Category Archives: Office Leasing

Paying For Office Space With Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin Some office space landlords in Canada have jumped on the cryptocurrency craze by allowing tenants to pay their monthly rent for office space with digital funds. Apart from Bitcoin, office space landlords in Calgary are now accepting Ethereum and Litecoin as payment instead of cash.

According to Global News, some office space owners have started to accept digital funds because they foresee cryptocurrencies as the future of financial transactions. When it comes to the volatility of digital funds, the owners assert that it’s a risk that they’re willing to accept.

“There’s going to be a little volatility, and both parties have to accept that,” said the President of Real Equity Centre Greg Habstritt. “We believe that forward-thinking companies in Calgary, especially tech related companies, are going to be able to deal with that volatility.”

In the past year, Bitcoin has grown to become a viable form of finance, with multiple companies and financial institutions accepting it as a form of payment. Nadex in their article on trading Bitcoin, detail how the cryptocurrency has moved past its early skepticism that it wasn’t a legitimate investment to becoming an asset that investors want in their portfolios. Medium has an article on how much money investors are putting into Bitcoin today. In general, investors put 5% of their capital in cryptocurrencies for diversification purposes. Since investors have now acknowledged cryptocurrencies as an attractive financial asset, it is becoming more widely used in business transactions.

Using cryptocurrency to pay for office space is not just isolated to Canada. This business model is being followed in many places across the globe.

Barcelona Cahoot, Spain

Barcelona Cahoot is an office space in Spain that announced its support for cryptocurrencies in 2017. Alongside Bitcoin, it also accepts Ethereum as payment for leases. Like other office space owners, Barcelona Cahoot believes that the growing confidence in cryptocurrencies is a good enough reason for merchants to accept digital funds as payment. Barcelona was one of the first few office spaces in Europe to accept more than one type of digital fund.

The Yard, New York

The Yard is one of the biggest office space providers in New York. It operates multiple co-working office spaces not only in New York, but also New England. The Yard began to accept cryptocurrency for lease payments as early as 2013.

Rentadesk, London

Rentadesk is a co-working office establishment that aims to provide a comfortable space for students, freelancers, and independent professionals who live near Russell Square. Like The Yard, it started to accept Bitcoin as payments as early as 2013.

TechHub, Swansea

TechHub Swansea is the first venue in Wales that hosted a Satoshi Point event in 2015. Since then, the café and co-working space located within the venue have both accepted Bitcoin as payment for goods and office space rental.

Office and co-working spaces that have accepted Bitcoin as early as 2013 are now probably holding digital funds that are worth millions. Bitcoin was only priced at around $40 in the first quarter of 2013. Now, a Bitcoin costs around $6,700. Other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum are also gaining traction, which means that office space owners that also accepted other forms of digital funds will soon get more out of their long-term investments. As the cryptocurrency becomes more widely accepted, more companies will see the benefit of using the digital currency to pay for office space.

Office Space Alternative Choices for Smaller Businesses

office space alternatives Identifying your priorities is a key to finding the right office space and determining an office space alternative for your company whether it is large or small. A full needs analysis is critical in the beginning of the process to make sure you are looking for what you need. Studies have shown that what matters most when selecting office space for rent is pretty consistent.

Here is where the priorities stand in importance:

Location 50%
Value 35%
Image 10%

If you want to go into more depth in analyzing your needs, we provide an Office Space Planning Checklist on our site so that you can make sure to consider all the major considerations when starting the process of finding you office space. In addition to the checklist we also offer an Office Space Calculator that allows you to determine the amount of office space you will need.

Operating a small business can be both exciting and lucrative. More and more people are leaving the traditional workplace to open their own ventures and becoming quite successful. Freelancing is becoming more and more popular. Many startups begin with only the owner working in the business which makes leasing or renting office space the largest overhead expense. There are practical ways to cut this big overhead item by thinking creatively. There’s no reason that every business needs a walk-up storefront in order to succeed.

Other than trying to find a small conventional office space for lease, here are some of the office space alternative choices available for smaller businesses:

Share an Office

If you have friends or colleagues who are also starting businesses that don’t require storefronts, consider leasing a spacious one or two room office and split the expenses equally. This reduces the costs for electricity, internet, janitorial, and other equipment leases. Instead of each office partner procuring a copier, fax, and other equipment that both parties use, only one item is needed, significantly cutting the cost. Compatible services work well in shared office spaces. One example that has proven to work great in shared spaces might be a software development company and a computer technology company. There are many other compatible combinations; just be sure there won’t be a conflict of interest or direct competition. Instead, seek an office mate that will be synergistic to your business, so you can help each other grow and thrive.

