Virtual Office Toronto Archives - Page 2 of 4

Video Presenting Rise & Shine Breakfast Recap!

June 15, 2016/in Business, coworking, Event Planning, Event Space, Featured, Marketing, Meeting Rooms, Networking, Office Space, social, Startup, Toronto, Virtual Office Toronto, workspace /by admin

This morning we had the amazing opportunity to engage with thought leaders and begin to understand how Video is the way of the future for business and development!

In just under an hour, Kunle Bristow inspired everyone in the Rainy Lake room to get out of their seats and get into action. Video action that is! We learned how to create ‘the hook’ and then separated into groups to meet new people and come up with our own video intro. Oh yeah, we began the workshop by staring into each others eyes to get comfortable and realise what video is all about – connecting with people.

Thank you Kunle for coming to The Rostie Group, and thank you to everyone who attended and had an amazing start to their day!

Keep in touch for more free events like this at The Rostie Group!

For more information on Kunle Bristow’s workshops click here!

Throwback Thursday to the 90’s!

November 19, 2015/in Business, Co Working, Events, Featured, Marketing, Meeting Rooms, Networking, Office Space, Offices, Proworking, Security, Toronto, Virtual Office Toronto, workspace /by admin

The Nineties 959

Do you remember the 90’s?

If you know what Seinfeld, VCR’s, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, flip phones, Tamagotchi’s or Beanie Babies are, then most likely you lived through the 90’s.

In 1991…

This is what the Apple logo looked like

The Motorola had a wicked antenna

Brad Pitt finally got his big break in one of that year’s biggest hits: Thelma & Louise

The release of Nirvana’s Nevermind signified the start of the Grunge era that would dominate the music scene up to the mid-90’s (We all know what the cover looks like)

The Internet is made available for unrestricted commercial use and the number of computers on the net reaches 1 million (today there are 3.17 billion people online)

1991 is when The Rostie Group was founded to provide businesses and start-ups with the option of smaller, more manageable space. There were 2 locations, one near the Pearson airport as well as downtown Toronto.

Shared workspaces were called ‘hot desks’ instead of ‘coworking’ and boardrooms looked like this:

Believe it or not, The Rostie Group prices were higher in 1991 than they are today!

This marketing poster was the first advertisement for The Rostie Group. We still have the same view, and the same phone number. Pretty sure that guy does not work here anymore though.

The Rostie Group office spaces now start at $350. The ‘Corporate Identity Plan’ is now a ‘Virtual Office’ for remote workers and plans are only $69!

Since it is Throwback Thursday, here is one more of The Rostie Group 90’s Reception, one from the 2000’s and finally from today!

There are still friendly fish tanks around the centre, but we have gotten rid of those amazing white leather couches and dark wood. Are the 90’s back in style yet?!

http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/1991.html

http://www.statista.com/statistics/273018/number-of-internet-users-worldwide/

Growing Your Business From Home

November 17, 2015/in Business, Co Working, coworking, Event Planning, Event Space, Events, Featured, freelance, Meeting Rooms, Networking, Office Space, Toronto, video conferencing, Virtual Office Toronto, workspace /by admin

A virtual office is:

All the benefits of a physical office, without having to physically be there! (When you do get lonely though, you are welcome to join us in our coworking space if you need some social interaction and a change of scenery…and coffee!)

A virtual office is great for:

Work from home individuals who would like to maintain a professional appearance and have their administrative duties handled professionally.
Small businesses that want to save costs on office space.
Medium and large businesses looking to expand into a new market.
Business individuals who need to meet clients in a professional environment on a semi-regular basis.
Businesses that conduct interviews on an irregular schedule.
Independent workers (freelancers, lawyers, and family-run businesses) that want to save time and cut employee costs.
When permanent space for all staff doesn’t make sense, but a central address and location for client meetings is needed and will ensure your business runs effectively.

Virtual tenants can have all their phone calls answered by on-site receptionists, and mail forwarded to anywhere in the world, from our high profile downtown location. Whether your company is located locally, nationally, or abroad, The Rostie Group’s Virtual Office solution can help you build a truly “borderless” business.

Come visit us to meet your ‘virtual assistant’. We have real people who you will come to know very well, handling all of your mail, greeting your clients on the phone in your company name or in person.

