Have you ever been in the middle of a great dream and been awakened abruptly? It’s very similar to when you’re interrupted while you’re “in the zone” at work, isn’t it?  Technology, open office space and coworking atmospheres are great, but sometimes they can distract you or keep you from what you should really be doing—working.

We understand how important it is for entrepreneurs to stay productive, so we’ve come up with the top 5 ways to make your workspace distraction-free. So, log out of Twitter and get to reading!

Wear Headphones

You can use headphones to listen to music or white noise—you can even use them to block out background noises. According to a study published in Environment and Behavior, excessive noise is one of the biggest complaints of an open office design. Headphones can solve this prevalent problem. And hey, if you’re wearing headphones, people are less likely to bother you!

Hide Your Phone

Constant text messages, personal phone calls and notifications from Words With Friends are just a few possible distracting scenarios. Smartphones are the main ingredient in the recipe for distraction. Stop the insanity—put your phone in a drawer and don’t check it until your work day is over (or maybe until lunchtime). It’s amazing how much more you’ll accomplish!

Take Five

Most people think the key to success is working 12-hour days and skipping breaks all together. This thought process is flawed. When you’re constantly working, you lose focus. Research led by University of Illinois psychology professor Alejandro Lleras, proves that brief diversions throughout your work can improve your focus. And a recent study, presented at The Academy of Management, suggests your breaks should consist of browsing the Internet. Sounds like a win-win to us!

Close Your Email

When you see you have a new email, you’re compelled to read it and respond—thus distracting you from working. Set aside times during the day to check your email and close it during the remaining hours. A French company, Atos, has experienced this email debacle. Atos decided to ban all internal email because employees loss of productivity. Email should improve productivity—don’t let it make your life harder!

Download Some Help

If you’re still struggling to get rid of distractions, enlist the help of technology—hey, that’s what it’s here for!  Download these helpful distraction-free tools and get workin’!

We all know how annoying it is to be distracted while we’re “in the zone”. Don’t get bogged down by distraction! Start integrating these 5 tips into your work regimen, and see how much more you’ll accomplish! 

As we all know, the purchase of smartphones has been rapidly on the rise for years. According to the Pew Research Center, 46% of all Americans own a smartphone. This has changed the way we do business today. Think Big Partners has come up with a few advantages and disadvantages of having smartphones in the business world. If you want the skinny on smartphones, read on!

The Benefits of Smartphones

1. Social Media at Your Fingertips
   Smartphones allow for a quick Facebook status update while sitting on the bus or reading the latest gossip via Twitter. Wouldn’t it be great if people were reading about your startup? The Pew Research Center has conducted a survey and found that 65% of online adults use a social networking site regularly. This is why it is crucial for your business to have a social media presence. If you don’t know where to start, contact a startup marketing company like Inboun.
    
2. Computer in Your Pocket
   A smartphone is like a laptop in your pocket! Smartphones have e-mail, Wi-Fi, and of course a good ol’ fashion telephone. This enables you to do work from virtually anywhere. Work while flying…check. Work during a client meeting…check. Smartphones make it possible for entrepreneurs to be more efficient than ever.
    
3. Instant Communication
   No more are the days of waiting around for a reply via e-mail. Smartphones make it possible to get e-mails straight to your phone (whether people reply or not is a completely different issue). This makes day-to-day business activities speedier. You can also send links, texts, pictures, and videos instantly with your smartphone. Smartphones can greatly increase the chance of success of a startup because of speed alone!
    
4. Enhanced Efficiency
   We all know the 2009 iPhone commercial, “There’s an App for That”. Well, we’ve got news for you, entrepreneurs. It’s not just iPhones that have the plethora of apps anymore. All smartphone brands boast thousands of different apps that enhance efficiency. There are apps that allow you to charge customer credit cards, track the amount of hours you’ve worked and even keep track of all your expenses. And there are more apps built every single day!
    
