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With lockdown measures finally starting to ease, the UK is making tentative steps towards getting back to normal. But are you part of the 60% that want to continue working remotely once the pandemic restrictions lift? A survey conducted by adzooma revealed of the almost 450 workers they interviewed from across the UK, that 93.9% thought they could do their role just as well from home. Although 63.6% interviewed miss working in an office, with the majority citing socialising as the main reason why. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, a Workplace Intelligence report showed that 69% of employees felt that working remotely would improve their work and their personal lives. Now, according to the adzooma report, 60% of people surveyed said they would continue to work at home if they had the choice. What’s more, 52.6% said they don’t want to return back to a normal office after lockdown ends. The traditional leased office as we know it may be gone forever. Even once we go ‘back to normal’ after the pandemic has passed the worst, new health and safety rules regarding social distancing and hygiene will change the way an office will operate. It’s very unlikely that all businesses will switch to 100% remote working but we’re sure that they will have to become more flexible and will rely on adaptive spaces to support remote workers. Flexible Working in the Future Over the last few years, we have seen a huge rise in co-working or serviced office spaces. This modern and flexible approach to office space provides customers a whole range of benefits such as shorter leases, speedy broadband and a range of free amenities such as free parking or onsite health facilities. Unlike traditional leased office space, serviced offices and co-working spaces tend to offer tenants flexible or membership-based payment options as well as space for hot desking and collaborative spaces, like break out areas. Whilst co-working has become synonymous with trendy freelancers – and with over two million freelancers registered in the UK, the idea of smaller, cheaper and more flexible workspace is probably very appealing – it’s not the whole story. In fact, large and established businesses are taking advantage of the benefits of serviced offices. These spaces offer organisations the flexibility to cut costs without compromising on the quality of their workspace whilst also being able to offer a host of ‘perks’ to their staff, provided by the serviced offices. In addition to the services and amenities offered by serviced offices, there’s also the benefit of the mix of different people and industries, creating ‘creative clusters’, with multiple tenants cohesively working together with a mix of skills. With so many benefits in working with a serviced office for freelancers and larger businesses alike, it’s no wonder that we’re seeing a boom in serviced offices and the demise of the traditional, leased office space. Alternatively, if you’re looking to keep your business looking professional and online through the pandemic and beyond, have you considered a virtual office? A virtual office has many of the benefits of a serviced office such as mail and parcel reception, a business address and access to a wide range of business support services. Is working from home costing you money? Although there’s sure to be a shift to flexible and remote working in the future, it’s important to be aware of the legal and financial implications. Have you considered if working from home is actually costing you money? HMRC recommends that you check in with lots of different people to make sure working from home is actually allowed, such as with your landlord or mortgage provider, as well as your insurance provider who may not insure your business-necessary goods like your computer under your regular home or contents insurance. Here at Madison Offices, we have seen an increase in enquiries from businesses moving away from a traditional office space and are looking for a more flexible solution in our serviced offices. Interestingly, we have also seen an increase in virtual mailbox packages. Businesses have had to adapt and shift towards new methods of working remotely but still need to make that perfect first impression, with a Leeds postcode. Lockdown has shown us that there is still a demand for professional office services and office space, however, many of us now know that we can work in a much more flexible way. If you’re likely to be working remotely for the foreseeable future and you’re looking for a space to help your business grow or the space to be productive, even in these unprecedented times, why not contact our team today? With a range of flexible options, Madison Offices could be the perfect solution for your remote working needs. Email our team to find out more at: info@madisonoffices.co.uk

