Tis the season for new beginnings, and if you are thinking of starting a new business in 2012, I'd like to make suggestions about your office space strategy.  If you are like most new business owners, you are in the process of building your infrastructure... new computer, printers, business cards, cell phone, website, Facebook Company page, Twitter handle, etc. 

What most people forget to ask at the very beginning is:  "How are my new clients going to interact with me?"  I am referring to the "real" off-line interactions that people crave.  You may be able to build up a stable of Twitter followers and Facebook Fans in the virtual universe, but how are your client's going to actually meet with you to decide if they like what you have to offer?

Let's talk first about where your clients can meet with you...

• Clients could meet you at your home - this would be inappropriate and unsafe in most business contexts.
• You could meet clients at their home - depending on your business model this might be entirely appropriate. 
  
• Meet at a coffee shop - this is a common choice for business owners. It is a neutral site, but what if there are no tables available? Or, worse, what if people are eaves dropping on your client's sensitive info?
• Meet at their office - if you have a business-to-business product or service offering, this could be the perfect way to demonstrate how you can help them.
  
• Meet at your office - this could show your clients that you have a professional environment to get your work done and "are in it for the long-haul". But how do you afford an office when you're just getting started? Allow me to introduce the executive business center concept...

At an Executive Business Center you can find a short-term lease agreement in a furnished office. Prices start at $500 per month.

At Execu-Center Aurora we also have virtual office plans that start at $95 per month. A virtual office allows you to use a professional office building (we are located in Aurora, Colorado) as your business address, share the building receptionist to answer your calls, and share conference room space for your client meetings.  It could be the professional image booster you need to get started. 

Good luck on your new business venture!