Cut overhead costs by only coming into the office when you need to meet a client who just arrived via Porter airline, for videoconferencing, or having a team meeting. The quaint Baltic, Caspian and Lake Joe rooms boast beautiful views of downtown Toronto.

At The Rostie Group it is all-inclusive. You receive a discounted rate for meeting rooms, the ability to use coworking space and invitations to all networking events, lunch ‘n’ learns and training sessions. Plus when you are ready to move into a physical office, your transition will be seamless! Your business can grow within The Rostie Group community, from virtual office to coworking to long-term office resident, your business will thrive and grow without having to change your business address!

We love our work community and are involved in local events taking place along the Waterfront all year long! Don’t miss the Spectacle of Lights beginning on November 28^th! #itsbetterbythewater

Ultimately the best reason for having a virtual office – at the very least a mailing address – is that it enables you to focus on developing your business, sales and client base – avoiding the stress of day-to-day operations .

Check out all of the flexible packages available here. We can custom build a package to suit your business needs! Want 10 hours of coworking with a mailing address and live receptionist? We can build a membership just for you! Need a meeting room every week for 4 hours, plus a Bay St. address for all your packages to be delivered to? We do that!

Check out some more of the benefits of having a virtual office here,

then share this with your friends, so they can establish the image they need for their business to grow!

Millennials – Challenges in the Workforce

August 27, 2015/in Business, Co Working, freelance, Networking, Office Space, Proworking, Startup, Toronto, Virtual Office Toronto /by admin

Everyone knows that the millennial workforce thrives on coworking, coffee and flexibility in their chosen career path(s). There is even a study called NextGen to support this! “Where Generation X values control over work, development opportunities and pay satisfaction, Millennials are driven by the more social needs of flexibility, appreciation and team collaboration” (PwC, 2014). Many millennials identify their work habits as multifaceted; calling themselves entrepreneurs, tech-pros, freelancers and bartenders all at once. A one track career path is seen as boring or lacking in opportunity these days. Life-work is connected now more than ever, and everyone wants a personal experience, and to work for a brand that represents them (think Coca-Cola’s name bottles).

The challenge is this:

How can I merge my personal goals with my career and income generating goals?

You could take the advice ‘follow your passion and the money will come’. Well what if your passion is watching full seasons of ‘Friends’ on Netflix, with no breaks, all week long?

Or follow the trend right now and become an insta-famous tech startup! Maybe move to Silicon Valley, wear awesome Chive t-shirts and have a man-bun.

It works for these guys —-> https://www.pinterest.com/explore/man-bun/

Ultimately you should start by envisioning and outlining what you expect in a job – any job! Salary, type of coworkers and boss (if any), environment (office, home, coworking space, the jungle or the beach) and specifics of what you will actually be doing!!

Just saying “I want to start a business” won’t start the business. Usually taking action and getting out into the world is better than spending hours planning and talking about what you are going to do.

Millennials are not ‘lazy’ or too ‘entitled’. Most millennials, like any other generation, want to work hard; they just want to work hard at something that they believe in. Young people have tons of great ideas, sometimes it is just hard to know where to start.

A good place to start is with a virtual office and coworking membership.

You get the best of every world with these packages.

A professional business address will give you an edge in any field – especially when writing to potential investors/donors/funding opportunities.

Also it will save time and money – all your mail and packages are collected for you and arranged nicely for pick up or delivery! No more waiting around for deliveries or worrying about cheques being lost in the mail. You won’t need to hire a receptionist or assistant either!

Coworking and coworking spaces are in generous supply around the world today. Providing an alternative to busy coffee shops; like-minded individuals and teams can bounce ideas off of one another or work quietly without the restrictions of a coffee shop or distractions of home.

Before signing up to any ol’ space on the block, explore your options! Be sure to make a list of what you envision your coworking experience to be.

Is free coffee important?

Can you have a dedicated, personalized space with a locked filing cabinet?

Is there 24/7 access?

You may have a day job and want to work on your other ventures by night!

What about when you have guests, coworkers or potential investors stopping by…is there meeting room space available on the fly?

Does the technology and digital tools available meet your needs?

There are a variety of workspace cultures available. Be sure the one you choose aligns with your goals and expectations in your career and personal life.

