Business in today’s world looks a little different compared to a decade ago. In today’s dynamic and interconnected professional landscape, traditional office spaces are gradually being supplemented by flexible workspaces (also referred to as coworking spaces).
The benefits of flexible workspaces are steadily becoming more widely known, aided in no small part by the mandatory “work from home” status for many businesses during the pandemic. Even since then though, they’ve gained immense popularity, not just for their flexibility and cost-effectiveness, but also for their ability to foster networking and collaboration among members.
These innovative work environments provide individuals and businesses with unique opportunities to connect, collaborate, and thrive together. In this blog, we’ll discuss how flexible workspaces are designed to encourage networking and collaboration, and discuss the various ways in which these spaces facilitate fruitful collaborations and build strong professional networks.
1. Communal Spaces: The Heart of Collaboration
Flexible workspaces place a strong emphasis on creating communal spaces, which serve as hubs for networking and collaboration. Unlike traditional office settings, where employees are confined to their cubicles, these shared spaces provide a vibrant and interactive environment. Particularly for scaling startups, flexible spaces can be a boon during key stages of growth, but they’re fantastic for well-established businesses as well.
Members can freely interact with employees of other businesses that share the space, exchanging ideas and building relationships. Coworking spaces often feature open-plan work areas, shared lounges, and breakout zones that encourage spontaneous conversations, brainstorming sessions, and collaboration on projects. This open and inviting atmosphere is conducive to creativity, innovation, and the formation of valuable business connections.
2. Organised Events: Nurturing Connections
Another way in which flexible workspaces facilitate networking and collaboration is by serving as an organised event space. Coworking spaces play host to a variety of events such as workshops, seminars, networking sessions, and social gatherings.
Especially in the busy networking hubs of London, these can be fantastic for establishing connections with likeminded businesspeople. These events allow professionals from diverse backgrounds to share insights, learn from one another, and establish meaningful connections. Whether it’s a panel discussion, a skill-building workshop, or an industry-specific meetup, these events create opportunities for collaboration, idea exchange, and personal growth.
For example, a software developer working in a flexible workspace might attend a coding workshop hosted by an experienced entrepreneur. Through the workshop, the developer can not only enhance their coding skills but also establish connections with potential mentors, investors, or collaborators, opening up new avenues for professional growth and collaboration.
What’s more, hosting your own networking event at a co-working space is made easy thanks to the well-managed, ‘ready to go’ nature of these spaces. At Us&Co’s event spaces in London, for example, it couldn’t be easier.
3. Diverse Professional Community: A Pool of Opportunities
Flexible workspaces attract a diverse group of professionals from various industries, backgrounds, and skill sets. This diversity is a key factor in fostering collaboration and expanding professional networks.
Whether you’re a freelancer, a startup founder, or a remote worker, you are likely to find yourself surrounded by individuals with unique perspectives and expertise. Engaging with this diverse community enhances creativity, encourages out-of-the-box thinking, and ultimately broadens horizons.
For instance, imagine a graphic designer who shares a coworking space with professionals from marketing, web development, and copywriting backgrounds. This mix of talents can lead to collaborative projects where the designer can contribute their expertise in visual communication, while others bring their skills in content creation, web design, and digital marketing. The outcome is a well-rounded project that benefits from diverse insights and skill sets.
Of course, this requires some networking know-how to pull off, so if you’re not sure where to start, be sure to read our shy person’s guide to networking.
4. Collaborative Tools and Technology: Enhancing Connectivity
The best flexible workspaces are equipped with high-end technology and collaborative tools that further facilitate collaboration. High-speed internet, video conferencing facilities, project management platforms, and purpose-built brainstorming rooms enable seamless communication and collaborative work across teams and organisations.
These tools eliminate geographical barriers, allowing professionals to collaborate on projects regardless of their physical location. As we’ve alluded to, this couldn’t be more vital in a post-pandemic world that champions freedom of location in the working world.
For example, a team of remote workers from different parts of the world can come together in a flexible workspace, utilising collaborative tools to work on a shared project. The ability to access files, share ideas, and communicate in real-time fosters effective collaboration, enabling the team to overcome time zone differences and deliver exceptional results. In this way, coworking spaces aren’t only ideal for connecting people in the real world – they give organisations the tools to cross geographical barriers as well, and almost instantly at that.
The Power of Networking in London
While we’ve talked about the more general advantages of flexible workspaces for networking, it’s worth mentioning the London-specific benefits as well.
London is a famously well-connected place, making it one of the greatest hubs for networking opportunities in the world. However, working within our verticals can make things feel isolated at times, despite how well saturated we are in a business world full of diverse specialisms and opportunities. This is where flexible spaces come in.
By nature, flexible workspaces surmount the isolation problem, instantly positioning ambitious businesses alongside others like them. When it comes to networking in London, a coworking space is the perfect opportunity to break out of established norms and meet likeminded professionals ready for collaboration. Whether you’re a freelancer, a remote worker, or a small business owner, these spaces offer endless opportunities to build strong networks, form valuable partnerships, and fuel innovation.
Unlock New Networking Opportunities with Us&Co
Looking for the perfect networking opportunity in London?
Discover Us&Co’s series of flexible workspaces, based in Stratford and Monument in London. Our coworking spaces are equipped to facilitate collaboration between likeminded professionals in an organic, contemporary setup.
