Coworking Spaces Could Help The Wage Increments Challenge

Date: Tue Jul 5 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

As employees feel the pinch of inflation, CXO’s and HR managers may face several difficult conversations in the coming weeks. Trading rented office space for flexible coworking facilities can help to free up cash and keep your workers happy.

An increase in living costs, sky-rocketing fuel and energy prices together with tax hikes has devastated the income of families all over the UK. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that 9 in 10 adults say their living costs have increased whilst 23% report they are struggling to pay typical household bills.

Low-income families naturally spend a larger proportion of their earnings on food and energy. Living costs have leapt by 9% whilst wage increases averaged 4.1% – less than half the rate of inflation.

Business leaders are bracing themselves for an influx of employees asking for pay rises or other types of benefits. But with a potential dip in revenue, making ends meet and keeping your employees happy may require decisive action.

To cut costs.

Coworking Spaces Cut Costs

Bloomberg reports that one in five UK workers expect to leave their job in the next year in search of better pay and more job satisfaction. Replacing employees is more costly for businesses that retain a trained and experienced member of their workforce.

It is estimated that the cost of replacing employees is between 6-9 months of the employee’s annual salary. That takes into account the loss of productivity, training expenses and the cost of recruitment.

A key part of retaining your best employees is how well you compensate them. Depending on their age, some employees will look for other opportunities if they do not feel respected or if they’re not permitted to work from home.

The ONS reports that 80% of UK workers would prefer their employer to adopt a hybrid model. This gives them the opportunity to work from home for part of the week and in the office for part of the week.

Hybrid working fulfils the needs of employees and has numerous benefits for employers also. In fact, it ticks so many boxes that the hybrid model is expected to be adopted by 84% of UK firms.

Rent Coworking Spaces with BluDesks

Renting coworking space with BluDesks gives you the flexibility to facilitate a hybrid working model and significantly cut the cost associated with renting office space.

With a single login, you have access to hundreds of coworking spaces in London and all over the country. Actually the world. Moreover, our pay-as-you-go model means you only pay for the space you use – enabling you to manage your costs. For example, if you only need a meeting room for one hour, you only pay for the hour.

The coworking spaces available give your teams more flexibility to work where they want and save money on travel and food. Whilst these costs savings may still need to be supplemented with wage increments, BluDesks provide you with a solution that enables you to reinvigorate your financial resources and keep your employees happy.

Why Coworking Spaces Are Key To Your Hybrid Working Strategy

Date: Fri Jun 24 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

Hybrid working is a new concept that will no doubt take a little time to iron out. Access to flexible coworking spaces with BluDesks helps the bedding process run more smoothly.

First of all, our website provides you with a portal to scores of coworking spaces in your city. You will be able to find whatever space you need in one place. This significantly reduces the search time search for registering with multiple websites.

Secondly, we offer two types of membership; corporate and personal. This gives enterprises the choice to give employees a spending limit and more autonomy or to have some control over sending by appointing HR personnel with the responsibility to book rooms for individuals and on an ad hoc basis.

BluDesks not only gives your employees the opportunity to work remotely in an office environment that is conveniently located close to their homes, but we also give you more flexibility to work in multiple coworking spaces all over the world.

Access To Office Facilities

A concern with the hybrid model is that workers may find themselves isolated and without access to the office equipment they need – such as a photocopier.

The majority of coworking spaces are fully-functioning offices equipped with facilities you would ordinarily expect to find in an office. You will even find coworking spaces that have meeting rooms with TV/Audio equipment and whiteboards so that you can organise presentation and training days.

Personal Interaction

Surveys show that when people were working from home during the lockdown, the thing they missed the most was the personal interaction with their work colleagues. It’s human nature to want company.

The challenge of implementing a hybrid working model is finding solutions that help to build bonds between your employees and foster your company culture.

Coworking spaces may not always enable colleagues to work together in a hybrid model but with BluDesks, there is more scope for employees that live on the same side of town to work in the same space without having to commute to the central office.

One of the benefits that employees enjoy with remote working is that they have more freedom and autonomy to choose where they work and when they work. BluDesks give workers the freedom to choose multiple locations from where they can work.

