Barriers to Adopting Flexible Workspaces and How to Overcome Them
Why Scalable Office Solutions Are Reshaping the Way Companies Work
Hybrid teams. Global operations. Rapid market shifts.
Today’s enterprise companies are managing more complexity than ever, and many are finding that traditional long-term office leases just can’t keep up. Flexible workspaces offer a smarter, more adaptable path forward. But turning flexibility into a functional, scalable strategy isn’t always easy.
From tech gaps and operational silos to lease structures that don’t bend, enterprise leaders are running into common obstacles. Fortunately, solutions exist, and some companies are already putting them to work.
Here are three of the biggest barriers to implementing flexible workspace models at scale, and how innovative approaches (including partners like Preferred Office Network) are helping to move past them.
The Global Tech Gap: When Infrastructure Becomes a Bottleneck
“From my 20+ years in digital marketing and running a multi-national agency, I’ve faced several barriers to flexible workspaces. The biggest challenge I’ve encountered is technology infrastructure gaps, especially when our team spans across the US and Mexico.”
— Dwight Zahringer, Founder, Perfect Afternoon
A flexible workspace only works when the tech works.
For distributed teams, inconsistency in connectivity, hardware, or support can disrupt productivity and hinder collaboration. When some locations run smoothly and others lag behind, the whole system suffers.
This is where enterprise-grade workspace networks, like those offered by Preferred Office Network, make a difference. By maintaining high standards for amenities such as high-speed internet, AV systems, and IT support across 1,200+ global locations, they help companies eliminate friction and maintain performance, wherever teams are based.
The result? A reliable level of service and infrastructure.
The Structure Myth: Flexibility Doesn’t Mean Chaos
“One of the biggest barriers I’ve seen with flexible workspaces—especially as a founder navigating rapid growth—is the misconception that flexibility means a lack of structure or accountability… When people don’t know what’s expected, flexibility becomes friction instead of freedom.”
— Max Shak, Founder/CEO, Zapiy
Too often, flexible work gets confused with unstructured work. But for enterprise leaders scaling across multiple markets, structure is non-negotiable.
The challenge is finding systems that bring clarity without adding complexity. That’s why centralized workspace networks are gaining traction. Preferred, for example, gives enterprise teams access to fully serviced offices through a single contract and account manager, no matter how many cities they operate in.
This makes it easier to onboard new teams, support hybrid workers, and scale into new markets, while staying aligned across the organization. Flexible workspaces provide hospitality, community, and inspiration for employees to stay engaged and productive. The home office can be full of distractions and lends more to an unstructured environment where expectations can quickly become misaligned.
The Lease Problem: Traditional Terms in a Dynamic World
“The biggest hurdle I see is rigid landlord lease structures that still push for traditional 5–7 year terms with minimal exit options… We saved one client over $120K using data-driven negotiation strategies.”
— Brett Sherman, Broker, Signature Realty
Real estate models haven’t kept pace with how companies operate. Long-term leases limit agility and often leave companies stuck with unused space, or worse, locked into locations that no longer serve their needs.
Today, smart enterprise real estate teams are turning to providers like Preferred Office Network for flexibility. With short-term lease options and month-to-month availability, businesses can adjust their footprint in real time. Centralized billing and a single agreement across multiple locations also mean fewer headaches, and better decision-making.
In uncertain markets, flexibility becomes a financial strategy.
Final Thoughts: The Case for Flexibility
Flexible workspaces aren’t just a response to remote work, they’re part of a broader shift in how enterprise companies approach real estate, talent, and growth. But success requires more than swapping cubicles for coworking. It takes a thoughtful, consistent, and scalable approach.
That’s where trusted partners matter.
Preferred Office Network supports enterprise teams with a network of 1,200+ locations, one master contract, and dedicated account management, making it easier to adopt a flexible workspace model that actually works at scale.
Because when flexibility is built on structure, consistency, and control, it becomes a competitive edge.