Get in touch today to find the right workspace for you or your team.
From Garage to Growth: How a Flexible Workspace Can Help Your Startup Scale
Creating a startup business may mean you have to make some tough decisions, from resources to location.
Choosing a startup location can be challenging, especially as you focus on business growth and how to scale a startup. You may have started your new business venture in your spare room or even the garage, but as you start to build your offerings and your team you may be looking for a different space that can accommodate your needs.
In the early stages of building your business, you may not have the funds or needs for a big office but want the flexibility of being able to grow without running out of space. Flexible workspaces may be the solution.
At Us & Co we believe that flexible workspaces are ideal for all businesses, no matter their size, especially for startups looking to grow. So let’s look at how you can scale your startup with a flexible workspace.
What Is A Flexible Workspace?
A flexible workspace has been created to provide an adaptable space that you can choose to rent full-time or allows you to limit office times to allow you to work as and when you need.
The benefit of flexible workspaces is that you can adapt them to your needs whilst saving money as you can choose your package based on your available funds. You will also discover a wide variety of included amenities that help your workday flow, from communal kitchens to toilets and comfy spaces that are ideal for computer breaks.
From a co-working space that provides a chilled office environment, to private office spaces for the whole team, there are plenty of options to suit your needs and growth.
The Cost of Flexible Workspaces
One benefit of choosing to use a flexible workspace is the budget-friendly ‘pay for what you use’ aspect, allowing you to pick and choose the date, time, length and frequency of your office or desk hire to best suit your team and the hours you work.
Don’t worry about committing to a long-term lease. The continuous growth of a successful startup is to be expected, so choosing a space
Co-working Spaces for Business Growth
Co-working spaces usually include the opportunity to hire one or multiple desks in a large communal space, perfect for a small team of one or two people that are looking for a professional working environment without overspending on office space, removing any overhead costs.
Choosing a co-working space for your startup provides flexibility and professionalism as you get your business off the ground and start to scale.
When growing a business it can be unpredictable how quickly your business may scale, so knowing how much space you will need in the next few months can be difficult. With the flexibility of co-working spaces, it will be easy to expand your team, allowing you to hire more desk space as your team increases.
Networking in Co-working Spaces
Co-working spaces can be used by any number of people from across a wide variety of industries, making it an ideal workspace that provides networking opportunities, allowing you to meet like-minded people that could prove to be important connections down the road.
From business opportunities and fresh ideas to new friendships, collaborative workspaces are a breath of fresh air that can increase productivity and creativity.
Day Offices and Virtual Workspaces
If you need a limited amount of office time, whether you are building your startup whilst working other jobs or the business can build from home for the majority of the time, a day office may be the ideal choice for your startup.
Exactly as it sounds, a day office allows you to book an office a day at a time depending on your needs. From a monthly team meeting to a collaborative workday, day offices are a great choice if you want to encourage interaction between team members as your business grows.
Private Office Spaces for Startups
As your business grows you may want to upgrade from co-working spaces and virtual catchups to a private office space.
Sometimes finding private office space can be an expense your startup can not afford, especially if you are based in a large city with high rent prices. Private office spaces from a workspace provider like Us&Co could be exactly what you’re looking for.
Choose your desired private office space and hire it at a fixed rate whilst enjoying all of the amenities the building offers, taking your co-working space perks and adding additional privacy and space to allow you to focus on your business without any distractions.
Meeting Spaces for Important Meetings
When you are starting a business you may find yourself inundated with meetings, whether internal or with important clients. If you are still conducting the majority of your work from your spare room you may want to find a professional environment for important meetings. Showing potential clients and investors the sleek, professional side of your business can be encouraging, so a meeting space may be something to consider.
Including amenities and the necessary technology for show-stopping presentations and meetings, a designated meeting space can increase meeting productivity and help to provide your team with a boost.
Whilst meetings may be an important part of scaling your startup, you may also not need a permanent meeting space depending on your needs, so a hireable meeting space can help you to expand your business offering without breaking the bank or causing unnecessary expenses as you are trying to increase profits.
Scale Your Startup With Flexible Workspaces From Us&Co
If scaling your startup is on your mind, choosing a flexible workspace could be the right choice for your growing business.
At Us&Co our flexible workspaces are fully equipped to help you boost your business and take your startup to the next level. Our workspaces are prepared to grow with you as your business continues to grow.
Get in touch with our helpful team to find the right workspace for your startup, or check out our locations in London Stratford and London Monument to find your perfect space.
How the Elizabeth Line is Helping London BusinessesCommuting to London can feel stressful, especially for those living slightly further afield with a network of clients within the city centre. Finding the fastest way into London, either to get to work or to attend important meetings is often an important factor in your daily commute, and with the introduction of the new Elizabeth Line to London and the surrounding areas this is all possible.
What Does the New Elizabeth Line Mean for Businesses?
Since the Elizabeth line opened in May last year, businesses big and small are celebrating a boost to business thanks to the efficiency of the line.
Faster connections across the city and beyond make it easier to face the morning commute whilst keeping costs down for local residents and visitors alike. People can now make the most of what the UK capital has to offer, travelling between stations to support local businesses and cutting down on commute times for more time spent at home with loved ones.