Improves Wellbeing

Being around other people is also good for personal well-being. Studies show that positive interaction between people creates a sense of belonging and reduces stress.

Employees that can create a good work-life balance are generally happier, more productive and have greater work satisfaction. When people are happy at work, they are more inclined to stay with the company.

BluDesks also lend a hand to help improve the work-life balance and well-being of our customers by offering flexible working space you can book by the hour. This also means you have more control over your spending. Moreover, you have the opportunity to simply book a desk when you feel like it during the day – such as during a mid-afternoon crash.

Coworking Spaces Eliminate Travel Chaos

Date: Mon Jun 20 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

News of the rail strike has no doubt irked commuters. However, spinning a negative into a positive, the travel chaos may help enterprises and employees in the UK to identify better solutions – not only for this week but moving forward as well; namely flexible coworking spaces.

With 80% of the rail lines closed this week, travel is seriously disrupted across England, Scotland and Wales. The knock-on effect will mean that roads are jammed, more CO2 will be pumped into the environment and workers will have to spend more on fuel and parking. Productivity will also take a hit due to lost hours.

Pardon the rail pun, but the strike could bring light at the end of the tunnel. People don’t like commuting to work anyway and one study has found that long commutes to work increase the risk of depression and obesity.

Commuting has also been linked with an increase in stress, a decline in mental health, and a loss of productivity. It is estimated that employees spend around 360 hours a year travelling to and from work.

Over the last few years, it has been demonstrated that working from home offers more benefits to business owners and employees. Subsequently, employers are introducing flexible working arrangements.

The Office of National Statistics reports the number of businesses converting to a hybrid model increased by 11% between February 2022 and May 2022. It makes far more sense to work from home or in a coworking space that is within walking distance for a number of reasons.

Flexible Coworking Space

Whilst remote working has proven to be beneficial, working from home is not for everyone. Subsequently, there has been an increase in workers taking advantage of office facilities offered by coworking spaces. Some people prefer to share a workspace with other people. An office environment gives you access to printers, photocopiers, and TV/audio equipment and is good for mental health.

Coworking spaces with BluDesks give you access to meeting rooms you can book by the hour. If you have to cancel a meeting with a client due to travel disruptions in the UK this week, our flexible meeting rooms may provide a solution – and in a location that is more convenient.

Choosing a flexible coworking space close to your home means you don’t have to commute. By walking, you also reduce your carbon footprint and get some exercise. Companies lower carbon emissions and energy bills.

Moving forward, you may find a coworking space in a convenient location is a better option for you; financially, mentally and emotionally. Coworking spaces can help employees, and businesses thrive.

The BluDesks model is designed to make finding and booking coworking spaces even easier. Our website gives you access to coworking spaces all over the UK (and the world). This makes it easier to find a coworking space near you that has the facilities and capacity to meet your needs.

Moreover, you only have to register with BluDesks once to gain access to thousands of flexible coworking spaces. That will save you even more time that not having to commute to work

Is There Any Need For Regional Offices Anymore?

Date: Tue Jun 14 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

For many companies, the pandemic demonstrated they can still operate when employees are not in the office. As a result, more than 80% of UK businesses have adopted a hybrid working model.

In turn, companies with multiple offices have discovered they can significantly cut costs by closing smaller regional offices. Some companies are even dispensing with their main office in favour of coworking spaces. This is a move that makes sense for a number of reasons.

Whilst the hybrid model does have advantages, there is still a need for an ‘in-person’ workplace. Team members sometimes need to work together and meetings are inevitable.

The workplace also plays an important role in attracting top talent and providing support for new starters and younger people learning their trade. This is where coworking offices give you more flexibility.

Coworking Space is Cost-Effective

Cash flow is likely to be a growing concern for numerous businesses moving forward. The cost of renting office space in larger cities will put a larger dent in your budget deficit.

One of the main draws of working in shared offices is the reduction of overheads. Not only do you reduce the cost of rent but you don’t have to invest in other office-related equipment such as furniture and facilities, refreshments and decor.

Less Impact on the Environment Improves your ESG Rating

Today’s companies are judged on ESG scores. We have already seen how ESG ratings influence investors in the stock market. ESG could also influence consumer purchasing decisions.