5. Everything is Faster
   Not just communication, but also day-to-day business activities occur faster because of smartphones. You can research a product, read consumer reviews, purchase the product and send a memo about the product all on your smartphone. This streamlined process makes it easier for entrepreneurs to get their business activities finished while even taking a lunch break.

The Hindrances of Smartphones

1. Easily Distracted
   With websites like YouTube, StumbleUpon, Facebook, and Bored.com available on your smartphone, it’s almost impossible to power thorough your workday without succumbing to procrastination. And once you start surfing these sites, it’s hard to log off and start working again. Even text messaging is becoming a problem among Americans. It’s difficult to have a conversation with someone who looks at their phone every 5 seconds. Smartphones are a direct link to distracted business men and women.
    
2. Forget About Free Time
   Being easy-to-reach 24/7 through your smartphone makes it hard to sit down and relax. Clients and co-workers can contact you through e-mail, text message and telephone at all hours of the day when you have a smartphone. This turns everyday workers into complete workaholics. Breaks are important for not only your physical health, but also your mental health. So put down the phone, and take a breather!
    
3. Unsecured Apps and Websites
   Downloading apps and visiting websites can be dangerous for you and your smartphone. Malware and Spyware are becoming the norm in technology today. These are malicious software that help hackers gain information that you may want to keep private (such as passwords, credit card info and pictures). Always make sure you’re downloading trusted apps and visiting secured websites so you don’t run into issues involving privacy.
    
4. Smartphones = $$$
   Owning a smartphone can easily break the bank. The average cost of a smartphone is about $199. But that’s just the phone hardware itself. The monthly plans with data, text, and minutes can cost much more! It costs the average American $141 a month for these plans. That’s $3,384 for an average 2-year contract! This is a big investment for a small startup, especially if they supply smartphones for the entire company.

Using smartphones in everyday life to increase business efficiency is becoming the norm. Entrepreneurs rely on this technology to get their day-to-day business activities completed rapidly. But be sure to be careful to pencil in some free time… and try not to get distracted with the wide array of apps and websites! 

Where do you work? You’re an entrepreneur and your business is your focus. You deserve to work in an environment that fosters creativity and growth. While your home and local coffee shop may have sufficed before, now may be the time to move on to a space more appropriate for serious business to transpire. Whether you’ve already moved into a coworking space, or you’re in the market searching for the perfect place to conduct your business, it’s important to understand the many ways coworking can work for your startup.  Here are 5 ways to make these innovative office environments work for you:

1. Pump up Your Productivity
   
   When working from home, distractions are abundant and the line between work and personal life is often blurred. To maintain a clear and concise focus on your vision, it is necessary to move from a home office into a space more suitable for your unique needs.  In a coworking space, productivity increases due to the environment alone. You will find yourself surrounded by like-minded individuals whose goals are directly aligned with yours. Hard work and focus are contagious and can be used to your advantage. You will be amazed at how much you are able to accomplish in a coworking space.
    
2. More Bang for Your Buck
   
   For a cash-strapped entrepreneur, moving into a coworking space is a smart financial decision.  Coworking spaces offer the flexibility necessary for a growing company. Most coworking spaces offer monthly, weekly, or daily packages. Find what works best for your budget and make the move.
   
   Once you’ve made the leap and moved into a space, you will find that you continue to save money. No longer will you have to make the trip to Kinko’s or Starbucks. You will have access to all of the tools necessary to conduct professional business from high-tech copiers and business-card scanners to fax machines and printers.  Make the most of these resources and in turn, you will make the most of your hard-earned money.
    
3. Gain Credibility
   
   Your days of conducting meetings in a coffee shop will be long forgotten once you embrace all of the amenities a coworking space has to offer. Most coworking spaces offer conference rooms and private meeting areas. Use these. Embrace the opportunity to meet with your client in a space that gives off an instant feeling of professionalism.
   
   Along with, conference rooms coworking spaces often provide business addresses, work numbers and mailboxes.  Take advantage of these services. First impressions are infinitely important and for this reason alone, a coworking space will do wonders for your startup.
    