The brand new trains have added a 10% capacity to morning commutes, freeing up space with fresh new trains that will leave you feeling much more relaxed on your commute. With space for up to 1,500 passengers, commuting to London has never felt easier.
What stations are on the Elizabeth Line?
The Elizabeth Line covers a more than 100 km stretch of rail between Reading and Abbey Wood, visiting multiple stops across London whilst cutting commute time down to forty-five minutes in some instances.
The most popular Elizabeth Line stops include Stratford, Paddington and Canary Wharf according to Transport for London. With transport available seven days a week there have already been more than 60 million journeys across the line since it opened.
Stratford has become a prominent business district in London, with the Elizabeth Line providing quick and regular transport to and from the district, making it the ideal location for business meetings and office space in London.
Office Spaces in Stratford, London
With the Elizabeth Line increasing the popularity of the London Stratford area, many businesses may be considering the move to the area.
Finding a commutable office space within walking distance of the Elizabeth Line could be the ideal space for London-based businesses and meetings, especially for those looking for affordable office space for their small business or flexible work schedule.
Since the Elizabeth line, business in Stratford has been booming, with office spaces like Us&Co seeing an increase in office space and meeting room bookings. Providing flexible workspaces and co-working opportunities in London, Us&Co could be the right choice for your next business meeting.
Discover an Easy Commute with the Elizabeth Line at Us&Co
Just a short walk from Stratford Station, Us&Co provides flexible workspaces for businesses and individuals looking to make a space for themselves in Stratford. Whether you are coming from Bond Street or Reading, enjoy a peaceful commute to a high-tech, clean, managed office space and enjoy working without the stress of early mornings or crowded trains.
Get in touch with the Us&Co team today for more information about our office and desk rental options, or check out the virtual tour of our Stratford offices to see what all the fuss is about.
The Day Office Revolution: How It’s Changing The Way We Do Business
Over the past few years the usual workspace has seen an upheaval, with day offices, flexible workspaces and co-working spaces becoming a more popular choice amongst start ups, freelancers and small businesses looking to work in an office environment without dedicating themselves to a single space.
Since the Coronavirus Pandemic, embracing flexible and hybrid working has become a popular choice among workers, allowing them to work remotely or from Day Offices whilst still providing the same quality of work and enjoying that work life balance.
What is a Day Office?
Day offices are fully equipped office spaces available for private use, allowing those looking for a workspace to book time slots and work in an office environment.
These offices are also considered ‘part-time offices’ and are readily available for those looking for an office space they can use sometimes, but not all the time.
A rentable office space based on your needs, Day Offices come with amenities such as internet access and electricity and can also provide additional break out rooms, co-working spaces, reception areas and facilities to make the work day run as smoothly as it might in a traditional office.
Why Choose a Day Office over Traditional Workspaces?
Traditional workspaces revolve around providing every member of your workforce with set office days and designated desk space. Whilst this works, one of the benefits of a flexible workspace is that it provides a larger opportunity to collaborate between teams.
As flexible working grows traditional offices are becoming less necessary, allowing businesses to re-allocate and save funds to the benefit of their business.
What are the benefits of a Day Office?
Whilst flexible working can include working from home, a day office is the ideal way to maintain a professional image during meetings and online calls. Providing a professional space can also increase team productivity, allowing team members to collaborate in an open space full of the necessary amenities.
Choosing a day office allows you access to amenities and necessities such as electricity, water and internet without any additional bills, keeping prices low and giving you the opportunity to use your funds for other important details of your business. Day offices are also usually available in a central location, giving you access to an area you may not otherwise be able to afford.
Choosing a flexible office space is also ideal if you only need a limited amount of in-office time for your team, or if you are looking for a space that can grow with your business.
Rent an Office for a Day in London with Us&Co
Discover collaborative work spaces in London with Us&Co, providing day office space that you can utilise for your business.
Conveniently located in Stratford and Monument, Us&Co offers flexible office spaces in a central location, perfect for businesses and start-ups in and around London.
Get in touch today to find out more about hiring a Day office, or view virtual tours of our London Monument and London Stratford locations to help form your flexible workspace decision.
Marketing on a Budget: Strategies for Startup Success
Marketing budgets have been a hot topic for businesses in every industry. With a pandemic and looming recession in recent years, marketing budgets took a hit as expected. Working on smaller budgets and ensuring they deliver the best results is what will set your business apart from others in your industry.
As a startup, you only have finite resources and need to make every penny count. This is why it is essential that you nail your marketing strategy. Whether this is through shared office space or by utilising social media, saving money in order to finance the most important aspects of your business will stand your startup in the best stead for success. The key to any marketing strategy for startups is meticulous planning and the setting of realistic goals. Join us in this blog as we run through some of the most cost-effective and actionable tips to make the most of your marketing budget.
What should your Marketing Budget be?
The first step of planning your marketing strategy is identifying and allocating the appropriate budget in order to achieve your goals. As a common rule of thumb, marketing budgets for startups should be around 11% of your gross revenue. This will typically reduce over time as your business grows and becomes not only more well-known but also more profitable.
Building brand awareness at the beginning of your business is one of the most important things you can do, so it is important you allocate the appropriate resources to it.
How to Set Realistic Business Goals for Start-up Marketing Strategy
Setting goals as a start-up, as well as any other stage of business development, is critical for measuring success and productivity. The acronym that is most commonly used to help identify relevant business goals is SMART. This stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely. These are core pillars that will help not only guide you but also give you realistic goals.