The impact a business has on the environment does prompt consumers to decide whether they want to associate with a particular company. Your ESG score takes into account how much energy you use, your carbon emissions and how much water you use.

Using the facilities provided by coworking spaces benefits a company’s ESG metrics because it shows you are making positive steps to be environmentally responsible.

Better for Staff

Employees have mixed feelings about working from home. Whilst they feel the financial benefits and have more time for themselves, there is still the urge to spend time around colleagues.

There is no question that the hybrid working model suits employees across the board. Employees that feel they are happier and more productive in an office environment still have the option to work in an office.

On the flip side, if they have a long commute, they lose the benefits of working from home. BluDesks resolve this issue by providing coworking spaces from multiple locations so each individual employee can choose where they want to work from.

One Membership, Multiple Choices

Our single registration coworking space gives you access to over 200 office locations in London and more than 1500 facilities. We have also teamed up with offices in other major cities throughout the UK and the world. So no matter where your employees are based, they can take advantage of our co-working spaces.

The ability for your employees to choose where they want to work means there is no real need for regional offices. It also means that employees that prefer an office environment can avoid long commutes most of the time.

Coworking Spaces: Convenient Solutions For Regional Sales Teams

Date: Mon Jun 6 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

As the business world pivots to remote working en masse, corporations and other larger companies are taking advantage of the benefits offered by coworking spaces.

Businesses rent their main office but deploy regional sales teams that can also benefit from coworking spaces. With multiple offices and meeting rooms to rent all over the UK, remote sales reps have a convenient solution to support their productivity and professionalism.

Coworking spaces provide staff on go with office facilities and a working environment that enables them to focus. Sales personnel that come into the offices at BluDesks comment that it’s a far better option than the distractions of working in noisy coffee shops.

But coworking spaces at BluDesks offer sales teams much more than an office environment. We have a network of coworking spaces and meeting rooms all over the world – which you can access with a single Membership and log in.

Use Convenient Coworking Space as a Base

Research has shown that employees are more productive when they work in familiar surroundings. New places mean the brain is taking in more information which can affect cognitive function and concentration.

This means that when sales personnel working from a variety of coffee shops or in their car, their brain is working over time processing large volumes of data.

Flexible coworking spaces give regional sales staff the opportunity to have access to office space that is situated in a convenient location. Regularly using coworking space as base becomes a familiar work environment. It also gives sales reps the opportunity to build relationships with other regular coworking spaces users and expand their network of clients and influencers.

Cost-Effective Coworking Spaces

The BluDesks model goes one step further than the majority of conventional coworking spaces. Rather than tying you into fixed fees, daily, weekly or monthly, we charge by the hour.

This gives regional sales reps a cost-effective solution and the opportunity to be flexible. For example, if you are on the road from 11 am to 4 pm, you can book a hot desk or private office from 9.30 am to 10.30 and 4.30 until whenever in order to plan your day and get on top of your paperwork. You could even rent a desk for an hour between meetings.

We also give you access to thousands of meeting rooms all over the UK – so you can meet with clients in a professional environment that is convenient for everyone to reach.

Improve Talent Acquisition & Retention

Recruiters tell us that younger workers are more willing and more likely to commit to companies that provide flexibility, less commuting and a well-designed office.

BluDesks fulfil all three of these needs – although we can’t always promise the most impressive office designs. What we do promise, however, flexible and convenient solutions that enable sales teams to travel less – which means using less fuel and being more productive. Less commuting also helps to improve your ESG score.

The Benefits of Coworking Spaces As Satellite Offices

Date: Mon May 30 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

Businesses that take advantage of coworking spaces to create satellite offices can use this service to their benefit. A number of research studies have shown time and again that firms utilising coworking space thrive.

Both employers and employees are benefiting from coworking spaces. In the current paradigm, coworking spaces give employees working from home the opportunity to use equipment typically associated with offices together with convenient locations to hold a meeting.

Now that employees have returned to the office, the benefits they enjoyed from remote working are gone. According to YouGov, 60% of employees in the UK want to continue remote working. On the flip side, businesses benefit when they can bring teams together.

To compromise, a large number of businesses are switching to a hybrid model. Utilising coworking space to as satellite offices helps to make hybrid working even easier – and offer more benefits to both employers and employees.

