A central work location, low cost rentals and simple lease arrangements combined with the ability to network with people in allied industries, sets a small business up for success.
The concept of cohabitant or collaborative workspace is taking hold in cities across the world, and is translating into office rentals that share space and have flexible lease terms. In Cape Town, The Bureaux, which offers shared workspace, is tapping directly into this trend, says Beadle.The concept of cohabitant or collaborative workspace is taking hold in cities across the world, and is translating into office rentals that share space and have flexible lease terms. In Cape Town, The Bureaux, which offers shared workspace, is tapping directly into this trend.
This is according to Bureaux founder, Greg Beadle, who says that strong demand indicates a clear gap in the market.
“We started offering shared office space in The Woodstock Exchange in Albert Road, because it offered the ideal space for entrepreneurs and SME owner operators to test the cohabitant workspace concept, and we have since expanded the concept to buildings in Sea Point and Cape Town CBD with plans well underway to open more spaces around Cape Town.”
He says they invest substantially to create shared workspaces that feel right and have all of the facilities of a professional office space.
“I initially chose the Woodstock Exchange as the environment offers a well-lit, easy-flow work hub, and tenants are sourced with the intent of sparking collaboration.”
Entrepreneurs or small business owners usually start off working from home or coffee shops. Working from home might be beneficial and cost effective during the start-up phase, however, he says the daily distractions of being at home tend to get in the way running a business productively.
The ground floor of The Woodstock Exchange with places like Rosetta, Superette and The Field Office, buzz with business meetings throughout the day.Global tech leaders Google and Apple are known for promoting open-office design, believing that innovation is at its best when employees are working together.
“Shared workspace should encourage collaboration while being social, but it must be respectful of privacy,” says Beadle.
“We have creatives, professionals and start-up brands contributing their energy, and the result is very positive. Also, if they want to get out of the office there are coffee shops and restaurants right there.”
The ground floor of The Woodstock Exchange with places like Rosetta, Superette and The Field Office, buzz with business meetings throughout the day.
A key benefit to working in a shared work habitat is the ability to exchange ideas and build new business relationships. Steve Jobs believed that the best ideas came from spontaneous meetings of the minds. He planned for the PIXAR toilets to be in one central location so that creatives would bump into each other more often, consistently sparking new ideas, says Beadle.
Expansion is the ambition for most small business owners. What starts off in the study at home usually evolves into an office in the City Bowl district, this is a goal shared by many entrepreneurs. He says growth can be an exciting time for the business owner, but it can also be frightening and very expensive.
Shared workspace should encourage collaboration while being social, but it must be respectful of privacy, says Beadle.“The Bureaux makes expansion easy; businesses simply rent extra desks as they take on more staff, and there is the option to migrate to dedicated office spaces in the building, once their businesses outgrow the shared space,” says Beadle.
With names like the “Corner Office”, the “Engine Room”, the “Library”, the “Observatory”, the “Back Office” and the “Show Room”, The Bureaux has ensured that there is a space for every type of business.
“We definitely don’t have a one size fits all approach,” says Beadle. “Our spaces are designed to suit the quirks and needs of different businesses and personalities, whether you are quiet or in need of a stimulation to work effectively.”
Contracts and lease agreements can be very intimidating for an entrepreneur entering the market so The Bureaux provides a simplified lease structure. Desk users pay one month’s deposit, together with their first month’s rent. This deposit becomes the tenant’s last month’s rent once they give notice to leave.
For more information, visit the website.