Executive Suite

These are shared office with services run by a management company. They provide not only office space but furniture, phones, Internet, office equipment and administrative service. They are typically a full floor of a prestigious office building and you will have lots of other small businesses around for networking.

Selecting the right serviced office is an important step in ensuring the success of your business. The reason for this nomenclature is that the office comes with all of the most common services already in place. This type of office is often called a “turn-key” office or an executive suite.

If you need a venue to hold meetings with clients, sign contracts, negotiate, and do some paperwork, this office solution might be just what you should lease. By renting this type of business space, you’ll have a furnished private office with computer equipment but share common needs such as reception area, meeting room(s), and other resources used by the entire group housed in the overall space. You’ll be able to use certain equipment and services on a “pay per use” basis.

Here are tips and caveats you should be aware of when selecting a serviced office for your business needs:

Location: Choose a location which is convenient for you, but also convenient for your clients. Is there parking available either on-site or nearby? What about handicapped parking? Is the building easy to spot or well-known? You want your clients to be able to find you easily and get to your door without walking blocks in the wind, rain, heat, or cold.
Appearance: Does the building entrance, lobby, and office interior make the statement about you and your business that you want and need? You need furnishings which are attractive and elegant yet not pretentious. Making the right statement about your operation is critical. Is the meeting room comfortable enough for a two- or three-hour meeting if those are occasionally part of your business lifestyle?
Equipment: Learn what equipment is provided in the turnkey office lease. You will likely find a desktop computer included but check to make certain it is powerful enough to meet your needs. Learn what the restrictions are regarding bringing in your own laptop or other equipment if needed. Realize that equipment you own may not be covered by the insurance covering other equipment, so keep this in mind and learn if the services provided by any specialized equipment are available nearby for a fee. Also, learn what speed internet connection is provided and ensure the speed meets your needs. If wifi is important to you, find out if it is in place.
Receptionist: Listen to the receptionist answer a phone call or call in yourself to see how the phone is service. Your messages will be taken by this staff person and your clients will have contact with him or her, so you want to ensure the job is done well.
Pay Per Use: Speaking of fees, you want to make sure exactly what the fees are for every pay-as-you-go service. These services will almost certainly include use of the copier and fax machine but may include other services such as large paper printers, binders, or other less common equipment. Ascertain that the costs are reasonable. Compare prices with nearby providers for services you use in massive quantities; it may well be less expensive to have the local Kinko’s or similar store produce large copying jobs. Ensure you don’t get “nickeled and dimed.”
Lease Provisions: Carefully read all the provisions in the rental agreement. Unlike renting vacant office space which you staff, there will be extensive details about what your private area will contain and what can or can’t be done with it, who must maintain what items, and other matters which deserve your attention.

Provider: Find a reputable executive office suite provider to help you locate the perfect serviced office. You can find great brokers online, Like OfficeFinder.com, who have sound knowledge of this type of office and are waiting to help you.

Coworking

Much like office sharing, co-working is a office space alternative concept originated in 1999 where entrepreneurs and small business owners who share the same values ban together to form a community of business people. Coworking usually begins when networking partners find they enjoy the social aspects of working in the same space and may often help either other’s business in various ways. The partners then lease an office space, sharing all expenses. Each of the co-working partners conducts their own business in their own workspace in the shared office and the co-workers may share support staff such as receptionists or clerical staff in order to keep overhead costs low while providing everyone effective support for their small businesses. This concept is growing into a great solution for hundreds of like-minded small business owners.

Coworking is a style of work which involves a shared working environment, sometimes an office, yet independent activity. Unlike in a typical office environment, those coworking are usually not employed by the same organization. Typically, it is attractive to work-at-home professionals, independent contractors, or people who travel frequently who end up working in relative isolation. Coworking is the social gathering of a group of people, who are still working independently, but who share values, and who are interested in the synergy that can happen from working with talented people in the same space.

