Over the last two weeks we've had snow and ice disrupting travel and trapping people in their homes. Many us genuinely couldn't make it into work and for others it was a great excuse to take a day off and go sledging with the family - and who would blame them - but after one or two days the novelty wore off, work beckoned and it all became very frustrating.
Thank heavans for web conferencing. I've used my WebOffice's built-in WebEx WebMeeting service more in the last two weeks than I had in the previous 3 months! I've had online video calls, meetings where I shared my PC applications and been co-editing documents just as if we were in the office together. For some, it was the first time and letting them take control of my PC blew them away.
I think I'll be seeing more VHQ Solutions clients using online meetings from now on. Funny, they weren't that interested before, but it only takes one small event to set off a chain reaction ... if you can call the recent weather "a small event" that is.
Denis
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
MG Welding case study published
We have just had sign-off from MG Welding Plant Ltd for the latest VHQ Solutions case study.
Working with MG Welding has been very interesting because it required some customisation of the WebOffice databases to come up with a stock control tool that really suited the needs of the business.
As always there has been an unforeseen benefit for the company. Because the VHQ WebOffice is web-based the management team have been able to deal much more effectively with out of hours calls from overseas clients than they could when everything ran off spreadsheets. Any of them can get an up-to-the-minute availability of welding or rotation equipment whether they are in their front-room or actually with customers in the Middle East or South-East Asia.
It's an example of virtual working in the real world.
Gareth
Virtual HQ Solutions Ltd.
Web-based collaborative software tools and virtual business support services.
http://www.vhqsolutions.co.uk
Working with MG Welding has been very interesting because it required some customisation of the WebOffice databases to come up with a stock control tool that really suited the needs of the business.
As always there has been an unforeseen benefit for the company. Because the VHQ WebOffice is web-based the management team have been able to deal much more effectively with out of hours calls from overseas clients than they could when everything ran off spreadsheets. Any of them can get an up-to-the-minute availability of welding or rotation equipment whether they are in their front-room or actually with customers in the Middle East or South-East Asia.
It's an example of virtual working in the real world.
Gareth
Virtual HQ Solutions Ltd.
Web-based collaborative software tools and virtual business support services.
http://www.vhqsolutions.co.uk
Monday, February 2, 2009
There's snow business like a virtual business...
Couldn't resist a cliched comment on the UK weather situation.
Why have to take to the road to drag yourself to an office or meeting place when the technology exists to operate easily without venturing out into the snow.
The VHQ WebOffice puts pretty much everything you need to work in simple web-based tool. There are business management applications, document/information sharing tools and web-conferencing if you need it.
Long live virtual working!
Gareth
Virtual HQ Solutions Ltd.
Web-based software tools and business support services.
http://www.vhqsolutions.co.uk
Why have to take to the road to drag yourself to an office or meeting place when the technology exists to operate easily without venturing out into the snow.
The VHQ WebOffice puts pretty much everything you need to work in simple web-based tool. There are business management applications, document/information sharing tools and web-conferencing if you need it.
Long live virtual working!
Gareth
Virtual HQ Solutions Ltd.
Web-based software tools and business support services.
http://www.vhqsolutions.co.uk
Friday, January 23, 2009
I'm sorry, she's on holiday...
Why do 21st Century businesses need collaborative working tools?
Because when people have set up a virtual business with colleagues and associates working remotely the response "I'm sorry, he/she is on holiday" probably also means that all of the information needed to answer the client call properly is stuck on their laptop (accompanying them on their trip to the Algarve!)
This is one of our prospects telling us why the VHQ WebOffice looks like it could help run their business.
Gareth
Virtual HQ Solutions Ltd.
Web-based software tools and business support services.
http://www.vhqsolutions.co.uk
024 7699 8070
Because when people have set up a virtual business with colleagues and associates working remotely the response "I'm sorry, he/she is on holiday" probably also means that all of the information needed to answer the client call properly is stuck on their laptop (accompanying them on their trip to the Algarve!)
This is one of our prospects telling us why the VHQ WebOffice looks like it could help run their business.
Gareth
Virtual HQ Solutions Ltd.
Web-based software tools and business support services.
http://www.vhqsolutions.co.uk
024 7699 8070
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
New VHQ Article - "Practice Development...Are you in control?"
The latest VHQ Solutions articles provides an insight into how consultancy practices can overcome issues like reliance on one or two big clients and managing associates teams using virtual office technologies such as collaborative working tools and web-based business management services.
Practice Development...Are you really in control?"
Gareth Edwards
Virtual HQ Solutions Ltd.
