5 Types of Co-Workers You Might Encounter Working in a Virtual Office in Manila

What are the types of co-workers you may encounter when working in a virtual office in Manila?

  1. The Best Friend
  2. The Complainer
  3. The Musician
  4. The Cool Guy/Gal
  5. The Gossiper

 

 

Working in a virtual office in Manila, or pretty much any office around the area, can be great, although it can get a bit random at times. Day by day, you encounter a lot of different people, with a lot of different personalities to deal with—and in your case, some of them can be great, while others can get on your nerves sometimes!

In any case, working on something on a day-to-day basis can allow you to interact with different people and different personalities. If you’re looking to learn more about this notion, here are some of the different types of co-workers you might encounter when working in a virtual office in Manila:

 

 

The Best Friend

Of course, when working in an office, it’s nice to have a co-worker to bond with every day, the one confidante that can help you through any stressful day in the office, the one you can really get into a strong bond with! In any case, the ‘best friend’ type of co-worker is the one person you can rely on when things get tough!

Think of it this way: when working in a virtual office in Manila, things can get complicated and, as a release, you want to talk to someone about it. With your best friend in the same office as you, you get to vent out your frustrations with more ease! In fact, maybe your best friend vents out the same frustrations they may have, making a mutual release really great!

 

 

The Complainer

The Complainer

Now, this is the co-worker, whether in a Manila virtual office or any office in general, that you really don’t want to meet on the daily. Sure, things can get complicated at times, and various changes can happen when you least expect them to—but it doesn’t mean that you have to complain about everything that happens, which is what “the complainer” is known for!

Dealing with this type of co-worker can be troublesome at times, but otherwise manageable. Of course, things can get particularly stressful—but unlike the complainer, the best way to deal with it is to continue doing your best in what you do and keep your head held high! That way, you yourself don’t end up as the complainer in the future.

 

 

The Musician

While working in a virtual office all around can allow people to work in the comfort of their own homes, working in an actual office can allow you to encounter this type of co-worker, that is if you’re looking for a treat for your ears while you work!

The musician is the kind of co-worker that is never seen without a guitar by his/her side. For sure, you’ll be hearing them blasting out their new songs when things go a bit slow in the office! In fact, you can also count on some impromptu jam sessions in the office! Now that’s a co-worker you really want to jam with!

 

 

The Cool GuyGal

The Cool Guy/Gal

When it comes to working in an office in general, popularity is something that has mixed opinions, as well as being unavoidable at times. In this case, the “cool guy/gal” is someone you might encounter in your office on a day-to-day basis!

This is the co-worker who is usually into the latest trends the year has to offer, as well as being seen as famous for the things they do. You can even find them with huge followings on Instagram and Twitter, making them even more influential than ever! Of course, their performance on the job should be looked at, and not just their immense popularity.

 

 

The Gossiper

This is the type of co-worker that just loves to get their noses into other people’s businesses. They know almost every secret that the others are oblivious to, all the latest news about their co-workers, and they may even know something about you. Sure, they can be fun to hang out with if you’re interested in hearing the latest gossip—but then again, things can be deceiving and the most important trait for any individual is office professionalism.

 

 

Key Takeaway

Working in virtual offices around Manila and any other offices can be routine as time passes by—and no matter how things can get in the office, these 5 types of co-workers can make your days at work very interesting!

3 Ways to Better Manage Your Virtual Office Team

What are some ways to better manage your virtual office team?

  1. Create a standardized onboarding process
  2. Implement productivity systems
  3. Communicate

 

 

Working with virtual team members and managing remote employees from virtual offices in Manila and other cities can sometimes make you want to tear your hair out. Virtual teams can be tough to manage because you still need to create a corporate culture even if most of your staff is working remotely.

You might be surprised to know, however, that this is not a problem that is unique to you. A survey conducted by Workforce 2020 has claimed that 83 percent of executives from different companies plan to increase the use of consultants or virtual employees over the next three years.

