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.

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.

Staff Training Solutions For Businesses Of All Sizes

Date: Tue Apr 26 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

Staff training is critical for the success of your business operations. After all, a company is only as good as its employees. Yet the performance of your employees largely rests on the quality of training they receive.

Whilst most companies may not have an issue with their training program, more and more businesses are finding they don’t have the right environment to deliver the program as effectively as they might.

With more companies switching to hybrid working, the space issue for HR & Training Managers has been exacerbated. Office closures and downsizing has meant even the largest firms don’t have the luxury of space they used to.

This poses a problem for training managers on a number of levels. In the first instance, a trainer may not have the scope to book a meeting room for an entire day. Other members of your company will still need to have meetings.

Then there is a question of space. Do you have a room on-site that is large enough to accommodate the number of people you’re training and allow them space to move around?

Another option most training would float is online training. With employees working from home, this may feel like the most logical and cost-effective solution.

But is virtual training really that effective to coordinate, deliver and understand? There have been at least 10 disadvantages identified when it comes to e-learning.

Another issue for businesses is that training new starters remotely doesn’t make a good impression. They will feel isolated, intimated and confused. It’s far easier to train staff in person – especially if they are new to the company.

Fully-Equipped Meeting Rooms

The best solution for a large percentage of HR & Training Managers is to hire fully-equipped meeting rooms. Whether you’re looking for your own staff or you provide external training courses as a service to third parties, BluDesks‘ cost-effective pay-as-you-go facilities provide a solution every time.

The primary goal of a training program is to deliver the material via appropriate formats. That could mean you need an overhead projector, a whiteboard or a sufficient amount of room to conduct role-plays.

Whether you need a meeting room for a small group of five or a large group of 20+ delegates, BluDesks provides a one-stop solution. With a corporate membership and single sign-in, you have access to multiple meeting rooms all over the city you live.

With the capacity to search and find a meeting room that serves the demands of your training program, you will dramatically reduce the amount of time it takes to scour the internet and sign up for dozens of co-working spaces that hire meeting rooms.

The meeting room we provide access to is equipped with adequate power points, projection systems, HV/audio, whiteboards and more. Whether you’re hosting a small training session, workshops, or a multi-day training course for a large number of people, BluDesks provides the staff training solutions with your business is looking for.

Why Are Coworking Spaces So Important For Us Today?

Date: Tue Oct 5 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

There’s no doubt that the last year and a half has been pretty tough for everyone. The shakeup of the working world has been a test for people who are used to the hustle and bustle of office life. Plenty of people have been forced to adapt to working from home, which has taken a toll on those that thrive on human interaction.

Now that people have been gradually returning to the office to work after so long, coworking spaces have become more popular and important to business owners and freelancers. Working from home has shown employers and business owners that it can be difficult for people to control their own productivity and motivation. This means that having a dedicated space where people can work remotely can be really important and beneficial.

What Are Coworking Spaces?

Coworking spaces are flexible alternatives to a traditional office environment. These innovative spaces are shared workspaces where people can work amongst other similar professionals and have access to various office essentials at a reasonable cost.

Flexible office space in London and other major cities worldwide is low-cost compared to office buildings. Instead of being tied down to a long-term contract, you can sign up for a membership with no commitments instead, and you only pay as and when you need the coworking space. Included in that price is everything you need to get some work done, such as printers, wi-fi access, scanners and projectors.

Advantages Of Coworking

To understand why private office space in London is so important today, it’s a good idea to explore the benefits of using coworking spaces. There are several advantages to take note of:

Buzzing Atmosphere

You get an excellent, positive vibe from using coworking spaces. People tend to be stimulated and encouraged when working in the company of others who are in similar circumstances. Your mood will also be lifted by the available facilities, such as a comfortable chair, furniture, office supplies and in some cases there’s unlimited tea and coffee.

Boosts Business

If you’re a solo entrepreneur, freelancer or small business owner, private office space rentals are perfect for helping you gain a reputation within your business. It’s a professional and great way to collaborate with partners, set up meetings with clients and network with other business owners in a setting that has a positive, community feel to it. Not only that but you will find that you are able to organise and plan your day better which will make you work more efficiently.

