We spend many hours at work and where we do our work can affect the quantity and quality of work that is produced there. Solopreneur consultants often brag about our ability to work from home, the coffee shop, the library, or the hammock, but these environments can bring many distractions that have the potential to derail focus or creativity. Also, neither is a suitable place to invite an A-list client for a meeting.

If your goal is to attract big-budget clients, then you need to communicate your team’s ability to deliver complex and sophisticated services and instill confidence in those you ask to hire you. That will almost certainly involve hiring good office space.

Your office is an extension of your brand and should represent you well. If you’ve decided that office space away from home is now a necessity, read on for a basic overview of typical B2B commercial rental possibilities that might align with your needs and budget. For specific information on your requirements, consult a commercial real estate agent who has a deep understanding of the B2B office market in your location. Additionally, you can benefit from the services of an office planning specialist.

co-working space

This is often the first place Solopreneurs and Entrepreneurs consider when it’s time to move from a makeshift office to a formal one. Think of co-working office space like living with roommates. Layouts vary, but you’ll have a dedicated workspace that provides some degree of privacy.

Aside from your discreet work area, all other spaces are common and amenities are shared. You’ll share resources like a photocopier, scanner, and conference room equipped with basic audio-visual equipment. There will probably be a kitchen, stocked with at least a coffee maker, microwave, and refrigerator.

Many co-working spaces are unique to a particular (often high-tech) industry. They are designed to encourage networking and referrals, because they are populated by small operators.

However, privacy can be a challenge because so much is on display, including perhaps your desk area. Highly confidential meetings may need to be held in a coffee shop, ironically, where anonymity can play to your advantage.

shared prestige

Some coworking spaces are located in luxury office buildings that have lost a big client, so building owners make up for lost revenue by renting to those looking for a fancy office for a limited number of hours each month, mainly when they would like to impress a client or prospect. Office sharing is a more accurate description of this arrangement.

There is usually a receptionist on site to greet your appointments and notify you of their arrival. There will be a conference room available that tenants can reserve for larger meetings. There will be a proper office with a door, giving privacy. You’ll have a large kitchen, a high-end copier, and other standard office amenities. The receptionist can also answer her office landline and forward calls to her, which she can return at her convenience. If it is configured correctly, no one will know that you are only renting a part.

private office

A traditional office suite, even a small space, is a huge financial commitment. Commercial leases typically run for three years and are difficult to cancel. You must have great confidence in your projected income.

Think carefully about your staffing needs to determine the square footage you will rent. Do you anticipate hiring an administrative assistant and other people to work with you in some way? There must be space to accommodate them. Whether everyone is likely to be in the office simultaneously is another consideration, but everyone will need a dedicated permanent space.

Your staff may require different styles of workstations, depending on what they do. The size of the desks and the style of the chairs will also be important. Ergonomics count, as their use decreases the risk of developing back and neck pain and promotes productivity.

Finally, there is the floor plan to visualize. Open plans are popular, but the office cubicle provides more privacy. Will you, the boss, have a private office, or will the open plan include you too, communicating that you are a team player?

Thank you for reading,

kim