Starting a new business is tough. No one ever said it wasn’t! The decisions that you make when you’re developing a new business will go on to have an impact for years to come, and so you need to make sure that everything you do is aligned with your strategy for your business. One of the biggest challenges that your business is going to face is finding a new office space to call home that will suit your team both now and in the future. The reason why this is a potentially difficult option, is because you have to think about how your team is going to evolve and change over the years, and choose somewhere flexible that’s going to work both now and in five years.
Add to this the fact that you have to weigh up the cost of a new space (and your predicted expansion) against the overheads associated with a long term lease, and finding a new office can turn out to be quite an expensive endeavour. You’ll often find that for many new businesses, the long-term of a commercial lease can be a huge barrier to potential commitment. As a result many new businesses turn to a serviced office as a great way to reduce the risk, and as a way to get all the prestige of a fixed office address – without the cost. Servcorp Serviced Offices are a good option for your business owing to their range of great buildings worldwide, so do check them out for some of their inclusions.
If you are considering a serviced office for your business you need to make sure that you’re on the right path. We have put together a list of some of the key things you need to consider. Let’s take a look.
Get the best deal
When you are looking for a serviced office you will find that much of the immediate value is going to sit in the price. After all – this is why you are getting a serviced office as opposed to a commercial lease, right? When you’re researching your options you need to be clear on what you are after and go with the hard and fast facts. When you’re presented with a virtual office you need to know what is going to be included. Not all virtual offices are created equal – and some providers are going to offer inclusions like meeting rooms, reception spaces, and kitchen facilities as part of the monthly fee – while others still are going to be looking to charge for these options separately. It’s vital that you know what you need, what you want, and how you’re going to be charged for each of these things. No one knows your company like you do, and the last thing you want is to be caught out by paying for something you don’t need (or being hit with an extra cost for something that you do need). Think about where your business is now and then think about how you’re going to need a space that adapts and changes depending on your growth.
Confirm the price
Once you know which serviced office you want you need to make sure that you know about any potential hidden costs or fees. This will ensure you’re not caught out financially once you’ve signed a lease. Hidden fees are a nightmare, so it’s best to know what the rate is up front and to be clear about it.
Know how to get in (and out)
A great part of having a serviced office is that you can walk in and you’re ready to go. This is excellent for businesses who are setting up in a new country or city where the emphasis is on hitting the ground running. This kind of flexibility is great for setting up business, and the same goes when you’re finished in a certain space – but be sure that you know whether there is a certain level of financial commitment required for exiting the property and establish this in the beginning.
Good luck finding the right serviced office for your business!