4. Network with Ease
   
   The most praised benefit of a coworking space is the ability to network at your place of business. In a recent survey of coworkers, 93% said that their social circle had increased and 86% said that their business network had grown. Working with other entrepreneurs will put you in direct contact with individuals who could help further your business. You could meet new clients, potential investors, or you could even meet your next business partner.  The possibilities are endless in an environment with such a diverse collection of creative and driven individuals.
   
   You’re already putting yourself out there by moving into a coworking space go ahead and take the next step, chat up your neighbors. Who knows?  The person sitting across from you might become incredibly beneficial to you and your startup.
    
5. Inspire and Be Inspired
   Entrepreneurs, by nature, are optimistic. So, when you put a number of them in an office together, there seems to be instant inspiration. Coworking spaces have a way of fostering a team environment where support is abundant and advice is readily given and accepted. Your successes as well as the successes of your coworkers will be celebrated amongst the entire group. It’s an instant support system and this is much needed in the early stages of your business.
   
   If this is your first startup endeavor, be open to the inspiration and advice that others can provide. The knowledge gained from your coworkers is priceless. If you’re a seasoned entrepreneur with multiple successes under your belt, lend your knowledge to those who are just starting. You’ve been there before; you understand their needs and know the right advice to give. Don’t let the opportunity for inspiration pass you by, it’s a unique aspect of the coworking community and its value should not be underestimated.

Making yourself a part of a coworking community will prove immensely beneficial.  Keep these 5 ways to make it work in mind and you will find yourself accelerating your startup faster, smarter and more collaboratively.    

Location. Location. Location. It's all about location. Or is it? In today's Internet-driven world, many businesses operate from the home, from the local coffee shop or from a coworking space. There are thousands of office options out there to work from. But what if you're ready for an established place of business? What if you're ready for the corner office? What if you're outgrowing the local coworking space? It may be time to move into your very first office.

But when it comes to choosing the right spot for your business, what's most important?

1. The Demographics: Getting in with the right people.
   Don't forget that choosing the right location may also require you to do some due diligence! Find out the demographic overview of the area that you are looking at and be sure to zero in on the age, income, households, gender, education and the like. Entrepreneur Magazine also suggests that you look at neighborhood traffic generators such as other retailers that draw people to the area, industrial or office parks, schools, colleges and hospital complexes. It is also important to look at both highway and foot traffic.
    
2. The Energy: Matching your company's values with the walls you put it in.
   Choosing the right location for your business is critical to your company's daily vibe. For example, it is important for a tech startup to be located in the downtown area in a modern office space. A more traditional company may be located in an office park in the suburbs with a corporate-feel. When your company's atmosphere matches its mission, values and personality, employees are more likely to think with a complementary mindset. Want your company to be creative? Rent out an office space with an inspiring view. Would your employees benefit from taking breaks outside to revive themselves? Try a place with a rooftop garden or a park nearby.
    
3. The Competition: Keeping your friends close, but your enemies closer.
   Many successful entrepreneurs and CEO's believe that it is beneficial to locate as close to a competitor as possible. Although foot traffic is important, having the "right foot" come into your space in particular is even more critical. By being in close proximity to your competitors, you can actually benefit from their marketing efforts. After all, your competitors share the same demographic as you and have probably done the same research as you. Keeping the competition in your backyard can also help you and your employees stay more driven and motivated.
    
4. The Surroundings: Staying close to professionals and stores.
   Convenience is key! Most startup companies may need to use outside resources in order to keep their businesses up and running. It's convenient to have a few restaurants located near you to order lunch or cater a launch party, or to have an office supply store down the road in case you need to pick up things for the office. An entrepreneur's workday can seem short sometimes, and having close proximity to these locations can be a big time saver.

Remember: location, location, location! It's an important part to finding your perfect office space.