Some coworking spaces were developed by nomadic internet entrepreneurs seeking an alternative to working in coffeeshops and cafes, or to isolation in independent or home offices. Surveys show that many employees worry about feeling isolated and losing human interaction if they were to work remotely. Roughly a third of both private and public-sector workers also reported that they didn’t want to stay at home during work. Coworking offers a solution to the problem of isolation that many freelancers experience while working at home, while at the same time letting them escape the distractions of home.

Business accelerators, business incubators and executive suites do not seem to fit into the coworking model, because they often miss the social, collaborative, and informal aspects of the process, with management practices closer to that of a Cooperative, including a focus on community rather than profit.

Coworking is not only about the physical space but mostly about establishing the Coworking community where businesses can work together creating a synergy.

The benefits of Coworking can already be experienced outside of Coworking spaces and it is recommended to start with building a Coworking community first before considering opening a Coworking space. However, some Coworking Spaces don’t build a community, they just get a part of an existing one by combining their opening with an event which attracts their target group.

A lot of Coworking communities have been formed by organizing Casual Coworking events that can take place in people’s living room or in public places such as suitable cafes, galleries or multi-functional spaces. During these events Coworkers can experience the benefits of Coworking and get to know each other which lowers the barriers to join a Coworking space later.

Virtual Office

Today, you really don’t need a specific location for an office with walls. With mobile wireless internet services, hotspots available in most metro locations and even urban areas, multiple personal data devices, and smartphones that do almost everything a computer does, it is possible to work anywhere at anytime. You can operate your business from your living room sofa, poolside, in your vehicle (please stop your vehicle in a safe location before texting or computing for safety), in a coffee shop, at McDonald’s, and right at your client’s desk. By using online services such as GoogleDocs, your information can be safely stored online for presenting to your client easily. With outsourcing of many tasks, you can take your laptop and smartphone and conduct business in any location you desire. If you do have a need for an office, Executive Suites also offer a virtual office service as a office space alternative that allows you to use an office or conference room on an as needed basis.

Lease a Desk in a Business that Buys Your Services

Often, a small business begins because on business requires the services that will be offered. For example, an insurance company may regularly require the services of a licenses investigator. If your small business is complementary to a local business, check into leasing a desk in an unused area of the office. In tough economic times, many offices are willing to lease a desk space to a small business that is not in conflict with their own business.

Home Office

The vast majority of small business startups begin in a home office. This type of office space alternative allows the entrepreneur to begin conducting business without making a huge commitment to overhead expenses. Also, many owners of small startups begin their venture while working a traditional career, making certain their business will succeed before giving up the regular paycheck. Some of these small businesses never move out of the home office, even after hiring an employee or two. Of course, if the operation grows large enough or requires a great deal of inventory, the time will come to move from the home, but many virtual service businesses never leave the home office.

More and more entrepreneurs today are operating small but profitable businesses from the comfort and convenience of their own homes. Most home-based businesses start small and provide a second income to a person that works in a traditional workplace. As the business grows and thrives, many are choosing to grow their home businesses and give up the traditional job.

There are some very clear advantages to being able to work from a home office; there are also some drawbacks to consider. Here are a few of the points to consider if a home-based business is in your future:

Pros:

Freedom: When working from home, you can often set the hours you want to work. You can maintain better flexibility when time is needed for children, doctors appointments, and other things you’ve longed to be able to fit into your schedule. This can be a huge advantage for self-motivated people. Lots of productive work can be accomplished after the kids are in bed or very early in the morning.

No Commuting Hassles: No one really enjoys commuting to work, whether they drive, carpool, or take mass transit. Commuting eats into your free time when working in a traditional office. With a home-based business, your commute is only the distance from your bedroom to the room you have set aside for your workspace.

Time Savings: Without the commute, you will save many hours a week that you would be normally in your car.

Tax Benefits: Home businesses often qualify for business dedications when income tax times rolls around. Of course, you’ll need to speak with your tax professional but you’ll likely be surprised at how much you can deducted for your home office and operating expenses, significantly reducing your tax burden.

Low Startup and Operating Costs: There is little overhead with an office space in your home. After all, the room was already there, you just hadn’t defined it as your office previously. You may need to update your computer or add an extra phone line for faxing, but the costs of start-up will be minimal compared with a traditional office. Also, there’s no rental or lease to worry about. You don’t have to own nearly as large a collection of professional clothing when working from home.

Cons:

Discipline: Working from home requires a great deal of self-discipline. It’s very easy to become motivated at first, but over time it is also easy to allow yourself to see all sorts of things that need done around the home and begin procrastinating about business tasks.