Convenience and Flexibility

Coworking spaces give workers more flexibility to split their time between home and office. Stationing employees in satellite offices that are conveniently located closer to their home that your headquarters helps them to manage their time more efficiently.

Not only do satellite offices give your employees the flexibility to reach the office conveniently, it also makes it easier to just drop in from time to time. Maybe they need to use something in the office, like a photocopier, they were passing and wanted to say ‘hi’ or they spent the night in a different part of town (sleepovers) and will find it easier to work from an office that is closer to where they wake up.

Help to Manage Work-Life Balance

Happy employees are productive employees. And now your team has experienced remote working, they recognise the value of spending more time with their families, avoid commuting and spending less money.

Research has shown that the average cost savings of working from home is £44.78 a week. Cost savings come from commuting less and not buying lunch every day. If employees live closer to the office they are working from commutes and fuel costs are lower.

This is particularly the case for employees in London. According to Totaljobs, 76% of employees said they will quit their jobs if getting to the office requires a long commute. Using coworking spaces as satellite offices could therefore save businesses the cost of replacing employees – which is estimated to cost an average £12,000 per employee – between 6-9 months of the employees salary.

Raise ESG Score

Enabling employees to commute less should also help to improve your company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) score. With ESG scores having such a significant impact on consumer purchasing decision – especially environmentally conscious individuals – boosting your score in the environment section could pay dividends.

Commuting less means employees will consume less fuel. A satellite office also gives you more potential to organise meetings in locations that are closer for attendees to reach.

BluDesks makes it easy for companies to take advantage coworking spaces by offering you a wide range of offices all over London – with one simple sign-up and login.

Coworking Space Meeting Rooms in London Provide A Hybrid Solution

Date: Mon May 23 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

Coworking Space Meeting Rooms in London Provide A Hybrid Solution

For the past two years, the world has been in limbo. With inflation threatening to scupper business growth and survival for the foreseeable future, more businesses are switching to the hybrid model to cut down on costs.

PwC has called hybrid working an unprecedented challenge no business leader has ever faced. There will, of course, be some challenges, but from where we’re standing, existing solutions will help to make the transition smoother.

Not all businesses agree the hybrid model is the best way forward. Banks executives have been particularly vociferous about how remote working disrupts collaboration and corporate culture.

On the other side of the fence, tech firms are embracing hybrid working because they have the tools and the strategy to make it work. For most businesses downsizing offices and taking advantage of spaces can help you navigate the uncertainty of an economic downturn.

Office Rental in London

The Bank of England has warned that increasing energy prices will slide the UK into a recession this year. If that is to be the case, London businesses are likely to be the hardest hit.

Renting office space in the capital is already phenomenally high. According to Oktra, costs range from £50-95 per sq. ft. Prices are already 7.5% higher than pre-pandemic levels and are forecast to continue rising.

With costs rising from multiple angles, businesses face a difficult period trying to grow. Others will simply be looking to survive. Adopting the hybrid model could prove to be the difference between business continuity and closure.

Releasing the overheads that come with office rentals will free up a significant amount of cash flow. Coworking spaces present a cost-effective alternative and provide you with appropriate space for your team to collaborate, hold meetings and build a company culture.

Book Meeting Rooms With BluDesks

Not all coworking spaces will work for all businesses. Most providers have limited options and bind you into long-term contracts. During this period of uncertainty, most companies will want flexibility and multiple choices that makes organising ad-hoc meetings and space for team members to get together convenient.

BluDesks provide solutions to these challenges. First of all, we list multiple coworking spaces across London. At the time of writing, we provide you access to 517 venues within the M25 alone. We also have multiple ad-hoc satellite offices in the commuter belt.

Moreover, you have access to all our coworking spaces, private offices and meeting rooms with a single login.

We also offer a flexible Pay-as-you-Go plan which means you have more control over your budget. Unlike other office space providers, with BluDesks, you won’t be paying for office space you are not using.

All you have to do is browse our website, choose an office location with a meeting room that is most convenient for you and book the amount of time you want it for. You can even cancel the booking without paying anything providing you let us know within 24 hours.

