Choosing a new workplace is an important decision and one that will greatly affect your current and future employees. After all, the average American is estimated to spend 90,000 hours at work over the course of their life and more than 100 hours yearly commuting there. Because of this, employers must make sure the design, location and amenities of a new office align well with the company brand and strategic future vision.
We would encourage business owners considering leasing, buying or building a new office space to think about the four points listed below before making a decision.
Think about: your brand
One of the most important aspects of new office space is making sure it aligns with your company values and overall brand. Do you value collaboration between coworkers? If so, make sure the space has multiple collaborative spaces or room to add them. Is creativity and innovation a big part of your brand? Seek an office that has some unique features that can inspire your team through a variety of flexible workspace options.
Think about: location
Take into account how your employees get to work (driving, biking, walking, public transportation) and how long it takes them. Will your new location be a big change for them? This distance and mode of transportation may need to change depending upon the location of the new space. For instance, if many employees take the bus, having your office located near a bus stop should be high on your priority list. Don’t risk losing your most valuable employees because you’ve moved further than they are willing to commute. We’ve written more about how a company’s location affects employees here.
Where your clients’ offices are located is another aspect of this decision. If having regular, in-person interaction with your clients is a big part of your company culture, choosing office space located within a reasonable distance of your main clients or customers is something to consider. Features like available parking near the office and proximity to coffee cafes and lunch spots are also amenities some business owners may want to consider.
Think about: employee diversity
Different generations are likely to prefer different features in a work space. While you won’t be able to cater to everyone, especially with five generations currently in the workforce, you should make an effort to keep their preferences in mind when designing a space. There is more and more great research on ways that we all like to work and what is important. We like this information from HGA that talks about the top three trends impacting talent recruitment and retention.
Think about: your budget
Many decisions regarding leasing or building a new space come down to one thing: money. Does your budget allow for the newest trends in office design? The reality is most businesses have a defined budget and must prioritize the cost of their space against the key attributes we have defined above. Weigh the idea of hiring a tenant representative or development consultant to assist you in the process of choosing a new space. They will help you find your dream space while keeping your feet firmly planted within the borders of what you can afford.
Our commitment to you
We understand the importance of creating an office space that embodies your company culture. For us, that begins with finding the right space to call your own. If you work with KimbleCo, we pledge to help you buy, rent or build the optimal workspace so you’re positioned to:
Attract and retain employees
Improve productivity
Encourage innovation and collaboration
Improve employee engagement
Mitigate risk
Reduce your real estate cost
Get in touch with us to learn more about our industry expertise and why you’ll want us on your team when you’re ready to find new office space.