Office Space News
Regus Gets Out of the Box with Office-in-a-Box Solutions
Published July 3rd, 2009 by Jennifer LeClaire
In today’s economy, companies are trying to think ‘outside of the box’ about ways to generate new revenue streams, cut costs and retain customers. Serviced office giant Regus is helping the cause with a new product line that shows it is doing some creative thinking of its own.
Regus just launched Regus-to-go, a range of ‘office-in-a-box’ solutions for home and mobile workers. What is Regus-to-go? Fifteen distinct products with various levels of access to Regus services and facilities. The products are designed to cater to all business needs regardless of location or budget.
Roger Binks, vice president of Group Marketing at Regus, says the demand for flexible working solutions is booming. He reports a three-fold increase in sales of Regus mobile product solutions since the start of 2009. That’s potentially a significant number. Of course, Binks didn’t mention what the figure was before it tripled, so it may only sound impressive.
“We believe there is further significant yet latent demand amongst many home and mobile workers who still believe that high-end professional working space is cost-prohibitive,” Binks says. “This is the B2C2B market, consumers that want business products and services. With the launch of Regus-to-go, it is within the reach of everyone with a great business idea and a passion to succeed.”
Sampling Regus-to-go
The details are still pretty slim overall. But here’s what we do know. One of the 15 products is called “Business Traveller.” It gives people access to Regus Business Lounges around the world. I am not sure how this differs from Regus’ businessworld Premium membership. After the holiday, I’ll have to ring them up and find out what the differences are, other than the fact that one is a membership and the other is a product package.
Another product in the Regus-to-go lineup is called “My Office.” This is a fully furnished ‘work-ready’ office. Not sure how many times the product lets you use the office, presumably it’s a package of X number of visits.
Then there’s Virtual Office, a premium business address and telephone number with post forwarding. Regus is also pushing the Business Start-up Kit, a bundle of products including meeting room and Business Lounge access, virtual and actual office facilities and 1,000 pounds sterling worth of business software.
“While the range will be very attractive to the start-up and home working markets, we’re also catering for larger enterprises with mobile workforces in need of a comfortable and quiet place to work productively or an occasional meeting room,” Binks says. “Regardless of business need we have a product to suit.”
Extending Regus’ Reach
Regus-to-go is available in selected High Street stores across in Great Britain and online as well as with Office Depot. Regus plans to add more retail outlets later this year, but these two stores are a good start in their respective countries. Regus-to-go will retail from 9.99 pounds sterling for a week’s business lounge access to 49.99 pounds sterling for the full business start up kit.
It is not clear whether or not Regus is selling these products in the United States. I did a quick search on OfficeDepot.com and didn’t find anything. What is clear is that Regus is using this retail strategy to raise awareness of its brand. Folks who may not have considered renting a serviced office space will stumble upon the promotions in these two retail outlets. They may be introduced to the concept for the first time or finally be convinced to take the plunge because the benefits are staring them in the face from the retail store shelf. Smart strategy, Regus.
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Melanie Jones July 3rd, 2009 at 12:13 pm
No doubt the demand for flexible work solutions is booming. These packages seem to offer serviced office flexibility. I imagine there is some sort of discount involved by buying these packages. The thing about buying packages of any kind is there’s no guarantee you’ll ever use it. So I would warn folks to make sure they are really going to leverage executive office suites or virtual offices before buying into a package.
Rob Zeus July 3rd, 2009 at 12:30 pm
The thing about Regus is they cater to everybody. They go after large enterprises, entrepreneurial interests, mobile workers looking for a place to dock. Regus is like the serviced-office-for-everybody solution. Selling packages in an Office Depot, though, would seem to cater more to small business owners than large enterprises.
Marcus Hester July 3rd, 2009 at 2:11 pm
This seems to me more of a deal where you purchased your virtual office or serviced office space in advance and then just redeem it as you need to while you are on the road. The problem when companies don’t explain things explicitly is that, well, people don’t understand exactly what you are peddling.
Maggie Correta July 3rd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Do they have Office Depot’s in Britain? If so, I never knew it. I would think Regus would want to offer these serviced office packages in the United States. But then they may just be testing it in their home market. The trend toward executive office suites is much bigger there than it is here. The price was listed in British money, so that leads me to believe it’s not available here.
Bill Brookshire July 3rd, 2009 at 3:17 pm
I can’t tell what the difference is between the Businessworld membership and these packages, either, except that maybe with the Businessworld membership you are paying a monthly fee whether you step foot in a serviced office or not. With the packages, you are paying a fee whether you step foot in a serviced office or not, too, except it’s a one-time fee rather than a monthly deal.