Are you looking to avoid the high costs and lock-in contracts of a traditional office setup? We have good news for you. There are far more flexible, productive, supportive, and exciting options than most people realize.
To help you find the right one to suit your needs, here are five new alternatives to the traditional office:
1. A Serviced Office
A serviced office is a completely furnished, ready-to-go space that is managed by a central company. You can generally rent a single office, a full floor, a mix of offices, or even just some space in a co-working setup.
The best serviced offices offer:
- Fully-furnished, modern spaces
- Access to extras like gyms, breakout spaces, and more
- Flexible leases with many as short as a month
- COVID-Safe cleaning protocols
- No need to worry about building maintenance
- Reduced overheads
It’s a great choice if you want to enjoy exceptional office space for your business without the costs associated with a traditional office rental.
2. Hot-desking
Hot desking is where you pay for access to an office desk on an hourly, weekly, or monthly contract basis. Hot desking can be a complete office or a desk in a room with other hot-deskers are working. Sometimes, you can also have a dedicated desk that you rent out for unlimited use.
It’s a great setup if you are one of the nearly 600 million entrepreneurs currently working hard to make it in the digital age. You get complete flexibility, access to the building’s facilities, and the opportunity to network with like-minded people.
3. A Virtual Office
A virtual office gives you a range of valuable services that you can access from anywhere you have an internet connection. Every virtual office business differs, but most offer the following:
- Access to private meeting rooms at a reduced rate
- A dedicated postal address and mail handling services
- A dedicated phone number that can be connected to answering services (usually at an extra charge)
- Virtual meeting services
- Flexible contract terms
It’s a great option if you want to present a professional image without having to pay for an office rental.
4. A Home Office
Nearly 90% of people expect to be working from home after the pandemic is fully over. This means that many homebuyers are now looking for properties that come with an office or a room that can be converted into one.
Your home office could be a loft conversion, a summerhouse, a spare bedroom, a garage, or a garden shed – the only rule is that it must accommodate your working-from-home needs. Generally, sofas and kitchen counters don’t cut it long-term. However, if you have a room that could be converted into your ideal office space, this can be a great way to save money and cut out your commute.
5. Accommodating Cafes
There are many cafés that now accommodate remote workers and freelancers. These cafés usually offer unlimited WIFI, plenty of desks and power points, and of course, deliciously caffeinated brews made from the finest coffee beans.
Just be sure not to be too demanding when you use these spaces. Buy a few drinks to justify your presence, and avoid rude faux pas like bringing your own packed lunch and eating it at the table. It’s also worth going to a freelancer-friendly café and not small independent businesses that have limited tables and rely on fast customer turnover.
“Flexibility is the key to stability.” – John Wooden
Working productively and comfortably no longer needs to involve a traditional office. The options above can help you save money and grow your business in an environment and style that works for you.
