Coffee Shop or Coworking Space? Alexa for Business, and SMB Shutdowns
Coffee Shop or Coworking Space: Where Should You Run Your Small Business?
Coworking spaces are having a serious moment. If you’re ready to scale up (off your couch or out of your local coffee shop), this trend may be the answer for your growing business.
It’s easy to see why coworking appeals to so many small business owners: it takes the hassle out of scaling your business. Everything is provided, from furniture to Internet access — and many spaces even include complimentary coffee, printing, and mail services.
Of course, not all coworking memberships are the same. If you’re considering a shared space for your business, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Cost
Most coworking spaces offer a variety of membership options, from part-time use of common spaces to designated private offices. Common spaces generally offer large tables, couches, and various seating arrangements to accommodate a number of workers. Conference rooms and phone booths for private calls are generally available for use (or rent for an additional fee).
In most cases, prices are per-person. Some spaces allow unlimited guests, while others will specify a certain number of guest passes.
As with any big purchase, it’s a smart idea to do a trial run before committing to a membership (most will offer you a day pass if you ask).
Lack of privacy
Many shared spaces inherently lack privacy, so you’ll want to take this into account when exploring your options. Make sure to note the volume and crowdedness of the space before you decide if the atmosphere will benefit your business.
Work environment
Some shared office spaces cater specifically to startups (generally a fun, energetic vibe. Think free beer and Foosball). Others cultivate a more professional work environment that caters to established businesses.
The bottom line: No matter the industry, coworking offices are a great resource for small business owners to consider.
Source: https://www.fool.com/investing/2019/01/12/is-a-coworking-space-right-for-your-small-business.aspx
Meet Your New Assistant: Alexa for Business
Amazon Echo devices are now offering a new service designed to streamline and automate work production: Alexa for Business.
The service enables workers to join meetings and perform certain tasks from home or other remote locations by using Alexa devices from anywhere.
A big perk for team coordination is calendar assistance. Alexa can look through anyone’s calendar to find the best times to schedule meetings and appointments.
This new service also allows Alexa to monitor your emails for you. Once your work email is linked to your Alexa device, simply input a set of commands to inform Alexa of priority emails (she’ll even read them aloud, if you like).
Alexa for Business is a pay-as-you-go service that doesn’t require any long-term commitments or up-front fees. It’s worth a look for any busy entrepreneur with multiple tasks and responsibilities to take care of.
Source: https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/01/amazon-alexa-for-business-small-business.html
Small Businesses Feel Shutdown Pain
Many small business owners have been caught off guard by how much the federal government shutdown has impacted their bottom lines.
“Especially if you don’t work for the federal government — in fact, you don’t work for anyone — you don’t necessarily think it’s going to have such a dramatic impact,” said Jason Sherman, who owns TapRm, a company he started to make beer from micro-craft brewers more accessible. He estimates losing $1,500-$2,000 for every day the shutdown continues and the licensing to transfer his business from Rochester to the storefront he leases in Brooklyn is delayed. “It’s only a matter of time before there’s nothing left, because there’s no revenue coming in from the retail store,” he continued.
The same sentiment is being felt by other small business owners across the country.
“It’s devastating,” said Keith Hall, president and CEO of the National Association of the Self-Employed, whose members mostly include small businesses with few, if any, employees.
Even if the shutdown ends immediately, companies like TapRm are still going to have to wait for government employees to work through the backlog of paperwork.
In the meantime, small business owners may want to consider these strategies to help lighten their financial burdens:
Increase lines of credit
Put non-essential purchases on hold
Borrow from retirement accounts (with caution)
Commit to increase your emergency funds
Contact your legislators
This last point may be the most important. “Let our congressional people know that we’re upset about this, that this is not what we elected you for — to go to Washington and then just argue,” Hall said. “Our voice as small business owners and as Americans is really all that we can use in this process.”