In the competitive business world, maintaining the security of your personal and banking information is essential. The self-employed and small businesses are often the target of scams and cyber attacks, and that is why today we bring you some effective tricks to avoid falling into the trap of fraudulent messages and emails.

At Espai 114, we care about the security of your company, so we want to share with you these key tips to keep cyber scammers at bay.

1. Keep your systems updated: One of the most common mistakes is not keeping your operating systems and software up to date. Updates often include security enhancements that protect your information from known vulnerabilities.

2. Always check senders: Don’t open emails or text messages from senders you don’t recognize. Scammers often pose as banks, service providers, or even colleagues, so always check the sender’s authenticity before clicking on links or downloading attachments.

3. Do not disclose confidential information: Your bank or service provider will never ask you to share personal or financial information via email. If someone does, be suspicious and communicate directly by phone with the entity in question.

4. Use two-factor authentication (2FA): Enabling two-factor authentication for online accounts adds an extra layer of security. This means that even if a scammer gets the password, they won’t be able to access your account without a second verification method.

5. Learn to identify phishing signs: Fraudulent messages often contain spelling or grammatical errors, urgent action requests and suspicious links. If something seems strange, feel free to verify its authenticity before moving on.

6. Use a reliable security solution: Updated antivirus and antimalware software can help you detect and prevent threats before they reach your inbox.

7. Educate your team: If you have employees, make sure they are informed and trained to identify potential cyber scams. Safety should be a team priority.

In Espai 114, we are committed to protecting your business and your data. Keep cyber scammers at bay by following these tips and ensuring the integrity of your personal and financial information. Your business and your peace of mind are our priorities.

We are the Business Center of Badalona, to give visibility and possibilities to your business. At Espai 114 together we form a team; we want to inspire you and accompany you.

According to our experience in Espai114, we want to offer you several tips in the situation that you want to create your own coworking.

First, you must perform a thorough market research according to your area. Studying the current demand for coworking spaces, the competition and the specific needs of those professionals or companies you are going to address.

With this research you will find the existing demand in the chosen location, the competition already implemented or that intends to be created soon, the profile of your target audience, which will vary depending on the location, the pricing Implemented in competitors and their different business models, as well as ideal locations to build your business.

It is important to keep in mind that the location of your coworking It is a fundamental variable to guarantee its success. Look for a central and easily accessible location, preferably close to areas with businesses, universities or centers of business activity with a good public transport connection and sufficient parking.

Design a space useful and attractive that conveys a desire to collaborate and be productive. Consider different types of areas, such as open spaces, meeting rooms, rest areas and private areas with a stable high-speed Internet connection and adequate office supplies. Unless you are an architect, designer or have extensive experience in this field, you should choose the right professional who captures and develops your idea correctly.

You must offer services and amenities to your customers to add value to the development of their activity. These services include: 24-hour assistance, reception service, fully equipped meeting rooms, rest areas with coffee and refreshments, printers and scanners, and housekeeping.

Normally, the coworker wants to have freedom of decision and flexibility. To do this, it provides different membership options and Flexible rental plans to be able to adapt to all the needs of your customers. You can offer monthly, daily, or even hourly memberships, depending on what your target market demands. This will help you adapt to their different situations, obtaining greater opportunities for your business.

If being a facilitator and manager of coworking you do not have more activities and you can focus all your attention on the management of the area with full dedication, encourage interaction and networking among your team members, organizing events, workshops and activities that promote collaboration and knowledge sharing. This will help create a more community and attractive environment for other professionals.

Design a marketing strategy Effective and safe to promote your coworking. With the use of channels such as social networks, online ads, collaborations with other local companies and commercial events to be able to show your space to other people. To do this, you have at your disposal payment tools, such as Adwords or specific campaigns on social networks and multiple free channels. Whenever you have the opportunity to promote yourself, do it.

Make sure you have solid financial planning. To get it, calculate all your initial costs, such as the rent of the premises, furniture, utilities and marketing. Also remember to consider expected revenue based on memberships and other additional services. If you offer flexible hiring plans, you will cause your income to be not stable. It is important to take this into account, as it is fundamental for the sector. Finishing with the planning, look for additional services that you will discover during your market research, which provide economic stability.

Provide excellent customer service. Listen to your customers’ needs and try to find ways to satisfy them. It responds quickly to queries and offers solutions that work to problems that may arise. Although, to give this good service, you have to have specific training and experience, total availability and customer orientation can be of great help.

Once the business is up and running, keep abreast of market developments and professional demands. Make adjustments and improvements to your space and company services as needed to remain competitive and be able to please your customers with the changes made.

We are the Business Center of Badalona, to give visibility and possibilities to your business. In Espai 114 together we are a team; we want to inspire you and accompany you.

Currently, opening your own company can seem easy if you have enough money, have a well-structured idea of what you want to do and are willing to be your own boss, being able to control most of your working life.

Even counting on the above, it is likely that, being a first-time entrepreneur, you will fall into some mistakes when wanting to create your company. Get advice from competent professionals, and share your initiative with them. They will enrich your point of view and help you make key decisions at an early stage.

We offer you 5 useful tips to consider before opening your own company.

1. Develop your business idea. It is important, before opening a business, to have a clear idea of what you want your company to be about. If you already have it, it is the perfect opportunity to develop the products or services that you as a company want to sell or offer, defining its purpose, the customers you want to capture and the benefits you expect to obtain a Business Plan.
2. Structure your time. Once you have a clear idea of ​​your business, make a calendar. Set a timeline. It will help you organize the time you will devote to achieving the different milestones you set as your goal. Use the tools we offer in our Entrepreneurship Tools section.
3. Financial strategy and operations plan. Have a financial forecast that includes income, costs, expenses, cash flow and income statement. In addition, establish your funding sources and any additional capital requirements. It is also necessary, if your business meets certain requirements, that you describe the operational processes of your company, from the acquisition of raw materials to the delivery of the final product. If you have specific location, logistics or infrastructure needs, think about it and keep it in mind.
4. Do you need human resources? One of the advantages of being your own manager is being able to choose the right people to work with you during this process. They can be occasional collaborations or salaried persons. The cost differs between the two options, but also their time availability. If you need to hire your own staff, you will need the services of a consulting firm such as Lladó Grup Consultor.
5. Start your business safely. Identify potential risks that could affect your business and develop strategies to mitigate them. This may include financial, legal, operational or market-related risks.

From Espai 114 we support you when starting your company by offering you entrepreneurial tools, business domicile and professional activities, financial solutions, consultancy, coworking space…

We are the Business Center of Badalona, to give visibility and possibilities to your business. At Espai 114 together we form a team; we want to inspire you and accompany you.