Business and Family Overlaps: It’s also very easy to allow your family to interrupt your business time. Just as easy, many people end up spending time working that should have been quality family time. Making a set of clear boundaries is necessary but difficult.

Boundary Issues: It is very easy to “go to work” since it is just around the corner, but it can lead to family problems of another kind. There is no boundary between home and work and it can become a problem, or a very delicate balance, for the very highly motivated entrepreneur.

Stagnation: Lack of social contact is an issue for some outgoing people who decide to try working from home. It’s also very easy to lose contact with your professional network. This makes it much more difficult to remain on the cutting edge of progress.

Pressure and Stress: While working from home is flexible, it is also easy to work yourself into stressful, pressured situations. You want to please all your clients and generate constant leads. Many people become overwhelmed by trying to do too much. Some set unrealistic goals. They attempt to achieve them while others simply take on too many clients or fail to outsource when necessary.

Image: Depending on your client and customer contact, your company’s image could come into question. Setting up a client meeting at home or Starbuck’s can be less than impressive. There are alternatives such as a virtual office. They are pay-as-you-go subscriptions for office space. You have an official business address with an executive suite operator. You can use their facilities on a “as needed” basis.

Warehouse Rental

Storage warehouses of various sizes are zoned commercial and in most areas can be used as a business location. These warehouse locations are great for the small startup business that manufactures a product, purchases and adds quality to an existing product before sale, and service companies that provide auto repair, computer repair, and similar services.

If your business is the type that does not really benefit from a “flashy” storefront, this can be a great solution for keeping your startup costs very low. Traditionally, people seeking auto repair, auto body work, auto paint, motorcycle accessories or repairs, and similar services tend to believe that if the storefront is too fancy, they will be overcharged. These types of business can actually benefit from the casual office space offered by leasing a storage warehouse. Just make sure the type of business you are starting meets the zoning regulations and the landlord’s lease restrictions.

We’d be happy to help you with finding the right office space alternative. Let us know a little about what you need and we can get to work identifying some options for you. There is no cosst for this service. Give us a try!

How to Decide on the RIGHT Office Space for Your Business

It is a big decision. Your office space can have a significant impact on your bottom line. Here are a few ideas on how to make the best choice.

To start, here are the basics that need to be considered:

Location

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right location to set up your office, and much will depend on the type of business you own. Before you look for the right office space, here are some things to consider to help you decide on the right place for your office location.

Cost

It is important to thoroughly research the taxes and regulatory situations in your desired location. What are the sales and income taxes and how might they affect your business? What about regulatory requirements – are they excessive or is this area business-friendly? If you plan to locate your business in the US, you can find out how individual states ranked with the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council on policy measures and the various costs that impact small businesses.

Your Customers

Your business location needs to be where your customers are and be conveniently located for them. Consider traffic, parking and whether the area invites foot traffic.

Your Employees

Even if your type of business doesn’t require customers to visit your location, you will have employees. Consider where your employees will be coming from, whether there will be a pool of qualified candidates for job openings and whether they will be able to easily commute to your location.

Other Businesses in the Area

Consider what other business including retail and service businesses are in the area. Get a feel for the business climate by visiting a few of the businesses in the area.

The Next Step

Now, you have determined your office location. Next step now is choosing the right office space, whether for rent or purchase, It will have a big impact on how well your business runs. The Better Business Bureau has made 5 specific recommendations to help business owners choose a space that is right for them.

Determine Your Needs

This may sound obvious, but any business owner needs to think about the entire operation, not just the front office. Look at the space in terms of how your customers will see it and how your employees will use it.

Will you grow over the course of the lease?
Will you need conference rooms, lunch rooms or break rooms?
Do you need a reception area?
What about storage?
Will you have office machines such as large copiers that need space?
Where will staff sit?

Assess The Building

It is important to look at the building and other factors. Many commercial buildings will advertise upgrades, but won’t talk about repairs.

Ask about what changes may need to be made to the office space itself.
Are you allowed to put up walls for new offices as needed?
Have there been any recent problems with storm damage or vandalism?
Are there any upgrades or renovations planned during the lease?

Noise from renovations can disturb employees and customers so it is important to understand what will happen and when.

