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Year: 2013

HELPFUL TIPS FOR CHOOSING AN OFFICE SPACE FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Posted on by aleks

Having a business address is very important for the image of your business.  Below are a few tips to get you thinking about some of the things to consider when looking for a new business address –

  • Choose the type of office space that best suits your budget. If you can get an interior office for much less than a window (external) office, save the money.
  • Get the most prestigious business address that fits your budget.  Having a good business address will show your customers that you truly mean business.
  • Never run your business from a P.O. Box address.  Nothing makes customers more hesitant about doing business with you then to see a P.O. Box as your address, it makes them wonder if you will be around tomorrow.  Look at Virtual Offices, these offer far more than a P.O. Box, make your clients feel more secure about your company and are not that much more expensive.
  • Visit the office space before you choose.  Ask for a tour of the office and make sure that it fits the image you want to put forward to your customers.  Are the staff friendly, helpful and professional or did they come across as pushy and just trying to get you to sign up and if this is the case, how will they treat your customers when they come to visit you?
  • Avoid being at the MOST prestigious business address.  If your customers see your business address is at the most expensive building in the city, they may back away because they feel you will be more expensive than your competition.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE, THEN CONTACT SERVICED OFFICE COMPANY ON 0800 319 6600, WE HAVE OFFICES IN MANCHESTER AND LONDON THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE ALL YOUR REQUIREMENTS.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT OFFICE SPACE FOR YOUR COMPANY

Posted on by aleks
  • Trying to find the right office space for your business can be very challenging, because if you end   up in the wrong one, this will have so many repercussions for your business.
  • There are many different uses for your office, no matter how small or large your business can be.
  • This is where you will work on a daily basis for many hours and it needs to be comfortable for you.
  • It may also be where you meet with potential clients and people who you do business with, so you want to look professional and you also want them to be comfortable.

LOCATION

  • When you think about a location for an office space there are lots of factors to be considered, otherwise your workplace can turn into a living nightmare.
  • Your clients, both current and prospective, have to be considered.
  • Your employees, will it impact your current ones, as well as the available labour pool.

after much planning and consideration we ensured that both of our centres were located in hub of the London and Northwest’s business environments, Davenport house in London (Canary Wharf) and Imperial Court in Manchester (Salford Quays),  areas which are also easily accessible by road and public transport.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

  • Before signing on the dotted line, it is important to know exactly what you are getting yourself into with your new office space.
  • Does your office building support your business requirements and regulations?
  • You would feel cheated if you have overlooked vital terms and conditions mentioned in the fine print of your agreement.
  • This oversight may just result in you overpaying your service providers. You should check there is enough flexibility in the terms and conditions without being too restrictive.

T&C’s are available for perusal at any time, just contact us by telephone or email and we will email them to you immediately.

FACILITIES

  • Air conditioning, plumbing, heating and waste disposal will all need careful consideration, but are often overlooked.
  • Will you need to provide any of these yourselves?

 offer all of the above facilities within your one monthly cost and maintain everything on your behalf, therefore offering a very comfortable environment for your employees and no worry or additional cost outlay for yourself or your business.

 PERIOD OF LEASE/LICENCE

  • Make sure you consider possible future growth.
  • A short-term lease may be ideal if the growth is hard to forecast.

 offer 1 month to 12 month renewable licence agreements, thus offering the flexibility required.

 COST

  •  A proper budget can save a lot of stress down the road. Nobody wants to go over budget when moving offices, so have a clear idea of all costs involved beforehand to avoid surprises later on.

one monthly cost covering all of the following ensures you can keep to your budget:

  • Rent
  • Service Charge
  • Rates
  • Utilities (including Air-Conditioning)
  • Furniture
  • Communal kitchens, breakout area and complimentary beverages
  • Receptionist and telephone answering
  • Cleaning

AMOUNT OF SPACE

  • The number of personnel and their required workspace is the largest determinant of the necessary office space for a business.
  • Think about the different amenities that you need in your office, as well as amenities that can be shared with other tenants in the building (communal space).

do not believe in cramped space and all our desks are 1600, so lots of space for each person to work. In our communal areas we offer modern kitchen facilities and even breakout rooms with football tables for a little R&R.

IT AND TELEPHONES

  •  Does the office offer the IT infrastructure your business requires and if not what would be the costs involved to install or upgrade this?
  • Thinking about the suitability of your shortlisted spaces for your IT needs, can save you time and money later.

have the latest telephones with a VOIP system and in addition to this we also have the quickest broadband speed in the area, again all within one monthly cost.  Therefore no installation costs to chip away at your budget and we worry about the support, whilst you just use the system.

If you feel that Serviced Office Company can tick all the boxes for your new office location, then please contact us on 0800 319 6600.