But, the ability to hire people from any part of the globe might also just be the greatest strength your company has because it makes it easier for you to find talented workers. As long as you take into consideration these three ways to better manage your virtual office team, you too can get even your most remote workers motivated, coherently active, and productive.

 

 

Create a Standardized Onboarding Process

Create a Standardized Onboarding Process

There is little chance for your virtual employees to get the same kind of “learn by watching over the shoulder” method that usually happens in an office. Once you hire a remote worker, make sure that you have a training program in place that educates them about your company as well as the way you do things.

Do everything you can to help them learn how to perform their role and get adjusted to your company (videos can work well or this). You can even have your new virtual employees interview your customers to better learn how your company helps them.

 

 

Implement Productivity Systems

Your company can fall apart if you haven’t implemented the right productivity systems yet. To some degree, a business run from a traditional office can compensate for not having the proper systems and processes simply by the fact that people can look over each other’s’ shoulders and talk in person.

In a virtual office, however, each person might as well be in their own world so it is best to have a standardized, documented way of working that is constantly being refined. For instance, make sure that there is a way to measure the productivity of your team. Establish the key indicators of success for each job and ensure its transparency. This way, you can quickly know whether each team member is being productive or not.

 

 

Communicate

Communicate

One of the key reasons why many virtual office teams fail is that they neglect the fact that the members of the team are not in constant contact with one another. They tend to forget about the other team members and live in their own world. They do not collaborate or communicate as much as they need to.

You need to create the opportunities for you and your team members to just “chat” whether it is related to work or not. This means that in a virtual environment, you actually need to “over-communicate” and provide more opportunities such as regular meetings for your team to talk to each other.

 

 

Key Takeaway

The workplace has evolved over the past few years. Young professionals are more attracted to remote or flexible work than ever before and find it no longer necessary to come into an office every day to conduct business. As the decision-maker in your company, you can leverage this technology to hire and manage a team of virtual employees.

Managing a team comprised entirely of employees working from virtual offices in Manila or other cities can be a challenge. But with the strategies outlined above, you can maximize the advantages and reap the benefits of this new model.

Why Some Freelancers in the Philippines Almost Always Prefer Virtual Offices

Why do some freelancers in the Philippines almost always prefer virtual offices?

  1. Helps the environment
  2. Improves productivity
  3. Low overhead
  4. Better amenities

 

Freelancers often call for flexible business hours. For individuals or groups that need to work wherever they like from wherever they are in the Philippines, virtual offices provide the opportunity to do so.

A collaborative environment differs from an office space for rent in Manila and other cities in which the office space is leased, equipped, and manned. Virtual office, telework, and telecommuting all essentially mean the same thing: employees work from a different location outside of the traditional office.

Telecommuting and virtual offices have become very popular for some employers. More people that work for themselves are starting to see the benefits that come with this arrangement. With that said, let us show you a few reasons why some freelancers almost always prefer virtual offices.

 

Helps the environment

 green office

Virtual offices help the environment because fewer people travel on trains, buses, and cars, which lowers fuel usage and reduces the number of vehicle emissions. In places like Texas, published articles have shown statistics that telecommuting can affect traffic and congestion to an extent.

In densely-packed cities like Manila, commuters face significant difficulties due to the increase in congestion. If we add up all the costs associated with traffic and congestion, it has been estimated that billions have been lost in terms of money, work-hours, and wasted fuel.

Virtual offices are an environmentally-conscious approach to business which can appeal to your customers and investors. Helping the earth and saving money at the same time is a very convincing argument for telecommuting.

 

Improves productivity

 productive

Because commuting time is eliminated, a greater part of the day can be devoted to projects, job duties, and other work-related responsibilities. Commuters usually spend upwards of 10 hours each week just going to and from work in densely populated areas like Manila.