Get Professional Help

Utilizing a real estate professional who specializes in office space, an office tenant representative, will reduce the amount of work substantially. A professional will be familiar with a variety of styles of office space around the area. When know what you are looking for and can communicate these needs clearly they will be able to show you properties that meet your needs and help negotiate the best prices for you. There is no charge to you for this service, so it should be a no brainer to acquire the service.

Review The Lease

The final step is to review the lease very carefully before signing anything. Make sure you understand what you are responsible for and what the landlord is responsible for. It is a good idea to have a lawyer review the document.

We can help you choose the right location and office space for your business to operate, contact us. Whether you are looking to lease or to buy, we can help you find the right office space for your business with our network of nearly 1,000 professionals throughout the US and Canada. Our service will not cost you anything. It is a no lose proposition.

For more information, check out OfficeFinder’s Office Space Checklist.

3 Flexible Office Space Alternatives to Conventional Office Space

Looking for flexible office space alternatives? Don’t want a conventional office space? Considering your alternatives for a workspace? If you are starting of new business, considering a new base of operation or need a physical office space, here are some modern alternatives that can save you money on your rent costs; Coworking Space, Executive Suites and Virtual Office.

Coworking Space

Have you heard about “coworking space”? Unlike the typical office setup, a Coworking Space allows you to work in a casual and relaxed work environment that will suit your style and requirements. This is a facility that you will share workplaces by different professionals, different industries and mostly freelancers. Coworking Space promotes collaboration, creativity, best practices sharing, networking, socializing and creating new business opportunities. This is great for freelancers and independent professionals because of its flexibility allowing you to expand or contract as needed, with no long-term contracts. Coworking spaces are generally less expensive than Executive Suites, which you will find out more information about next. More…

Executive Suites

Now if you need more privacy and confidentiality, you should investigate an Executive Suite. Executive Suites are essentially shared offices with services provided by a management firm. They are also known as an Office Business Center or serviced offices. The disadvantage of this privacy is that you will miss some of the networking and collaboration available in coworking spaces. However, this is also great for small businesses and startups. You get the same benefits or services of having own facility at lower cost and with no long-term commitments. It is a great way to have project a good brand and identity to your client as they your office located in impressive business centers. More…

Virtual Office

Home based jobs, running or starting up small businesses from your home are very rampant nowadays. This is because of the available technologies and internet access can provide, nothing is impossible in running your business wherever and whenever you want. Almost everything can run virtually in the cloud. However, we must accept that frequently clients and customers are looking for assurance the and one way to give them that is to provide an established office address. A Virtual Office rental is one of the solutions. Having an established and prestigious business address will make your clients or customer more feel secured and confident in doing business with you. In Virtual Office, you’ll get to enjoy the same convenience of having your own business address such as having a local number, mail box, admirative support and very presentable meeting rooms at low cost. You can continue working comfortably of your choice, from home or other location while you keep your virtual office as your official business address. More…

All these flexible office space alternatives offer benefits to small entrepreneurs or working from home businesses and freelancers. It will simply give you the office-feel environment, yet you still have the benefit of flexibility. Some of the common advantages of getting these types of office set are that you will be more effective; especially if you are working from home. It is a much better replacement if you sometimes use cafes or restaurants to work or meet clients. They also will help you avoid distractions. Working in these types of workplaces will help you avoid loneliness and burning out. You will be surrounded by other passionate entrepreneurs who will help energize with their energy in striving for success. Most importantly is the flexibility, it allows you to rent a space shorter or longer, bigger or smaller space, it’s very flexible allowing you to work your style and within your budget.

Whether it is a virtual office, Coworking Space and Executive Suites, we hope we helped you to get a better idea of your office space options.

OfficeFinder is ready to assist you in your search for flexible office space alternatives at no cost to you!

OfficeFinder, LLC is a leading web-based office space referral and information network with highly qualified local office space leasing and sales professionals throughout the US and Canada. OfficeFinder collaborates and continuously exerts effort to connect with large, small and well known commercial real estate companies. Professionals from OfficeFinder are great partners who can help you to locate and find the right business space that suits both your needs and style. Simply contact us and provide a few details for us to be able to assist you. There is no obligation and there is no cost to you. You get assistance and options you need in finding the best workspace for you and your company!

What Millennials Appreciate About Coworking Spaces

Coworking spaces can be very socially engaging, educational and informative if we choose the right environment. Millennials are looking for work environments that engage them at all these levels with little or no cost to them. Historically, as a group, millennials are the generation to have emerged from college with the greatest debt to date. So let’s talk about what millennials want their work environment to look like.