Facilities And Benefits

The extra perks you get included in the price of renting coworking space exceeds expectations. Not only do you have a desk and chair, but you also have access to fast internet, all the office supplies you need, food and drink (available in some places) and the ability to book a coworking space in many locations all over the world. You won’t have to worry about spending extra on printing costs, utilities, maintenance or any other costs that come with managing an office.

Low Cost And Flexible

When you think about a traditional office, you need to sign a long-term lease or rental agreement that ties you down for the length of time stated. This can be stressful if circumstances change within that time and you get burdened with financial worries. With coworking spaces, you get the flexibility of choosing where you work and how long you pay for your space. There are no contracts or hidden fees to worry about, and you just sign up for a membership and pay-as-you-go when you work. Not to mention the facilities you get included in the price mentioned earlier. It’s worth every penny!

Chances To Network

Flexible office space in London is an excellent way to network with fellow business owners and entrepreneurs. You will get inspired with new ideas from having conversations with people who have different experiences to share, or you might even find a new partnership that helps boost your business. You just never know who you might meet each day and how it can positively affect your work.

Increases Productivity

There’s no doubt that people are more productive when surrounded by like-minded, encouraging and energised people. The community spirit found in coworking spaces helps you feel motivated to get some good work done. Much better than working from home, where you can get easily distracted and feel isolated. It’s much harder for some people to get themselves motivated when working alone. Also, having a bigger space to keep things organised will definitely help you be more productive.

Better Work-Life Balance

Working in the same space that you live in has its disadvantages. You can get easily distracted by things that might need doing around the home or by members of your family that might be there while you’re trying to work. It’s much harder to get work done and can leave you feeling like you don’t get any respite. You’ll be much more productive working in a dedicated workspace where you can focus your attention solely on the jobs you need to get done.

People Thrive In Coworking Spaces

With all of those benefits mentioned, it’s no wonder that people flourish in their work when renting private office space in London and other locations. Here are a few ways people feel they thrive in coworking spaces:

Feel Part Of A Community

The experience and vibes you get from these workspaces certainly have that sense of community spirit. The connections you make from socialising with others, and the energetic atmosphere are a big reason people pay to use these spaces. Even when focusing on work and you don’t want to interact as much, you still feel like you’re part of a “team”.

Have More Control

Choosing private office space rental is so flexible that you get more control over how you work than you would in a traditional office setting. If you have a big project that needs great concentration, you can choose to work longer days in a quieter location. If you are struggling in getting stimulated, you can choose a coworking space that is directly in the midst of a buzzing environment where you can get motivated by connecting with other people. The way you work is entirely in your control and is a wonderful advantage to coworking.

Work Feels Meaningful

Many people feel like they’re part of a social movement rather than just being someone who turns up to work. Coworking makes people feel more valued knowing that it’s sustainable, you’re always learning, there are opportunities for collaboration and being part of a community. Also, working with people who do different kinds of work can make you stand out more and feel like you have more of an identity.

As you can see, there are many parts of renting private office space in London or elsewhere that are important for people wanting to work remotely without the corporate feel. If you feel that coworking is right for you, why not browse our website to find out more. You never know where your work might take you and what inspiration you might find.

Are You A Creative Professional? Here’s Why You Need a Coworking Space

Date: Tue Oct 5 Author: Chelliah Nakeeran

If you’re someone who has been making a name for yourself over the years in the creative industry or a graduate with a dream and passion for the future, you will need to find somewhere to work that will help your creative juices flow. Having a dedicated workspace will help boost productivity and keep everything organised in one specific area, which will make your life much easier.

You may assume that working from home would be the best choice for you, and for some people, it is. However, working from home can come with some disadvantages:

Lack of motivation
Distractions
Poor timekeeping
Decrease in productivity
Can be lonely
Risk of burnout

Your workspace should be somewhere you can surround yourself with other like-minded creative professionals to get encouragement from and network with. You should also have a space to plan things out effectively and keep everything organised and together. What if I told you that there is a way to achieve this without the huge cost of renting an office building? We have the perfect solution!

A coworking space is a shared office space that you can rent and work remotely among other professionals and business owners. It’s a great way to get out working remotely and get inspired by others who may be in a similar position to yourself. At BluDesks, our coworking office spaces come fully equipped with all the everyday essentials that you would find in a traditional office. You can have peace of mind that you can turn up knowing that you will have everything available to you that you need to get work done.