Flexibility, it’s one of the business world’s biggest buzzwords, but it’s not just a phase and with the expansion of the digital world, if you’re not adaptable in your journey it could hold your business back. But fear not! Being flexible doesn’t mean abandoning your business plan or path, it just means considering every point of your business plan and being open to new ideas and methods. Flexible services offices are just one way to future proof your business; in your first five years, you’re never too sure about your rate of expansion, how quickly you’ll grow or if you’ll stay with a core team. With most office space, you have to sign up to long contracts and commit to the amount of space that you require. However, with flexible serviced offices such as Madison Offices, you can rent your space for as little as 6 months and scale up or down as and when it suits you. Virtual offices are another great way to future proof your business. Perhaps you’re a freelancer or your team all work remotely and you don’t need a physical office space, but you still want to ensure you are making the right first impression with a professional and centrally located business address. Virtual offices are a fantastic way to make a great impression without the cost of a physical office space. Research has shown that one of the most sought-after perks of a new job is a potential employer’s approach to flexible working and the opportunities of working remotely. Not only does offering remote working or hiring freelancers open up a whole new talent pool because you now appeal to people with child-care commitments or those who wish to avoid a commute plus a myriad of other reasons. You could save costs on a flexible working space by opting for a smaller office space but have a rotating staff schedule where everyone is only in the office for certain days of the week and working remotely for the rest of the time. Plus, you’ll also put yourself ahead of the competition for offering a sought-after benefit! Flexible co-working spaces are also fantastic spaces to meet and network with other businesses. Sometimes the best ideas are bounced around the kitchen whilst you’re doing a tea run! Taking this flexible approach to your office space is just one way to future proof your business but as an office space is the heart of where all your business takes place, it’s a solid foundation to get right and ensure you’re making the perfect first impression as well saving on unnecessary costs. Sometimes even the best laid plans can come undone, but by being flexible in your approach, you can ensure you’re staying at the forefront of innovative business decisions and future proofing your business! If you’re ready to find a flexible fully serviced office in Leeds, then look no further. We offer an all-in-one service with no hidden costs. Plus, we have free unlimited tea & coffee for all Madison Offices clients as well as free on-site parking, free use of our meeting rooms and 24/7 access. Our goal here is to ensure all of your day to day needs are taken care of, so you can focus on taking care of your business! If this has inspired you to look into a serviced office space or virtual office for yourself, contact our team on 0113 873 0122 or drop us an email at info@madisonoffices.co.uk

We have a brand new voucher referral scheme available to all of our loyal business centre clients, future clients and business associates. We truly believe that there’s nothing better than great reviews and word of mouth referrals to grow our business so we’ve thought, what better way than to ask our clients to recommend a business to us who could really benefit basing themselves at Madison Offices. We are now offering referral vouchers to anyone who recommends a new client to us that will be operating from the serviced offices here at Madison Offices providing a license agreement is signed and honoured for a minimum 12 month period. We currently have 2, 3, 4 & 8 person office suites available. If you know someone who you think will benefit from operating their businesses from Madison Offices please let us know and it will be a pleasure to discuss further. *£150 voucher to be used for rent on your current suite. *Referral must sign a 12 month contract.

We’re living in unprecedented times and whilst our daily lives can feel overwhelming right now, there are things that we can do to boost our mental health. Good mental health is linked with better physical health, so it’s win, win! It has been an incredibly anxious and stressful time for all of us, however, we understand that running your own business, whether you’re a sole trader or a Ltd company, will have added even more pressure. We asked our team and clients what helps them to look after their mental health when they’re struggling. We received some really insightful answers which we’ve used to compile our top tips for looking after your mental health, especially as a small business owner. Just because we’ve been self-isolating, it doesn’t have to mean social isolation! Talk to your team, stay in touch with friends and family, there is a wealth of video calling platforms. Not only will it boost your own mental health and wellbeing, who knows how much reaching out to someone might make their day. When you’re self-employed, either working as a freelancer working from a virtual office or running a small business, you have to juggle a lot of different roles and wear lots of different hats, it might seem tempting to work all hours of the day and night. However, this is the quickest route to burn out! Take some time to switch off, if you’re looking for a break from screens, Audible, have released hundreds of free titles for battling the boredom! Creating a sense of belonging in a community and boosting our confidence when we practise self-directed kindness! It could be as simple as popping a rainbow in your window to show key workers how much you care or sending a card to a loved one to tell them how much you’re thinking of them. When our mood is low or we’re worrying about something, it can be tempting to snack or reach for the take away menu but try to ensure you’re maintaining a balanced diet. Why not get fancy in the kitchen and try a new recipe? Or recreate your favourite takeaway at home?

