One of the biggest barriers to to starting of a small business is the complexity of running the business side of things.
Imagine that you've developed your idea to the point where you're already about to launch your product. You're going to need a messaging service, and accountant, an occasional meeting room to present to clients. You might need a web site. You might need to perform credit card transactions. If things go well you might need to hire staff in a few months and rent some office space.
All these things exist.
'The Business' would be company that brings them under one roof and gives you a business contact that advices you on which services are available and what you may or may not need.
Run your accounts through their system and the business will invoice on your behalf, chase bad debts, hold your profits in the most tax efficient way and pay you and your staff the wages you set looking after the tax implications on the way.
I could witter on for hours. Someone put me out of my misery and tell me it's baked.-- st3f, Feb 22 2002 London Center http://www.londoncenter.com/ [hippo, Feb 22 2002, last modified Oct 05 2004] Regus http://www.regus.com/Regus_Group.asp [mcscotland, Feb 22 2002, last modified Oct 05 2004] Capita http://www.capita.co.uk/ [angel, Feb 22 2002, last modified Oct 05 2004] Incubators http://www.idealab.com/companies/One of many available for technology companies. There are similar organizations on every continent. [jurist, Feb 22 2002, last modified Oct 05 2004] I think that a "serviced office" might cover this, but I can't find a really good link.-- hippo, Feb 22 2002 This is called outsourcing. The company I work for is one of the largest business outsourcing companies in the UK.-- angel, Feb 22 2002 Serviced offices can handle all the things like receptionist, IT support, cleaning and maintenance, and provide meeting rooms as needed. You shouldn't have trouble finding someone to do your tax, accounts and payroll. Many banks nowadays seem to provide all kinds of advice and support to small businesses.
But I fail to see why having one company doing everything would be a good idea. Wouldn't you want more control over this than just handing it all over to someone and saying "Run my business?"-- pottedstu, Feb 22 2002 //Wouldn't you want more control over this than just handing it all over to someone and saying "Run my business?"//
Eventually, yes. Initially you might be spending time developing your product and not take too much of an interest. You might also be trying to hold down a full-time job to earn money while you bulid the business.
I suppose I see this as the Mcdonald's of business management. You have a few options and outsource/automate that which you don't want to deal with at the moment. As you grow the business and spend more time doing it/get more staff you'd take more of those functions in house.-- st3f, Feb 22 2002 Sorry , but this one's baked . It's outsourcing like angel says-- Sulla 's Ghost, Feb 22 2002 In the context [st3f] presents this idea, it makes perfect sense.
Yes, outsourcing exists; but does anyone know of an all-in-one company like he suggests? All the provided links point to companies which will rent me office space and a receptionist, but little else. If I wanted to start a company, but knew nothing about doing so, this would be a great service - if only so I don't overlook anything.-- phoenix, Feb 22 2002 The Big Six (or is it Five? I forget) Accountancy companies are getting there. The majority of them currently provide accountancy, legal, marketing and consultancy services.-- calum, Feb 22 2002 The classic way to go would be to just hire a commercial or business manager, someone with good business experience who could do everything on that side.-- pottedstu, Feb 22 2002 This one is thoroughly baked in Detroit. There are firms that rent out temporary office space and provide all of the 'fixin's for the building. You can opt for whatever resources suit your fancy.-- RayfordSteele, Feb 22 2002 Another option, St3f, is to go the small business incubator route, many of which will provide you the complete wraparound service package you desire, including start-up capital. Perhaps this links to or satisfies UnaBubba's allusion. Unfortunately, you also usually give up a substantial portion of the equity in your business for the privilege. See link for one well-known Stateside example.-- jurist, Feb 22 2002 Considering the already phenominal failure rate of start up companies, would it be foolish to put the means to fast-forward develop a marginal business? I mean, yes, a founder and principal can focus on 'the product' or 'the customer base' free from distractions such as quarterly reports, minutes, and location maintenance, but I worry that business owners will never season themselves without the hard knocks felt during slow business development.
Oh, there have been engineers who would be president, wildlife conservationist who would be internet backbone operators, and accountants who would be derivatives traders. ["So if I had PCS, when I said 'send the files to the feds' they would not have sent the files to the shredder?"] In the long run, it seems that outsourcing fuels growth but does so at the cost of misreading one's competitors.-- reensure, Feb 23 2002 My university has something like this. Griffith Uni, with the Queensland Goblinment. In 4th year, we do a project with industry partners. Or, you can develop your own project. If you want, the uni will then give you space a resources to set up a company, to market your product, to hire staff, and all that other infrastructure crap. BUT, it's only for students of my degree (Batchelor of Engineering in Microelectronic Engineering), so, only 3/4 baked.-- QuadAlpha, Feb 26 2002 If your looking for a Phoenix, AZ based service that offers everything youve mentioned check out http://www.phonejockey.com
They have a couple of locations in Phoenix offering office space, very high quality, I use them so no complaints here. If anyone is intrested the two locations they have are www.thistlelanding.com and www.coopercrossing.com.-- Falcon80, May 17 2006 Don't you just *love* viral advertising?-- methinksnot, May 17 2006 random, halfbakery