Nibletz Staff
There are a number of eminent serviced and virtual office facilities in Hong Kong. In fact, the demand for serviced providers like Servcorp has skyrocketed in recent years. This is, in large part, due to the continued success of the region as a destination for foreign investment. The markets here offer a wealth of opportunities for smaller businesses and entrepreneurs.
The question is, how do you pick out the best-serviced facilities? What makes a great serviced office anyway? Should it come unfurnished or ready to go? Is a long or short term lease the most practical option? These are important questions and, fortunately, they have simple answers. One of the best things about serviced workspaces is that they’re flexible enough to meet most needs.
This guide to picking the perfect serviced office will help you get your business off the ground.
Take a Tour
What you shouldn’t do is just dive in head first and take the first workspace that appears. Ideally, you want an opportunity to verify all of the claims made by a provider. In other words, if they say that their IT systems are highly sophisticated, it’s your job to check them out and confirm it. The good news is that most facilities are happy to offer guided tours.
Chat with the Front Desk
It always a good idea to stop and talk with the receptionist and front desk staff. They represent the front line of the workspace and that means your front line too. They are the hub through which all of the office activity flows, so they are the best people to ask for information. Don’t forget to find out what kind of phone answering services are available.
Consider Furnishings
Some providers offer fully furnished workspaces and others offer unbranded, unfurnished offices which are pretty much a blank slate. There are also a number of facilities which contain both, so it is up to you. Generally, entrepreneurs and small businesses find ‘ready to go’ offices a real asset, as there are few overhead costs involved with getting set up.
Check Out the Terms
One of the biggest advantages of opting for a short term lease is the freedom to renegotiate whenever you like. This shouldn’t be underestimated, because having the ability to respond to market changes, particularly in a major city like Hong Kong, is an effective way to stay stable through rocky times. Make sure that your lease is renewable after months and not years.
Read the Reviews
If you want to get a feel for the place and how it treats its clients, search for reviews and testimonials. Or, even better, talk to some of the users when you tour the facility. It is really important to gather as much information as you can before you make your decision and who knows better than the people who already use the service?
Ask Your Employees
Don’t forget that your team is the lifeblood of the business. If your employees aren’t happy in an office, they’ll find it hard to give you the best performance. So, take the time to ask for their opinions. If the office provider allows it, taking pictures during a tour is an easy way to show your team what they could be moving into.
Why a Serviced Office is Your Ticket to Success
To retain a valuable degree of agility and flexibility, smaller businesses need negotiable terms and short leases. Opting for these things doesn’t have to lead to instability. You can end up staying in an office for as long as it suits, but having the option to make changes is what matters. With serviced workspaces, this is straightforward and doesn’t involve costly fees.