The rise of the digital era means that some people were already working remotely and running their business from home. However, with the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on businesses, the number of people working from home has grown dramatically. As the dust settles, it’s clear that the traditional office as we know it is changing. Below, we’re discussing how COVID-19 is altering the professional landscape and provide some insight into how things are expected to look in the near future. People Want Balance One of the ways the global pandemic is changing demand for the office is by allowing different options to come to light. Many people used to think that businesses absolutely needed a traditional workspace, but the truth is that they are now a lot more open to remote work. It’s clear that a significant amount of work can be done from home, and many employees even find it more productive. It creates a better work-life balance too, which employees appreciate. Of course, it’s also important to remember that office spaces are still needed (for example, for client meetings and for socialisation with colleagues), so a balance between the two should be the answer. Having both options – remote work and office work – is healthier for businesses and can protect them against future issues. So, it’s not surprising that so many businesses are opting for serviced offices, as it allows them to have the best of both worlds. Remote Work Offers More Flexibility It’s important for businesses to be flexible in order to adapt to any situation, no matter how unexpected, as seen with the COVID-19 pandemic. So, having both options available means that you can react quickly to changes. This applies to upgrading or downsizing your office as well. For example, if your business is growing and you need to hire more employees but don’t have the space in your current office, you can simply have them work from home. Likewise, if you are downsizing, you can implement remote work to keep costs down. Employees enjoy this flexibility. Being able to work from home allows many of them to have a more flexible (or relaxed) schedule, which gives them more time with loved ones and to run errands. Freedom from commuting is a massive help too, and will likely lead to a boost in employee satisfaction. They’ll still be able to come to the office for a few days a week and enjoy the benefits of being around their colleagues as well. Face-to-Face Interactions Are Still Crucial However, no matter how great an option remote work is, many people enjoy coming together to create ideas, solve problems, etc. Taking all that away can make it more difficult for them to do their jobs. Nowadays, many businesses depend on collaboration and there is no denying that socialising with colleagues helps people to feel more ‘at home’ in the business, happier and less isolated. In addition, it’s worth remembering that businesses want employees that fit in with the culture of the workplace and get along well with others. No better way to see this than by having a physical office where people can interact with one another. Office space is vital for client meetings as well. While the way we interact with one another is changing, businesses still have to accommodate clients, partners and suppliers, something that can’t be done at home. More Office Space? Surprisingly, the COVID-19 situation may mean some businesses require more space, not less. Some can simply implement a rotating schedule to have only a handful of employees in the office at any given time while the rest work from home, but others will need to ensure they have enough space for everyone while complying with new health and safety regulations. With social distancing in place – as well as a higher concern for illness in the workplace, be it the coronavirus or the flu – businesses must ensure they have enough space for everyone. It can be challenging to know how much office space you actually need, which is why serviced offices are the perfect option. If you find that you require more or less space, moving to another one of our smaller or larger offices will be an easy and smooth process. After all, because furniture is included and utilities are taken care of for you, you can just move in without a hassle. How Madison Offices Can Help We can provide short-term solutions with our serviced offices in the North West. This allows employees of a particular business to have the option of working from home if they want or to work from a dedicated office space. We offer a meeting room hire service as well, so you can meet with clients and staff when you need it and we can configure your office space to your exact specifications, as we’re on top of safety guidelines and social distancing rules. So, the pandemic has changed the traditional office in the sense that people are now looking for a more balanced approach. They don’t just want to work in an office or from home, but both. They understand that interacting with colleagues and clients in a workspace is beneficial, but they also want the perks of a more flexible schedule without commute. Serviced offices can answer your post-pandemic office requirements, so get in touch today to learn more about how we can help your business.