TIME TRAVEL IN SALFORD QUAYS, MANCHESTER

Posted on by aleks

The above stunning time travelling snap has been created by an aspiring photographer and recently published in the local newspaper. Neil Pearson put together this image, which shows how times have changed in the area from 50 years ago until the present day.  This photograph is the main route from Chester Road towards Trafford and clearly shows SOC – Imperial Court as it’s present day section merging with the old mode of transport 50 years ago.

How to Keep Cool in the Office

Posted on by aleks

 While met with excitement from school children currently on summer break, news that the UK heatwave will continue long into next week was almost drowned-out by the collective groan from office workers.

With another week of air conditioning and body odor fear looming, we’ve decided to take matters into our own hands by compiling this list of alternative ways to keep cool in the office. And no – none of them include walking around barefoot (we’re looking at you, Deputy Prime Minister).

  • Colour change. Like a true chromatophore, shaking up your colour scheme works wonders in the heat. Trading in blacks and navys for a lighter, fresher palette of light greys, taupe, blues, and browns will better reflect the sun’s rays. Consider the fabric, too. Sticking to lightweight cottons is your best option – synthetic fibres are workplace suicide on hot days.
  • Don a suit to the office? Avoid short-sleeves under your jacket. This is just etiquette – and, unfortunately, etiquette makes very few allowances for hazy summer days. Aren’t we a strange and unique species? Roll up your sleeves when it comes to time in front of the computer – this will allow you to cool of quicker, whilst retaining a level of professionalism.
  • Always travel with a strong antiperspirant and a spare shirt. Endured the commute from hell? At least you’ll be able to freshen up when you arrive at your desk.
  • Drink water constantly. Two thirds of Americans don’t drink enough water on a daily basis anyway, but there’s no time more imperative to do so than when the temperatures are high. Make the water cooler your best friend. Add a little mint, or a slice of orange or cucumber, to maximise freshness (and deliciousness).
  • Keep air circulating throughout your office. While experts vary in opinion as to whether windows open or closed is the best policy, circulation is absolutely imperative in getting rid of that stuffy humidity. Fans, open doors, and air conditioning will provide moments of complete refreshment throughout the day.
  • Make sure you turn off unnecessary appliances and devices. A computer on standby produces a surprising amount of heat, which can have a negative effect on your perfect climate zen.
  • Avoid stress! Fuses may be shorter when the temperature is higher, so be sure to take a minute out. Grab another glass of water (two birds, one stone), stretch, and approach tasks and co-workers with a positive mental attitude. Actually, this tip is good for any time of year.

By Jack Cooper | Published 19 July, 2013

Are Serviced Offices A Good Option For Small Businesses?

Posted on by aleks

Serviced offices sound like they would be an expensive option – putting them out of the reach of most small businesses, but in reality they can provide good value for money accommodation to help the small business develop and grow.

The biggest advantage of using a serviced office is the flexibility that it offers. You can quickly upsize or downsize in conjunction with your business needs without being penalised from being tied down to a lease. The ability to adapt to the market place is essential in today’s economy; it is important to be able to respond to the market quickly, so being able to grow at little notice is a business benefit in itself. In addition to this simplicity your outgoings are easy to budget, with only one monthly bill rather than rent, maintenance charges, internet and utility bills and your service plan can be arranged to suit you, whether or not your office needs are a full, part or short-term lease.

Different serviced office companies will offer different facilities, some include additional staff, furniture and assets that you may need. A good provider can provide additional staff who work reception for you; taking calls, post and greeting visitors in the building. This service makes it easier to maintain a professional client-facing business without the additional costs associated with more employees. Similarly, facilities and maintenance staff are taken care of, making sure you don’t need to worry about security and cleanliness. Well-trained, skilled staff are a real business asset, so having a serviced office that provides them for you for maintenance and reception work gives an otherwise small business an invaluable edge.

Setting up a business can be expensive with an amount of necessary capital required to buy the technology needed to run a business. Serviced offices make this easier by providing everything you need without having to purchase things up front. They can take care of desks and chairs, telephones, IT infrastructure and even kitchen facilities where required. If things go wrong, service operators can take care of any problems – effectively providing you with your very own IT department, supporting you and the needs of your small business.

Serviced offices also offer property at standards and locations that otherwise would be difficult to achieve with the small budget of a starting company. The image that you present to your clients and customers is of the utmost importance – and serviced offices offer great looking spaces in prime locations whatever your budget. Costs will of course vary with the service plan that you choose, the location and the size, but this doesn’t mean that they are more expensive, in fact they offer a cost effective solution and can be cheaper than a conventional lease, particularly when the added benefits are considered.

The advantages of serviced offices make them the perfect option for small businesses starting up, but they also offer a good permanent solution. Ultimately, serviced offices make things easier, taking care of the mundane but necessary task of maintaining your office space, leaving you to concentrate on what matters – your business. (This entry was posted in Business Issues by FlexiOffices.)

Serviced Office Company Limited can offer you all of the above at either one of their locations in London or Manchester – contact us on 0800 319 6600 for more details.