Through virtual offices and telecommuting, you can put to use the time you saved by dedicating more time to office work or even improve work-life balance by spending time with your loved ones. Employees from younger generations – Generation X and Millennials, in particular, find virtual work a tremendous benefit because it offers flexibility and the comfort working from home.

Telecommuting appeals to workers and freelancers because it prevents the often unwelcome and unnecessary interruption by managers and co-workers which can hinder productivity and attentiveness. These same workers also seek to work independently without conforming to work rules such as traditional work hours and dress codes.

 

Low overhead

 

A physical office space for rent in Manila requires an enormous amount of overhead like rent, utilities, and more. Virtual offices do not require this overhead and can even be outsourced to geographic locations that are less expensive than a domestic office.

A lower overhead does not just mean more profit for you; it also means that you can offer a more competitive price and have the potential to attract a larger client base. In the business climate today, you need to lower your costs and streamline your business as much as possible just to remain competitive.

One of the largest costs for a traditional office is the telecommunication system. With a virtual office, however, the need to pay for a costly telecommunications system or monthly utility bills is eliminated. Instead, this cost is usually included in the price of the service.

 

Better amenities

 

You can ensure that someone is always there to take care of customer service even when you are not available yourself with the help of a virtual office. Customer service is an important part of any company. Virtual offices allow you to provide the best possible customer service at the lowest prices.

You can even offer unique services such as kitchen services, mail forwarding, mail handling, call forwarding, and a bilingual reception desk, all through the use of virtual offices. All the amenities of a luxury office is available for you in a cost-effective manner, including secure parking, video teleconferencing, and corporate event support.

When you have a virtual office at an office business center, you can even access meeting rooms and boardrooms in the same place you receive your mail. It can have a great impact on customers when they see that you have an organized office with business cards, brochures, and letterheads.

 

Key Takeaway

 

Individual entrepreneurs, startups, and especially freelancers need a professional image or “presence” in order to succeed. A virtual office in the Philippines might be your best solution if you are a professional engaged in sales representation, accounting, law, or in any other business in which a professional image is mandatory.

All in all, there is almost nothing that can be done in a traditional office that cannot be done through telecommunication or in a virtual office. There is a reason why so many freelancers, startups, small businesses, and even established corporations are embracing virtual offices. Take advantage of working with a global community and settle into the digital era with virtual offices.

Pros and Cons of a Virtual Office in the Philippines

What are the most inherently rooted pros and cons of a virtual office?

PROS:

  1. Saving Money
  2. Convenience
  3. Environmentally Friendly

CONS:

  1. No Physical Space
  2. Short-Term Relationships
  3. Less Control

 

With the rise of the freelance industry, virtual offices in the Philippines are becoming more and more of a popular working space alternative as opposed to the structures of a traditional office. Virtual offices can vary in range from large-scale operations to single office setups.

The waves of the modern the world and the rise of digital platforms provide for countless new opportunities but most of the time, they come with some compromised aspects as well. Being truly open-minded means being half accepting and equally half critical.

Below is a brief overview of the different pros and cons of having a virtual office:

 

Virtual Office PROS

 Pros

Cost-Saving

Objectively speaking, virtual offices save tremendous amounts of money because they are lower-priced in comparison to renting an actual office space. Virtual offices also save you the cost of security deposits and utility bills.

 

Hassle free

Virtual offices can provide comfort for employees due to the fact that they literally take seconds to book online. You can set up your workspace anywhere in the world with just a simple click. The increased productivity levels stem from ridding yourself of the hassles of the daily commute, which can be very motivational for employees.

 

Environmentally Friendly

Virtual offices can really make positive impacts on our immediate surroundings. When it comes to documents, everything is primarily exchanged through email. Reports, statements, quotations, etc. no longer need to be on physical paper.

 

Virtual Office CONS

 Cons1

No Physical Space

Because everything is conducted digitally, there is no real space to get together and optimize meeting potentials. There is no substitute for the merits of actual face-to-face communication with the people you work and coordinate with on a regular basis.

