Why Managed Offices Beat Working from Home for Businesses?
Quick Summary: Working from home is convenient and helps cut expenses, but it comes with its own set of hurdles that have an impact on professionalism, efficiency, and customer interaction. This guide discusses the disadvantages of a home-based business and how working from home differs from using managed office space. It further explains the benefits of choosing managed office solutions as a more flexible option.
Key Takeaways:
- Working Style: Remote working provides flexibility and reduced expenses but may impact professionalism, efficiency, and relationships with clients.
- Managed Offices: Provides ready-to-use workstations with state-of-the-art facilities, enabling companies to conduct themselves professionally without signing any lease agreement.
- Business Support: Business support includes conference rooms, virtual offices, reception services, mail services, and other administrative facilities that help to simplify business processes.
- Ideal For: Startups, consultants, SMEs, and other businesses who want a scalable business solution.
- Benefit: The solution combines the advantages of remote working with professionalism and other benefits required for future business development.
In an increasingly challenging business landscape, new-age entrepreneurs are constantly looking for smarter ways to differentiate their businesses. While most companies try various permutations around product, price, place and promotions, the really innovative ones reinvent their USP time and again.
For small businesses, one such USP is cutting down on the real estate and infrastructure expenses which often form a significant percentage of the company’s total outflow. This can be done by operating a home-based business (home office) or working from home. This brings in a lot of flexibility and comfort without the extra overhead expenses that a dedicated full-time office forces.
Working from Home vs. Managed Office
A feature-by-feature look at where a home setup holds up and where a managed office pulls ahead.
| Feature | Working from Home | Managed Office |
|---|---|---|
| Business Address | Residential address | Prestigious commercial address |
| Client Meetings | Limited space and facilities | Fully equipped meeting rooms |
| Professional Image | May appear less established | Strong corporate presence |
| Office Infrastructure | Self-managed | Fully managed and ready to use |
| Administrative Support | Not available | Reception, mail handling, and business support |
| Flexibility | High | High with professional facilities |
| Setup Cost | Low | Minimal upfront investment |
| Scalability | Limited | Easily expand as your business grows |
What Are the Real Challenges of Working from Home?
While working from home has several advantages, there are certain severe drawbacks which can prove detrimental to your business.
01. No Professional Location
Your home is not located at a prime commercial location. Homes seldom are. They are built and maintained as peaceful living places, located away from the hustle and bustle of the fast life. However, this is what makes them an inconvenient location for meetings. Your clients will find it difficult to reach you.
02. Difficulty Hosting Meetings
No matter how hospitable your home might be, conducting meetings at your house will at times lead to an unprofessional environment. Inadequate room space and infrastructure is another thing that can have an impact on your meetings.
03. Reduced Credibility
When your clients call your 'workplace', you don't want your ten-year-old to receive the phone. Working from home severely hampers your credibility because you are unable to present a professional front.
04. Everyday Distractions
When your clients, prospects, employees or visitors come calling, you need to be able to put your best foot forward and do what you do best, i.e., promote your business. A home-based office forces one to wear several hats at once. These domestic distractions are not what your business needs!
How Managed Offices Solve These Challenges
A managed office is a solution that lies between the benefits of a home office and a standard office. It ensures that firms have fully managed office space along with the necessary services and infrastructure without making any large up-front investments or committing a lease.
This is because for a consultant who works from home, all that he needs is an executive meeting room for a few days in the month, while for a growing firm, what he needs is a scalable office space to grow with him as more and more people come into the business.
What Are Managed Offices?
Managed offices are completely furnished and professionally run workstations which can be used by companies that need an office setup right away. Managed offices differ from traditional office rental arrangements. It is because, unlike the traditional arrangement, a managed office comes with complete furnishing, internet access, reception facilities, cleaning, maintenance, and IT support under one agreement.
Besides the complete workspace, managed offices provide various other business services which aid the functioning of organisations.
Meeting Rooms on Demand
Access to professionally designed meeting rooms is another key benefit offered by a managed office. The meeting room can be utilised whenever required for meetings with clients, conducting interviews, making presentations, offering training, or conducting board meetings. Fitted with fast internet, video conferencing facilities, presentation systems and comfortable seating arrangements, they will aid your business in always projecting a professional image.
Virtual Office Services
A physical office is not necessary for every business on a daily basis. Virtual offices are an effective method of maintaining the business profile for businesses that run remotely. Virtual offices offer a prestigious business address for lettering and communication purposes, whereas services like call answering and call forwarding make sure that every client's communication is handled professionally.
Why Businesses Choose Managed Offices
Apart from offering an efficient work environment, managed offices make operations easier while also allowing firms to expand as and when needed. Below are some of the major benefits:
- Professional business address at a prime business location
- Fully furnished offices with up-to-date infrastructure
- Flexible tenure without the need for long-term leases
- Availability of meeting rooms and business lounges
- Reception and mail handling services
- Low overheads and maintenance costs
- Scalability as per business growth requirements
Managed Office & Virtual Office Pricing
Indicative starting prices for Delhi & Gurgaon centres. Final quote depends on location, seat count and customisation - talk to our team for an exact rate.
| Virtual Office | Hot Desk | Dedicated Desk | Private Suite | Book a Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Address Plan | Fixed Seat Plan | Fixed Seat Plan | Managed Office Plan | Enquire Now → |
| ₹1,999/mo | ₹6,999/seat/mo | ₹9,999/seat/mo | ₹12,999/seat/mo | Enquire Now → |
| - Prestigious mailing address | - Any available desk, any day | - Your own reserved desk | - Fully private branded office | Enquire Now → |
| - Mail & courier handling | - High-speed Wi-Fi & power | - Lockable storage | - Custom fit-out available | Enquire Now → |
| - Call answering & forwarding | - Reception & housekeeping | - Business lounge access | - Dedicated IT & admin support | Enquire Now → |
| - 2 meeting room hours/mo | - 4 meeting room hours/mo | - 8 meeting room hours/mo | - Unlimited meeting room hours | Enquire Now → |
The Bottom Line
With the continuous trend of using flexible workspaces, being able to use a professional workspace is more relevant now than ever. The managed office combines the convenience of remote workspaces with the reputation, facilities, and support offered by an actual office space. If you are a freelancer, a startup company, or an established company that needs help managing its workspace, then you have the perfect solution in a managed office space.
Whether you are starting a new venture, scaling up your existing team, or need a professional option other than working from home, our Avanta Business Centre provides quality managed office space at five locations in Delhi and two locations in Gurugram. We provide flexible workspaces along with business-class amenities, professional meeting spaces, virtual offices, and business support services.
FAQs
1. What is a Managed Office?
2. Is a Managed Office better than Working from Home?
3. Who Should Choose a Managed Office?
4. What type of facilities do you have in a managed office?
5. Is it possible to book meeting rooms without renting an office?
6. What are the benefits of a virtual office?
7. Is a managed office appropriate for an expanding business?
8. Why choose a managed office in Delhi?
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