Coworking and Virtual Office Memberships – http://www.torontomeetings.com/cowork.htm

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June Newsletter

June 5, 2015/in Co Working, Event Planning, Events, Meeting Rooms, Office Space, Toronto, toronto meetings, Virtual Office Toronto /by admin

Construction Updates for the Waterfront Area and Southcore

July 21, 2014/in Business, Office Space, Offices, toronto meetings, Urban Design, Virtual Office Toronto /by admin

Waterfront Toronto was kind enough to update us about the following construction advisories and road restrictions in the area and we would like to pass them on to you.

Construction News

Rees Street Intersection Re-Opening
The Rees Street intersection will re-open the morning of Tuesday, July 22. Crews will continue working east of Rees Street to Lower Simcoe, pouring concrete for the new road base in preparation of the asphalt paving in the next two weeks.

New Roadway Construction
A traffic shift was implemented late last week which moved westbound Queens Quay traffic onto the new TTC right-of way from the Ellis-Don/RBC driveway, through the York intersection, and to the 207 Queens Quay west drive way. This traffic shift allows crews this week to begin excavations for both the north side (new roadway), and the southside curb lane (landscape and Martin Goodman Trail work), east of York Street.

Weekend Work: July 19/20
There will be crews working at several locations this weekend:

Rees Street to Lower Simcoe: Final details for intersection re-opening and continued sub-base and road preparations to Lower Simcoe.
Spadina Loop area: Overhead cabling work TTC crews.
Westin Hotel: Crews will be power washing and cleaning the granite pavers along the front promenade at the Westin Hotel this Saturday.

For information, please contact Robert Pasut, Eastern Construction at (416) 505-3073.

Ongoing Construction Updates

TTC Track Installation: Crews will continue final track work in the following areas:

Spadina to Yo Yo Ma Lane: Crews will continue with excavations and begin to prepare and form the sub-base for concrete and the installation of the remaining streetcar rails.
85 Harbour Street to the Bay Street Portal: Crews have completed the final concrete pour and set of rails in this area. New TTC tracks now run from the Bay Street Portal through to 390 Queens Quay.
Shoppers Drug Mart to Peter Slip Bridge: This week, a small section of the TTC corridor has been exposed for TTC crews to install the rail lubricator pads.

Spadina Loop Reconstruction: TTC Overhead Cabling crews will continue their work to install the grid of cables in this area. Crews may work overnight shifts due to traffic constraints in the area.

Granite Installation and Parking Laybys:

Bay to York (southside): Last week, crews reached the area by the Scotiabank, and will continue to excavate for the new sub-drains, conduits, and silva cells in the service road. This work began at the southwest corner of Bay Street, and crews will continue to move west to the service entrance of 33 Harbour Square. The service entrance will remain fully operational during this phase of construction work.
York and Queens Quay: This week, crews will continue with the excavations at the northwest corner of York and Queens Quay. Work in this area includes the sub-base preparations, installation of tree trenches for two new/additional trees, and the electrical conduits for the new Astral Information pillar. Crews will also begin to excavate the north and southside curb lanes. The northside work will start east of York Street to the York Ramp Parkette entrance where new catch basins will be installed. The southside curb excavations will start at the southeast corner of York, and the 77/99 Queens Quay condominiums, east to the 55/65 Harbour Square driveway entrance. Old street lights & poles will be removed and replaced with temporary poles on new permanent foundations. A pedestrian diversion path will be created around this southside work zone using the south curb lane. Access to all businesses will be maintained along this area.
208 & 218 Queens Quay Driveway: Crews have completed the granite installation of this driveway. This week, crews will continue to pour the concrete road base, followed by asphalt and road restorations between York Street and Lower Simcoe. The driveway will re-open once the road surface is paved.
Lower Simcoe to Rees Parkette:
- Northeast corner of Lower Simcoe/Queens Quay: Last week, crews completed 100% of the granite paver installation on the northern portion of the sidewalk area, adjacent the Grill 4 U business. This included the placement of the ADA – Accessibility tiles at the sidewalk/curb interface. The area has now been fully reopened to the public.
- Northwest corner of Lower Simcoe/Queens Quay: Crews will continue with the excavations for two traffic signal pole footings at this corner of the intersection.
- 228/230 Queens Quay: The paver work continues at the Rees Street Parkette, where crews will continue with the infill of the second layby with granite pavers. This week, crews are expected to complete the installation of granite pavers in this area, and up to the property line of 250 Queens Quay.
Rees Street Parking Lot: Crews have completed the pour of concrete for the removable tree trench covers, and placed the planting soil in the tree trenches. Last week, crews also began to lay the new granite pavers in this area. This work will continue, and is expected to be completed in the next two weeks.
HTO Park East: Crews have completed the installation of granite pavers in this area from the Rees WaveDeck west to the EMS/Fire Station driveway. This area will be re-opened to the public once the final landscape details are completed this week.
West of Lower Spadina: Crews will continue with roadway excavations, layout, and sub-base preparations, and pour the concrete base structures. Some noise should be expected with these activities. The installation of granite pavers is scheduled to begin this week.