Web-based software tools and business support services.
http://www.vhqsolutions.co.uk
Practice Development...Are you really in control?"
Gareth Edwards
Virtual HQ Solutions Ltd.
Web-based software tools and business support services.
http://www.vhqsolutions.co.uk
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Helping enterprises through the recession
And so, as one interesting day follows another, I find myself in a busy little Enterprise Hub in Grimsby meeting with more committed, energetic people determined to drive enterprsiing activity in their area.
After a long discussion about internet services in enterprise support we part with lots of ideas to ponder, an then someone asks "how should the focus of enterprise support change in a recession?" Great question, I just wish they had asked it earlier, but we all agreed that one thing changes for certain, the emphasis moves from growth to survival. This means helping people to 1) Reduce Costs, fast and 2) Market themslves like hell ... here are you thoughts.
First, look at your client's sunk cost in office facilities ... a virtual office can slash the cost of rent & rates instantly, and replacing fixed staff or even Temps with pay-as-you-go virtual office services can be more cost effective.
Second, you'll need to help you client be a canny marketeer and they'll have to work extra hard to get leads in a tight market ... better sales opportunity management is then essential to convert every possible lead to an order. No-one can afford to waste hard-earned leads in this climate and this is the subject of one of a business management articles that Gareth's writing next month.
How does this sit with you? ... this can't be it, there must be more. If you have any thoughts and ideas to share, we'd love to hear about them.
Denis
After a long discussion about internet services in enterprise support we part with lots of ideas to ponder, an then someone asks "how should the focus of enterprise support change in a recession?" Great question, I just wish they had asked it earlier, but we all agreed that one thing changes for certain, the emphasis moves from growth to survival. This means helping people to 1) Reduce Costs, fast and 2) Market themslves like hell ... here are you thoughts.
First, look at your client's sunk cost in office facilities ... a virtual office can slash the cost of rent & rates instantly, and replacing fixed staff or even Temps with pay-as-you-go virtual office services can be more cost effective.
Second, you'll need to help you client be a canny marketeer and they'll have to work extra hard to get leads in a tight market ... better sales opportunity management is then essential to convert every possible lead to an order. No-one can afford to waste hard-earned leads in this climate and this is the subject of one of a business management articles that Gareth's writing next month.
How does this sit with you? ... this can't be it, there must be more. If you have any thoughts and ideas to share, we'd love to hear about them.
Denis
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
LEGI Spots a Gap in the Accommodation Ladder
I had an interesting conversation today with the Programme Director of an LEGI in the North West (LEGI is Local Enterprise Growth Initiative in case you've not heard of them). This reinforced my view that most LEGIs are missing an obvious trick by not exploiting the internet.
Of the 18 or so LEGIs across the UK, only 1 has embraced the internet to provide practical support for start-ups, to my knowledge. I've met few who are interested, but they don't really understand it ... and that makes it feel risky. But today I met a man who confidently identified an obvious gap in the provision of incubation and office facilities.
LEGIs often refer to an "Accommodation Ladder" where companies can grow into increasingly expensive office space - great if you have cash and we have an abundance of space - but alas, neither is generally the case. So what better idea than to include a Virtual Office in the ladder? Today I was given real examples of companies that had lamented that they feel betwixt home office and real office, neither providing the image or environment they need. This sounds ideal for them.
Perhaps we should be surprised that UK business people are not aware of what's on offer and more importantly what's possible with a raft of low cost and often free technology. Or, perhaps after a decade of government interventions such as UK Online for Business and Business Links, we should be.
If you're interested in finding out more, Gareth has penned a useful article about Virtual Offices that includes a relevant case study.
Denis
Of the 18 or so LEGIs across the UK, only 1 has embraced the internet to provide practical support for start-ups, to my knowledge. I've met few who are interested, but they don't really understand it ... and that makes it feel risky. But today I met a man who confidently identified an obvious gap in the provision of incubation and office facilities.
LEGIs often refer to an "Accommodation Ladder" where companies can grow into increasingly expensive office space - great if you have cash and we have an abundance of space - but alas, neither is generally the case. So what better idea than to include a Virtual Office in the ladder? Today I was given real examples of companies that had lamented that they feel betwixt home office and real office, neither providing the image or environment they need. This sounds ideal for them.
Perhaps we should be surprised that UK business people are not aware of what's on offer and more importantly what's possible with a raft of low cost and often free technology. Or, perhaps after a decade of government interventions such as UK Online for Business and Business Links, we should be.
If you're interested in finding out more, Gareth has penned a useful article about Virtual Offices that includes a relevant case study.
Denis
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