As a business owner, choosing the right office space is one of the most vital decisions of your career. Providing a functional yet comfortable base for your employees will ensure maximum productivity – and contribute to your overall success.
But creating an environment that your colleagues genuinely want to work in is no easy feat. Despite over a third of workers saying they would quit if they had to work in the office full-time, there’s been a recent shift away from the home setup.
Young professionals who started remote roles through the pandemic now find that hybrid working promotes a healthier work-life balance. So, when it comes to setting up an office that your colleagues will want to return to, you need to focus on security, convenience, and collaboration. Here’s how.
Setting up An Office: Key Considerations
Location
Firstly, your office needs to be accessible – even for the employees who don’t drive. Try to choose an urban or semi-urban location within easy access of public transport routes. Check the nearest train stations and bus stops before making any detailed enquiry on a commercial property. If it’s inaccessible to any of your colleagues, it should be a no-go.
Furthermore, choosing the right location is key to attracting and retaining the best talent for your company. Cities draw graduates, young talents, and more diversity in prospective applicants too. Being centrally located could also bring wider benefits for your business.
Safety
Making sure that you, your assets, and your staff will be safe inside the office is crucial. During the planning stages, try to research local crime rates. If you’re set on a certain location but think you could be at risk of theft, you’ll need to seek thorough security measures too.
These might include entry barriers, security guards, and secure key-fob access systems. Check if the building has CCTV too, as this could prove invaluable in the event of anything unexpected.
Infrastructure
Your team will need to have a fast, safe, and reliable internet connection. Try to choose a spot with guaranteed network service throughout the working day. Additionally, the services and facilities within the office building will determine the comfort of your employees.
Make sure that the building is equipped with modern kitchen and bathroom facilities. High-quality air conditioning fans and units will be essential through the summer months, and providing your staff with showers and secure bike storage could be a worthy investment too.
Size
Whether you’re a team of 5 or 150, it’s important to provide enough space for everyone to be productive. Make sure desks are large enough to be laid out without making anyone feel cramped; equally, make sure that entry areas and walkways are safe and clear.
Try to think about how often your staff will be coming into the office. If you have workers on hybrid contracts, for example, it’s unlikely that you’ll need a space large enough to fit the entire company cohort at once.
Conclusion
When you’re choosing where to set up, always try to think with your colleagues in mind. Go for sturdy, modern buildings offering all the facilities your team will need – and preferably in a convenient, accessible urban location too.