Less commuting, more balance: Why flexible workspaces work.
Changes to the way we work – with increased working from home and ‘hybrid’ combinations of remote and office time – have reshaped the physical work environment. Many companies in New Zealand, and indeed worldwide, are discovering they can thrive without the cost and hassle of maintaining a large, central headquarters. Instead they’re utilising modern workspace solutions, which give them what they need, when they need it.
Alexander Sykes, New Zealand manager for flexible workplace provider IWG, says that as employees shift away from long daily commutes and traditional nine-to-five hours towards working from home, at hubs, or on the go, the demand for conventional office space is also declining.
“Hybrid working, which empowers employees to split their time between a local flexible workspace, home and their company HQ, has emerged as the preferred way of working for millions of people and businesses post-pandemic,” Sykes says. “And it’s here to stay. Research shows that, in years to come, between 30% and 40% of white-collar workers will permanently work in this model.”
Business is evolving
While this new way of working was born of necessity during the pandemic, the worldwide ‘megatrend’ is showing no sign of fading away. That’s because businesses and their employees have discovered the benefits it can offer, in terms of both balance sheets and employee productivity. Sykes says that, through having to adapt and react to challenges during the pandemic, many companies have discovered it makes financial sense to move towards a flexible working model. It means they can spend less money on running a large, static office space, giving them the ability to attract talent from a wider pool and increasing employee productivity.
“They’ve discovered that hybrid works for people,” Sykes says. “Reducing the need to commute has the potential to improve employee happiness by allowing a better work-life balance. Which means productivity and profits are boosted, while the carbon emissions associated with a daily commute are radically reduced too.
“Simply spending less time in, or travelling to, a city centre drives a drop in emissions from buildings and vehicles alike. The higher a city’s car usage, the greater will be the immediate positive impact of the shift to home-based and local working.”
Having fewer staff working in traditional office environments has meant companies of all sizes are increasingly looking to modern, flexible work environments – renting desk space and meeting areas, and contracting out office management and supply tasks. Flexible workspace providers like IWG are rapidly expanding to meet an increasing demand for such spaces, not just in main centres but in smaller cities around the country and worldwide.
A worldwide trend
“We’re growing at the fastest rate in our more than 30-year history. Just last year, we added close to 900 locations to our global network to meet the unprecedented demand for flexible work solutions.” Sykes says.
Expansion is on the cards in New Zealand too, with the company planning to open workspaces in more regional centres. IWG currently offers 16 different facilities in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, with sites offering a range of amenities including fully-serviced private offices, day offices and meeting spaces. Around the world, the company manages nearly 4,500 such locations.
Working with a flexible workspace provider means companies don’t have to deal with issues like cleaning, utilities and security. Businesses have access to fast and secure Wi-Fi networks, a professional reception and office management team, plus communal kitchen facilities. Office suites can also be customised to suit clients’ particular needs, plus additional extras such as copying and scanning, IT support and catering can also be provided.
For companies whose employees work entirely remotely, IWG can also provide a ‘virtual office’ service, supplying a business address, telephone answering services, a virtual receptionist and access to a global network of business lounges. Meeting and interview rooms, boardrooms and training or function rooms can also be hired by the hour.
Recognising that not every company and employee needs or wants the same style of office space, IWG offers a range of ‘brands’, similar to how hotel chains operate. Regus, which has been providing professional workspace environments for 35 years, has sites around the world. Regus isn’t the only IWG brand to offer flexible office space that empowers more productive workers though. Spaces has more modern and funky office spaces, aimed at ‘forward thinkers, innovators and game-changers’. HQ is a more cost-conscious option, suitable for individual freelancers up to big corporates, while Signature is aimed at the higher end, with upscale environments likened to being in a five-star hotel.
“Customers have access to everything they need on the IWG app. They can book a co-working desk, meeting room or private office with the tap of a button. Or request IT support, or anything else they might need to help them have a great day at work.” Sykes says.
The value of flexibility can’t be understated
The benefits of hybrid working and utilising flexible office space go beyond an individual company’s bottom line and the savings on rent, power and chocolate biscuits in the break room. The expansion of local flex spaces – in suburbs, rather than solely in CBDs – also stands to bring significant social and economic benefits to smaller centres and local communities by redistributing economic activity, creating jobs and increasing local spending and activity, Sykes says.
“The positive impact of the hybrid model on people, profits and the planet is becoming increasingly clear. Hybrid is key to a more sustainable future, in more ways than one.”
To discover how Regus can help you find a better work-life balance, visit regus.com
