For Startups, Are You Ready to Rent an Office of Your Own?

A lot of start-up companies are slowly emerging in the business scene because, why not? A lot of opportunities are coming up for the most determined companies. Most start-up businesses always start from scratch, say for example you are an SEO company from the Philippines, and you believe that there is much effort done to be able to have the longevity that you need to keep the boat sailing. However, to make this more realistic, you would need your own office space especially if you are gloriously expanding.

Finding the right office space can be a challenge because landlords generally prefer leasing terms of at least 5 years, which can be a bit hard for a young growing company. Yet you should know better. As a starting company, fortunately there are several options available, but the key is finding the most tailored office to your specific situation.

Here are a few things to consider on why and how you should need one, more importantly if you are on this line of business:

First things first, you should know why and no one knows better than you. There will always be questions about your company and its growth, and you need to be ready to make sure your office needs align to your business strategy.

Time. One thing to consider is this. Notes that for newer and smaller companies, it is important to make sure that you do not get locked into a lease that is longer than you need. You need to know how to measure in terms of the number of your employees and how long you look forward your company to keep sailing. In short, never sign a lease that does not work for your long-term business plan. Ask questions.

Layout. It depends on the nature of your company. Say for example you are a technology or creative company, such as an SEO consulting services firm, this would mean, but not at all times, needing an open space, as ideas grow from collaborations. On the other hand, if you are a small time start-up law firm, chances are, you might want to have an office-focused kind of location. As you know, your clients discuss sensitive matters on closed doors.

Also, make sure it’s a conducive space to work onto. Explore options where you can also share conference rooms or kitchens. Sometimes there are like-minded companies who share the same values or work on complementary initiatives, ideas and they don’t really mind of the sharing stuff, as per space is concerned.

Amenities. However, there are amenities that a company needs to be able to get things done. Workspaces, conference rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and the like should be considered. Make sure that employees will also have the comfort of using these amenities whenever they want to especially if there are client meetings and stuff to decide on with the team. These things should be top of your list.

Price. This one matters the most. If you are decided enough to willingly spend for your company, focus on the things that would benefit you for getting such decision. Focus on how much you are willing to spend monthly, all-in, for your team. Aside from that, do not forget to estimate the hidden costs like the utilities that you need, furniture, workspace stuff and other office fees. Also take note that when you are starting from scratch, keep in mind that things may eventually add up so you have to brace yourself.

Moreover, you have to consider a number of factors—particularly the price, availability and variety of spaces on the market, because they will vary depending on the location in which you are searching. However, no matter the location and just to test the waters too, you might want to start planning at least three-to-four months before you are ready enough to make a move.

Finding a place for your business is no easy task, it would take you time to get things done because these things do not go over night. It takes quite a few guts too to make this particular move because it is another phase for you and your company. After all, the last thing any start-up wants is to sign a five-year lease, only to find out 12 months after that the space does not actually meet your company’s needs.

Valuable thoughts and comments are very much welcome! Drop them off at the comment section below!

10 Ways to Think Like a Successful Entrepreneur

Starting a business is not for everyone—it needs a more forcible drive to make one stand out. And becoming an entrepreneur is not just any other ordinary thing a man could think of. It needs guts and yes—glory. More so, a lot of startup businesses are sprouting nowadays; from digital marketing agencies such that in the Philippines, to the most sophisticated real estate stints one would adapt himself with.

Now, you might be wondering how entrepreneurs are surviving this very hectic play of marketing and services.  For you to know how and to be able to expand more of the knowledge that you have here are some simple yet powerful tips an aspiring entrepreneur should think.

1. Get inspired by books

Read. It really helps a lot. Without reading, you won’t be knowledgeable enough of what the updates and trends are in your industry. Besides, it is what entrepreneurs should and always do. Nothing beats reading and the endless possibilities and ideas one can grasp from books.

2. Be passionate

Passion is such a big word. But that big word can reach you to heights you would never realize you just reached. Or will continue to be reaching. They say passion is just for creative artists, well, that is not always the case. And when it comes to being an artist, every one is. You are bound to have that flaming passion inside you. Say if you are passionate about computers and you know about the inside scoops about it—from software to hardware stuff—or you might be passionate about creating abstract designs, then that would actually be a good start. Remember, entrepreneurship needs one to have the guts. And having enough guts would mean you have that passion in you.

3. Surround yourself with experts

 For you to be able to think like how a successful entrepreneur should be, never underestimate the power of conversation. This would mean surrounding yourself with the most awesome people you could think of. If you are in your locality of these people, try to hangout with them and exchange ideas. Use the power of social media to get connected to these inspiring people. It will challenge you to improve more in your skills, perhaps, your speaking skills as well.

4. Employment is not an option

Being an entrepreneur means to create and not to be bossed around. It would also mean that you are starting the change because you have this bright idea that you wanted to share to the universe. It should not be a back-up plan. You have to be the master of your own art and it is your mission to create, influence and lead.