An example of a SMART goal for your start-up’s marketing could be: Increase web traffic by 50% in 2023.
By having clear goals, you are better able to refrain from overspending on resources. Thus leaving more budget for paid avenues. Of course, to some the above example is vague. But this is where you can break it down into smaller goals that relate to your overall SMART goal.
- Create & Publish 10 Blogs to raise brand awareness by X date
- Create & Optimise 3 landing pages around your core offering by X Date
These are examples that will help you raise awareness of your business for as little as the cost of your time. Setting SMART goals are key to making the most of your marketing budget.
Take Advantage of Low-Cost Marketing Channels
One of the best ways to save your start-up money is by making the free channels work as hard as possible for you. Social media is a great example of a platform that has the potential to increase your brand awareness organically. The majority of mainstream social media platforms are free to sign up to, meaning you can post from your brand’s account completely free. Of course, there are paid avenues within social media, but so much can be done without spending a penny on advertising.
The key to ensuring your start-up gets the most out of social media is by creating a watertight social media strategy. One that ticks all the boxes when it comes to engaging new users, benefiting loyal followers and is also sustainable. A great example to follow the success of is DuoLingo. The language-teaching app harnessed the power of social media and managed an engagement rate of 19% on TikTok, well above the platform’s average. All for free, we may add.
If you or someone within your business has SEO expertise, you will save even more money with this marketing channel. With SEO expertise you will be able to make the appropriate adjustments to your website in order to drive traffic to your website organically.
Only Scale at a Reasonable Rate
Time and time again we hear stories of businesses spending far too much of their overall budget on futuristic offices when in reality they don’t really need the space. One of the best ways to ensure your start-up has longevity on its side is by scaling when necessary. Before your team grows to a point where it requires its own office space, why not look into co-working environments?
If your team works solely remotely, but you require a place to convene once a week, booking a meeting room in a co-working environment is a great way to save yourself money. This way it saves your start-up precious money on monthly overhead costs that you don’t necessarily have to spend. This money can then be reallocated to areas of your business that would benefit from a greater budget. A shared office space with other businesses also gives you the opportunity to bounce ideas off other people. This will help with the development of your business and allow you to get a fresh set of ideas on any aspect of your strategy that you want a second opinion on.
Looking for Office Space for your Start-Up? Get In Touch
Here at Us&Co, we have a wide range of office space available to lease on a short and long-term basis. From Private Office Floors to single meeting rooms, we have the space to suit any business and its needs. Our spaces are perfect for start-ups in London looking to take the next step. Explore our locations in Stratford and Monument.
If you have any questions about hiring one of our spaces or the terms of hiring, please do not hesitate to get in touch and a member of our team will be happy to help you.
Looking for more advice on how to get the most out of your business? Visit the Us&Co blog where you can find all the latest guidance and tips to maximise your budget.
10 Ways to Increase Meeting ProductivityMeetings are all a part of work life, discussing important aspects of your business with employees that should help to improve business relationships and work ethic. However, some meetings feel like they take forever and leave employees feeling uninspired and unmotivated, reducing productivity within the workplace.
Increasing meeting productivity is the ideal way to encourage morale among employees, encouraging company-wide collaboration and creativity that will help to boost your business.
At Us&Co we’re big believers in creating productive meetings that leave your employees feeling inspired, but how can you bring this productivity into the workplace? We have come up with our top 10 ways to boost meeting productivity in the workplace, so you can find the right fit for your business.
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Creating Time
Time may not seem like an issue, but if you are planning a meeting you need to ensure that it will not affect anyone’s schedule, or cause stress to employees that are already struggling to cope with their workload.
Put all meetings into employees’ schedules, creating designated times for them to attend these meetings. Ensuring your employees have the time in their schedule for important meetings is a crucial step towards productivity and avoiding employee burnout.
Allow employees to come to you with any scheduling conflicts and give them the leeway to step out of meetings if needed, without worrying about consequences. If they must attend a meeting, try to work with their schedule to ensure they feel motivated when meeting time comes around.
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Only Schedule Meetings When Necessary
Have you ever heard mutterings of “That meeting could have been an email”? If so it’s an indication that you could cut down on the number of meetings you hold, only planning meetings where necessary.
Holding meetings that your team finds unnecessary can leave them feeling like time is being wasted.
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Create A Meeting Agenda And Stick To It
When planning a meeting you should have a clear agenda in mind. Think about the purpose of the meeting and create a detailed agenda to send to employees that allow attendees to prepare for the meeting in advance.
Creating a relevant agenda is the ideal way to keep your meeting on track and to ensure your meeting stays within time and purpose.
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Limit Meeting Attendees
One way to boost meeting productivity is to limit the number of people invited to attend the meeting. By only inviting a select few key attendees you can ensure you follow your agenda with those most likely to help gear the meeting towards your desired outcome.
Inviting too many attendees to your meeting can leave you with a room full of people who are unclear on the meeting’s purpose or their involvement, reducing productivity when they could have been working on something else instead.
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Ensure The Meeting Space Meets Your Needs
If you are planning to hold a productive meeting you need to ensure that your chosen meeting space has the facilities and features needed.
