It doesn’t matter what type of business you own or operate. Having adequate office space is pertinent to the success and prosperity of your business. If you are interested in renting office space, you should tailor the search to meet your specific business needs. This may mean looking within a certain area, price range, or size of office space.
The internet has proven to be an effective tool for both residential and commercial property searches but with such an abundance of information, you can easily get confused with conflicting pricing and industry jargon.
Before conducting your search, it's a good idea to have some basic notion of what you want and need from your office space. This can often change as you see what is available. Services you didn’t know existed, all of a sudden start creeping on to your wish list.
You can find space that fits not only your budget but also adds value to your business. Like having IT support or secretarial and administrative services available, so you can focus on more important aspects of your business. The ultimate goal is to find adequate space that allows you to conduct business professionally, proficiently and profitably.
Search for Office Space
Some business operators will look for office space based upon a segment of the city. This may have to do with positioning close to customers or specific business interests. For example if you work within the financial sector, you may decide to look for office space in The City of London or Canary Wharf and Tech businesses may prefer Shoreditch. See where your competitors are based. It's likely there will already be a client base in the area for you to tap into.
Listing Your Needs
Making a list that details what your needs is helpful. This includes things like the size of your team and the work that they do. Are they always in the office at the same time? Do you have flexible working arrangements which means they could potentially share a desk?
Will you have clients attending your office? Do you need your own designated meeting room or can you hire one on an adhoc basis?
It may be necessary to find a space with multiple offices, partitions for cubicles. Often these can be movable so if your team dynamic changes, you can easily alter the configurations.
Another consideration as it relates to operational needs is the cost of the space. Entering into leases or contracts requires that you consider what you will pay monthly and annually for the office. Generally committing to a longer lease can result in a reduced monthly or annual rental amount, but you will have to be certain of the longevity of your business.
Accommodate Client Activities
Every business owner and operator is concerned with growing their productivity. This means creating a good impression on their existing and potential clients. The surroundings and interior spaces play a role in this process. Finding an impressive office can help you to expand your business. Image is everything. Even if you don’t have the budget just yet, having a virtual office at somewhere like The Shard and meeting your clients there, will certainly give an air of superiority. (You can always fake it til you make it!)
Meeting the Competition
There are business competitors in virtually every industry and field. Being able to meet this competition has to do with a number of things. You need to make a good first impression with your clients. At the same time, you have to offer the same type of service, but at a superior level. The right office setting can certainly assist in creating the positive presence that you desire for your operations.
With this in mind you should really take the time to research the office market thoroughly before signing on the dotted line.
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