Solutions That Can Resolve Mixed Feelings of Remote Working

Date: Wed May 18 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

The pandemic may be over, but many companies are still encountering the upheaval of remote working. Employees have mixed views which have left business owners with decisions to make and solutions to find.

A survey published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) revealed that people working from home fared better than many expected. Productivity was stable, parents were able to spend more time with their families and the woes of commuting were eradicated.

Most glaringly the WEF forum highlighted employees have mixed views – and strong views – on remote working.

66% of the respondents surveyed confirmed they prefer flexible working arrangements and said they wanted to continue working from home once the pandemic is over.
Almost a third are prepared to quit their job if the company they work for does not offer the flexibility of remote working.

Employees that favour remote working are generally mothers with school-age children, those under 35 that want work-life balance and people with higher incomes.

People that advocate for a full-time return to the office are employees that prefer to be around their workmates or feel isolated and lonely working from home. They are usually single.

What are the Pros and Cons of remote working?

Media reports about remote working are mixed. Some say employees prefer working from home, others say the majority prefer the office. HR managers have said that encouraging employees to work in the office full-time is becoming increasingly difficult.

The happy-medium seems to be hybrid working whereby employees spend two or three days in the office and two or three days at home. The alternative is that employees that like to be around other people find a company in coffee shops or coworking spaces.

A hybrid model works for both parties as well. Whilst a distributed workforce is more difficult to manage, it does allow companies to cut the costs involved in renting office space. And because employees spend less money on commuting and office day lunches, there is an opportunity to lower salaries.

Advantages

Better work-life balance

More freedom

Improved employee satisfaction

Reduction of infrastructure costs

Increase in productivity

Less commuting

Disadvantages

Lack of personal connection

Loneliness and isolation

Zoom fatigue

Challenges with collaboration

Advantages of Coworking Spaces

In order to accommodate an entirely happy workforce and foster the advantages that remote working offers, consider coworking spaces. There are several advantages.

One of the key benefits of renting coworking spaces with BluDesks is it gives you the flexibility your employees want and helps managers to organise a distributed workforce.

There are also opportunities to expand your network with other companies that share the same space – including talented freelancers that may come in useful for one-off projects; web designers, content writers, graphic designers, developers etc.

In addition, coworking spaces typically organise keynote speakers which can provide insights into various aspects of the business including innovation, emerging markets, and trends. This type of professional talks that inform and inspire.

4 Benefits of Coworking Spaces

Reduce Infrastructure Costs

Lowering operational costs can present companies with more opportunities to expand in the market. The money you save can be invested into new product designs or marketing campaigns that expand your reach and visibility.

However, it is worth noting that reduced costs may not always be the case. The majority of coworking spaces tie companies to long-term contracts. Whilst you can pay this on a convenient month-to-month basis, the contracts usually include payments for things you are not using such as desks, private offices and meeting rooms.

BluDesks offer a different solution. All our facilities are available on a pay-as-you-go basis. That means you only need to rent space when you need it, and you only pay for the time you book.

With our model, you have more control over your spending and really can save on overheads. What’s more, we host multiple coworking spaces on our website that you can book with a single membership pass and one login.

This makes booking office space more convenient and gives you more options to book private offices and meeting rooms anywhere in the city you live. We have registered thousands of coworking offices around the world, so no matter where you are, BluDesks probably has a remote working solution for you.

The coworking spaces on offer are also fully-equipped with various technologies such as wide-screen TVs, overhead projects, printers, photocopiers and charging points. So you won’t need to invest in typically office technology either.

Easier to Collaborate

Whilst cloud-based technologies claim to make it easier for co-workers to collaborate easier in remote locations, the benefits are limited. You can work on the same documents and have quick chats and virtual meetings but beyond that, collaborators miss out on all the benefits of being in the same space.

Companies that are either pivoting to a hybrid model and don’t have enough space to accommodate a dedicated, full-time team, or if you’re doing away with the office and deploying a distributed workforce altogether, coworking spaces bring teammates together.

Face-to-face interactions are typically more productive and innovative than sporadic chats on instant messengers and the odd virtual brainstorm. It’s the conversations and examples that employees have when they’re together which produce the best ideas.

Integrate New Starters

New starters can feel isolated and confused if they are asked to work remotely when starting with a new company. It’s important for businesses and their employees to have a mutual understanding of culture, work preferences and strengths.