Social Engagement

Millennials are prepared to work, work hard, and they want to be engaged at work. This doesn’t mean that every minute of the day needs to be a new learning experience but feeling connected to what they do. Often that connection comes in the form of external engagement like taking part in local, national or global responsibility projects. This is hard to do if you have a small company but coworking spaces offer the ability to connect with others in your work space to feel the sense of community and connection. These type of social action programs are often offered by the managers of the coworking space or maybe by one of the companies working there. So look for a space or ask about if this is a priority for the space you are considering.

Ongoing Education

Millennials are lifelong learners. Whether it is online through places like Udemy or in the office through continuing education programs, coworking spaces can offer small companies the ability to ban together to gain greater access to educational resources they may not get alone. In some cases, the coworking spaces may provide the opportunity for its tenants for a discounted fee or free of charge depending on the seminar.

Staying Informed

Staying aware and informed of changes in the economy, your field or maybe a field that the millennial is considering entering. Coworking spaces bring engaging speakers and presenters to the office to create a more aware workforce of the changes happening. This is such an important part of one’s desire to grow and learn. Ask if the coworking space you are considering brings in local speakers or if it provides a platform to learn from office mates.

Coworking spaces offer millennials the chance to stay or become engaged in social action issues, keep up their education for little to no cost and remain informed about their knowledge space. Providing these benefits help millennials feel fulfilled and coworking spaces can offer these benefits.

Contact us for more information on finding the right office space for your business.

The Top Office Repairs and Improvements to Start Your 2018

Top 5 The new year is in full swing, and while we might already be more than halfway through the first month, it’s never too late to give a whole new lease of life to your office. When it comes to office repairs and improvements, there’s no better time to get it done than now, so why not take the opportunity with both hands? Besides, with improvements and repairs creating a whole new working environment, your employees will be more motivated and productive, so what have you got to lose? There are a few considerations that you must take into account however, prior to funding these repairs and improvements. While an individual who has faced significant damage in their home property as a result of an unexpected occurrence, such as a burst pipe, may seek the aid of a company such as Wizzcash direct loan in a financial emergency, businesses will need to seek financial aid from the likes of a bank loan, line of credit or even have to pay out of pocket. Here, we’re looking into the top improvements your office could need in 2018!

Do Those Repairs!

Every building has its downfalls, and sometimes those downfalls come in the form of breakages or just general wear and tear. You may very well have been putting off those smaller repairs for ‘another day’. Well, now is that day. Even something as simple as fixing a tiny crack in the wall, or re-painting those peeling areas can give your whole office a neater, cleaner look with a better atmosphere overall. If any of your employee’s computers have been acting up, have them replaced or fixed to give the employee a much better opportunity to work to their full potential if they’re not weighed down by technical faults!

Create Informal Collaboration and Social Spaces

You may already have a break room for your employees, and if you do – well done! If you don’t, you should consider introducing a social space for your employees where possible. While this can be difficult in smaller offices, having a place where employees can go during their breaks to truly separate themselves from work for a short time can be beneficial to their mental health and productivity.

Traditionally, offices tend to have two main spaces: desks to work on, and a meeting room. However, introducing reasonably secluded areas like a pod or booth of seats for brief, 10 minute discussions could be the answer to all of your collaboration woes. You could even just add sofas with coffee tables around the office for a cheaper alternative! These quick-to-access areas will encourage your employees to talk to each other, and collaborate on big projects that might need more than one brain on them to complete to their full potential.

Jump On The Elevation Desks Trend

As you may already know, the world is currently being taken by storm with an elevated desks trend. If you don’t already know, an elevated desk is exactly what it suggests – a desk that is elevated in order to improve posture. Evidence suggests that sitting down for prolonged periods of time can prove harmful to posture and general physical well-being and so standing desks have started to become an alternative option. However, it’s also important to remember that not every employee will be able to stand up all day, so make sure you give them the option to sit or stand!

Let There Be Light!

Dimly, or strangely lit offices are widely known to create a wide range of problems. From fatigue, to eye strain and headaches, a badly lit office is nothing but anti-productive to your employees. An office lit by artificial, yellow light can not only prove harmful to physical well-being, but it can also play a part in mental health too. While we understand that not every company can move every desk right next to a window, opting for daylight florescent bulbs with around 6500K will create the closest lighting to the outside world, and tend to be standard issue nowadays in offices!

