Five questions to ask yourself before you start your small business

Starting a business is a daunting and exciting prospect. Before you jump in here are some questions to ask yourself:

1. What do I enjoy doing?

Consider what you love to do, your passions and skills. It will be your passion that drives you forward through the tough times when you are building your business.

2. Can I improve on current offerings?

Look at the current market and evaluate your future competitors. Develop and define a unique selling point for your business whether it's a personal mission statement, green ethics or innovation.

3. Is there a gap in the market that I can exploit?

Maybe you have tried to find a service or product that just doesn't seem to exist. If you are looking for something it is possible that others are too. Research the idea and potential market thoroughly and gauge how much people would be prepared to pay for it.

4. Does my business have a niche market? And how do I access them?

If you can find a niche market for your business then this can reduce the barriers to entry by reducing competition. However consider how you are going to access the niche market and it's potential for growth.

5. Am I making all possible profit from my business idea without compromising the delivery and my ideals?

Consider other ways to deliver your service or knowledge, online, in print or in person. Also, if your website performs well, can you make extra money from advertising or paid for content. Make sure all actions are consistent with your brand and don't diverge from your ideals.

Back to School, Back to Work

As the new school term starts we can all get back to concentrating fully on our business.

To help you get back in the swing of things The Virtual Office are offering a fantastic deal on meeting rooms.

Buy one hour get one hour free on all meeting rooms at all 3 of our excellent central London locations until 30th September 2010.

Just give us a call on 020 7917 9922 or email at info@voffice.com mentioning this offer.

For more information on all our meeting rooms visit www.voffice.com/london-meeting-rooms/

Take a Complete Holiday

For many small businesses and business owners the summer holidays are less a holiday, more the ultimate test in juggling priorities.

Taking a real holiday can mean a choice between missing important telephone calls or answering the client's call whilst on a family picnic. Neither ideal and both applying additional pressure to your time and resources.

So you end up not spending quality time with your family and potentially damaging client relationships.

The Virtual Office offers a temporary telephone answering solution that can relieve your stress and allow you to relax.

Simply divert your business telephone to The Virtual Office and our receptionists will answer your business calls in your company name and manage your client calls for you.

Our unified voicemail will alert you to messages and allow you to check them at your convenience.

If you are expecting very important calls, these calls can be introduced and transferred to you. No need to answer every call just in case. The added benefit is that you have a moment to move your brain back to business, before speaking with your client.

So enjoy a well deserved break - safe in the knowledge that your calls are being answered efficiently and professionally by our receptionists - for the day, the week or the month.

Visit www.voffice.com or call us on 0207 917 2917 to find out more.