Business centres are popping up in metropolises all around the world. Office space inside modern, luxurious buildings, which are often recognised as landmarks of central business districts, provides office solutions for all kinds of companies and organisations. What sets business centres apart from traditional offices is that they offer extra services and operational support to tenants.
What is a business centre?
A business centre houses multiple types of flexible business spaces in one physical space. This includes serviced offices, co-working spaces, day office and shared offices. The phrase is sometimes used synonymously with ‘serviced offices’ in the office rental sector.
Renting a business centre is efficient and cost-effective, making them more and more popular among entrepreneurs and firms entering new global markets. This is especially true post-COVID, when employees have come to expect hybrid working.
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What are the different types of business centres?
Compass Offices provides corporates and professionals with business-ready flexible office space at business centres for rent located in prime districts in Hong Kong like Central, Sheung Wan, Admiralty, Causeway Bay, North Point and Tsim Sha Tsui, as well as across major cities in Asia Pacific. Compass Offices support businesses with workspace solutions ranging from serviced offices to virtual offices, co-working, meeting rooms, enterprise solutions, custom workspace and professional IT services.
Flexible workspace has become a key tool for businesses of all sizes where high levels of flexibility and limited upfront expenditures. For instance, the flexibility of serviced offices can support companies and their employees in realising their objectives with the latest technology and business amenities. An enterprise solution offers corporates bespoke workspace solutions that are designed and built to the client’s specification while a customised workspace is an adaptation to an existing space to fit a client’s specific needs.
Compass Offices’ virtual offices cater to those seeking a professional business address within the core CBDs in major cities. Our virtual office product suite can include a dedicated telephone line answered and managed by our professionally trained, multilingual team of operations staff. Additionally, there are various flexible plans that include usage of our office space, meeting or conference rooms. A day office offers unparallel convenience that provides instant access to our extensive business centre network across 10 cities in Asia Pacific. Namely, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Melbourne, Tokyo, Osaka, Manila, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City.
Who benefit from renting business centres?
Start-ups
Start-ups can benefit from renting co-working space or business centres, depending on their size. Small start-ups don’t usually need their own offices, many of which are transitioning from home offices. Leasing a conventional office space could hinder the development of those start-ups due to rigid terms and space limitation.
Larger start-ups and small businesses find the privacy, as well as compartmentalised meeting and third spaces, of a serviced office more suitable. The atmosphere is also more of a traditional office. Some serviced office providers offer customised business spaces tailored for enterprises' particular workspace needs occupying part of or an entire floor, as these firms scale up.
Independent professionals
Day office rented by day, shared offices, individual offices, and co-working space are all good options for individual professionals who want something in-between working in a coffee shop and a formal workspace. Business centres offer short-term commitment and the ability to only pay for what you need.
Added bonuses are the included business services of printing/scanning/IT assistance, complimentary beverages, professional atmosphere, and ability to network with like-minded professionals.
Satellite offices
Well-established firms testing the waters of expanding into new markets also benefit from renting serviced offices. Opening a branch office in a different location than the company headquarters typically requires three things:
- Speedy move-in;
- Low maintenance costs (e.g. furnishing, monthly utilities, and cleaning services);
- Adaptable lease terms.
Businesses opening satellite offices value the ability to be agile and transparent costs, both of which business centres offer.
What are the benefits of business centres?
Fully equipped space
Serviced offices are already outfitted with office equipment (printers, video conference equipment, telephones), furniture, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), and Wi-Fi. In other words, tenants have access to all the facilities and equipment needed to run a business.
Compared to a conventional office rental, where companies need to spend time and money designing, renovating, and furnishing an empty space, business centres have done the heavy lifting for you and are ready-to-move-in.
Business Agility
There are two aspects of the agility aspect of serviced offices. First, there is no downtime moving in to your new workspace, so there is no pause in your team’s workflow.
Second, serviced offices have flexible rental terms. If you’re not sure how long you need an office for, you can renew your contract month-by-month or six months at a time, compared to traditional office contracts of two years. Or if your team grows from 5 to 20 to 50, you can plan ahead and move into a space to accommodate more employees without worrying about incurring a penalty fee.
The contract terms are also transparent without hidden fees. Since business services are included, there is only a clear-cut monthly rent price.
Included facilities
One of the biggest benefits of business centres is the access to handy shared facilities. In serviced offices, you only share these communal areas, not your private working space with other firms like with co-working spaces. Social breakout areas, business lounges, pantries, phone booths, and meeting rooms give you the operational capacity of a traditional office without the price tag. Shared facilities also offer a stylish and corporate-grade environment for hosting clients.
Zero maintenance/extra costs
Cleaning services and maintenance of the entire premises are taken care of at no extra charge to you. Other extras, like complimentary coffee, tea, and water or administrative services, are also included. Serviced offices have been built from the idea that modern entrepreneurs value efficiency, efficacy, and only paying for what you use. Extra costs are trimmed away so that you can direct funds and energy directly into making your business grow.
Service team
The client services team at business centres usually take care of the following business services to ensure smooth day-to-day operations:
● Call forwarding
● Mail handling
● Maintaining a safe and hygienic work premises
● Secretarial services
Serviced office service teams look after the maintenance details of running your business. For example, a friendly face at the reception area to greet clients and partners can make all the difference in business deals.
Compass Offices has business centres for rent in nine cosmopolitan locations across Asia Pacific. We are the premier flex workspace provider in APAC, committed to offering corporate-grade temporary office space, virtual business addresses, or fully tailored office solutions to companies from various sectors and sizes. Contact us to book a visit to one of our offices or learn more about how to find your ideal office space.
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Understanding business centres services
Compass Offices creates business-ready serviced offices that support companies and their employees in realising their objectives with the latest technology, business amenities and an impeccable reception experience. We can support workplace transition for businesses at any stage of their development.
At Compass Offices, we believe details make a difference. Each of our serviced office layouts is carefully planned to provide you with an office that maximises comfort and productivity – the design ensures optimum air conditioning, lighting, soundproofing, and temperature control.
Compass Offices offers a selection of meeting rooms of various sizes equipped with the amenities and video conferencing equipment to facilitate hybrid meetings. Our lounge space is available as event space for our client’s product launch, shareholder meetings, networking and team-building activities.
There are also additional support infrastructure in place including hospitality services, facilities management, and IT support. All of which contribute to a productive work environment.
How to choose the right business center?
Choosing the right business center can be a crucial decision for any entrepreneur or business owner. There are several factors to consider, such as location, pricing, services, and lease terms. It is essential to outline these selection criteria before starting your search and prioritize them based on your business needs. Additionally, customized choices based on specific requirements such as team size, preferences, and business objectives can help narrow down your options. With tailored choices and careful consideration of the selection criteria, you can find a business center that meets your needs and provides a professional and productive workspace to help your business grow and succeed.
FAQ about business centres
What is the meaning of 'business centre'?
A business centre, also called a serviced office, is a multi-tenant space offering various kinds of office space. You can find furnished serviced offices for rent in business centres, as well as co-working space, day offices and shared offices. With all of these, you can enjoy included common facilities like meeting rooms, kitchens, and networking areas.
What kinds of flexible workspace are in business centres?
You can find serviced offices with private or shared workspace, co-working space, day offices, and shared offices in business centres. These are called ‘flexible workspaces’, because they offer short-term rentals by the day or month and have included business services in their low cost.
What are the pros of business centre offices?
The main advantages of office solutions in business centres are that they come fully furnished and outfitted, give companies the freedom of being agile with flexible contracts, shared facilities, no maintenance or cleaning cost, and are fully manned by client services teams.