Regus, Officescape, and Alliance Business Centers vs. bizperc
No entrepreneur or growing company is the same. Some prefer the comforting silence of a closed-off office. Others enjoy the energetic collaboration of a shared workspace. While some would rather work from the comfort of a conventional desk or cubicle, others would rather work outside, on a roof, or side-by-side other entrepreneurs. When some entrepreneurs choose to work in a traditional, habitual office spaces, others may need a more inspiring, innovative environments.

There's no wrong way to work—but there is a way that will work better for you.

If you're a traditional, conventional entrepreneur or high-growth company who enjoys a corporate-feel during the workday, there's a space for that. If you're an innovative, collaborative thinker who works well with others, there's a space for that. The environment that you choose, however, is up to you.

While some choose to work at an executive office space such as Regus, Officescape or an Alliance Business Center, others enjoy the atmosphere of bizperc. But when it all boils down to it, what's the difference? We're here to tell you. Because believe it or not, the atmosphere that you work in, whether its suit-and-tie or jeans-and-tshirt, may have an impact on how your business runs.

I want...absolute privacy.
If you are looking to work on your business in a private matter (closed doors, quiet atmosphere, no interruptions), then Regus, Officescape or ABCN is the place for you. Regus office spaces are there for just that—if you need a traditional desk or a simple meeting room—Regus will provide you with the privacy and seclusion that you need.

I'm looking for...a traditional finish.
If you're an entrepreneur or high-growth company that has enjoyed the atmosphere of the corporate world—full of tradition, customs and business comfort—look no further an office space like Officescape or Regus.   Their traditional finishes provide entrepreneurs everywhere with original workspaces without losing the corporate touch. 

I'm in need of...a nationwide mobile office.
Regus, for example, offers cost effective packages for 2, 4, 8 or 12 days per month or an unlimited use plan. Regus, Officescape, and ABCN offices are available for any entrepreneur in need of an office or meeting space solution (but less offered services).   All provide nationwide mobile offices for the entrepreneur or growing company that needs nothing but desk space. 

I'd like...a traditional business culture
With office space that encapsulates a traditional business environment, Regus, Officescape, and ABCN offices are good locations for serious entrepreneurs who want to get down to business in a formal setting. 

I value...independence.
If you're intrapersonal and enjoy doing work on your own in a quiet area, traditional executive offices are the perfect place to start or grow a small business.

I want...privacy within collaboration.
If you're looking to innovate, collaborate, and create, bizperc is the ideal workspace. For the interpersonal entrepreneur who wants to bounce ideas off of others, provide other hard-working individuals with advice, and become a part of a community with no closed doors, bizperc is the solution.

I'm looking for...a cutting-edge finish.
bizperc is for you. This space is all about modernity and being unique. bizperc's modern, urban loft space provides an inspiring finish for those who are looking for innovation and creativity. Complete with electronic white boards, idea boards, a mini-Kinko's, breathtaking rooftop garden, natural light, idea boards, and open windows, bizperc takes "cutting-edge" to a whole new level.

I'm in need of...flexibility.
Stay as long as you want, use whatever services you need (if any), and come and go as you please. bizperc provides ultimate flexibility so that you can get exactly what you want out of your work space, when you want it. No long-term contracts, and rates start as low as $35 a month—bizperc is a space that fits your schedule and your budget. 

I'd like...a fast-paced business culture.
Looking for a culture that's fast-paced, fun-loving, collaborative, and innovative? bizperc wants to see you succeed and will walk you through each of the innovative and unconventional steps to get you there. 

I value...community.
If you value a sense of community with close interaction, tenant and client events, and day-to-day stimulating conversation, bizperc is excited to invite someone just like you into its community.

Keep in mind that where you work determines how you work. Whether you prefer an executive office space with Regus, Officescape, or Allianance Business Centers or a collaborative coworking space like bizperc– the choice is yours. Good luck with finding the right spot for you and your business. Just remember, that no matter where you are, it's a great place to Think Big!