Why Do You Need A Coworking Space?

There are many great reasons why a coworking space for rent is perfect for creative professionals.

Different Coworking Space Options

Here at BluDesks, we offer a variety of different spaces to rent to suit different needs and purposes:

Customised Workspace and Dedicated Desks – Having a customised workspace has been shown to improve efficiency and positively impact performance, productivity, and concentration. This is because people feel more comfortable in a space that’s specifically suited to them. People handle distractions easier and get more of a sense of control when they have a personalised desk.

A dedicated desk gives people comfort with having their own personal desk in a shared office space and helps them feel free from distractions. What’s more, you get all the necessities you need to get your work done.

Fixed Desks – This coworking space for rent is perfect for anyone who has a short-term project because they work on a pay as you go basis. This enables professionals to only pay for the space that they use and the hours that they book. Fixed desks space help to improve productivity, help retain focus and bring peace of mind.

Meeting Rooms – If you have clients to entertain or team meetings to hold, many meeting rooms are available for rent. Hiring a private meeting room in a contemporary and fully-functioning office builds a positive appearance. Also, it will be much cheaper than hiring a meeting room in a hotel or similar setting.

Private Offices – It can be costly and time-consuming travelling to work. Private office space enables you to save money by paying on an hourly basis and reducing travel costs. With all the standard office equipment you need, you’ll be able to focus on your work with all the right tools.

Shared Office and Workspaces – These coworking office spaces create fantastic networking opportunities and a possible chance of acquiring new business without the costs of marketing. With several spaces to choose from worldwide, the possibilities are endless!

Networking Opportunities

Coworking spaces create the perfect opportunity to network with other like-minded professionals. It’s a great way to explore potential new business approaches or collaborations when meeting people who do different things to you and can also make you feel like part of a community.

Working from home can get lonely and cause you to lack motivation as it’s entirely up to you to get driven and encouraged to focus on working. Going out to work surrounded by others in these environments helps boost your ambition and drive to succeed. You could also end up with some great advice and tips from the people you meet.

Cost-Effective and Flexible

Coworking office space provides a convenient, cost-effective and straightforward alternative to working from home or leasing out an office space. Here at BluDesks, we offer flexible pay as you go memberships that have no ongoing commitments. This means that you only pay for the time you use the space without contracts tying you down wherever you decide to work.

Our mobile app makes booking coworking spaces very easy, saves time and is conveniently flexible. You can book spaces for as little as an hour and pay from only £2 per hour, with access to thousands of global workspaces. Your booking gets stored within the app, and you can save time by rebooking your favourite places in your booking history so you won’t have to search for them over and over again constantly.

Better Work-Life Balance

Sometimes people get stressed and worried when burnout sets in from having so much to do in a set time frame within a traditional office environment. Sometimes people working from home have difficulty separating work and home life with the various possible distractions, such as noticing housework needs doing while you still have many emails to answer.

Coworking space gives you the perfect opportunity to improve your work-life balance with a dedicated workspace. It allows you to become more productive, better organise, and plan a schedule to get more work done efficiently. If you’re a social person, you will tackle loneliness by working remotely with other people around you who have similar experiences.

Increases Productivity

As a creative professional, you will definitely notice increased productivity when choosing coworking space for rent. You can get your creative juices flowing with motivation, knowledge and inspiration from other professionals around you. The excitement and community feel you get with these workspaces are very beneficial to boost your morale and productivity.

The facilities provided by coworking spaces are also helpful towards being productive. With comfortable chairs and desks provided and access to wi-fi, printers, photocopiers and much more, you will feel motivated to achieve more and work harder. Seeing other people working hard around you helps too. It’s a psychological truth that we adapt to our environment, so you will be encouraged to work hard if your surroundings usually are like that.

As a creative professional, it’s essential to have a dedicated workspace to focus on your passion. Using a coworking space with other professionals nearby will keep you stimulated and help with new ideas. The flexibility and the work-life balance you get is beneficial in improving your mood and motivation, along with the inexpensive costs.

If you’re looking for a workspace that’s convenient, commitment-free, cost-efficient and simplistic, don’t hesitate to have a look around our website. Let your creative ambitions and goals thrive in a successful environment.