5 Reasons Summer is the Perfect Time to Move to a Shared Office Space

Summer is a great time to secure a shared office space. Between the growing number of people hanging around your house and the flexibility you need to travel, a shared office space can help solve a lot of problems for entrepreneurs.
Click through the slideshow below to learn more about how shared office space can help you work and live better this summer.

Flexible Office Space – Exploring the Benefits and Common Misconceptions

The word “flexible” plays a big role in the life of any entrepreneur or small business. Although you spend lots of time carefully crafting plans for your business, you know that you must be open to changes. Your marketing and business plans must allow for flexibility, but what about the plans for your office? Finding flexible office space can be a game-changer and really help contribute to your overall success. We are going to explore a few of the best opportunities and most common misconceptions about working in a flexible, or shared, office space.

Benefits of Flexible Office Space

Flexible, in this case, is defined as “characterized by a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements”. (source) Flexible office space understands that your business is constantly changing and offers many opportunities. These opportunities include:

  1. Lowering your overall business costs without having to work from home. A home office can seem like a great idea but ends up being a difficult environment in which to work. It’s also not the most professional setting for meetings. However, traditional office space can be too costly for a new business to support. Your best solution? A flexible office space offers a lower lease price while still allowing you to impress your important clients. Many flexible offices will also offer services, like internet and phone, that can come at reduced rates since others are also helping contributing to those costs in the building.
  2. Exposure to your brand and marketing without having to leave the office. Home offices provide little to no chances of networking or exposure for your business. Working at the local coffee shop may offer you a sense of community but will not contribute to your overall success. A flexible office environment allows small businesses to interact with people from many different industries on a daily basis. This opens up chances for revenue, partnerships and camaraderie, all included in the cost of your lease.
  3. The chance to expand your business when you’re ready. An office set in a flexible environment will offer you plenty of chances to add on new staff or take on new clients. If you plan on growing beyond a one-person operation, flexible offices are still a viable option for you. For example, choosing an office in a building that also offers traditional office solutions could mean taking on a larger space, without having to leave the location where you have already established your business.

Misconceptions of Flexible Office Space

Since the idea of flexible offices is a relatively new one, there are many misconceptions about what the spaces actually are. Here are three of the most common myths about flexible space:

  1. I will never get any work done because I can hear (see, talk to, etc.) everyone around me. Not all flexible office spaces are open-aired. Many spaces that consider themselves flexible look exactly like traditional office space – with four walls, doors, desks, etc. Choosing a flexible environment does not mean sacrificing your privacy. You can still find an office that allows you to share space and services, without distractions like loud noise or conversations.
  2. I won’t have help with administrative tasks or with items like greeting clients for meetings. Many office spaces that provide flexible options include staff to help you with items like answering phones and greeting clients. In fact, this actually can be listed as another benefit of these types of offices, since they can save you from having to hire additional staff.
  3. Flexible office spaces don’t offer the same amenities as other office buildings. This is just not true. Flexible office spaces actually can give you more amenities than some traditional offices. The right flexible space will include items like a fitness center, ample parking, and access to the technology needed for conducting day-to-day business.

It’s important to point out that just because a space is listed as flexible it does not mean that it will offer you the benefits you need while breaking these common misconceptions. You must carefully research and visit any office space you are considering. This is where the Bradley Business Center can really help.

Bradley Business Center boasts a few types of flexible space, or shared office space, options for small businesses. We include the amenities you need, with flexible leasing to help you save on costs. Also, because we also offer warehouse and corporate office space, we can give you a chance to grow your business, without having to leave our amazing North Side Chicago location. Please take a moment to contact our leasing agent and find out for yourself how flexible office space at Bradley Business Center can benefit both you as an entrepreneur and your ever-changing small business plan.

Chicago Shared Office Space – The New Way to Work

Working from home can be a distraction. Trying to operate a business from a local Starbuck’s can be loud and unreliable. While today’s technology allows us to work just about anywhere, most of the time just working anywhere really doesn’t get the job done. Many new business owners and entrepreneurs think that having a professional office space is out of their reach – that costs would prohibit them from having a dedicated workspace. Shared office space is the new way to work in a business setting, while growing your business and impressing your customers. Not sure that a Chicago shared office space is right for you? Explore these 3 reasons why utilizing shared offices, like those found in the Bradley Business Center, will help you succeed:

1. Shared Office Spaces are Cost Effective

Chicago Shared Office Space - Bradley Business Center

Chicago Shared Office Space – Bradley Business Center

Shared office spaces are available in already established buildings. These ready-made solutions are outfitted with utilities, internet and phone and have very little startup or setup time. Bradley Business Center spaces are also fully furnished, saving you even more money. By opting for a shared office space, you are also saving your business from a potentially long term lease (3-5 years) on traditional space, allowing you to work hard and keep more for your bottom line. Shared offices are low risk, and allow you to focus more on operating your business and less on managing an office.

2. Unique Marketing and Networking Opportunities

When you work in a shared office environment, you will be surrounded with other entrepreneurs and professionals. These people can become reliable business contacts and a source of client referrals. Also, having a network of people with whom to share ideas can plant seeds for marketing, promotions and client outreach opportunities.

3. Impress Clients, Customers and Contacts in a Professional Setting with a Chicago Shared Office Space

Conference Room

Bradley Center Shared Office Conference Room

Working from home does not allow great options for meetings with your clients. Inviting a potential customer into your home for a conference does not offer the best impression for your business. Shared office spaces feature professional settings that will allow you to feel comfortable inviting these important people to visit you. The Bradley Business Center, for example, features a luxury meeting room (pictured to the right), that can seat up to 10, for larger meetings. As a tenant you can also enjoy free video conferencing equipment to include any contact in your meeting. When not using the conference room, your one-on-one meetings can be held in your dedicated space, offering modern furnishings and plenty of natural light.

Convinced that getting out of the house, or Starbuck’s, and into a shared office space is right for you? The Bradley Business Center offers your company cost-effective, professional shared office spaces. You can impress clients and take advantage of the many opportunities that come along with having shared office neighbors. If you’re interested in learning more about our spaces please contact us. Working like you live has never been more comfortable than it is at the Bradley Business Center.