Or Just Opt For The Complete Makeover

If all else fails, why not just go for the complete makeover? Of course, this is money-permitting, but with a new coat of paint, new desks, a fully-furnished social area and more, you can maximize motivation in your employees completely. By offering your employees something new and better to work with and in, they can work to their full potential without being impeded. If you are considering a makeover for the office, why not consult with your employees beforehand? Find out what they might like, from artwork on the walls, to having a radio – after all, they will know what they can work with better than anyone else!

Creating Connections in Coworking Office Space

Coworking office space provides you a great opportunity to make business connections and generate new business from within. Just outside your office door are so many potential clients. Are you using your work environment to your competitive advantage?

Here are three tips for how you can create meaningful business relationships in your own coworking office space.

Participate in Informal Networking Events. Most coworking office space offers their resident companies learning opportunities, lunches, happy hour activities, and other times to just gather in the common areas. Use this time as chance to get to know the companies around you. Find out more about these companies lines of business. Remember to bring your business cards with you too.
Monitor Message Boards. Many coworking spaces offer a place to post information about yourself and your company. This is also a chance to see if others are posting job opportunities too. Often you will see that companies are posting for accounting services, graphic designers, videographers or legal services.
Use Your Space as a Calling Card. Many coworking spaces allow you to put your logo on your door or on the windows to your office. Use this also as an opportunity to create a poster sized board within site of the common areas with more information about your company, something similar to what you might bring to a trade show. The companies around you will get a chance to see you and your line of business. This may encourage them to knock on your door.

The best by-product of coworking office space is that opportunity lies just outside your door. Contact us for more information on how we can find the right office space for you.

Lease Office Space Tips; Choosing Space That Suits Everyone Involved

Looking to lease office space?

Whether your business is small or growing, there are several vital clues and illuminating facts for choosing an effective office space for you and your employees. So whatever business you are in or plan on creating, make sure you ponder all your options especially the question of what works best for you by carefully considering these tips.

Look for Open and Negotiable Lease Terms

In starting and maintaining a business, it is always necessary to evaluate risks and possible future changes. Looking for leases that allow you to “break” with little to no cost can be a great option if your business is unsure of its future plan. While a long-term lease can provide you with stability, short-term leases allow you to “test the water” until that stability is a real thing.

Consider Accessibility

Plan on meeting with clients daily? It is important to consider where you will be located and whether it is easily accessible. Or, perhaps your employees use on average, a public commute system to get to work. It is important to be aware of how your location can affect the overall stamina of your workplace. A central location or one that is more easily accessible also tend to be located closer to other businesses such as restaurants and other places needed to keep you happy and sane.

Make Sure you Understand the Lease Especially When it Comes to Repairs

Let us consider the topic of leases again. They can often times include small print, meaning, you sign up for something you did not intend too. Small print can sometimes include problems and miscommunications such as who is responsible for repairs and other issues as they arise. That is why it is important to ask questions, get a legal opinion and make sure you address these issues before you move in. You do not want to be left with a mess!

Building Security

Building security is also something that should be at the top of your list when searching for office space. Wouldn’t want an unsavory character to walk in and harass clients or employees or worse. Ask about physical and electronic security options and if needed, whether extra security is an option too.

Parking

And last but certainly not least, take a look at available parking options in a prospective office space. Not only do employees need to have a place to park, so do clients and other visitors. Consider, is the parking public or private? Street or parking lot options? Furthermore, make sure you familiarize yourself with the parking situation in the area so as to avoid any pesky dilemmas such as tickets or towing.

While these Office space leasing tips are a start when you lease office space, consider writing a list of things you and your business are looking for and carry it with you as you search. contact us for assistance or further tips on finding the best space that works for you.

Here are a few other useful resources when looking to lease office space:

Coworking office space: best solution for independent people

By 2020, if things continue as they are, 40 percent of the workforce in the U.S. will be freelancers, temporary workers, independent contractors and solo-entrepreneurs. Almost all of them will be working in coworking office space. Coworking office space refers to shared space where people who work there are most often working for different organizations, or for themselves, but creating synergy between each other.