Whether you are having a meeting in your own meeting room or looking for one to use outside of the office, having issues with the space will have a negative effect on the productivity of attendees.
Ensure that if you plan to use technology, your meeting space has the required resources. Technical difficulties can lead to frustration and a lack of motivation in meetings, making the meetings take longer than planned.
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A Change of Scenery
Sometimes meetings can feel draining and repetitive, mixing up your meeting scenery can put a stop to these productivity issues. Why not try out a new meeting space for a fresh change of scenery? A new setting can help to engage and inspire attending staff for a productive meeting that leaves everyone feeling motivated and ready to get back to work.
Another way to add productivity and a change of scenery is implementing standing or walking meetings. Standing meetings get people up from their desks and help to keep the meetings short, whereas walking meetings are a fantastic opportunity to get out of the office and into the fresh air and sunlight.
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Keep Meetings Short And Sweet
Keeping meetings short and concise whilst following your pre-arranged agenda can boost productivity and reduce scheduling stress amongst attendees.
If you keep a meeting short, attendees will be motivated to get through all of their discussion points within the time frame, creating a productive meeting that doesn’t take up too much time out of people’s schedules.
Focusing on a single topic per meeting allows attendees to hyper-focus, without going off on tangents that leave the meeting feeling unresolved by the end of the given period.
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Create A Phone Free Zone
Removing phones from meetings is a great way to focus attention on the topic at hand.
Using phones during a meeting is unnecessary and can show a lack of respect for those speaking when used. Try having a phone basket in the meeting room, or encouraging attendees to leave their phones at their desks while the meeting takes place to avoid any distractions.
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Create Action Items
Ending your meeting with a recap of the discussion and a selection of tasks for attendees to complete can leave everyone feeling motivated and ready to work
Create a series of action items for everyone that attended the meeting, these items will motivate and inspire attendees whilst managing the workload brought on by the meeting.
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Recap
Once your meeting is over send out a recap of what was discussed and the mentioned action points to all attendees. Sending out the meeting minutes ensures that attendees remain motivated to complete the task at hand, resulting in a meeting with a productive outcome.
Participate In Productive Meetings At Us&Co
At Us&Co we provide flexible workspaces and meeting rooms that are the ideal space for productive meetings. Conveniently located in both London Stratford and Monument, Us&Co’s affordable meeting spaces are the ideal change of scenery for your next meeting.
Get in touch with our friendly team to book your next meeting at one of our excellent spaces, or check out our selection of meeting rooms today.
What Will Happen to Flexible Working in a Recession
2023 is beginning a little differently than previous years, with talk of a recession set to hit the UK this year.
Recessions can be worrying times for business owners and employees alike as some industries may struggle to generate the same sales as they have previously, meaning a reduction in other costs may be a prominent theme during this time.
But how will a recession affect the current popularity of flexible working for employees?
Flexible working can be the ideal solution for employees and employers alike, allowing people the flexibility to work from the office or from home at various stages of the work week.
At Us&Co we believe that a flexible workplace helps to motivate employees, which is why we have looked into the potential effects a recession may have on flexible working, and how employers can still benefit from it during hard times.
What is Flexible Working?
Flexible Working offers a choice in ‘when, how and where’ people work, whether that is remote, part-time or flexible hours. These possibilities have been added into contracts and company policies in recent years due to their motivational qualities for employees.
Flexible working became popular during the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing business to continue as usual while people were refined to their homes. It’s remained popular among businesses ever since, helping people to maintain their work life balance whilst still putting in excellent work, leaving people feeling happier with their roles and workplace.
However, with the potential of an upcoming recession predicted to begin in 2023, it is likely that some employers will be questioning the benefits of flexible working for their businesses.
How will a Recession affect Flexible Working?
With the introduction of a recession comes the potential for financial loss amongst businesses, which is why employers are looking at ways they can continue to provide jobs and services that don’t have a negative, long-term impact on their business.
With a reduction in finances, it is understandable that employers may want their staff members to be making use of a workspace that is paid for by company funds. It’s also understandable that they may want to cut costs wherever possible, however flexible workspaces during these times can be a gift rather than a curse.
How you can use Flexible Workspaces for your Business
Flexible workspaces, such as the affordable office spaces in London provided by Us&Co, bring employers the opportunity to offer workspaces to their employees without the need for a fixed contract on an office, allowing you to choose weekly meeting spaces, co-working desks or the occasional private office space for your team.
Flexible workspaces can help to increase employee comfort and productivity, whilst making well-being an important factor. Since 2020 it has been shown that flexible workspaces paired with a flexible work schedule have improved productivity at work whilst making sure employees are satisfied with their job in the workplace.
Workspaces like those found at Us&Co are typically open plan, encouraging engagement with team members and easy opportunities to work together or brainstorm.
They also utilise shared kitchens and socialising facilities with other businesses and site users, cutting the costs of additional expenses such as electricity or water bills, with these costs being built into the overall cost of renting a flexible workspace.
How removing Flexible Working could create Employee discord
Flexible working has become the norm in recent years, with remote or part-time working being the most common flexible work opportunities provided by employers.
As financial stress begins to unravel due to thoughts surrounding the recession, it is expected that some employers will begin to think about rolling back these opportunities as they try to bring in more structured working roles.
