Forge News and Updates |
As a small business owner, establishing credibility and professionalism can make a big difference in how potential clients view your company. Whether you’re just starting out or trying to level up your business, there are a few simple steps you can take to enhance your professional image. From how you communicate to where you conduct your business, these five tips will help you project confidence and credibility, setting your business up for success.
1. Use a Professional Business Address
First impressions matter, and a professional business address can elevate your brand’s credibility. Instead of using your home address or a P.O. Box, consider a Virtual Mail Membership from Forge. You’ll get a real downtown business address, making your business look more established and trustworthy.
What’s included in a Virtual Mail Membership?
- Prominent business mailing address in downtown Birmingham
- We will hold your mail for you- we can even open & scan mail if you want!
- We can forward mail to you or you can pick it up locally
- Mail Recycling and Mail Shredding too
2. Invest in a Custom Domain & Business Email
Using a custom domain and email (like yourname@yourcompany.com) is another key step in leveling up your business’s professionalism. It shows that you’ve taken the extra step to look credible and organized.
3. Consistent Branding Across All Platforms
From your website to your social media profiles, having a cohesive brand identity is crucial. Invest in professional design services to ensure your logo, fonts, and colors reflect the professionalism of your business.
4. Take Advantage of Virtual Office Services
Forge’s Virtual Office Membership provides access to meeting rooms and coworking spaces when you need them, giving you a polished and professional space to meet clients without the cost of a full-time office. It’s the perfect solution for remote businesses needing a professional touch.
What’s included in a Virtual Office Membership?
- All Virtual Mail Benefits
- 5 Hours Conference Room Credit each month
- 5 Day Passes each month
- Member Rates on all Conference Room Bookings
- Access to Forge Member Online Community
- Access to Forge Member Only Events
- Member Rates on all Day Pass
5. Create High-Quality Marketing Materials
Whether it’s business cards, brochures, or digital content, high-quality marketing materials can instantly set you apart. Work with a graphic designer or use online tools to create materials that showcase your professionalism.
By implementing these simple strategies, you can elevate your business’s reputation and create a more professional presence. Whether it’s through a Virtual Mail Membership or polished marketing materials, each step you take brings you closer to establishing your brand as a trusted name in your industry. Ready to make your business look more professional? Start with Forge’s Virtual Mail or Virtual Office Membership to give your company the image it deserves.
Forge News and Updates |
As the remote work trend continues to rise, employers are searching for innovative ways to keep their teams engaged, productive, and satisfied. While working from home has its perks, it also presents challenges that can impact an employee’s well-being and efficiency. Offering access to a coworking space as a perk is a solution that benefits both employers AND their remote workers.
Working from home can come with distractions—whether it’s household chores, pets, or family members. Coworking spaces provide a dedicated environment designed for work, free from the interruptions of home life. Employees can focus on their tasks, leading to improved productivity and a higher quality of work.
One of the biggest challenges of remote work is the feeling of isolation. Coworking spaces offer a vibrant community of like-minded professionals, allowing remote workers to network, collaborate, and form meaningful connections. This sense of community can significantly improve morale and reduce the loneliness that can come from remote work.
For remote workers who need to meet clients or attend video conferences, a coworking space offers a professional backdrop that’s more suitable than a living room or kitchen. Forge has great meeting rooms and even phone booths for coworking members to use at any time. It adds a level of professionalism that can enhance the company’s image and help employees feel more confident in their roles.
Coworking spaces help remote workers establish a clear boundary between work and home life. By providing a physical workspace separate from their home, employees can “clock out” at the end of the day, reducing burnout and a healthier work-life balance.
In a competitive job market, offering access to coworking spaces can be an attractive perk that sets your company apart. It shows that you value your employees’ well-being and are willing to invest in their success. This can be a way to attract top talent and retain your best employees.
Coworking spaces offer flexible membership options that can accommodate various team sizes and needs. Whether you’re looking for open workspace, dedicated desks, or private offices, coworking spaces provide a cost-effective solution compared to traditional office leases. Plus, with amenities like high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and coffee on tap, employees have everything they need to succeed.
As the workplace continues to evolve, it’s important for employers to adapt and offer perks that enhance the remote work experience. Coworking spaces provide a perfect blend of productivity, community, and flexibility that benefits both employers and employees.
By offering access to a coworking space, you’re not just providing a place to work—you’re investing in your team’s happiness, growth, and long-term success.
Do you want to learn more about how to structure a plan for your team? Book a tour here! Or give us a call at 205.870.7558 or email us at info@workatforge.com!
Forge News and Updates |
The differences between booking a meeting room at Forge and a hotel may be more significant than you might expect. Here’s why choosing Forge for your next meeting is a smart move, especially when compared to booking a room at a hotel.
Hotels often come with a long list of additional charges that can quickly add up. Need a projector or AV equipment? That’s extra. Want to serve coffee and snacks to your attendees? There’s likely a minimum food and beverage fee. And let’s not forget the cost of waitstaff, service charges, and taxes.
At Forge, what you see is what you get. Our pricing is straightforward, with no hidden fees. AV equipment is included, and you have the flexibility to bring your own refreshments/catering or pay for our snack/drink service without worrying about surprise costs.
Forge’s Cahaba Room
Hotel meeting rooms often lack personality, with dim lighting and outdated décor that can make your meeting feel more like a chore than an inspiring gathering. At Forge, our conference rooms are designed with productivity in mind. They’re bright, modern, and filled with natural light, creating an environment that energizes your team and fosters creativity. The stylish, clean design of our spaces offers a refreshing alternative to the often uninspiring hotel meeting rooms.
