Your Office Style is Important
While one would be forgiven for assuming this post is directed at discussing the effect painting your walls blue has on your well being, there is a more important business purposes behind it.
The most important consideration is productivity. Getting feedback from your staff is the key to achieving this. Of course, if you can afford it, it is worth considering having professional planning done.
These are some of the questions you need to consider:
- Does a modern or period style better reflect your company?
- Do you need to be on the first floor?
- Do you require a self contained building?
- Do you require air conditioning, or is central heating sufficient?
- Must you have a commissionaire?
- Do your offices need to be prestigious, utilitarian, or perhaps funky?
Of course the reality is that many put keeping the cost low ahead of all of these factors. However, an office is an investment. If your premises is to be client facing, you might want to choose a more prestigious area due to the effect it will have on the perceived value of your business. Consider that if your product or service is high value, the difference of very few leads generated through this decision could more than make up for the cost.
If you may generate leads or customers from passers by, getting a ground floor location could make a dramatic difference.
On the other hand, if your London offices are not to be client facing, choosing a different district can make a dramatic difference in terms of price. Be sure to check the London office prices guide if you want an up to date approximation of current prices for office space in London.
The other questions raised here all have one thing in common. Can you guess what it might be?
That’s right, they all affect productivity. Research done on employee thoughts on their workspace revealed over 90% consider their office space as being important for their productivity level.
Also, consider growth, it might save you a headache later down the line.
I will be posting more about this research so stay tuned.
About Ian Kitchener
Ian graduated from Keele university with a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics and went on to obtain a Post Graduate diploma in Property Valuation and Law from (London) City University. He has advised Central London office occupiers for over 20 years. He loves fighting their corner and making sure they get what they need - a great office on the best commercial terms available. Ian feels that www.FindaLondonOffice.co.uk have identified a real gap in the market - to find the perfect office and then provide expert advice on the commercial negotiations against often very canny landlords. The speed and skill with which the FindaLondonOffice team do this can often make a significant contribution to their clients profitability. Ian lives in North London with his wife and 3 young children. Read more about Ian Kitchener.
