According to a new article on A Better Office, alternative office spaces are making a big splash in the startup world. Time Magazine just released its second annual list entitled “10 NYC Startups to Watch for 2012,” and alternative workplace strategies are a prominent theme on the list: two of the top 10 have ties to shared office space and virtual offices.

The two companies with ties to alternative office space were Fancy Hands, a team of virtual personal assistants, and Loose Cubes, a global office sharing community.

Landing on this list is a major vote of confidence. The list made its debut in 2011 with a selection of startups that have since experienced significant growth and success. If the success of past companies that have made this list are any indication, then these alternative office based startups have a bright future ahead of them.

But there are steps that can be taken to improve self-discipline, get through your daily tasks, and ensure that you stay on track. These tips include having a routine, structuring your day, pushing yourself, writing down your goals, asking for help, paying yourself, and accepting that failure is sometimes a part of the process.

Another possibility is working from an executive office suite, which offers a professional and distraction-free environment for a tiny fraction of what it would cost to rent traditional office space. Click here to learn more about the office space options offered by Chambers Business Suites.

According to a recent survey, about one in five workers around the world frequently work remotely, taking advantage of mobile computing technology to work efficiently without being at their desks. At the same time, the shift to remote working has given rise to new IT security risks, and all businesses that utilize remote working are encouraged to take a proactive approach, embracing best practices and taking steps to avoid any “blind spots” in their IT infrastructure.

The proliferation of mobile devices in recent years has transformed the way we work, and it’s more than possible for modern businesses to strike a healthy balance between the risks and rewards of remote working.

From the Chicago Tribune comes this fascinating interview with Scott Gerber, the founder of The Young Entrepreneur Council. The discussion includes thinking outside the corporate box as well as tips for launching a business.

Entrepreneurship is hot right now, and part of the reason behind that is the low-cost barrier to entrepreneurship. When asked about this, Scott Gerber remarked:

“For example, today you can have a virtual office instead of having a office in New York City and save hundreds of thousands of dollars a year on the startup in rent alone. [...] Now more than ever, there’s a lot of different ways to enter the entrepreneur ranks without necessarily the old inventory or large footprint needed in a retail location.”

Entrepreneurship is on the rise, and according to the article, lots of young people are starting their own business endeavors out of necessity. Increasingly, recent graduates with student loan debt are coming up with resourceful and non-traditional new ways to create their own income, and often finding an unexpected love and passion for entrepreneurship.

Working virtually has many advantages, including saving money on rent and utilities which frees you to invest that money in marketing, research, or development. Improvements in broadband and collaboration technology have resulted in massive increases in the number of virtual workers. According to statistics, 64.2% of self-employed and contract employees, as well as a full 25.8% of part-time employees, worked from home in 2010.

Although working virtually is sometimes regarded as a technique needed only by brand-new startups, the strategy also can also work just as well for established companies. Business leaders often make the decision to go virtual when looking at the numbers and realizing that they could save many thousands of dollars by eliminating some or all of their office expenses.

According to the article, some of the keys to success at “going virtual” include planning ahead and leveraging the right technologies that are essential for working virtually. It is also important to facilitate communication between your virtual workers and put systems of accountability into place.

1. A Laptop Computer – Having a light, portable computer lets you plug in anywhere and work on the go, and offers massive advantages over being tethered to a desk in your home or home office.

2. A Smart Phone – In addition to traditional capabilities, like making phone calls, the wide range of apps available for iPhone and Android smart phones can help you stay organized and maximize your productivity.

3. Cloud-Based File Storage – Keeping your files in the “cloud” means you won’t lose data if your computer breaks down, and makes it easy to share files with collaborators if necessary. A service like Dropbox can be a huge benefit.

4. Cloud-Based Project Management – If you work with other team members, utilizing a project management tool like Basecamp can be essential for staying organized and keeping your projects on track.

5. A Virtual Office – No matter how great your business is, telling a potential client “meet me at the coffee shop down the street” just doesn’t make a very good impression. Having access to conference rooms, office spaces, and reception services — even if you use it only occasionally — can vastly improve outside perception of your business.

Chambers Business Suites is a leading provider of office space in the Chicago area, and offers a range of virtual office packages that offer various amounts of office and conference room usage per month. Click here to learn more.

A new article on A Better Office reports on the growing popularity of executive office suites and virtual office spaces in Miami, especially among international companies. Businesses all over the world are looking to establish a U.S. presence, and in Miami, they have increasingly been doing so using executive office suites.

International clients are attracted to virtual office space and shared office space because it allows them to establish a U.S. presence without the costs and commitments of long-term leasing, furniture purchases, equipment purchases, and staff costs. With executive office suites, all of the necessary business infrastructure is already in place.

The way a virtual office works is simple: companies pay a monthly rent that will cover their expenses like phone and internet costs, cleaning, lobby reception, utilities and phone answering services. Companies can use the space full time, part time, occasionally, or be entirely virtual.

The virtual office business model is growing very rapidly because it is a much more cost-effective solution than traditional office spaces. While many different companies in Queens are operating out of non-traditional office spaces, virtual offices are particularly popular among attorneys. Attorneys are seen as ideal candidates for executive suites and virtual office spaces, since they have little need for physical office space other than to meet with clients.

While virtual offices are slowly changing the office space scene is Queens, the idea is not a new one in New York — in fact, when compared to Manhattan, Queens is a latecomer to the idea of the virtual office. However, due to the high number of small businesses in Queens, the virtual office model is expected to pick up steam and begin transforming the commercial rental market in the area.

According to the Global Workspace Association (GWA), the need for truly flexible work environments is fueling the growth in the alternative workspace, which has seen occupancy levels improve. The GWA reports year-over-year virtual-office revenue increased by 13.8 percent—and meeting room and day room revenues nearly doubled in the same period. These sectors have particular appeal to mobile and cost-conscious small-business owners that need physical business addresses, phone and mail services, and on-demand office and meeting-room space.

John Jordan, president of the GWA, has stated that technology advancements, the omnipresence of the online marketplace, and mobility over the past decade have permanently altered the way small businesses operate.

Cutting costs and maximizing resources has long been the goal of businesses in all industries and all stages of development, and the trend toward incorporating the concept of “virtual work” into business models has driven the recent boom in co-working and shared office spaces.

But there can be challenges involved in managing a virtual workforce. Unlike a traditional office, where workers gather at a single physical location on a daily basis, strategies for collaboration and teamwork must sometimes be adjusted from the traditional in-person management model in order to achieve optimal results.

Over on the Fast Company blog, Cari Sommer identifies some great tips for managing a virtual work force. These tips include leveraging technologies, such as cloud-based file-sharing tools and the great selection of collaboration and presentation software currently available. She also suggests keeping some degree of in-person connectivity, such as monthly or bi-weekly meetings, to help prevent workers from feeling completely isolated from their team members.

Here at Chambers Business Suites, we offer several Virtual Office Packages that include dedicated office room and conference room usage, which can provide the ideal space to touch base with your virtual workers. To learn more about the Virtual Office packages we offer and what they include, click here.