LOCATION: Location matters! The top consideration as a business seeking a new home would be accessibility and address. The ideal location is easily accessible for both your employees and potential clients. It should also be in a reputable area that not only ensures safety to your clients but one that speaks to your business position and aligns with the business high value products and service. Areas in Nairobi that largely meet expectations include Upper hill, Gigiri, Ngong Road, Riverside, Kilimani and Westlands where the Workshop Serviced Offices are located.
SPACE: Various aspects factor into the space requirements for a business ranging from office use (product display, client hosting etc.), business budget, size of the workforce et cetera. This will guide the management as they select between open working spaces, private offices and whole floor options as seen in various co working spaces an example being the Workshop Serviced Offices located in Westlands.
AMENITIES: The average employee spends at least 40 hours a week at work; this includes in office (and out of office) tasks and activities. It is therefore vital to ensure that there is adequate support to staff to ensure satisfaction and subsequently productivity. Some of the ideal serviced co working office amenities to look out for in shared and co working spaces are; reliable internet connection, admin support, printing and copier services, cleaning and janitorial services, fully fitted kitchen with complementary refreshments et cetera.
FLEXIBILITY: Kenneth form Workshop Serviced offices tells us that what most clients look for is flexibility. The working environment has changed due to modernization of roles and the new normal due to the Covid 19 reality discussed last week. Clients no longer want to be bogged down by the responsibility and cost of owning an office thus the allure of the plug and play office model. Many professionals are working varied hours outside the 8 to 5 traditional model and for many who work remotely or travel to work they seek packages such as hot desk packages, weekly co working packages ,virtual offices and one-day packages.
THE PEOPLE: They say choosing your business partner is as important as choosing your spouse, and we agree! The people you work with determine the quality of your life and general daily experience. This means that it is crucial to select the most ideal employees and in the co working situation the one with people whose operations align with your organisation’s values and culture. This ranges from the conduct of the admin and front office staff to the various rules and regulations laid down by the management. Various inter office activities also come into play an example being the Friday Club at the Workshop Serviced Offices (picture pinned above) which includes various team building games and activities for all the tenants creating good rapport and networks between the various businesses.
