Renting your first shared office space? consider these factors
Like your home, your office space speaks volumes of your business and its operations. Its arrangement, accessibility, location, layout, security, and facilities are all important to the success and growth of your business.That said, if you live in Dubai and you are looking at renting a shared office space for the first time, you may want to ensure that you go for one that suits your needs and makes a good impression on your clientele. Below, we have highlighted some of the crucial things you need to consider before snapping up your first shared office space in Dubai.
1. Location
Location is one of the most important factors you need to consider before securing your first coworking space in Dubai. The location of your business will determine the time and money you'll have to spend transporting yourself from your house to your workplace. With that in mind, you must consider a shared office space that is close to your home. It would help if you also considered the infrastructure around the office. What type of neighborhood is the office located in?
Is it suitable for your business operations? If you are haulage or a logistics company in Dubai, you may want to consider the road. You wouldn't want to have your vehicle stuck in the mud whenever it rains. Such an occurrence could be a major setback for your business.
2. Budget
Your budget should arguably be the second on the list of the things you need to consider before renting your first coworking space. If you are a business owner who is just starting, the chances are that you'll have several expenses to shoulder. And to ensure that your business is well-actualized, you will want to keep your business expenses to the bare minimum.Even if you have the money to spend, splashing the cash on your working space may not be a good move, especially if you don’t expect regular visits from clients. So, ensure you select an office space that fits appropriately into your budget and not an office space that compels you to slash an important budget or take out a loan.You shouldn't see this move as a reform or downgrade but a way to ensure that you get the best for what you want to spend. Paying a huge fee as rent each month can be a huge liability for your business, and I bet you wouldn't want that.
3. Amenities
A good coworking space should have the necessary amenities required for the smooth running of your business. The absence of some of these amenities won't only create an uncomfortable and unsafe working environment for your staff; it'll also make a wrong impression on your customers.Imagine renting a shared working space with terrible Wi-Fi, an awful-looking toilet, and a lackluster security team? How do you expect staff and customers to feel safe or comfortable?If you want to create an excellent working atmosphere, you must consider the amenities of the shared office space you wish to rent.
Some of the essential amenities you should keep an eye out for are:
- 24 hours security
- Safe lockers
- Heating and A/C
- Wi-Fi
- Printers/ Scanners
- Backup generator
- Maintenance
- Cafeteria
4. Flexibility
When searching for the perfect coworking space to rent for your business, ensure you go for one with flexibility. Flexibility here means a few things.Can the workspace keep up with the growth of your business?
Or, if your business grows the following year, will you have to relocate because the space is small and cannot accommodate your business anymore?No business loves to move all the time, it makes them lose customers, and it comes with its share of expenses. To ensure that you aren't always on the go, imagine where your business will be in the next 5 to 6 years, and rent a workspace that can accommodate the future growth of your business.Apart from flexibility as per the growth of your business, the first coworking space you decide to rent should be available to use during your work hours and off days should you choose to work. Most facilities in Dubai keep their workspace open 24/7 but halt the operation of some facilities like front desk services and cafeteria after the usual work hours.Before renting an office space, ensure you ask how the facility is being run to determine if it's the best fit for your business.
5. The type of space
Before renting your first shared workspace, ensure that the type of workspace present in the facility suits your business needs. If you are starting, you wouldn't want to rent a workspace that can cater to 200 staff. Even if you imagine your business to grow within the next few years, renting an office space that can accommodate 200 staff isn’t a wise move. You’ll only be wasting money that ought to be invested in other core areas in your business.On the other hand, if you own a business with 200 staff, it makes sense to rent a shared office space that can accommodate such a number and maybe slightly more if you record significant growth. A cramped workspace can ruin a working atmosphere. For optimum productivity and achievement, you need a conducive workspace.
Final Thoughts
Renting your first shared office space doesn’t have to be a hassle, neither does it have to be a complicated process. Provided you know what you need from your coworking space, you should find the ideal match.Also, you can leverage the factors mentioned in these articles, use them to fine-tune your decision. Hopefully, in the end, you'll rent an office space that takes your business to greater heights.
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