Forge’s Rooftop Room
Hotels typically operate on rigid schedules and may require you to book well in advance, especially if your meeting coincides with a busy travel season. At Forge, we understand that business moves fast, and we’re here to accommodate your needs, usually even on short notice. And you can easily book through our website!
Our convenient downtown location also means you’re just steps away from the best Birmingham has to offer, making it easy for attendees to grab lunch downstairs at The Pizitz Food Hall, run errands, or enjoy the city after your meeting wraps up.
Vulcan Room
At a hotel, you might be just another booking. At Forge, we treat you like a valued member of our community. Our team is here to ensure that everything runs smoothly, from setting up the room to troubleshooting any technical issues that arise. We pride ourselves on providing personalized service that meets your specific needs, all without the crazy price tag that often comes with hotel service.
Choosing where to host your next meeting can have a significant impact on its success. By booking at Forge, you’re opting for transparency, style and flexibility—all at a fraction of the cost of a hotel meeting room. So why settle for less?
Experience the difference at Forge and make your next meeting one to remember. Book now!
Forge News and Updates |
The fourth quarter is just around the corner, and it’s important to make sure your team is aligned and prepared to finish the year strong. One of the best ways to do this is through effective team meetings. At Forge, we’re offering 20% off our event space and meeting room bookings for Fridays in July to help you get ready for Q4.
Here’s why now is the perfect time to schedule your team meetings and how you can make the most of them:
The Importance of Team Meetings
- Alignment and Clarity:
- Regular team meetings ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding company goals and objectives.
- Problem-Solving and Innovation:
- Meetings provide a space for brainstorming and addressing challenges.
- Boosting Morale:
- Regular interaction encourages a sense of community and collaboration, which we all know is essential for team morale and productivity.
Preparing for the 4th Quarter
- Review Q3 Performance:
- Use your meetings to review what worked and what didn’t in Q3. Analyze data, celebrate successes, and learn from your mistakes.
- Set Clear Goals for Q4:
- Establish specific, measurable goals for the final quarter. Then you can guarantee that everyone understands their role in achieving these objectives.
- Develop a Strategic Plan:
- Create a roadmap that outlines the steps needed to meet your Q4 goals. Assign tasks to team members and set deadlines to keep everyone accountable.
Making Meetings Effective
- Set an Agenda:
- Have a clear agenda for each meeting to keep discussions focused and productive.
- Encourage Participation:
- Ensure every team member has the opportunity to contribute their ideas and feedback.
- Follow Up:
- After the meeting, send out a summary with takeaways, action items, and deadlines.
Why Choose Forge for Your Meetings
- State-of-the-Art Facilities:
- Our meeting rooms are equipped with all the amenities you need for a productive session- like whiteboards and TVs for screen mirroring. We can even provide coffee, drinks and snacks for your group! Also, your group can easily cater food from The Pizitz Food Hall downstairs or walk down for a lunch break with several restaurants to choose from!
- Flexible Spaces:
- Whether you have a small team or a large group, we have the perfect room for you. Choose from the Cahaba Room (4 people), Vulcan Room (8 people), Penthouse Room (20 people) or our event space for larger teams.
- Special Offer:
- Take advantage of our 20% off event space/meeting room bookings for Fridays in July. It’s the perfect opportunity to get your team together and prepare for Q4 without breaking the bank.
Effective team meetings are important for any company looking to achieve its goals, especially as we approach the fourth quarter. By taking the time to align your team, set clear objectives, and develop a strategic plan, you’ll be well on your way to ending the year on a high note. And with Forge’s 20% off offer on meeting rooms for Fridays in July, there’s no better time to reserve a space.
Book your meeting space at Forge today and give your team the boost they need to succeed in Q4. Give us a call at 205.870.7558 to make your reservation with a 20% off discount!
Member Spotlight |
Check out our Member Spotlight of Seth Daggett! He’s the Product Design Director at Etsy and we’re so happy he is part of the Forge community.
Tell us a little bit about what you do/your company does.
“
Etsy is a global marketplace for unique and creative goods. We connect millions of buyers and sellers from nearly every country around the world to leverage the power of business, with a mission to “Keep Commerce Human.” I manage a team of design managers and designers working on personalization, ML, data, development and design platforms.”
What is your favorite part about your job?
“The best part of working at Etsy is the people, from the coworkers I get to partner with and learn from to the buyers and sellers we support.”
What made you decide to join Forge?
“I moved from Brooklyn to Birmingham in 2021. After working from home a couple of years, I really missed being in more of an office environment. Forge offered a nice, bike-able, commute, and a flexible environment for working around other creative, talented and driven folks.”
What is your favorite thing about Forge?
“I love it’s location, I’m inspired by the architecture downtown and get energy from the commute.”
What is your favorite spot/place to work at Forge?
“I like moving around, but the phone booths are super cozy!”
What are your favorite tech tools to get your job done or keep your life organized?
Is there a product you cannot live without?
“Campari (for Negronis!)”
What is the last show you binge-watched?
What is your ideal weekend in Birmingham?
- Eating! Homemade Pizza on the back porch on Friday
- Pastries at Last Call and Coffee at June on Saturday morning
- Burger at Back Forty or Ramen at Shu Shop
- Catch a Legion FC game on Saturday night
- Lazy Sunday with more food with friends and family
Are you a remote worker, small business owner or entrepreneur? We’d love for you to join our community at Forge! Book a tour today.
