If you are among the many individuals ready to move out of your home or coffee shop and establish a professional office, there is a wonderful option you should consider. Becoming a tenant within an office business center (OBC) or executive office center (EOC) provides you with the professional image you desire without excessive start-up costs. While business centers have been around for about 30 years, they are a well kept secret. This is surprising since they are the perfect solution for sole practitioners, entrepreneurs, startup businesses, and holding companies. Working in a business center is a favored choice for workers in the financial, legal, real estate, marketing, media, technology, and consulting industries.
Benefit # 1 – You run your business, not your office
The center manager takes care of all your officing needs. He or she provided the office, furniture, telephone, internet, and utilities including HVAC, electric, and janitorial. If anything goes wrong, one quick call to the manager takes care of the problem. You spend your time managing your business, not managing your surroundings.
Benefit # 2 – Shared Costs, Lower Expenses
By participating in a business center, you have the benefit of a private office at a much lower cost because you share the extra amenities with the other tenants. This includes restroom facilities, break room, copier, conference room, and reception areas. You also share the cost for administrative assistance including the receptionist and office manager.
Benefit # 3 – Networking
Rather than being isolated in your home environment, you have the opportunity to mingle daily with other tenants who can be great referral sources for your business or even potential clients!
Benefit # 4 – Professional Image
Having a brick and mortar office in a professional office building creates an image which tells your clients that you are a successful business. A skilled receptionist greets them upon their arrival. You have the option of meeting with them in your private office or a beautifully appointed conference room. There are no barking dogs or children giggling in the background as you might have in a home office.
Benefit # 5 – Flexibility
In a traditional lease environment, you might have to sign a 5 year agreement to stay in a private office. In a business center, the initial agreement is often only 6 to 12 months, with many agreements switching to month-to-month after the first year. Termination notice periods frequently range from 30 to 90 days versus the 6 months often required with a traditional lease. So whether you need to expand to a larger space or contract into a smaller one, you are not trapped for a long time. And in most cases, should you move to an office of a different size, you would keep the same suite number at the same address as well as the same phone number. What a bonus not to have to notify all your clients of a new address or absorb the expense of time and money to change your business cards, website, etc.
When researching the perfect business center for you, finding the proper fit is much like buying a car. Shop around, make a visit, and discover the one that feels right for you and your business.
Linda Grund is the Center Manager at STAT Office Solutions in Wilmington, Delaware, a low cost, high value provider of office services.
