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References

"I've been working with patients for almost 10 years as a Chiropractic Physician. I'm always looking for new ways to increase awareness of the valuable clinical services provided at my centers. Bruce Freeman has given me insightful ideas to assist in my marketing efforts. I rely on his 'Ask the Small Business Professor' column to keep me abreast of new trends and developments in the field. I couldn't ask for a more knowledgeable and capable advisor as my companies move forward into providing nationwide healthcare for patients."

Dr. Daniel Houshmand, D.C.

AlternaCare Wellness Centers, LLC

"Bruce Freeman, The Small Business Professor, is a most valued and enthusiastic guest contributor to the business segment of our radio show dealing with the challenges facing today's entrepreneurs. His practical and insightful advice has served to enhance our ability, as broadcasters, to help business owners move ahead in their various fields of endeavor. ....Thank you, Bruce."

Sue Tovey / Sande Foster

Co-Hosts

WTBQ 1110 AM (ABC Affiliate Station)

"'Ask the Small Business Professor' is a must read for small business owners looking for free expert business advice. Using a Q&A format, Bruce Freeman covers important small business topics weekly by bringing in recognized experts on subjects including accounting, legal issues, trademarks marketing and sales. Don't miss it!"

Joseph L. Rosenberg

CPA

"The Small Business Professor is a site that should be bookmarked by every entrepreneur. In today's business environment, it is difficult to gather information and obtain answers to the myriad of questions that face business owners. Bruce Freeman's 'Ask the Small Business Professor' column is an excellent resource that provides guidance, up-to-the-minute information, mentoring, and more."

Irene Maslowski

APR Principal

Maslowski & Associates Public Relations

"I find the column inspiring and helpful to me in running my own small business."

Dan Janal

President and Founder

PRleads.com

Office Expansion Without Extra Office Space

Dear Professor Bruce:

I have a small business with 10 employees and need to hire more staff. How do I manage the cost of additional office space?

Answer:

You don’t need to add office space to add workers, which is a huge savings for all those businesses on the cusp of growth.

Expanding office space has long been a concern for small businesses, where every dollar is critical. This makes sense, because traditionally it has been necessary to add workspace to add employees, and in many markets the cost of real estate is significant. Over the past several years, the largest companies started to allow employees to occasionally work from home. However, this trend was initially a benefit available only to particular workers, in select markets. All that has changed.

Estimates vary, but by 2008 there are likely to be over 50 million people telecommuting, at least part-time, in the US. That is nearly a third of the working population. And, many of those employees work for small businesses.

Technology prices have come down and connection speeds have gone up. The result? It’s now possible to support remote workers across a host of businesses. Road warriors, part-timers, employees in distant locations—they all are a part of the core team for many companies. Whether you’re a two-person shop or an organization of forty, telecommuting is possible for your organization.

According to Singu Srinivas, president and co-founder of HiWired, Inc., a provider of services and support that helps small businesses utilize and integrate technology, telecommuting is not just possible, but in many cases it is preferable. It allows you to pick the right employees, at the right time, without worrying about procuring the office space to hold them all.

Srinivas emphasizes that all types of business benefit from remote workforces. Including accounting firms, real estate agencies, advertising companies and many others.

The issue is whether it is better to invest in your business or employees at the onset, instead of office space. With the right technology and connectivity set-up, your customers may not feel the difference.

For further information, contact www.hiwired.com.

By 2008 there are likely to be over 50 million people telecommuting, at least part-time, in the US.