Offering flexibility for tenants, serviced offices are instrumental in supporting the success and growth of businesses, argues Simon Eastlake of Office Space in Town.
Agrowing demand for modern, flexible office space with ‘future-facing’ tech capability is prompting small and established businesses alike to turn to serviced offices, which can also support their business models and enhance workers’ office environment.
Freedom to expand
Serviced offices can provide HQ facilities and onsite services without the long-term financial commitment attached to standard offices leases. By avoiding tying companies down to restrictive contracts and fixed letting agreements, serviced offices can support start-ups as well as established companies by allowing them to focus their resources on expanding, and improving competitiveness.
Serviced offices are designed to reflect an increasing demand for flexibility from tenants, with adaptable office spaces able to shrink and expand to meet businesses’ needs. They can be designed to respond to different business sizes, preferred location and operational requirements, and in doing so, allow companies to focus on growing their business.
Serviced offices provide the potential to allow businesses to gain a global footprint quickly and affordably. Organisations looking to expand abroad can take advantage of the flexibility provided by serviced offices. They help to cater for such expansion by allowing firms to take up as little office space as necessary, while using it effectively.
Boosting productivity
The challenge for providers however is to offer unique designs and high-spec facilities as well as flexible space. Embedding new technology is one way to win tenants over, and equipping serviced offices with the latest technological innovations is key to improving the productivity of businesses. Offering turnkey virtual office solutions and tailored office support, such as personalised call answering, message management, mail forwarding and administration, are important features which can enable businesses to run highly productive offices at a lower cost, while maintaining a strong local and international presence.
Diversity of design is particularly important, as adding quirky interiors can boost employees’ creativity. Recent examples of serviced offices we have delivered range from 1920s ‘Great Gatsby’ themed decorations to Lewis Carrol-inspired ‘Alice in Wonderland’ spaces. In addition, clients have been provided with access to rooftop terrace cafes, cycle storage, beauty treatment rooms, and even serviced bedrooms.
Getting tenant satisfaction
We are all spending more time in our offices than virtually anywhere else, which is leading to a greater convergence between our work life and our private life. This has led to a demand for workspaces to offer more facilities and services to reflect employees’ varied needs. People working longer hours, for example, may require that their offices provide more amenities, breakout spaces, and proximity to restaurants and bars. Occupiers are also demanding better customer service and expect better amenities, technology and onsite customer service.
This is why serviced office providers are increasingly investing in training and equipping staff with the right skill set to allow them to respond quickly and effectively to the varying needs of their office tenant clients. Ensuring that staff has bespoke tech knowledge can allow them to respond quickly to any tenant queries and concerns promptly.
Ultimately, in providing a wider range of amenities and customer service, serviced offices can contribute to an enjoyable and inspiring work culture that improves tenant satisfaction, and in turn, the performance of their businesses.
Simon Eastlake is developments manager at Office Space in Town