If a business deals with handling products, sticking to a virtual office can also cause problems when it comes to space for inventory. The lack of physical space can also prevent a business from expanding because of strictly operating on a virtual platform.

 

Short-Term Relationships

The simple truth is that working on virtual spheres is very competitive. Getting a job is just as easy as losing one. And when it comes right down to it, your overall career growth can be refrained from reaching its maximum potentials due to not being able to nurture working relations.

 

Technological Restraints

Technology can provide great convenience, but dependence can be very problematic, especially when devices such as laptops begin to break down or the internet connection fails to function.

Although there are many programs that monitor employee productivity, without actual physical presence, there is no sure way of checking if an employee really is working. Team projects are also extremely difficult to conduct without actual physical presence.

 

Key Takeaway

 

Virtual Offices in the Philippines are setting the direction for the future of which business models operate. And although these offices are ultimately beneficial at the end of the day, these types of digital work areas are not suitable for every type of business operation. Technology comes with its innovations and ingenuity, but there are many ways in which they can also restrict.

International Earth Day: 5 Things You Can Do in the Office to Help Save the Environment

What are things you can do in the office to help save the environment for International Earth Day?

  1. Green office policies
  2. Power down
  3. Turn off the lights, now
  4. Keep tabs on your supplies
  5. Overhaul the office equipment

International Earth Day once again reminds us to be mindful of our environment. Whether you work onsite or in a virtual office in the Philippines, getting your co-workers and colleagues involved with acting sustainably can result in a happy and more environmentally conscious workplace.

Going green in the workplace has its own rewards, especially if you’re renting a Manila office space. Reduced costs, productive workers, and satisfied clients are just some of the benefits you may enjoy when you turn your office or small business eco-friendly. Here are our top 5 things you can do in the workplace to help save the environment:

1. Initiating Green Office Policies

You can initiate some policies in the workplace that promotes being more environmentally conscious. Some of these policies include:

  • Going casual

Businesses require their employees to wear the traditional business attire. However, more progressive companies are now seeing the benefits of going away with this requirement and embracing the casual attire.

If possible, set a business-casual attire policy for the office or your business. Not wearing suits and other cumbersome articles of clothing can actually save a lot of money on dry-cleaning and laundry, as well as being better for the environment

  • Telecommuting

It has been observed that employees are just as, if not more productive working from home as opposed to the workplace. In countries like the Philippines, virtual offices are becoming an option for workers.

Not only is the environmental impact of commuting reduced, employees also enjoy savings in money as well as time. Air quality can also be improved as well as road maintenance.

2. Powering Down

power down

Believe it or not, the majority of power consumption is consumed by machines that are turned off but still plugged into a live outlet. Standby or phantom power is a huge and unnecessary expense and an environmental culprit. You can help reduce these kinds of unnecessary power consumptions by installing automated systems that power down company computers at night.

Using screensavers in company computers should also be avoided at all costs. Screensavers use almost the same amount of power as a monitor in use. You can instead set your monitors to power off after a period of time which is as easy to do as setting up a screensaver.

Finally, companies should also consider using solar power. While solar energy systems can be expensive and may not always be practical depending on the location, you can reap long-term savings from this initial investment.

3. Turning Off the Lights

light bulb

 

A good chunk of an office’s electricity consumption can be attributed to artificial lighting. Turn the lights off when few or no people are left in the office. You can also open the blinds and draw the curtains to let in daylight whenever possible.

Take a look around your office and see how many rooms and offices have lights on without somebody using the space. Instead of leaving it to the staff to turn the lights off as they leave, you can install motion-activated light switches. Some office spaces for rent in Manila even have this system that turns the lights on for a period of time whenever it detects movement in the room.

You can also make the switch to compact fluorescent bulbs that use less energy than incandescent bulbs. These bulbs can last longer, reduce waste, and will also save on energy and replacement costs.

4. Keeping Tabs on Your Supplies

There is value in keeping the office supply cabinet under the direct supervision of one or two people. By keeping tabs on the office supplies, employees won’t be as wasteful of supplies as they may otherwise be.

