Taking your SME global with a virtual office
The months following the start-up of your own business can be an unstable and uncertain time in your life, with what’s around the corner completely unknown. This was the case for Alan Stenson, who founded a pioneering carbon management and sustainability consultancy, Neutral Carbon Zone, in 2006. Now, 18 years down the line, Neutral Carbon Zone is a global business, operating with hubs across the world, including a base at one of our virtual offices in Milton Keynes Business Centre. Alan shared with us his journey to success, his most recent award win, and how even though he is currently working from Manchester, he will always value his virtual office at Capital Space.
Creating a business one step ahead of the curve
Building a business which is a pioneer in its field can be risky, but when you are spearheading a solution to a growing global problem, as Neutral Carbon Zone has, that risk can pay off. With a mission statement to integrate sustainability into every business, Neutral Carbon Zone works with businesses to integrate sustainability into the actual running of the business, and not as a bolt-on but as a bespoke solution. With global temperatures about to exceed the 1.5°C threshold, Neutral Carbon Zone, with 18 years of experience in the field, is a company of seasoned expertise, leading the industry and providing the sustainability solutions businesses are now increasingly demanding.
How our virtual offices can evolve with your business
The long-term commitment of a workspace can be off-putting to entrepreneurs as it was for Alan, who at the time of starting his business didn’t have a lot of money to invest in a permanent office. He was instead drawn to our virtual office. He explained: “The level of flexibility is great, as my requirements changed, I was able to expand and move with the business centre while keeping the same original registered office address, which is great for continuity. In my time at Capital Space, I have moved around and used more or less workspace depending on the needs of the business. It doesn’t really fit our business model to have one office where everyone comes to at the moment but if we do in the future, we already have that option with our virtual office.”
The benefits of a virtual office
The traditional office route doesn’t suit every business: with clients all over the country and the world including Dubai and Europe, Alan explained how the convenient situation of his office in Milton Keynes has accommodated his changing business needs. “It’s meant that if I need a physical presence to host clients in an office, we can use the corporate facilities to host a meeting, or I can bring my team in for a training session if needed.”
He also explained that: “The money we have saved from not having traditional bricks and mortar offices with desks and computers has instead been invested in the redevelopment of the technology of the business and so we’ve managed to triple the size of the business.”
Our team is your team
You might choose to have a virtual office, but you’ll still be a valued member of our business centre. Our reception teams do more than just answer the phones, as Alan shared: “The reception team have always been fantastic and it’s always really nice to see them. They are like a part of my own team, always looking after us, as if I had employed them as part of the team.”
Business tips from 2024’s most influential CEO in carbon management
Alan shared with us his tips for business success:
- “Constantly re-evaluate where your business stands in relation to your core offering and don’t let yourself get pulled in different directions which take you away from your key values.”
- “Don’t be afraid to delegate to other people as there’s always a limit to what you can achieve by yourself. Finding the right people for each role can allow you to focus on the wider business and help you to achieve further success.”