Removing flexible working from your list of business offerings can be a big negative for those in your team, especially if the flexibility of working from home helped to benefit their personal lives too.
From parents to carers and those with large commutes, flexible working has been a huge benefit, so removing this as a work perk risks pushing those people into looking at more reliable job opportunities, potentially with competitors or even outside of the industry if the benefits are better.
Adjusting Flexible Working Opportunities
Rolling back on flexible working completely risks demotivating your employees, which is why it may be a better choice to adjust your flexible work plans rather than removing them altogether.
If you are looking to adjust flexible working opportunities, try lowering your company’s ‘work from home’ threshold. If your current flexible working policies include five days working from home, with the parameters being to come into the office for meetings, lower this to two or three work-from-home days. This way you are still providing a motivating, flexible work opportunity to your employees, whilst building team members in the office on a weekly basis.
How Flexible Working can be a Benefit during a Recession
Flexible workspaces, like day offices or co-working day passes, can be a great opportunity for businesses to reduce costs during a recession.
Leaving large offices behind can remove a large expense from your company. Instead, having a once or twice-weekly office in a flexible workspace like Us&Co can provide you with an eco-friendly, budget alternative that allows you to implement set office days or book meeting spaces, whilst allowing your employees to work remotely otherwise. This can help to motivate employees, bring a work life balance to the forefront of your employee benefits, whilst also providing a financially viable solution during the recession.
Discover Flexible Workspaces with Us&Co
At Us&Co we offer a series of flexible workspaces in London to suit all of your professional needs. Conveniently located in both Stratford and Monument, Us&Co provides affordable office space in London.
Each office space has access to facilities and excellent technology to help make your experience in a flexible workspace run smoothly.
Get in touch with our friendly team today to find out more about our excellent spaces, or view virtual tours of our London Stratford and London Monument locations today.
The Benefits of Choosing a Flexible Workspace
The rise of flexible working has brought flexible workspaces to the fore in recent years. They may be nothing new but before the COVID-19 pandemic showed us the importance of a healthy work-life balance, the advantages were mostly confined to how they benefit employers rather than employees.
Today, there’s much awareness of how flexible workspaces are a win-win for employers and employees. From top to bottom, they can contribute to greater happiness and productivity, while fitting in with the fast-paced demands of the modern work world.
We’re big believers not just in flexible working, but also in having a workspace that complements this flexibility on every level. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what flexible workspaces are and how they can enhance your work environment.
What is a Flexible Workspace?
Flexible office spaces give occupants access to a professional work environment without the hassle of owning or renting outright. Most often, this is a serviced space that requires minimal upkeep on the occupant’s part, with a versatile series of rooms that’s often shared with other like-minded businesses (although not always).
The types of flexible spaces available include day offices, co-working spaces or even individual rooms such as meeting rooms or conference facilities that can be rented out for short periods.
This is especially useful for start-ups looking for an office that don’t want the long-term commitment of leasing a space indefinitely. However, the advantages can also extend to well-established businesses that need extra space quickly and conveniently – when hosting a conference, for example.
Some key features of flexible workspaces:
- Typically open plan to encourage engagement
- Shared kitchen and socialising facilities
- Breakout spaces and quiet zones to complement various workstyles
Flexible offices are designed to mould to the needs of employers and employees on every level, hence the multipurpose spaces on offer (as well as the bespoke payment plans that are often non-contractual).
Flex Space Benefits for Your Business
Businesses who embrace flexible offices report a range of benefits that extend beyond the added convenience. Below are some key advantages:
1. Highly adaptable spaces with reduced overhead costs
Traditional offices are iconic for their cluttered and often mundane layouts. Of course, a cluttered work environment can also be an unsafe one; the working world has had to evolve post-pandemic, and the more breathable spaces of a flexible office are perfectly suited to this evolution.
Flex spaces include all the pieces of furniture and equipment you’d expect to see in a fresh office (minus the specific essentials like laptops, etc.). There’s no need to uproot and ‘move in’ – your employees can simply turn up, plug in and get to work.
There’s also the possibility of changing the space to meet your requirements. If you’re looking to set up shop in a flex space for a longer period, you’ll likely be permitted to move the desks and chairs around to suit your needs. This effectively makes the space ‘yours’ without any long-term commitment.
Needless to say, this all amounts in little to no overhead costs. Your business pays a flat fee for the space you use; electricity, water and even beverages can be included.
2. Enhanced productivity
The lighter layout and versatile facilities can also contribute to greater productivity among your workers. They’re not ‘shackled to their desks’, so to speak, with access to spacious, multipurpose areas designed to improve productivity.
As mentioned earlier, this includes quiet zones for focused work and breakout areas for collaborative tasks. Say goodbye to noise-cancelling headphones and awkward huddles in tight spaces – comfort and convenience is the name of the game.
3. They encourage networking & collaboration
Growing businesses understand the importance of networking all too well. You never know what possibilities a watercooler conversation can open up.
Because flexible offices are large enough to accommodate multiple businesses of various sizes, there’s an indispensable opportunity to meet and work alongside other professionals. Co-working spaces are built to bring people together rather than separate them into cubicles, contributing to increased collaboration and, in turn, greater satisfaction.
As we continue to lean into the advantages of the digital era, the world is becoming increasingly interconnected. Flexible spaces designed in accordance with the co-working model are spearheading this revolution.
