What is Flexible Workspace? Why Flexible Office Spaces are becoming common

A flexible workspace is an office space with an environment where employees can work in a variety of settings. This could be a coworking space, hot desks or an open office floor plan. 

Flexible workspaces are becoming more common as business look for ways to be more agile and productive, while also having the freedom to scale up or down as necessary. This office model, also known as 'flexispace', provides employees with the freedom to work in any location. 

Types of flexible workspaces 

There are a range of flexible workspaces a business can incorporate, with each one having its own merit.

One of the most common is a serviced office, which is a fully furnished, private workspace that businesses can lease on flexible terms. This is often seen as the ideal solution for businesses that want the professionalism of a corporate environment without the long-term commitment of a traditional lease, as it provides a sense of stability and a prestigious business address.

A dedicated private office is another popular type of flexible workspace, where businesses have their own lockable, assigned space within a premium building. This gives teams a consistent home base to work from while still benefiting from shared amenities and support services, encouraging productivity and a more focused workplace.

Fully fitted office floors are also becoming increasingly common, as they allow businesses to operate within a professionally designed environment that is ready from day one. They also give businesses the ability to scale their space as their team grows or their needs change.

With a fully fitted office floor, the layout is one of the most important factors that will need to be considered, as well as the level of technology infrastructure and support services that come with the space. Before committing to a serviced office floor, it is important to consult with an expert to ensure that it will be the best fit for your business.

Many forms of workspace models are gaining traction, indicating a clear shift from the traditional office space. Another great example of this is the Hub-and-Spoke Office model.

Why should a business use flexible workspaces? 

Since Covid, working from home has become common place and when heavy restrictions were in place, the trend of flexible workspaces not only enabled businesses to continue to operate, but also shed light on how employees can remain efficient under these conditions. 

There are many advantages of using flexible workspaces, including: 

- Increased productivity: employees have the freedom to work in a variety of settings which suits their needs. This improves on morale which leads to employees being more productive and taking less unnecessary sick days. 

- Cost savings: businesses can save on costs by not having to lease a traditional office space. This is often the most pivotal factor when a business is deciding between the desired workspace. 

- Scalability: businesses can easily scale up or down their workspace requirements as needed. As a result, it also reduces the risk factor of having to commit to a lease which is often the biggest difficulty for small business. 

- Access to talent: businesses can tap into a global pool of talent by using coworking spaces. This factor may also tie into cost if the talent's location has a weaker currency. 

Are flexible workspaces still trending? 

Flexible workspaces are not only trending but they are here to stay. With the rise of the gig economy and more businesses looking for ways to be agile, it's no surprise that flexible workspaces are becoming more popular. 

Statistics on how common flexible workspace is: 

- In 2018, there was a 22% growth in the number of flex workspaces globally. 

- In 2019, there were 30,000+ flexible spaces worldwide. 

- The global flexible workspace market is expected to grow from $26 billion in 2019 to $77 billion by 2030. 

For smaller businesses where once having a traditional office space was a high priority to appear established, is no longer a stress factor thanks to the preference of flexible workspaces. 

Essential aspects of flexible workspaces 

When looking for a flexible workspace, there are a few key aspects that you should keep in mind, such as: 

- The location: it's important to find a space that is easily accessible for your employees. Without easy access to the office space, the whole concept of flexible workspace is defeated. 

- The type of space: as discussed, there are a variety of flexible workspace options available, so it's important to find one that best suits the needs of your business.  

- The Layout: this should be conducive to the type of work that will be done there. 

- The Amenities: the space should have all the amenities that your employees need in order to be productive.  

- The Price: this should be within your budget but also should consider the value being received. Settling for a cheap solution which offers minimal value will only take your business a step back. 

Serviced Offices

Why is Servcorp Serviced Offices better than others? 

Servcorp Serviced Offices are the perfect solution for small businesses because they offer all the amenities of a large corporate office without the high price tag.

Servcorp's serviced offices are located in prime locations around the world and give access to amenities such as:

• Enterprise-level technology: Whether it's a tier 1 internet connection with customisable Wi-Fi security or call routing technology that gives you full control over your business communications through a dedicated receptionist assigned to answer your calls, Servcorp has it all.
• Meeting rooms: Our meeting rooms are designed to impress clients and help you close deals. For businesses that need a professional setting for client meetings or team presentations, Servcorp's fully equipped meeting rooms are ready when you are.
• Community events: These events are great for networking and building relationships with other businesses in the Servcorp community.
• Printing, scanning, and photocopying: While these may be standard across other providers, Servcorp has its own unique OneFax technology to ensure high levels of security.
• Onsite IT support: With our team of IT professionals, you can be sure that any issues you have will be resolved quickly and efficiently.

In addition, Servcorp's serviced offices come with fully furnished, move-in-ready private spaces that give businesses their own dedicated environment within a world-class building. This is ideal for businesses that want a professional, permanent address while still benefiting from the flexibility to adjust their space as their team grows or their needs evolve.