New Roadway Construction Underway: Crews continue rebuilding the new roadway on Queens Quay.

Bay Street to York Street: Roadway construction (service laneway) will continue on the southside.
York Street/Queens Quay: A traffic shift last week, moved westbound Queens Quay traffic onto the new TTC right-of way in this area. This week, crews will begin to excavate both north and southside curb lanes east of York Street.
York Street to Lower Simcoe: The concrete base slab between York and Simcoe will continue to be formed and poured, followed by new asphalt paving.
Lower Simcoe to Rees: Crews will continue with the concrete base road preparation which includes the form and pour of the concrete base slab in this area, in advance of the asphalt resurfacing.

Telecommunications Work: Distinct Technical Cable Services crews (sub-contractor for Rogers, Cogeco, and Allstream) will continue work at the 350 Queens Quay/Beer Store and various other locations along the Queens Quay. All work will be performed behind jersey barriers/fast fence with no impacts to pedestrians or traffic.

For more information, please click here to read the complete notice or visit the project webpage – www.waterfrontoronto.ca/constructingqq:

Happy Birthday Cynthia!

July 7, 2014/in Business, Co Working, Cowork, coworking, Event Planning, Event Space, Events, Marketing, Meeting Rooms, meetings, Office Space, Offices, Proworking, Staff, Startup, Toronto, toronto meetings, video conferencing, Virtual Office Toronto, workspace /by admin

The team at The Rostie Group would like to wish Cynthia Rostie a very Happy Birthday. We hope she has a wonderful day and is enjoying her travels. We look forward to celebrating with her upon her return!

Meetings made easy with videoconferencing

July 2, 2014/in Business, Meeting Rooms, Office Space, Offices, Toronto, toronto meetings, video conferencing, Virtual Office Toronto, Webinar, workspace /by admin

Videoconferencing is a convenient and effective meeting option which can save your organization both time and money. This technology has many advantages over traditional business meetings.

Lowers travel expenses

Share information with colleagues around the world in mere seconds without unnecessary travel costs, long layovers, pricey courier services, and all those other stresses and hassles associated with travel.

Conduct worry-free recruiting

Find the best candidate for the job no matter where they may be located. Videoconferencing enables you to pre-screen, interview, and privately interact with potential employees all while providing personal contact in the assessment process.

Gain a Competitive “Edge”

Videoconferencing gives you the instant “edge” in an increasingly globalized business world. Get a variety of diverse perspectives from off-site associates with limited planning or notice.

Stay ‘in the loop’

Whether working from the office, connecting from home, or conducting business off-site, videoconferencing allows you to effortlessly manage your business priorities while remaining an integral part of the decision making process.

Reduces your Company’s Carbon Footprint

With the business world changing rapidly, videoconferencing allows you to host a traditional meeting without the traditional constraints of space and location Bring your groups from several key locations together rather than relying on high-emission transport to get everyone into the same room.

Let The Rostie Group host your next videoconference. Our cutting-edge equipment is safe, secure, and reliable. Plus, we offer on-call technical support and assistance throughout the entire videoconferencing process. Whether purchasing or renting our equipment, The Rostie Group can provide your organization with innovative communication solutions for an ever-changing global marketplace.

101 Secrets to Running a Successful Home-Based Business in Toronto

May 23, 2014/0 Comments/in Business, meetings, Office Space, Offices, Startup, Toronto, Virtual Office Toronto /by admin

Originally posted by Sara Wilson

According to the Small Business Administration, more than 50 percent of small businesses are home-based. Home-based businesses offer low overhead, helpful tax incentives, and the opportunity to work in your pajamas, among other benefits. But before you get started, there are some things — 101, to be precise — that you should know about running a company from home. Here is our list of top tips, lessons, pitfalls, and more to get you on your way.