5. No place for discouragement

Motivate yourself to do more and be the best in your field. It would help if you ask some feedback from your friends or colleagues and perhaps assess yourself, constructively, about your achievements and plans. Discouragement has no room for a person who is striving to be successful. Mind over matter, indeed.

6. Take more risks

Every risk is an opportunity to win or lose. Use that as a way for you to grow. Every loss is learning and every win is a surefire assurance that you can do what you wanted to do.

7. Your relationships define your level of success

They are often the fruits of your labor. Gaining strong relationship ties with people brings one to the lane of success. Even people you are with help you to become successful and purposeful as a person, which is a good thing. Being an entrepreneur as well is not as competitive as you are supposed to be cooperative. Value relationships as much as you value your idea of success.

8. Hone that brilliant idea

Having that seed of an idea is already something to begin with. And in order for it to grow more, you have to hone that idea and attract positivity around you for it to be nourished. Remember, a seed when taken cared of properly can reach its full potential and be used in a more successful way. Take those ideas into nurturing and who knows; those ideas might be one lifesaver.

9. Don’t limit your dreams

Dreaming is good. It helps you navigate your ideas and think of ways on how to make them into reality. Dreaming big is even more excellent, as what people say, nothing can be harmed if you dream big. Just make sure to at least make steps—perhaps baby steps the least, for you to be able to realize those dreams.

10. Brainstorm more

Ideas. Ideas. Plans. And many more. By brainstorming, this would help you think of many more ways on how to make an idea become a success. And as an entrepreneur, don’t limit yourself into ideas because of constraints. Make it to a point that you can shed out all your ideas and from there, pick out those which you think could benefit much on your initial idea on hand. Going back, writing is essential. So go, pick up a pen and a notebook and jot down all those ideas away!

Starting a Business as a Young Entrepreneur

There are a lot of businesses that have been emerging nowadays and a lot of entrepreneurs have also been slowly budding in the marketing industry. Many are even young businesspersons who venture into small businesses such as startups and are competent in their playing field. Many mobile app development companies have been sprouting because of the high demand that is being addressed in in this high-technology generation full of gadgets that is today.

There are quite a few tips that have been circulating around the online community especially from CEOs of successful startup companies. Basing on their experiences, there are ways on how to make first things turn out right.

1.    Be passionate.

It may sound trivial but this is one of the life-bloods of your business because the move, and perhaps the idea, comes from you. As the business comes into sight, you may fail along the way. And yes, it is always part of the game. However, your failures will eventually likely lead to success if you have yourself involved with something you really believe in. You are young and bound to a lot of possibilities. Yet when you start a business just for its own sake will eventually leave you with no direction, burned out and fed up. So choosing an interest that you should be passionate about is very much important.

2.    Define your market.

Of course you cannot start a business if you have no projected market audience in mind. It would be such a waste if you did not have this on your marketing plan. You might have heard this before and it is often the most common mistakes that entrepreneurs make. Never take this for granted. As much as possible, go with something that will make sense for your scope. If you are a small startup and just graduated from college, you might start tapping your locality or your fellows who might be interested in your products. The Internet can also give you much. It can give you an infinite reach, but it is vital to narrow your market down to what is more realistic and stick to those who might be interested.

3.    Be a solution.

Services and products are often the counterparts of why businesses exist. Yet these are also the solutions to the demands of the public, which is why you started with a business from the first place. Make yourself the solution to the people’s problems. Making this as one driving force, allow this as a motivation not only to sell out your products or services, but also a good entrepreneur with rapport and respect towards prospect and loyal clients.

4.    Be honest.

In business, there are instances that you have to impress your clients about what you can do and how you can help them. Not mentioning the fact that they should buy on the idea that they can benefit from you as cost is also concerned. Be honest. This applies to yourself, your employees and your customers. Be honest on what you can commit. It doesn’t do any good to over-extend yourself against the truth that you can only do enough. Be honest about what partners and clients can expect from you so that good ethics can also be preserved.

5.    Use social media but don’t over-use it.

In the advent of today’s generation possibilities, the Internet can do just as much. Young people are very much eager to jump online, which is not a bad thing. But always put to mind that it is important to think carefully about your marketing strategies; making marketing collaterals on the Internet. We all know that the social media is a very powerful tool and it can help in spreading word across the globe quickly and cheaply. Opt to experimentation and measurement of results, then constantly evaluate and decide what works and what resources you are wasting on.

6.    Have mentors.

Good and credible advice can also do much. Sometimes, being so young and excited to make money is very much thrilling and you might be forgetting a few other things to top in mind. This is why mentors are important. In every beginning of any venture, especially if you are quite new in the field, it would help to have a counselor who would guide you in what to do because they know better. Surround yourself with people who are experienced and learn from them, know what works and what is not going to work. Take advantage of this and you will be surprised at the wealth of knowledge you will eventually have.

These tips are just a few of the many common things a new and young entrepreneur should keep in mind. These can’t be done overnight but in the long run, it will help you begin your entrepreneurial career with a few mistakes that you can avoid during the course of your business.