Going Serviced – What to Consider Before Choosing an Office Provider

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Malaysia’s commercial real estate environment can place your business in some of the most affluent areas. However, if you are unfamiliar with the environment or you need office space immediately, looking for a place that will provide both value with affordability might be difficult. One way to get both is through the serviced office.

The serviced office reduces the amount of time you spend searching for space, in addition to cutting down on the amount of time you have to furnish and supply utilities to the office. Serviced offices in and around Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur specifically, can have your office fit out within a few weeks of signing a lease. However, choosing an office provider depends on a number of factors.

Continue reading to learn about the various factors you should take into consideration when looking for an office provider.

Research is Key

Every company is unique, and will therefore require slightly different things to maintain effective operations. So, it’s best to do as much research as possible prior to making a commitment. This will ensure that you’re getting the best possible deal, and that you don’t end up with any unfortunate surprises once you start moving your staff in. Read reviews from previous patrons, explore the finer details, and if possible, ask your provider questions directly. It may add some extra time to your search, but if it means you get a better deal, it’s still well worth it.

Location

One of the most important considerations is related to where the office is located. Across the industry, many serviced offices have buildings that dot the central business district. This is one of the reasons the serviced office is one of the most cost-effective ways to go, as they fit out businesses in some of the more well-heeled communities.

Businesses considering an office provider need to take into consideration whether the officer provider can get them as close to their target area as needed, and this is primarily is because these areas are going to be the foundation of much of your foot traffic. For these reasons, location, location, location – is very true.

International Offices

Also very important in deciding on an office provider is whether the leasing company has international offices. The reason behind this consideration is international companies can provide you with space regardless of where you are doing business in the world. While your leasing contract might be in Kuala Lumpur, these offices can help you with your business needs in other locations, especially if adopting alternative office formats like co-working or the virtual office.

These office providers can reserve conference rooms, meeting rooms and boardrooms for you in other places around the world. If you are interested in testing out new markets or you are even a professional that travels frequently, being able to easily reserve space in other locations streamlines much of the effort that goes into organising international travel plans with meetings. Furthermore, while the cost to lease offices with conglomerate leasing companies might be more expensive, the investment pays off in the long run.

Flexibility

Of the factors to consider, businesses should consider whether the lease is flexible enough to accommodate their budget and flexible enough to accommodate business growth. Usually, conventional office providers will ask renters to commit to protracted contracts, which ask them to pay deposits that can run into the thousands. After you have paid for the first month’s rent and the second month’s rent as a deposit, in addition to the first month’s rent, you have run through a lot of your start-up funding. Serviced office providers, however, tend to provide renters with more flexibility in terms of the length of the contract and any deposits.

Businesses should also consider whether the leasing company can provide accommodations that are scaleable. If your business experiences a growth spurt, you want access to office space that can accommodate growth, but you do not want to spend 9 months to a year orchestrating a move. A good office provider can provide you with a lease that can be modified to adapt to your expanding operations or relocation efforts.

Choosing Wisely

While these are just a few of the factors businesses should take into consideration, these ones really change the tone of your business stay in the location. A lease should place your business in a location that maximises its ability to attract clients while allowing you the flexibility to do business in other locations. Ultimately, by accomplishing these two objectives, your business is primed for growth.