Should Companies Shift to Virtual Spaces?
Aug 27, 2021
The world changed in more ways than we could probably count on our fingertips with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and countries going into lockdown in 2020.
The risks of being infected outweighed the perks of socialising for many. As people were forced to stick to the confines of their homes, a ‘new normal’ emerged – Work from Home (WFH).
Today, 34% of all the respondents in a survey are working from home in a full-time job, according to our research. This research comprised of the following:
17% of employees working with the government/PSU
63% working in an Indian private company
21% working in MNCs
So, are people loving the isolation from work to spend more time with families, or is there a void in their work lives that they are striving to fill?
The Human Touch
It is 2021, and several businesses are undergoing rapid digital transformation. The world of the internet has become so fast and so deeply interconnected that it has become redundant for people in certain professions to show up in person to the office.
Nevertheless, it is undeniable that with the plethora of features for communication and data-sharing that the internet provides today, the one thing that is critical for building strong relationships in business is left out – personalised communication modes and interaction spaces with co-workers.
Almost 150 (23%) people out of 643 in our survey said that they preferred full-time office working over remote working, and over 280 (44%) respondents said that they missed office!
Challenge for Emerging Businesses and Startups
Whether you are upscaling your startup or setting up a new business, you will need a physical address that you can use to register for services like office deliveries. That would not be possible if the entire company exists only on paper and on the internet.
One solution is to go out and hire a commercial office space. The downside is the obnoxious amount of money you would spend for a space that will not come into utilisation anytime soon. So, what is the solution here?
With virtual office spaces, you can set up shop (or office) without any commitments or liabilities. You will get a personal office address, reception service and many more office-like perks, all while spending a fraction of the amount you would spend on real office space.
The best part is that you will have ready-to-use meeting rooms and office lounges for client briefings, team planning sessions and more, for which you can pay as you use!
Such a solution is not only ideal for small business owners and entrepreneurs but also for the 16% of people who claimed that networking has become a challenge for them when working from home.
Benefits of A Virtual Office Space
The results of a survey conducted with more than 600 people indicate that there is a growing need for virtual and co-working spaces. Employees of companies encounter several challenges daily, and the benefits of a virtual office space help working professionals overcome these challenges.
Helps Workers Stick to Work Schedule
One-fourth of the respondents in our survey unanimously agree that they are unable to adhere to the proper work schedule while working from home.
Such a challenge can be attributed to various reasons like a lack of a dedicated work environment, family distractions and more.
With virtual office space, like Smartworks, workers are more compelled to stick to the schedule and can also attend team meetings effectively.
Helps Shorten Working Hours
43% of the people complained against longer working hours while working from home.
Virtual co-working offices can help solve the problem. A virtual office space, like InstaOffice, streamlines the workflow of all employees and colleagues by bridging communication gaps or delays.
Provides High-Speed Internet Connectivity
Many people do not have the ideal infrastructure at home to fluidly carry out office-based tasks. Among these is high-speed internet connectivity. Almost 200 people (31%) agree to this in our recent research.
Co-working spaces, like WeWork, provide high-speed internet connections for all the workers. The internet bandwidth can also be scaled up or scaled down depending on the company's size without hassle.
Facilitates Professional Networking
Virtual offices and co-working spaces facilitate networking just as much as a large corporate office! With 16% of working professionals feeling networking to be a challenge while working from home, co-working spaces, like myHQ, become the ideal solution!
Maximises Productivity by Reducing Technological Change
In a WFH setup, employees and freelancers are often required to quickly adapt to new technologies, depending on project and client requirements. Working on several new platforms at once or changing apps and workflow often can greatly diminish productivity, according to 21% of respondents from our research.
Virtual office spaces, like Springboard, overcome this challenge by providing a stable ground for all parties to work and collaborate.
Examples of Co-Working Space Companies
Below are a few popular companies that provide co-working spaces to many startups and small-scale businesses.
GOHIVE
ABL Workspace
Conclusion
Virtual office spaces also increase your business’s capability to accommodate a greater number of hybrid-working employees thanks to their scalability solutions.
To conclude, this is the ideal time for companies to pivot into virtual office spaces.