Workstyles of todays average employee have greatly evolved. In the past, work generally meant going to the office and sticking to a 9-to-5 schedule. Today, the work day has taken on a different form because it no longer requires the employee to be in one place to complete a days work. This does not mean that the traditional office setting is dead. It still works--it just needed some tweaking to better serve the new and ever-changing needs of todays businesses as well as a younger generation of talented employees. This is where the flexibility of shared office space has met the needs of both evolving businesses and a younger generation of workers.

WHAT IS A SHARED OFFICE SPACE?

A shared office space involves a setting where multiple people or businesses use the same office space. Many of these spaces are leased out by offices that have oversized facilities, although there are now companies specializing in shared spaces, renting out desks and other office amenities. Because essentially everything a company or business would need is already in the facility, shared office spaces also take away the hassle of furnishing an office, which allows a tenant to save on those costs.

PART 1: HOW DO SHARED OFFICE SPACES WORK?

WHO IS A SHARED OFFICE SPACE BEST SUITED FOR?

Using a shared office space is a great option for small business owners, freelancers, and even telecommuters. While larger businesses almost always have their own office, they may still consider a shared office space when expanding to other locations, using the facility before they acquire their own. But since shared office spaces generally include what a company needs to function day-to-day, it is not unusual for even larger businesses to opt for long-term stays in shared offices.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Shared office spaces vary in size and layout, which may affect the kind of arrangement enforced within a facility. For instance, some may have pre-assigned areas or desks while others follow a simple hot-desking rule where tenants are free to use any desk or cubicle as long as it is vacant.

Payment options and billing arrangements will also depend on the shared office facility. Some charge customers daily, while others operate on a weekly or monthly basis. There are also cases where customers can opt to pay separate fees to use other amenities and services, like conference rooms and secretarial services. Paying for just what you need is great for small businesses and start-ups that have to be particularly mindful of their spending.

Shared office spaces offer a great deal of flexibility to address the exact needs of their tenants but expect general rules to be in place to ensure everyone in the facility is able to do the work they set out to do. Make sure you know all terms, conditions, and rules enforced in a facility to ensure that your stay in a shared office space is a pleasant one.

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Ready to dive into the world of shared office spaces? If yes, make sure you choose the best one by learning what makes for a good shared office space. Read on for more!

PART 1: HOW DO SHARED OFFICE SPACES WORK?

The kind of shared office space you choose will affect how productive you will be so its important to choose the right one. Essentially, what you choose should be guided by your needs so make sure that, before you dive into the selection process, you know what youre looking for. This will quickly narrow the options, making it easier for you to spot the right choice.

A good shared office is:

ACCESSIBLE

It is important for offices to be centrally located. The same goes for shared office spaces. Getting shared office space in an accessible location makes it easy to get to not just for you but your employees and clients as well.

AFFORDABLE

Fortunately, the wide range of options for shared office space means that theres sure to be one at every price point, helping ensure that whatever budget you might have, there will be choices available to you. Generally though, shared office spaces are more affordable than getting your own office space, even when located in a prime spot in the city.

SPACIOUS

Or at least, spacious enough. Different businesses have different space requirements so choose based on what will work for you. What if you need to expand or downsize in the future? No problem. Shared office spaces are flexible enough to accommodate changing needs so you dont have to worry about your future office space needs.

PART 2: WHAT MAKES FOR A GOOD SHARED OFFICE SPACE?

EQUIPPED

One of the best things about shared office spaces is that they are ready for use right off the bat. This means you just have to plug in and you can start working. Shared office spaces may vary in the amount of equipment they offer so be sure to evaluate equipment as part of your deciding factors. Some shared offices include basic equipment in all contracts and then charge extra for additional equipment.

SAFE

Does your shared office space have a working fire exit and water sprinklers? Are the lockers durable enough to keep your items safe while youre away? Is the building in good condition? Its going to be hard to focus on your work if youre worried about your surroundings so make sure the shared office space you choose can keep you secure.

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Narrow down your choices further by zeroing in on key features for shared office spaces. Learn more about them in the last, but definitely not the least, part of this blog series.

PART 2: WHAT MAKES FOR A GOOD SHARED OFFICE SPACE?

The number of features available will vary from one shared office space to another, mostly guided by how big a certain facility is. While its easy to just zoom in on one offering the most number of services, it is more important to look at whether or not these services will address your needs. Feel free to pick out the features that appeal to you the most but, at the very least, make sure that the environment is conducive to productivity, ensuring that the following features are in place:

DESKS AND CHAIRS

As the bare minimum requirement in a shared office space, desks and chairs must be durable and comfortable enough for you to use without any trouble, regardless of how long you are planning on working. Bonus points if they particularly look good as looking appealing will help brighten your mood when youre using them, making you likelier to be productive.

NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE

As ready offices, shared office spaces should include a range of networking equipment readily available for your use, from printers to servers, ensuring that you can get right to work once you get to the facility.

PART 3: KEY SHARED OFFICE SPACE FEATURES

CUBICLES/DIVIDERS

Privacy and work area boundaries may benefit you by clearly delineating your area to help you focus on your work. This will also prevent you from accidentally encroaching on other people and affecting their work. Note: Divisions dont have to use physical dividers. It can be as simple as markings on tables or desk spacing.

CONFERENCE ROOMS

Working with a team will inevitably include meetings so youre going to need space to gather everyone. And if youre using shared office space as your business base of operations, youre going to need more private space for team meetings as well as hosting clients. Making sure your shared office space has a conference room will make meetings more convenient (and more professional!) for you. Dont forget to check with the office manager what kind of equipment their conference rooms include. Bonus points if the facility has a reception area that guests can wait in when they arrive.

What are deemed important features will vary from one person to another. However, these features cover the basics that will help you get your work done, your main goal in choosing shared office space.

PART 3: KEY SHARED OFFICE SPACE FEATURES

Metro Offices

11710 Plaza America Drive, Suite 2000 Reston, VA 20190

(877) 697-7005

Metroffice.com