Small Business Toolkit:
Should Your Biz Go Virtual?

Together the Professional Mojo Mavens haven't driven into an office in over 19 years. Our employees have lived all over the world and in almost every time zone; yet, as a team, we grew 5 small companies, served thousands of professionals and small businesses, and developed B2B services and technology that made a difference.

Has your company considered “going virtual”? Telecommuting, or working virtually, is the trend for many businesses looking to save money, gain access to top talent, ensure business continuity, and go green.

Is your business ready to go virtual and go green? Research predicts that by the end of 2009, 14 million workers will not be driving to work. Is your small business a candidate for going virtual? Let’s take a quick quiz and find out:

1) What does virtual mean to you? Are you taking your business online (that’s another whole set of planning) or are you simply relocating your employees to home offices, shedding expensive office space, and going paperless?

2) What is your logistical plan? Explain to your family that the workspace is no different from any other office space – not a play space, not a place for Fido to come and visit. Consider every activity you engage in at a physical office and determine if you still need to do it and how to do it from your home office. No task is too small for you to plan for it.

3) Are your employees ready? If they are not on board, you haven’t adequately prepared them, and you haven’t researched and planned how you will maintain your company culture…you’re in for a rough ride. Going virtual is not about sending emails and surfing the Web. It’s about real, measurable increased productivity while eliminating needless overhead. Being virtual means leveraging the Web for sharing, learning and interacting as a team.

4) Are your employees the right ones – NOW? This is a critical point – - not every team member will adjust well to being a virtual employee. In fact, I have found that this is one of the toughest cultural and behaviorial fits for which to interview. Believe me…employees and potential employees will think working virtually is some sort of panacea. Those are NOT the employees for you. Really. Trust me.

5) Do you know what tools you will use to ensure communication, connectivity and productivity? If you’re not sure, then you’re not ready. There are many tools out there that purport to help your business go virtual, and they cost a pretty penny. In reality, though, there are many tools that are free or very low cost that can help you achieve piece of mind and grow your business.

Finally, if you are serious about going virtual and going green, as many small businesses are, consider our introductory online workshop to find out more.

Every day, the argument for getting in the car and driving into work gets less and less compelling. Most knowledge workers can easily work from home, saving you thousands of dollars, saving them stress and road rage and improving organizational productivity.
[See Featured Coming Events at the right for a complimentary workshop to aid in your decision.]

Mojo's July Etiquette Lesson 
"Blogiquette" or Blogging Etiquette

Here's one blog tip that you should take to heart: Be careful what you say. Remember, when you put something out into the web universe, it's there permanently. Let me repeat that. It's there permanently. You may not be famous today, but there's always tomorrow and every customer or member you point to your blog will see your words. Don’t write about things that may embarrass co-workers, friends and family. Don't get yourself in a fix by criticizing others. Coming off with a humorous rant is difficult in most cases and is hardly tolerated in a real or web existence. Be accountable for your posts. Be an honorable person and reap the rewards that follow. People will respect you, whether they agree with you or not.

Thanks to all of our new Professional Mojo News subscribers: All Clear Windows LLC, Collect4U22, Cornerstone Church, ENDOW, First Covenant Church, God's Chosen Women, Hartland Christian Camp, Lithia Springs UMC, New Light, Oak Brook Community Church, TEMPLE BETH OR, and US Fund for UNICEF. We look forward to getting to know you better.