New Zealand is such a spectacular country that, no matter where your business is located, you’re guaranteed a picturesque or exciting neighborhood.
While it’s easy to find an address that looks great from the outside, it’s trickier to get the rest right. There are all kinds of things to think about, from transports links to internet speeds, cost, lease duration, and more.
Therefore, when considering office space for rent, it’s a good idea to have a checklist of priorities. The better you know the needs of your business, the easier it will be to secure them.
There is, of course, the traditional long-term lease on offer, but it isn’t the only option. There are virtual, serviced, and coworking offices in all the major cities in New Zealand.
This guide to selecting a suitable office space will give you some tips on where to start.
Be Location Specific
Location prejudice is a more powerful force than you might realize and not just for your customers. Investors tend to limit their interest to the busiest urban neighborhoods because this is where most of the money gets made. It provides a rich variety of profitable ideas.
So, if you want to get noticed and build up a strong presence where it counts, consider moving to a city like Auckland or Wellington. The retail and financial districts are full of amazing office spaces. They boast superb transport links, easy access to local talent, and iconic addresses.
Find a Perfect Fit
As already mentioned, a traditional three or five-year lease isn’t the only option. Flexible workspaces are becoming increasingly popular with entrepreneurs in New Zealand, as they offer custom packages. With a virtual office, you don’t even need to make physical visits.
It’s a great model for home-based businesses, as the resources are available in a virtual form. Members ‘check in’ to a centralized facility and monitor phone messages, mail, and other responsibilities from any location. In other words, it’s a good idea to consider all the options.
Check the Price Tag
Obviously, the cost is a major consideration at all stages of the search for an office. It’s an important factor because you’ve got to think about more than the present. Often, businesses are tripped up by a lack of foresight. They forget that market conditions change fast.
The best rental arrangements are those that are inherently negotiable. For instance, serviced vendors offer opened ended contracts. Tenants can stay for as long as they like, but they’re not penalized for terminating an agreement early, particularly if they need to downgrade.
Make the Team Comfortable
If you’ve got employees to lead, they should be a big influence on your choice. The level of accessibility and ease of use will have a direct impact on their performance. Little things like proximity to train stops, number of parking spots, and local amenities all make a difference. Â
If you’re a young company, with a small team (1-10 people, perhaps), you could try coworking. It provides a flexible balance between full time remote (offsite) work and structured, office routines. Instead of renting privately, you become a member of a shared workspace.
Why Starting Out Doesn’t Have to Mean a Tough Start
It’s certainly true that money reigns supreme in the world of business. The more you have, the easier it is to get started and build up a buzz around your brand. However, don’t mistake cash for success, because plenty of wealthy entrepreneurs crash and burn.
The real secret to making it is knowing how to spend your money. You’ve got to maximise value by getting as much out of a rental as possible. This is something flexible options like virtual and serviced offices are great for, as they pack a lot of perks into very affordable rates. Â