Educate your employees on how it can not only save on cost but also a way to go green in the office. You can even set up a program that uses the money saved in keeping office supplies to throw office lunches or parties for everybody.

Consider stocking reusable instead of disposable pens in the office instead, creating an incentive for employees to keep track of and use their pens wisely. Besides being much nicer to use, it can also be cheaper in the long run.

5. Overhauling the Office Equipment

Every piece of equipment you buy for the office produces a large amount of toxic waste both in the manufacturing and disposal stages. The fewer machines you purchase, the smaller your carbon-footprint will be.

Consider using multi-purpose machines that can handle various tasks like copying, faxing, scanning, and printing.

Speaking of printing, you can also opt to buy remanufactured ink and toner cartridges. Remanufactured ink cartridges cost less than brand new ones and each reused cartridge can save about 2 ½ pounds of plastic and metal material and about ½ gallon of oil. All of which is used and wasted in the manufacturing process.

Key Takeaway

Sitting down and typing away at the computer impacts the environment much more than you think. Everything you do in and even out of the workplace has an equivalent cost in materials wasted.

Take the effort, especially if you are a business owner, to implement green initiatives. Not only will it save you a lot in the long run, it can also preserve the environment for future generations to come.

 

Virtual Offices in the Philippines

Work nowadays can take you anywhere. It can be anything like a classic corporate setting with all the boardroom meetings and executives, maybe even an environment like the arts which will entail you to think creatively and act physically, or maybe even a co-working space in which like-minded freelancers and professionals can collaborate to make one big project after another. However, out of everything, the most notable example of the advancement of employment would be to work in a virtual office in the Philippines.

In the country today, there is an abundance of these kinds of offices. The great thing about virtual offices is that you, as an employee or professional of any kind, can make use of all technologies to aid you in your occupation. The vast availability of technological services can enable anyone to work from remote locations, especially in the comfort of their own homes.

Though virtual offices are widely available in Metro Manila, there is just as much availability of them outside the Metro. For this reason, you can definitely find a number of virtual offices based outside of Metro Manila.

 

 

Davao City

Davao City

The city of Davao has a lot more to offer than durian, pomelo, and numerous sights to see. Davao is one of the cities outside Metro Manila with a metropolitan atmosphere, same goes for their corporate offerings. With its technological advancements and employment advantages, here are the virtual offices based in Davao City.

 

 

Audio Visual Film Arts

  • Audio Visual Film Arts

This office specializes in the visual arts, particularly film and audio editing, hence its name. With software capable of refining your projects, this office will make your creative outputs into worthy masterpieces.

 

Mercury Drug

  • Mercury Drug

This is none other than one of the most recognizable pharmaceutical groups of the country. Delivering quality services and products to customers nationwide, delivering them through online is also available, thanks to its ‘Gamot Padala’ service.

 

PNP Davao

  • PNP Davao

The Philippine National Police, known by many as the ‘PNP’, serves the country and its people by protecting them from any threat possible. In their online acts, they are able to tackle cyber crime and make use of technology as their means of recruitment.

 

Agdao Auto Parts

  • Agdao Auto Parts

Local to Davao, this company provides every vehicle with suitable and necessary parts to keep them in top condition. With the advancement of technology, people may now consult with professionals online regarding the parts they need and/or desire.

 

Realson Clutch Brake & Auto Supply

  • Realson Clutch Brake & Auto Supply

One of the most important parts of a car is the brake, clutch brakes, especially for manual vehicles. Opting for Realson Clutch Brake & Auto Supply can ultimately get you the necessary parts in person or online through consultation and delivery.

 

Micro Enterprise Bank

  • Micro Enterprise Bank

Like many banking offices in the country, including this bank, any online means of transactions are now possible today.

