Finding the perfect office space for a business can be a major challenge. While there is a need for varied amenities in the office, you will also not want to be saddled with an exorbitant lease payment.
To ensure that your business does not struggle financially, you need to keep the terms of rent and overall costs in check. But there is a fine line between finding all desirable features of office spaces Mohali and skimping on expenses.
Importance of Office Space
The first thing to do is to understand the importance of a well-designed office space:
- Helps keep workers productive
The main aim of an office is to keep employees productive. It must cater to the needs of employees and avoid issues like long commutes and uncomfortable ambience that can hinder productivity.
- Promotes collaboration
The USP of an office is that people can work in tandem in contrast to work from home. There is no point if an office lacks a collaborative environment.
- Makes growth easy
A properly designed office takes the future into consideration. The design is a way of anticipating physical scaling and growth.
- Boosts the morale of employees
A great office not only promotes productivity but also a supportive attitude of employees towards one another and the business. Employees must feel proud of office swag like logos and colours, as well as promote a work-life balance that will boost employee morale.
- Reflects company culture
Consider the message sent by the office design to customers and employees. Therefore, you should pay attention to office design.
Tips for Selecting Office Space
- Accessibility and location
Where is your office? It must be accessible to all kinds of commuters, such as those travelling by bus, train, or car. Studies have revealed that 50% of employees report being late to work because of gridlock or traffic issues. So, it is good to plan for a convenient location for the office space, like one that is distant from crowded traffic. It could also be beneficial if the office is located near shopping malls, coffee shops, restaurants, gyms and transport hubs like airports, metro rail and bus stops.
- Don’t look for perfect
While searching for office space, note that there is nothing like a perfect spot. Instead, identify certain features of the space you keenly want and measure the office designs in consideration against these. So, don’t waste time finding the perfect space; be practical. Avoid being a business that suffers from loss of profits due to investing in a fancy office.
- Price of the office
One of the major investments made by a company includes its office space. But this is a tricky proposition. It is too expensive, and it could drain profits. It’s too cheap, and you could be saddled with an inconvenient, cramped space.
The ultimate decision on the budget of the office space rests on the business manager or owner. While conducting research on design and location, be sure to track hidden fees such as parking fees, maintenance fees and other myriad expenses.
- Go near to customers
This is a factor that impacts the location of the office. You must identify the persona of your core customer and go where the office is easily accessible to them. For example, if you are a real estate company, your office must be located near lenders, property managers, brokers etc.
- Begin small
When the business is just starting out, keep expenses to a minimum through arrangements like sharing desks or working from hallways. You must steer thoroughly clear of spending money on fancy office space as well as furniture. The latter can be done after beginning to generate revenue. Therefore, begin your business by working in convenient and affordable options like co-working office spaces. You can retract and expand as per the fate of your sales without being tied down by a huge commercial lease.
- Go in for communal space
Consider opting for coworking spaces in Mohali. It may be possible to find business partners and other small businesses with whom you can collaborate. Co-working spaces are highly flexible, with both open spaces and private cubicles.
- Consider technology
This being the digital age, an office needs a lot of technology. Firstly, your office may need fast internet services. Certain office space may include internet costs in the rent or lease costs. Other technology needs include a tech-based security system like bio-metric entry for employees and CCTV surveillance of the building. Technological infrastructure can keep employees productive and the office space safe and secure.
- Office amenities
Employees will spend a major part of the day in the office space. As such, it must feature amenities that add to their comfort. While choosing office space, conduct a preview of closets, kitchens and bathrooms. A gym is also a welcome addition. Wellness programs in the workplace have proved to reduce healthcare costs, and over 80% of employees have a fondness for gyms in the workplace.
- Design and layout
You must not overlook certain features of office space design. These include acoustics, general aesthetics, proximity to nature, air quality, ventilation, and natural light, all of which impact worker productivity and employee’s health as well as morale.
Note that the feel and look of the office space impact both employees and clients. So, try to ensure that office space reflects positively on the business and its employees.
Size and Potential for Growth
The size of the office space must reflect the size of the company. A typical rule of thumb is that every employee must have a minimum of 70 square feet. However, there could be variations depending on the nature of the business. But while you may wish to cut corners, you must not crowd employees into cramped spaces.
The office may serve as an avenue for growth or cause the downfall of a business. It can impact how efficiently and quickly the business can scale in the long run. If you are confident about the growth of the business and need to hire more persons in the future, you need to make suitable investments in the office space today.
In sum, you, as a business owner or manager, should create an office space with an environment that fosters morale, productivity and collaboration. This is not a difficult task if you follow the above tips. Ultimately, you must create a space where employees love to come to every day.