The Benefits of Using Shared Office Space

When starting up as an entrepreneur, cost savings is a big plus.  People often wonder whether they should save money by working at home but a great alternative is renting shared office space.  For those just starting up, “co-working is a great way to emulate the best parts of working in an office while still keeping your flexibility and freedom as an independent business owner.”  Working from home often can’t afford you the same opportunities as using shared office space.  Shared office space can offer you legitimacy while starting up your business without robbing you blind.  It allows you to enjoy the best possible advantages without having to pay a hefty sum.  This option is often ideal for small businesses where large space is not a necessity.

Shared office space is a budget friendly alternative to renting traditional office space.  Oftentimes, when you rent an office you might find it more difficult to find investors.  They might not be willing to take on the overhead of a traditional five plus year lease.  Additionally, when you rent office space on your own, you are forced to pay out of pocket for all the necessities – Internet, lighting, office clean up, building out a conference room, hiring a receptionist, etc.  The basic monthly sum for shared office space is way less than renting a traditional office on your own thereby saving you quite a bit of money.  Moreover, the deposit money which you have to pay is also on the lower side.  Some shared office spaces don’t even require a deposit.

Another benefit of shared office space is the availability of other amenities.  You can easily take advantage of these amenities for a nominal charge.  You can share Internet, telephone, conference rooms, reception areas and other relevant services.  Some shared offices offer “pay as you go” where you simply pay for the time you rent things such as conference room time.  Most amenities are available 24x7 and turn out to be highly beneficial for all people and companies using the features of a shared and serviced workspace.

One of the premier shared office spaces in New York City is Emerge212 (www.emerge212.com).  Emerge212 enables you to move into an office that is already fully furnished and offers all the amenities you need to get your business up and running quickly, amenities it would take you a great amount of time to get up and running on your own should you choose a traditional lease.  It offers high quality, modern amenities.  You are able to use pristine conference rooms, have a receptionist, a New York City mailing address and 212 phone number which is a huge advantage.  If you work out of your home to save money, you won’t find these amenities.  Oftentimes, it’s unwise to use your home address and phone number on a business card and makes you look unprofessional.  Emerge212 offers concierge services and onsite IT help should you need it.  Once you sign up, you can move in as soon as possible and start enjoying all the benefits they have to offer.

Emerge212 also offers virtual office space where you don’t actually have to rent space but can be afforded a mailing address, 212 number and receptionist services to make it seem to your customer base as though you are working out of a premier midtown Manhattan location.  The image you present to your client and customer base is key.  It often looks unprofessional to allow your clients to realize you are working out of a home office.  It doesn’t offer the same prestige.

Another benefit of shared office space is instant networking.  Working with others in a shared office environment can bring you connections you might not otherwise be able to make working at home.  Just the simple act of going to work and interacting with others on a daily basis can add value to your business and grow your customer base.  It is always key to be on the lookout for contacts that can lead to more business for your company.

Shared office space also allows for group problem solving.  If you’re stuck with an issue, the entrepreneur next door might have the solution you are looking for.  Co-working allows you to collaborate with others and solve business problems.  Others in your field that you might not otherwise meet by working at home can offer valuable insight into the way you run your business.

Working at home can often be isolating.  While people often think of the “water cooler” as a place to gossip, it can also be a place to learn.  It can introduce you to new people and new ideas.  If you spend time with others, they can offer advice and encouragement as you look to start up your business.  Being around other people on a daily basis breeds creativity.

While it’s a big decision as an entrepreneur as to whether or not to rent office space, using shared office space is a great alternative in terms of money savings and real, concrete pristine amenities.  While it might cost you a little more than working from home, the benefits of a nominal fee far outweigh the negatives of working from home.  Being able to present an image that you are working out of a premier New York City office space sends off a strong image to your client and customer base.  I urge you to consider these shared office spaces as a great, inexpensive alternative to working from home.

Here are some articles you might want to check out about the benefits of shared office space:

“How to Save on Office Space for Your Small Business”: http://www.forbes.com/sites/capitalonespark/2013/01/10/how-to-save-on-office-space-for-your-small-business/

“The Rise of Co-working Office Spaces”: http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/09/the_rise_of_co-working_office.html

“Is Shared Office Space in Your Future”: http://sbinformation.about.com/od/office/a/officespace.htm

Until next time…