Getting Started

We asked home-based business owners to share their best tips and advice. Here’s what they had to say about organizing a home office, skillfully operating a business from home, and more.

1. Create a work environment you feel good in. And that includes investing in professional office equipment and furniture. “Everyone is vulnerable to repetitive stress injuries from using office equipment,” says Paul Robert Edwards, coauthor of Working From Home as well as a Small Business Development Center consultant. “So take care to get things that fit you ergonomically. Particularly important are your chair and your keyboard.”

2. Keep your overhead to a minimum. “It’s not about how much money you make, it’s about how much you keep, so overhead is key,” says Craig Wolfe, founder of CelebriDucks, a company that creates celebrity rubber ducks. “It’s great that you’re working from home, but you can still bankrupt yourself through ill-conceived overspending, especially in technology.”

3. Create a strong team. “Work with experts on parts of your business where you are not an expert,” says Cathi Brese Doebler, a home-based business owner for 10 years and author of Ditch the Joneses, Discover Your Family. “For example, if you are not good with computer hardware, hire someone to help you set up your computer network. Or, if you are not an expert on taxes, find a good tax advisor. Focus your business on your areas of expertise and strength, and hire experts to help you with your areas of weakness.”

4. Work where you’re most productive, even if it’s outside of your home. “Sometimes home is not the right place and work is not the right place — even when On laptop in the pool they are the same place,” says Stephanie Staples, a personal coach and motivational speaker. “I need a third location. For example, a donut shop, library — somewhere that even though other things are going on, I don’t have to pay attention or care about it. It is the power of the third location; I think differently, work differently, act differently there, and it really helps me.”

5. Work on your business, not in your business. “There’s a big difference between working in your business and working on your business,” says Jeannel King, a visual facilitator and coach, and founder of her own home-based business, Big Picture Solutions. “A home-based business typically translates into being a small operation of one: you! In that situation, it’s easy to focus only on product or service delivery. However, it’s essential to make time to work on our business, and that means focusing on the finances, the marketing plans, the vision and strategy, the systems and processes that provide the infrastructure for our businesses to be not just successful, but thriving and sustainable.”

6. Have the attitude that you work from home, not at home, says Edwards.

7. Don’t hide it, flaunt it! “Don’t try to shy away from the fact that you run your business at home,” says Maria Rapetskaya, cofounder of Undefined Creative, a home-based design and animation studio. “Give your potential clients the rundown of why it benefits them — like low overhead.”

Seven tips for a great home business

May 22, 2014/0 Comments/in Business, Office Space, Toronto, Virtual Office Toronto /by admin

Original post by Tony Featherstone

A friend recently asked how I have managed to work from home for so long and stay sane. Good questions. As appealing as it sounds, working from home does not suit everyone. Doing it for years requires discipline, self-awareness and careful planning to avoid key traps.

Comments about working from home usually fall into two categories. Some say a home-based business must be a terrific lifestyle with all that supposed extra time and flexibility. Others ask how you can work from home when there are so many distractions.

Both comments are off the mark. I don’t know too many home-based business owners who have oodles of spare time, unless they are struggling for work. And home distractions are usually the least of your problems when work is busy and deadlines are pressing.

A bigger challenge, in my experience, is maintaining networks, developing new skills, and maintaining energy and enthusiasm. In some ways, the routine of corporate life forces you to develop professionally, and stay productive. In home-based business, it’s all up to you.

Your goal as a home-based business owner should be to build a thriving, profitable venture – and have a great lifestyle at the same time. Or put another way, have more money and more time with family and friends – and for yourself.

You won’t achieve it unless you become super disciplined and productive, are ruthless with your time, and understand the nuances of home-based businesses.

What’s your view?

Do you find it hard to work from home for long periods?
What are the biggest traps when working from home?
What advice could you give others to make the experience more enjoyable?
For those who have worked from home for many years, what has been your biggest learning?

For the record, I still love working from home. I couldn’t imagine being stuck in traffic each day commuting to work, being bound by a 9am to 5pm lifestyle, or wasting time in useless meetings and office politics. But like anything, you have to work at running a home-based business.

As I approach my seventh year of working from home, I have decided to share seven tips so new or prospective home-based business owners can avoid some key traps.