Moving house is often cited as one of the most stressful things you can do, so it’s no surprise that many business owners find the prospect of moving their entire team to a new location daunting. Yet, with the right preparation and approach, the process can be fairly pain free – especially if you decide to move into a serviced office.
Getting your workspace “right” is incredibly important and can prove to be a vital tool for attracting and retaining the best talent. In a competitive market, potential employees look for companies who provide the whole package – a great team culture and a desirable workplace that will enable them to be productive, without compromising their well-being.
What makes an office “right”?
Of course, it differs from business to business and depends on industry, size of team and a number of other factors. In order to find the right office for you, it’s imperative that you consider the following factors before starting your search.
One of the most important things to consider when choosing the right workspace for your team is its location. Easy access to transport links can have a significant impact on a potential employee’s decision to work for your company and can also have a huge influence on client perception.
Ideally, your office will provide on-site parking for those who drive and alternative methods of transport for those who don’t, such as a regular bus or train service.
Consider nearby amenities too and how these could enrich your company’s culture. Ask yourself: Is there an adequate selection of shops, cafes and restaurants that your employees can access at lunchtime and after work? It sounds obvious, but the needs of your employees should inform your decision.
For instance, Pure Offices’ workspace in Reading is situated in the city’s most iconic office building, The Blade and is a stone’s throw from the main railway station. This makes it a great spot for companies who need to travel to and from London regularly, as well as those looking to attract the attention of graduates from the local university.
On the other hand, Pure Offices’ office in South Manchester is situated in Cheadle Royal, making it accessible for those living in Cheshire and the Greater Manchester area. It also happens to be just two miles northeast of Manchester Airport, so is an obvious choice for northern businesses who travel internationally.
The need for business flexibility has given rise to a number of agile office solutions, including serviced offices, virtual offices and more recently, co-working spaces. Unlike “traditional” offices that come with lengthy leases and strict contractual terms, flexible workspaces enable occupiers to scale up easily.
Take some time to consider which of the following options would be most appropriate for you and your team.
Virtual office
Virtual office memberships are well-suited to freelancers and startups who work from home but want to convey a professional image to clients and customers. You’ll get a business address and telephone number, as well as a secure postbox with forwarding options.
Virtual office operators such as Pure Offices also allow members to utilise on-site meeting rooms at an additional cost and offer incentives to members who want to take on a physical office space as their business grows.
Co-Working
Designed for entrepreneurs, small businesses and individual project teams, co-working spaces provide their members with a dedicated desk space at a cheaper rate than a private office. If you choose to rent desk(s) in a co-working space, you’ll likely be sharing a room (or floor) with other companies, making it a great option if you’re looking to grow your network.
Serviced Office
Serviced offices are essentially private offices within a shared building that is run by a serviced office operator like Pure Offices. You’re free to brand your space and organise it however you like and leave them to take care of running the building.
If you’re looking for a stress-free office move, you should definitely consider this option. Everything is already set up by the operator, you can hit the ground running on day one. Internet is included, as is the building management – its all included in the monthly fee.
Sometimes you’ll get your own kitchen and breakout space, sometimes these are shared. Every serviced office is unique, which is why it’s a good idea to view as many as you can before making a final decision.
One challenge businesses face when it comes to choosing a new office is how much space to opt for. Should you get what you need or anticipate how big your team might be a few months down the line – even if that means paying for surplus space.
The nature of flexible workspace (serviced offices and co-working) makes this issue redundant. You can usually rent space on a flexible basis, which means you can move into a bigger or smaller office within the same building at short notice.
Pure Offices offer contracts on rolling monthly terms providing businesses with optimal levels of flexibility enabling them to expand and contract as they need to.
At Pure Offices, we know a thing or two about what makes a great office. Get in touch to find out more about our 21 UK locations and how we could help your business grow!
