Flexible working is here to stay and there is no doubt if you’ve been active in the workplace for the last few decades you’ve taken notice. Employees now more than ever want a say in when, where, and how they work. Gone are the days when employees clocked in at 9am and left the office at 5pm with no concern for a mobile phone buzzing on the way home, or a late night email that demands their attention. Smartphones, tablets, and the need to feel connected 24/7 have dramatically changed our lives. These changes in tech affect how our lives are structured. Why commute an hour to and from the office when you can log on remotely to your laptop and start working from the comforts of home? Why buy and build out a building for your startup company when funds are limited and coworking spaces are popping up faster than you can say “entrepreneur”?
The fact is, there has never been a more exciting time to be in the workspace industry. Employees and companies are realizing that in order for their employees to stay engaged and produce creative, quality work, employees need a say in the way they go about getting it done. It’s true that nothing can replace a face to face meeting, and there will always be a space for this, but today’s variety of workplace solutions is making it easier than ever for businesses to provide customized workplace options for their employees. Open office plans and coworking spaces can be great for collaborating and feeling like part of the team. Personal space is somewhat limited however, and this might be a drawback for a more traditional or introverted employee who does their best work in peace and quiet.
Private offices still have a strong foothold in the market, Shared office spaces and business centers all over the country offer fully furnished private offices at an all-inclusive flat monthly rate. Compared to leasing an empty space and providing all of the furnishings, IT equipment, hiring a receptionist, and paying a cleaning service, leasing these types of spaces can save money, especially if your business is testing a new market or is in a growth phase.
Remote employees may spend some in an office and some time working from home or in a coworking space, and home office workers may need a professional address and phone number to be the face of their company while they conduct business elsewhere. There are solutions for all of these scenarios by way of virtual offices and part time shared office space.
Perhaps your business is skeptical of trying one of these workplace models. The truth is, there isn’t a one size fits all approach for every business. Each company’s unique needs and protocols will direct them to the workplace solution that makes sense for them, but it important to ensure employees are engaged with the company and satisfied with their work environment.
For assistance in your workplace search, Preferred Office Network provides free consulting services. Our knowledgeable Corporate Account Managers are experts at locating the best space available for your business, no matter how large or small. Contact us today for more information! 855-4-NOTERM or info@preferredofficenetwork.com