings and still need a way to communicate face to face comfortably and efficiently. The traditional office is dead but the temporary office space, conference facility, and hourly business setting are all alive and well. Working remotely and using technology doesn’t eliminate a need to present a professional office image when you need it. It can make it outrageous to pay for a traditional space year-round, when the actual time you are using it is very minimal.

The solution is remotely simple

Maybe we’re a little ahead of our time here at Officense, offering creative alternatives to the traditional office for over 10 years. Being able to remotely handle things is the next step. But it’s like Shel Silverstein said, “If you’re behind the times, they won’t notice you. If you’re right in tune with them, you’re no better than they are, so they won’t care much for you. Be just a little ahead of them.”