How Flexible Workplaces Can Pave the Way for Business Transformation Sponsored Feature

There are disrupters in every industry. Companies forcing positive change on the services we pay for every day. Spotify with music. Uber with transport. Netflix with TV and film. And the greatest disrupters go even further than just changing the market. They combine forces with other businesses to drastically change the landscape of the entire marketplace. And all in the name of innovation.

Advances in technology are changing the way we think about the way we work. Because we can connect with colleagues and clients around the globe in seconds, many of the core elements of a business, which would have been indispensable a decade ago, are now on the chopping block.

Businesses are increasingly outsourcing the parts of their business that are either too time-consuming, too expensive, or highly technical. This way, all their resources can focus on growing the all-important bottom line. IT services, accounting, risk management and HR are all departments whose services are now frequently provided by external suppliers. So it’s, only natural that the next step would be the offices and workplaces themselves.

Providing Flexible Space and Remote Working Solutions

That’s how the spark for the workplace revolution was ignited. Companies have turned to Regus to meet this new demand for flexible and remote working solutions. It’s a movement that has developed organically to meet the needs and expectations of businesses, designed to boost productivity and collaboration. The challenge for businesses is how to optimise this new landscape.

The move towards outsourcing office space has combined with a more general shift away from static working environments, driven by a younger and more specialised workforce. The millennial generation of always-on employees are far more predisposed to working from any location. These digital natives are less committed to the idea of a static company headquarters. To them, their employer should facilitate work from any location they choose, be it a local office, or even abroad.

Businesses are reconsidering their real estate portfolio. When a pre-set geographical area doesn’t constrict you, you’re able to travel directly to potential clients, move closer to suppliers and shift focus as markets expand and contract. This flexibility directly translates into real financial benefits. When you can place your employees in the position they need to be to do their job, you’re cutting down on travel expenses claims and recruiting costs. What’s more, because serviced workspaces at Regus are pre-furnished and ready-to-use, you’re saving on the overheads and set up as well.

Transforming the Workplace

It’s no surprise then that the CEOs of high-ranking businesses are choosing Regus as their dedicated workspace solution. The numbers suggest we’re on the verge of a complete transformation in the way people work. In a recent survey, 18,000 business leaders gave their views on the development of flexible workspaces. The results show we’re rapidly moving towards a point where dynamic working options are the norm, rather than the exception. In 2016, 64 per cent of respondents said that enabling their company’s employees to work anywhere helped them recruit and retain talent. In the most recent survey, that jumped to 80 per cent.

But the benefits transfer to the employees as well. The majority of respondents believed that flexible working makes their teams happier, and 82% stated that it increased their team’s productivity. And it’s Regus that facilitates this kind of operation. Our clients come from a huge range of industries, but the one commonality is that they’re in fierce competition to hire and retain the best talent. A flexible workplace can be the catalyst that gives your company that competitive edge, driving employee satisfaction and loyalty.

With our variety of clients, we understand that office space isn’t a ‘one-size fits all’ affair. Flexibility can’t just come from location; it has to extended to the workspaces themselves. That’s why each of our centres can be tailored to your individual needs – with shared, co-working arrangements and private offices. Communication has never been more vital in business, and that’s why we ensure the vast majority of our centres are able to accommodate conferences and meetings, with high-speed Wi-Fi connections ensuring smooth running. Select centres are also able to offer catering, call handling and a range of services.

Get the Lease that Suits Your Needs

What’s more, the variety of lease options means you can simply choose what best suits your company. You’ll only ever pay for the space you use, rather than being locked into a long-term contract. And once you’re a Regus member, you’ll have access to our dedicated account team, a range of supporting administrative services, and the use of our business centres – worldwide. With this flexibility, you’re free to invest your capital into growing your business, instead of covering costs.

For individual employees, there’s a monthly subscription programme, giving them access to over 3,000 workspaces across the world as they travel. It’s dynamic working options like this that help your organisation stay competitive, maximise profits, and stay in tune with other industry leaders globally.

We also offer workplace disaster recovery. If your primary office is suffers from anything from a temporary power outage, to large scale damage from flooding, fire and the like, we can have you set up in a fully functioning workspace in hours. In the past, companies would have no choice but lose out when the worst-case scenario affected their business. With our flexible working options, your employees won’t have to miss a beat.

The message is clear – there’s a huge argument for flexible working solutions, both from a worker and employer perspective. The benefits are even clearer – dynamic workspace instantly cuts overheads, creates a more desirable workspace and increase your own operational flexibility. It even offers unparalleled levels of security during turbulent times. Don’t be one of the organisations holding back from joining the workspace revolution. By fully embracing the potential of this new and expanding model, you’ll be able to ensure your company stays competitive in a rapidly changing world.

This sponsored feature is contributed by Regus, the world’s largest service office provider. For more information visit www.regus.hk or call +852 2166 8000.