People also have an innate need to feel as though they belong. The workplace, therefore, becomes especially important considering the amount of time we spend at work.

Helps to improve potential mental illness

The major complaint with remote working was feeling lonely and isolated. The lack of engagement with other people is not good for mental health or emotional wellbeing.

Without the mental breaks, employees are more likely to suffer from burnout, work less efficiently and take sick leave. Being in solitude for long periods can even make people anxious.

Coworking spaces help to resolve the potential for mental health problems. Studies show that the social aspect of the workplace fosters good mental wellbeing, and the majority of employees that have been surveyed said it was the social interaction with their work colleagues that they missed the most during a lockdown.

Is Remote Working Effective?

It’s perhaps too early to answer the question as to whether remote working is effective or not. Only time will tell. However, the initial signs are that remote working does have benefits for both employers and employees – if you take advantage of solutions like coworking spaces.

BluDesks offers even more advantages to employers and employees, so no matter how you feel about remote working, we are confident we can find solutions that meet the needs of everyone.

4 Reasons Why Relocating Businesses Need Ad-Hoc Meeting Rooms

Date: Thu May 12 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

Pivoting to the hybrid model seems to be the latest buzzword or business trend. But businesses that are renovating or relocating to new offices also face the challenges involved with remote working.

A distributed workforce during office renovations and relocations can be difficult to manage. Although the workplace is on hold, work is not. Managers and staff still need to hold meetings, engage in discussions, brainstorm and pep talks.

Hiring external meeting rooms on an ad-hoc basis can help you to move your business forward efficiently. It gives you valuable space to be creative, productive and inspired.

Moreover, with BluDesks pay-as-you-go model, renting meeting rooms is affordable, easy to manage and convenient. We also have flexible short-term offices which you can book as and when you need it, for one week, one month, three hours or three months. You choose when you need space and only pay for the time you book the space for.

Here are four reasons ad-hoc meeting rooms benefit a business that temporarily does not have access to office space.

Increase Productivity

A 2017 Stanford study confirmed that individuals are more productive when they work collectively. Even the perception of working as part of a team can improve performance levels.

Whilst technology can help bring a remote workforce together, individuals that are not accustomed to remote working need reminding they are part of a physical team.

Productivity can be enhanced when your team also know they have a limited window of time to reach a goal. Time-sensitive ad-hoc meeting rooms can help to supercharge productivity by increasing concentration levels whilst giving team members an ideal space to collaborate.

Meet With Clients and Partners

Coffee shops and restaurants are not always the best places to meet with clients to discuss serious business. Large firms trying to broker a deal with an important client or develop a project with a partner need a quiet space where you can hold a meeting in private.

Fully-Equipped Meeting Rooms

Meeting rooms can be used for several different reasons. Maybe you need space to give a presentation or a training session. A team of collaborators may need a whiteboard or overhead projectors to help share their vision with other team members.

BluDesks have a wide selection of fully-equipped ad hoc meeting rooms to choose from. With co-working spaces all over the city, you have the option to choose meeting rooms of various sizes that have the equipment you require such as AV facilities, wide-screen TVs, a variety of plug sockets and Wi-Fi.

Saves Time

The BluDesks model is designed for your convenience. We host a large number of co-working spaces on our website so that you can find the most suitable meeting room for your needs.

With a single login, you have access to ad hoc meeting rooms all over the city in which you live – and in multiple locations around the world. With this many meeting rooms at your fingertips, you won’t waste so much time skipping from one coworking space provider to the next.

To take advantage of the benefits are pay-as-you-go meeting rooms offer, sign up for a BluDesks Membership today.

Pivoting To A Hybrid Model? Here’s What You Need

Date: Tue May 3 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

As employees return to the office, many companies expect requests for more flexible work options. According to McKinsey, 68% of organisations do not have a plan or a vision for pivoting to a hybrid model.

On the one hand, employees want more flexibility and autonomy. On the other, they want to spend time around their work friends and collaborate in person with teammates.

Hybrid models ticks both boxes. However, the hybrid workplace complicates matters for personnel and office managers. Fortunately, there are existing solutions that make the transition to a hybrid model smoother.

