It is safe to say that the flexible office landscape has become even more competitive in recent years, as providers are realising that short-term leases are the way forward. The pandemic has highlighted the need for less traditional office spaces and more providers are introducing virtual office services as part of their offerings.
What Are Virtual Offices?
Virtual offices are the perfect solution for freelancers, start-ups and independent professionals as they are able to have a professional business address, without the overheads of permanent office space. A virtual office often also comes with additional services such as mail receipt and forwarding, as well as access to conference rooms. In essence, they provide most of the benefits of a traditional office, at a fraction of the cost.
The shift in working from home during the past year has meant that technology has advanced, and we have all had to adapt to this very quickly. Virtual reality was already starting to become more trendy and this is only set to get more popular now. Many experts within the industry are predicting that future coworking spaces will be more likely to include this virtual element.
Virtual coworking spaces are a very new concept, and provide many of the same benefits as physical coworking, without having to be in one specific location. Using a virtual coworking space allows freelancers to feel a part of the coworking community, from the comfort of their own homes.
Companies Demanding Flexibility
Flexibility is almost becoming a buzzword in the world of office spaces, and this is due to the ever-changing dynamics of the workforce. The days of 9-5 are slowly fading away, and companies are shifting their mindset away from employees being stuck behind a desk for 8 hours a day. A mobile environment is becoming increasingly popular, where employees may go to their usual place of work for one or two days a week, and work from an alternative location for the rest of the week. Providers of flexible workspaces are able to take advantage of this rise in demand, expanding their offerings to meet the needs of their new customers.
Win-Win For Both Parties
The great thing about this shift towards more flexible working spaces is that it benefits both the office providers and business owners at the same time. Businesses can utilise virtual offices and meeting spaces with minimal overheads, whilst maintaining a professional outlook. This means they have more budget to reinvest back into the business into things like marketing, for example.
Virtual office providers, on the other hand, can generate more revenue due to the increased demand for flexible solutions. They are able to increase the number of members but without the hassle of creating an extra workspace in order to accommodate them. Meeting rooms and services will still need to be provided to virtual office users, but it is a great additional income stream.
Attracting Talent
Virtual offices help to bring in new talent to workspaces, particularly as many users will book on-demand meeting spaces. You never know who you are going to meet when you use the facilities a virtual office provides. It is a great way to expand your network and talk with other like-minded individuals.
There are lots of additional benefits of coworking spaces, including:
- Flexibility
- Reduced costs
- Forming part of a community
- No distractions
- Increased productivity
- Better work-life balance
If you are considering a virtual office for your business, McCue House provides four virtual office packages, tailored to your individual needs. The basic package includes a registered business address, a personal mailbox collection point and a notification when parcels are received. At only £30 a month can you afford not to have a virtual office?! Get in touch today to sign up for this amazing offer.