 

Lockwood Parts and Construction Supply; JR II Construction

  • Lockwood Parts and Construction Supply; JR II Construction

Industrialization has become a part of the world today and to have it work hand-in-hand with technology makes its influence even more apparent. Lockwood Parts and Construction Supply and JR II Construction specializes in providing builders everywhere with necessary equipment and parts. Through online means, consultations and deliveries prove convenient and helpful for most customers.

 

Makar Properties Development Inc.

  • Makar Properties Development Inc.

Online means of Real Estate has also been made possible in today’s age. This office is a notable example of that notion as through online, you can now look at numerous available properties and negotiate for your ideal price.

 

MTMG Travel and Tours

  • MTMG Travel and Tours

Booking a tour or a flight for your travels over the Internet is a common practice nowadays. While Metro Manila may have exclusive companies to cater them in those means, MTMG Travel and Tours is exclusive for all of Davao’s residents.

 

 

Cebu City

Cebu City

Cebu is the city where numerous business opportunities flourish as much as Metro Manila. Its landscapes and metropolitan aesthetics really fit into the business tone of the city. Cebu not only houses some of the country’s famous companies and landmarks, but also a number of virtual offices as well to further opportunities to its citizens.

 

 

Josephine Fine Arts Industries

  • Josephine Fine Arts Industries

Furniture is what accents and completes the inside of every household in the world. No matter how lavish or simple they may be, people make use of them as means of relaxation and other forms of comfort. Josephine Fine Arts is the company that delivers such furniture that exudes comfort when being used. With online means of business being available, customers can look at their catalog and see what they would want to purchase from the comfort of their own homes.

 

 

Cebu Appliance Center Inc.

  • Cebu Appliance Center Inc.

When one thinks about purchasing furniture, they also think about electrical appliances to go along with it. Luckily, with online consultations now available, Cebu Appliance Center is the go-to shop for all means of electrical service to all of Cebu’s citizens.

 

Performance Auto BMW

  • Performance Auto BMW

Everyone who owns a car, a BMW in this particular case, would want to keep their cars in top physical shape. With this company, your car’s condition will surely be maintained.

 

Aison Surplus and Auto Parts Co.

  • Aison Surplus and Auto Parts Co.

Sometimes, you just need more of what you actually need. With the online catalogs available, Aison Surplus and Auto Parts will surely cater to your every need.

 

Lami Food Productions Corporation

  • Lami Food Productions Corporation

Food production is a staple in every livelihood and it is important that you know what nutritional value you are getting. In Lami Food Productions Corporation, virtual catalogs are available for you to view, as well as nutritional facts on every product you may purchase.

 

 

Zamboanga City

Zamboanga City

Further down south of the country lies a city full of other opportunities like other cities. Zamboanga, though mostly rural in setting, can definitely keep up with other metropolitan titans of the country. Here is the available virtual office in the city.

 

Shooters Arms Mannufacturing

  • Shooters Arms Manufacturing

With escalating issues on national security, sometimes the need to keep you and your family safe is of utmost importance. Shooters Arms Manufacturing will definitely help you to be able to review and secure your online information through proper legal proceedings.

 

 

Bacolod City

Bacolod City

This city offers more opportunities as much as other than attracting tourism. What Bacolod can offer in terms of business, personal, and online, can prove to be beneficial and convenient to every professional in the country. Here are the virtual offices that show it.

 

Bank of Commerce and Bank of the Philippine Islands

  • Bank of Commerce and Bank of the Philippine Islands

Online banking is a pioneer service not just to the country, but to the world as well. With Bank of Commerce and Bank of the Philippine Islands, you no longer need to go to the bank to check your finances as you can now do that from the comfort of your own homes.

 

STI Computer Education

  • STI Computer Education

Like everything else in the world, education has advanced with technology as well. With numerous online classes available, STI Computer Education will surely educate you – anywhere and anytime.

 

Key Takeaway

These online offices just only prove that besides convenience, technology can help anyone advance in any industry and deliver high-quality services in just a click of a button.