The key is to encourage a culture that fosters the benefits of working from home with working in the office. Not everyone will want the same thing all of the time.

According to Gartner, companies need to accommodate four different work models.

Working together in collaborative teams in a shared space
Working apart as a member of a collaborative team
Working in a team but with an individual workload
Working remotely with an individual workload

The three solutions below facilitate all four working conditions.

Co-Working Spaces

A key benefit to a hybrid model is the capacity for businesses to reduce the amount of office space they need – and the overheads that come with it. For some companies, the potential cost savings of a hybrid model are huge.

However, you will probably still need a fully-working office to serve as a base and provide access to a variety of facilities employees need to perform their job to the best of their ability.

Whilst you could downsize and continue to rent a smaller office, co-working space is also an option. With BluDesks, you can rent office desks, private offices and meeting rooms by the hour.

A pay-as-you-go model typically turns out to be more cost-effective than renting office space and covering utility payments and maintenance costs.

BluDesks also gives you more options to find appropriate office space. With a single pass and login, we provide access to multiple co-working spaces that meet your needs and are in the most convenient locations.

Our business model is particularly useful for hiring meeting rooms. Let’s say, the meeting rooms in your office are fully booked, but there is a room free in an office around the corner.

There are also benefits for remote workers. Two colleagues that need to meet and live on the same side of town may find it more convenient to work together in a co-working space closer to their homes.

Cloud-Based Tools

Before the pandemic, cloud adoption was relatively slow. However, when world governments ordered lockdowns, cloud providers saw a 32% increase. Cloud computing was the only adoption and is an indispensable solution for companies that intend to pivot to a hybrid workplace.

The hybrid model relies on digital tools that can be accessed from remote locations and at the same time provide effective cybersecurity measures. Cloud-based tools are specifically designed to improve the interaction between co-workers in remote places.

Cloud-based tools facilitate collaboration through file-sharing, enhanced communication and more flexibility. Collaborative teams can work on the same document in real-time or separately.

Any changes that are made to co-working documents are highlighted with the editor’s name next to them. Everyone granted access to the document can make edits or comments on the document. Or you can set read-only options.

Communication tools foster instant messaging and virtual meetings. These channels are great for asking quick questions and even brainstorming.

If team members need a longer meeting that will be too intense for a video conference, they can either organise it when they’re all in the office or rent a meeting room for the afternoon in a co-working space that is most convenient for everybody.

Employees can also access a document stored in the cloud from anywhere and on any device. This gives your employees the option to work from anywhere and access cloud-based tools at convenient times. For example, catching up with emails during a commute.

Employees that prefer to be around people can also work in remote locations such as a coffee shop or hot desk in a co-working space.

Cybersecurity Plan

The move to remote working models has highlighted a need for effective cybersecurity measures to be put in place. Employees working from home are considered an easier target for hackers because home wi-fi networks, mobile phones and text messages are easier to penetrate.

Having said that, the threat of hackers can be dramatically minimised with the right cybersecurity plan. Whilst cloud tools and anti-malware programs give you some protection, additional layers of protection should be added.

The first place to start is to train your employees about cybersecurity risks. They should be aware of the various cybersecurity threats hackers use, how to identify phishing emails and how to avoid downloading infected documents.

Patch management should also be a priority. The software you use, at some point, will develop a security issue. These vulnerabilities can be exploited by hackers. This is why software companies consistently release software updates that include security patches.

Other gateways hackers look to exploit are home wi-fi networks and mobile devices. Digital technologies such as virtual desktops and mobile device management build a safety net around remote devices too.

IT experts claim that virtual desktops are the answer to the hybrid security conundrum. Because virtual desktops operate on cloud servers rather than on-premise servers, they provide higher levels of cybersecurity.

Crucially, virtual desktops mimic your business network without actually providing direct access to it. Therefore, if an employee’s device is hacked, malicious actors would not be able to access your live data anyway thus preventing a possible ransomware attack.

The actions an employee performs throughout a normal working day are saved on the cloud but not backed up to your network until someone authorises a backup.

In addition, remote monitoring tools help IT personnel identify potential threats and block potential gateways at the source. For example, if a phone location and registered device do not match authorised personnel, whoever is trying to access your network is shut out.