Office Space Advice
Find a better office for your business
Published October 15th, 2008 by Mike Sullivan
It’s your business and your life. Don’t let a poorly run office rental make you wish you had never chosen a serviced office. Here are some things to do or consider when looking for an office. But before I begin the list, there are several things to remember. You are in control. Do you homework. Know your options and the ball will always be in your court. This will give you a significant advantage and get you the best lease rate and the best office.
- Create a short list of locations. If price is important it helps to have a brand new business center (<1 year in business) in your short list (you’ll understand why later).
- Get a quote from each of them that is tailored to you. Make sure you get exactly the same quote from each. Some centers bundle everything in one number. Others break it into multiple categories. Make sure you have an apples to apples quote from each.
- Talk to at least one current client. Ask them about the phone and internet service. Ask them about the professionalism of the staff and how efficiently issues that happen around the office (like maintenance) are handled.
- Interview the staff. This is your staff for the next few months or years. You don’t want someone who you can’t get along with.
Once you’ve gotten all this information, decide on where you want to go based on your interview, client feedback, location, amenities, or whatever you’re looking for. Leverage your knowledge and understanding of the market (their nearby competitors), to negotiate a better price. If there is a local startup, you have a great opportunity to get a really good rate, or to use it as leverage with your desired suite.
For many people, price is not as important as the location and factors such as image and other services provided. If so, make sure you focus on getting feedback from multiple clients of the office.
No related posts.
New York Office Space | Chicago Office Space | Los Angeles Office Space | Dallas Office Space | Houston Office Space | Washington DC Office SpaceAbout the Author
Elizabeth Sanchez November 20th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Good practical information. You really do have to select a serviced office almost in the same way you are hiring an employee. The difference is, reputable serviced office providers have done all the heavy lifting for you. Presumably, they have chosen staff that are professional and courteous, and have installed technology and other amenities that are reliable and secure. It’s always best to talk with someone who is actually using the services. You might also ask how much turnover the managed office has. This is an indication of potential problems.