Whether you are a small start-up enterprise or a high-flying multinational corporation, choosing the right office space for your business can be one of the most important aspects of logistics and planning. Get it right and you create the ideal atmosphere and environment for your business from the get-go. Get it wrong and you could start on the back foot. Here are some things to consider when assessing possible options.
Budget
Before you commit, consider all the associated costs of moving into an office. While rent will be the biggest outlay, costs such as utilities, refurbishment or construction costs, price of furniture, rates, and insurance and any other hidden surcharges or service charges. Serviced office space can be a good option for those new to business, those working off a tight budget, or those who like to pay just one monthly invoice for their place of work. Speak to established business owners about the real cost of renting office space.
Flexibility
Ensure that your office space allows for expansion of your business. Likewise, ensure that you are not paying for office space that may be left vacant for the foreseeable future. While choosing an office space to suit your current business size may seem the most practical solution now, consider the additional costs of having to move offices in the future.
Image
Ensure that the office spaces convey the image that you are trying create for your business. This is particularly true of businesses where clients and potential clients will regularly visit your premises. Traditional space is recommended for conservative businesses, while those in the creative sector may consider an ‘alternative’ space which inspired creativity. It is always important to portray the impression that your business is thriving, but in many cases you will need to give this impression without overspending.
Location
Location, relative to your customers and employees is a very important factor to consider when choosing office space. Proximity to other businesses which whom you interact, or in the same sector, is also important. Accessibility using public transport is very important for some businesses, as is access to raw materials and markets. While a compromise will likely have to be made, consider who will need to travel the most.
Practicality
You office space should be right for you and your business. There is no point in choosing the best value for money, or the most architecturally pleasing space, if there are too few offices for your business, no adequate space for meeting with clients, insufficient broadband speed for your IT needs, or inadequate parking. Consider what your business needs before you fall for a space that is completely impractical.
When choosing office space, it is good to work with a reputable company that will be able to meet your needs and that will be flexible enough to provide practical space for your business now and in the future.