4. They contribute to a modern workplace culture
It’s a simple equation: happy employees = greater workplace culture. Workers are more savvy than ever about their work-life balance; they want an environment that enhances their happiness alongside their careers.
So, modern workplaces must offer a competitive work-life balance to attract and retain talent. Flexible spaces provide just that – greater freedom in the workplace and more scope for flexing around the work week, too. Because flexible workspaces can be tailored to your needs, you may choose to adopt a hybrid model whereby you have a set number of office days and working from home days. For modern employees, this arrangement is essential.
Find Your Flexible Workspace in London
If you’re based in and around London, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of flex space opportunities. If you’re looking to utilise one for your business, we’d love to hear from you.
At Us & Co, we run a series of professional, flexible workspaces in London. Beautifully fitted and conveniently located, they’re a boon to businesses who are looking for a co-working space that complements the modern lifestyle.
Get in touch today to find out more and view virtual tours of our locations below:
How to Choose the Right Location for Your Office
When it comes to running a small business, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is choosing the right office space. Finding a location that promotes productivity, offers convenience and provides all the facilities you need can feel like a lot to juggle.
However, it’s not impossible to find a space that ticks all the right boxes. You just need to know where to start.
In this blog, we’ll go over some key things to consider when choosing office space. Whether you’re looking for a traditional office or a shared space that accommodates hybrid working, these steps will keep you on track to finding the right space for your business.
6 Considerations for Choosing Your Office Space
1. Does the location suit the business itself?
One of the most immediate factors in choosing an office space is its location. Where your office is based will have a major impact, not only on ease of access and the available nearby amenities but also on first impressions.
An office location that gels with what your business stands for will give off an unforgettable, harmonious impression. For example, if you’re working in a fast-paced, digital landscape, you’ll want to consider working in a busy central hub that attracts the clientele and stakeholders associated with your industry. Stratford in London is a good example, with many businesses moving to this increasingly popular location.
Your office location will have practical ramifications as well. Is it accessible via local transport links? Is there sufficient parking nearby for employees/visiting clients and stakeholders? An office is more than 4 walls and a handful of desks; to foster the desired level of productivity, it needs to be accessible to the people that pass through it as well.
2. Is it cost-effective?
This is one that’s probably at the forefront of your mind, especially if you’re a small or growing business. Think about the impact the cost of the space will have on your budget. It may be more cost-effective in the long run to go for a space that costs slightly more, but that you won’t have to move out of in 6 months’ time as your business grows.
In this case, a great solution is a coworking space. These afford flexibility, affordability and even productivity benefits, and are typically located in central hubs.
3. Are the rooms varied enough?
Multiple rooms with various functions aren’t just for large workforces – they’re essential for providing freedom and functionality to small businesses as well.
The flow of an office is vital for granting purpose to your business’s daily operations. Ensure that each employee has personal space for solo work as well as a primary meeting room. Smaller collaborative spaces for breakout tasks can be beneficial, and a recreational space to relax in can have positive effects on productivity, too.
Whatever your space requirements, keep in mind how available rooms might be assigned. This will also depend on your business; if your daily workflow emphasises collaboration, you’ll naturally want to assign more space to areas that facilitate group tasks.
If you opt for a coworking office space, you’ll have access to a variety of rooms that facilitate all manner of tasks, giving you access to what you need, when you need it.
4. Is the building well-maintained and regularly serviced?
Whether you’re looking to hire a cleaner yourself or choose a space that is regularly serviced by the landlord, this is another important consideration when choosing office space.
If you’re a small or startup business, you naturally want to avoid as much logistical hassle as possible. Choosing a flexible office space is an excellent option, as you’ll be able to turn up to work without worrying about even paying the electricity bill, let alone a cleaner. It’s all taken care of for you, allowing you to get to work with a minimum of fuss.
5. What do your employees want/need?
It’s surprising how few businesses ask their own employees what they want from their office space. Oftentimes, the people ‘on the ground’ will be able to offer points of view you may not have thought of otherwise. In the modern world where a work-life balance is more important to employees than ever, it’s important that they have some say in what their work life looks like. Businesses are increasingly catering to this, and these workplaces are often the most competitive for attracting new employees.
Consider how your office space can enhance your existing wellbeing policies, as well. This doesn’t mean you have to think about providing an in-house gym – it can encompass more realistic features such as standing desks and healthy lunch options.
It’s always worth checking in with your employees to see what they want from their future office space. Providing a work environment that they had some say in can be a powerful enhancement to productivity in itself.
6. Does the area facilitate networking opportunities?
This goes without saying, but networking is vital for young businesses. Being in the right place can ensure your path crosses some interesting people in your space, so think about how your office location can lend itself to broadening your network.
Are there similar businesses in the area? Even better, are there different businesses that do something unique, something you can learn from? Scoping out the networking environment – whether it’s in your building or nearby – is highly recommended.
Again, this is where coworking offices excel. By situating your business amongst other businesses of similar scopes, the opportunities for networking are limitless. Whether it’s chatting with someone from across the hall at lunch or engaging in one of those infamous ‘water cooler conversations’, coworking spaces facilitate networking as few other office spaces can.
Looking for the Perfect Office Space for Your Small UK Business?
