subject: Virtual Offices: Dressing Your Business for Success [print this page] Virtual Offices: Dressing Your Business for Success
You're a small business owner and you've just done an important presentation to a prospective client who could push you from being a concept to a reality. Everything went great, they are enthusiastic, and now they want your address so that they can mail you the contracts. Or better yet, drop them off. Your heart sinks. How are you going to explain this one?
One of the details a small business owner often overlooks is the importance of giving the appearance of being an organization, not a single person working from home. Having a virtual office can fit this bill. A reputable virtual office will be located in a known business locale and will provide the small business owner with a unique suite address. Although having a location to receive your mail and packages is a welcome service, an even greater value comes from having a facility which will greet that occasional client who happens to come by or drops something off for you.
But the real value comes from thinking of yourself as an organization worthy of your name on a building directory and a receptionist to buzz people in. In 1975, John T. Molloy wrote a best seller called "Dress for Success" about the effect of clothing on a person's personal and professional life. The concept of dressing not for the job you have but for the job you want was introduced. I personally saw the power in this as I showed up for a security guard job wearing high heels and a skirt and the next day had a receptionist job instead!
So why not think of your address as your business' clothing? Dress yourself up to appear the way you want to be. Eliminate any red flags which may cause any doubts in your client's minds or yours! Position yourself for growth. Once you have accepted yourself as an organization, you'll be surprised to see how many others will see you in the same light.