Benefits of Coworking Office Space:

A recent survey found:

Among these independent workers,

70 percent feel healthier than they did when working in a conventional office.
68 percent said they were able to focus better.
64 percent are better able to complete tasks on time.
60 percent are more relaxed at home since coworking.
92 percent were satisfied with their coworking space.
91 percent enjoyed better interactions with others.
50 percent report higher incomes.

Harvard Business Review reports that people who work this way, in coworking environments thrive more in their work than those in conventional office environments. What makes coworking spaces work so well? The answers may have important implications for conventional office philosophy and design.

The factors that go into success for the coworking environment may provide important metrics for the assessment of a successful office environment. The HBR survey of several hundred workers in coworking spaces around the U.S. revealed important factors that predict “thriving.”

Key Metrics:

The key business metrics for coworking office space are measures that predict “thriving” and positive impacts of coworking spaces on productivity and satisfaction.

People who use coworking office space see their work as meaningful. Those who work in coworking environments are free to choose the projects they care about. They can “bring their whole selves to work.”
Coworking spaces are filled with members who work for a range of companies, ventures, or projects. There is no direct competition or internal politics. There is no need for a false work persona.
Coworking has become something of a culture that has been developing a social mission. An online document called the “Coworking Manifesto” is signed by members from 1,700 working spaces. An annual “Global Coworking Unconference” (GCU) (pronounced “juicy,” held in 5 location around the world) brings a sense of identity, participation and mission to the coworker.
Coworking spaces are normally available on demand 24/7. People have nearly absolute power to decide when they work and how long. They can choose to work in collaborative spaces or private spaces. They can even work from home. However, the coworking environment provides a community and a specific location for work, that provides a sense of structure and discipline hat motivates the workers.
Feeling part of a community is a chief reason why people pay to work in a community space rather than in isolation or at home.

If you were to measure the power of coworking space, use measures that assess:

Workers’ attitudes toward the meaningfulness of their work.
Feelings of competitiveness among co-workers.
Involvement in the “culture of coworking.
Use of office space in off hours and irregular ways.
Feeling that the office space provides a motivating sense of community, structure and discipline.

Increasing numbers of employees of larger companies are choosing to work in coworker environment, rather than telecommuting from home or working in the corporate offices. Employees of Visa, large financial institutions, and journalists from newspapers like the Chicago Tribune are among them. The innovation team from Richo worked out of coworking space for several months to explore some new products, including their “Smart Presenter,” paperless meeting solution. Some companies, like Menlo Innovations in Ann Arbor, Michigan have actually enlarged their offices so that start-up companies and early-stage entrepreneurs can work alongside their staff.

Coworking Methods Applied to Corporate Environments:

The lessons of coworking spaces can be applied to corporate offices.

Encouraging flexibility and support for a mobile workforce.
Creating the right kind of social work environment inside corporate office walls.
Enable people to craft their own work environment in ways that give them purpose and meaning.
Establish a balance of desk seats and shared settings for collaborative work and quiet work.
Enable people to make connections and build working communities beyond formal meetings.

Please contact us to learn more about coworking office space.

Here is a look at a coworking office space in Seattle Washington:

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Coworking office spaces: Passing fancy or growing phenom?

Are coworking office spaces just a trend or are they here to stay? That was a question posed by editorialist Robert Trigaux in a recent piece published by The Tampa Bay Times. Tampa Bay is, like many places across the nation and the world, seeing a growing number of coworking offices, pushed by the last economic downturn and what he described as a “gig economy” — that is, people less interested in being part of a large corporation and more interested in being an entrepreneur.

The coworking office spaces are on the rise thanks to millennial workers thinking out of the box, baby boomers wanting to engage in a new kind of work, and startups looking to share their space with people who have a similar entrepreneurial vision. The environments of these spaces may vary widely, Trigaux writes, but good ones feature 24/7 access, month-to-month commitments, amenities, and the opportunity and culture that comes with people sharing a space. It also offers mobility for those who need an office some of the time, but not so much other times. The typical coworker spends less than twenty hours a week in his or her space, he states.

While some feel that coworking office spaces will never replace the traditional 9-5 office setting, Trigaux sees coworking arrangements — which feature less turnover rate than gyms — as a place that is inspiring workers to move toward more innovation. And innovation is always a good thing.

Are you looking for an ideal coworking space, or are you interested in providing one to others? Let us lend you our knowledge and expertise in the matter at no cost to you! Contact us today for more information.