If so, Us & Co may have just what you need. We run a series of workspaces in London in the following locations:
Our spaces are available on a flexible basis, allowing you to pay only for what you use. Get in touch today if you’d like to find out more about our office spaces and available meeting rooms for rent.
Related article: How to Find the Right Office Space as a Start-Up Business
Why Your Business Should Embrace Hybrid Working | Us & CoHybrid office working has shaken up the corporate world in recent years. The modern workplace is evolving into a space that facilitates a healthy work-life balance and the demands of a more flexible way of life post-COVID.
With the popularity of the hybrid model only rising, it’s time for all businesses to consider how they can provide this way of working to their employees.
With this in mind, this blog will cover what hybrid working is, as well as its benefits for both employers and employees. We’ll also briefly touch on how to start embracing the hybrid approach for your own business, with practical advice on making it work for you.
What is Hybrid Working?
Hybrid working is a workplace model that involves both remote working and traditional office-based work. It’s flexible by nature, offering employees greater control over their movements while allowing employers to utilise more flexible workspaces if a large office isn’t in the budget.
In short, it’s the perfect combination of legacy office working and modern, flexible remote working. From embracing practicality to improving productivity, the hybrid model allows businesses to step into the future of the workplace without totally abandoning the upsides of having a physical base.
The Benefits of Hybrid Office Working
The evidence suggests that the benefits of flexible working are a win-win for employers and employees. A hybrid office falls squarely in the ‘flexible workspace’ of the future – here’s how.
A Higher Emphasis on Work-Life Balance
We’ve already touched on the importance of a healthy work-life balance for modern job seekers. In this day and age, workers are much more mindful of the effects of their work life on their mental health. Perks and initiatives that champion them as people go a long way, as employees want to feel more in control of their working lives.
Of course, embracing a hybrid office model is not the only way to do this, but it can be a great option to help your organisation become more appealing to the modern workforce.
Improved Productivity
Studies show that an improvement in mental well-being equals greater productivity. We’re most productive when we feel in control and when we feel our personal needs are being met; giving employees the chance to embrace their jobs on their own terms can be just the incentive they need to improve their output.
If you want to make your business more competitive – both in the sense of being more appealing to job seekers and with a higher-quality output from improved productivity – the modern hybrid model could be the answer.
Simplified & Streamlined Meetings
Boardroom meetings have been dying out for some time now, with the COVID-19 pandemic proving that even essential face-to-face meetups can be conducted remotely. Modern technology makes it extremely easy for office workers to catch up, strategise and learn from anywhere in the world, let alone the country – it’s why there’s been such a rise in remote working.
Of course, this translates perfectly to the hybrid model, where meetings can be held at the convenience of attendees.
Now, not every business can afford to get rid of in-person meetings altogether – but conducting day-to-day meetings online is very possible, with no necessary sacrifice to productivity.
Financial Benefits for Employers and Employees
The hybrid working model can save a tremendous amount of money, not just for employees but for businesses themselves as well. The lower overheads that come from a reduced, form-fitting office space can be game-changing. You can essentially grow your workforce without paying for more space in some cases.
For employees themselves, the lower commuting costs can be extremely enticing, particularly in busy, central economic hubs. Hybrid office working is simply one of the most sustainable ways to carry out business in this day and age.
How to Set Up Your Hybrid Workspace
Below are our top tips for getting started with your business’s own hybrid arrangement. It’s by no means an exhaustive list, but these considerations should get you started in the right direction.
Choose the Right Hybrid Model for Your Business’s Needs
A hybrid office can take two possible forms:
- Employees have set days when working in the office. This can involve everyone being in the office on only a few days of the week, or on a rota whereby each employee is assigned days to come in.
- Employees ‘opt-in’ to their office days, giving them the control to choose when they work from home or from the office during core working hours.
Giving employees the power to choose when they’re in the office is perhaps the most popular model, as it affords them the best opportunity for a work-life balance that suits their (and your) needs. If your business allows for employees to do this (within reason, of course!), you might consider it the best course of action.
The rota option is great if you have limited office space – employees can hotdesk where needed to ensure they all enjoy office days and home days in a space that might be crammed should too many be in the office on a single day. Of course, this option requires more admin on your side, which is worth bearing in mind.
Bring Your Employees Onboard with Decision Making
Choosing the model doesn’t need to be the choice of key decision-makers alone. Bringing employees into this decision is a good idea, as the model is designed partly to meet their own needs. Therefore, having them join you in choosing the right model can be beneficial for all involved.
Consider Using a Flexible Workspace
Flexible workspaces and hybrid working are the perfect combination. With a flexible office, you can supercharge your business’ sustainability even further, whether you’re a large organisation or a budding start-up business looking for the right office space.
Flexible workspaces don’t have to completely do away with the traditional ‘9 to 5’ – in fact, they can enhance it in ways that are more conducive to modern lifestyles, making them ideal for moulding to the needs of a hybrid office environment.
Embrace the Hybrid Office with Us & Co
If you’re looking for an office space that flexes to your business’s hybrid needs, we’d love to hear from you.
Us & Co hosts a series of flexible workspaces for London and Dublin businesses, with an array of offices and meeting rooms that can mould to your needs. Whether you’re after a flexible but fixed office space or just need a day office to use sporadically, we can meet your needs to give you and your employees the work environment you need.
Get in touch to find out more, or book a virtual tour of one of our facilities below: