Growing your business is big and exciting, and when you get to the point where you have a few employees and steady business, there is one thing that often starts becoming more apparent. You need a space for everyone to be able to work together.
The landscape of office usage has changed over the last few years, and it is more likely you’ll be working in a hybrid situation. But that hybrid working comes with some perks for those who need office space. You can share it with another business, or you can keep your office smaller, and people can work there if and when they need to.
When it comes to going to the office, not everyone will be keen on it, so it is important that it makes sense to your business from the start. But when you have made a firm decision, and it is time to get a dedicated business space, here are tips for making sure you get the most from it.
What do you need?
There are two ways to approach getting a new office for your business: practically and getting carried away. A combination of both is the best to have or at least have someone with you – ideally, one who has your best interests in mind- to keep you on the right track.
When making a list of the things you need, it is just as important to know what you must have and what you don’t want.
Needs are the absolute non-negotiables. Do you want to have a lot of light? Do you need space for meetings and calls that are away from the regular desks? What type of facilities would you like on the premises?
Make an in-depth list, and as you go – be sure to add the reason that thing is important.
Budget
For many businesses, the budget is going to be the determining factor for what you can and can’t have. But it is worth keeping in mind that you need to make sure the price you are paying is sustainable. Startups and young businesses don’t typically buy property. Instead, it is more effective for them to rent.
Rental costs are better for budgeting, but it is smart to always go as far under your budget as possible. This is even more important for new companies.
It is not just the rental price that needs to be included – the initial fitting and relocation, furniture, utilities, deep cleaning, decoration, setting up security cameras and pass keys, plus using an ID badge printing service to make sure your employees have the right access.
Location
The best location for you and your staff might not be the best location for potential and current clients to get to. You’ll need to factor in things like parking and public transport access.
Location can be a key factor when clients and customers are considering hiring or buying from a company. And it plays an important part when hiring, too.
The general location shouldn’t be somewhere that you’d worry about walking by during the day or night, and ideally, in a clearer area.
If you have the opportunity to rent an office space in a location that is currently receiving or on the list for a cash injection to improve the area, that could be worth some consideration.
Consider the average commute time with multiple different travel options, and see if there is something that could be reached in an hour or less. This will vary based on the structure and size of the city you live in. Generally, though, it is better to try and match your and your staff’s commute time with the average for the area. Long commutes with high costs become unsustainable for most – and it is a fast way to lose great staff.
Growth
You’ve grown to the point that you need office space, and you will undoubtedly grow again. So when you are looking at office space, discuss the possibility of other floors being available at a later date. Take a look at the layout, and would it be possible to move things around and add more desk space should you need it?
But, it is just as important to know that just because you keep growing doesn’t mean you need to keep upheaving your business and sizing up. A lot can be done with the right timetable and seating arrangements.
Commercial estate agent
A tool that you can’t do without is a great commercial estate agent. You don’t need to stick to just one; you can use multiple – but finding the right one for you will make a significant difference in the speed of the process.
Look for a commercial estate agent with plenty of experience in smaller businesses, specifically the type of office you are looking for. The right estate agent will be able to make sure that you are seeing properties quickly, negotiate on your behalf, and, in some cases, see spaces before they are even listed.
Community
The community around your business can make a significant difference in your first few months. Ahead of signing on the dotted line, make sure that you take some time to speak to the other business owners in the area. Some locations have a tight-knit business owners’ association, and you will be expected to contribute and take part. Other times, there might be nothing that you need to know about. One thing is for sure, though: it is always important for your business to integrate into the community well.
Experience
What does the experience of coming to your office premises look like? Is there a reception with a coffee machine for people waiting? Do you have a specific brand color that will make a big impact? Are you a green company and heavy on recycling and eco-friendly practices?
As you, when the company moves from the home into a permanent office space, what is that it should look and feel like? You can take inspiration from some of the best offices in the world. Here are a couple of things to take a look at and get some inspiration from:
- Google – in Zurich
- Bark – in Columbus, Ohio
- Gusto – in San Francisco
- Mindvalley – in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Slack – in San Francisco
The experience is something that makes the working environment healthy and productive for your workers, but it also makes the location somewhere clients want to be and want to be seen in, too.
Think carefully about the features that will suit your current business and future goals.
Culture
If, up until now, your team has been remote, then the company culture is going to be something new, and that is something that you need to consider. When it happens on Teams or Zoom, communication can look different in person.
Think about your vision for the company and anything that you figure is important for the whole team when you are in the same space. What are the important factors that you will be looking to uphold? Wellness? Collaboration? PTO? Support? What is going to matter to your team and you in the long term – if you were to hire new people in the future, what would you want them to see and experience?
Making sure that your company has a healthy office culture isn’t something that comes easy, and it will change over time, too.
And one area that everyone sees first is the exterior!
