Written by Chelle Peterson, Director of Community Operations at The Post
As the owners of a flexible office space, Dan and I see firsthand the benefits that it offers to solo pros, small business owners, and satellite teams.
No matter what your professional situation, there’s an option available for your exact needs.
But one of the big questions we get asked by people inquiring about The Post is how to pick the right membership. So, I thought I’d share my thoughts and insights that I always offer in response.
First, consider these three factors and how they pertain to your work situation…
1. The Nature of Your Work
The first thing to consider is what your day-to-day work looks like.
This can include thinking about how often you’re in the office–for instance, are you a realtor who’s frequently out meeting clients and only stops in at the office as a home base? Or are you someone who’s constantly at work at a computer?
Also, think about whether you frequently need to host clients, have a team to accommodate, or if you work on your own for the most part.
Last but not least, is confidentiality and privacy important in your daily work? Are you working with sensitive information that needs to be kept under wraps?
2. What You Need to Run Your Business
It’s wise to look at and understand exactly what you need to run your business.
In many cases, this comes down to asking yourself if you actually need a formal space or if you just need administrative support.
If you do need a workspace, consider what exactly you need from it. What are the demands of your business? Do you need a private space? Do you just need WiFi and a place to sit down and work? Will you need printing, scanning, and things of that nature?
Knowing your exact needs will help you pick a membership that ensures you don’t miss out on things you need but that you also don’t pay for things you don’t need.
3. What’s Important to Your Personally
Work isn’t just about work. Every workspace has a personal aspect to it as well. And flexible office spaces are no exception. In fact, community and culture are a big part of these environments.
So, think about what’s important to you from a personal perspective when it comes to your workspace. Do you want to be immersed in the community? Would you prefer to work in privacy? Consider the level of exposure you want and need to fellow professionals.
Now that you’ve given some thought to these factors, I can explain which types of membership work best for different people and teams.
Private Office Spaces and Part-Time Private Offices
For professionals and teams that need their own space–whether for privacy and confidentiality or just for focus–private office spaces are a great choice. They’re customizable, lockable, and come with everything you need to run a business, from furniture to filing cabinets and all the infrastructure and hardware.
These are perfect for people who are hard at work at the office all day and need a space of their own but who still want access to the space’s professional community when it’s convenient. It’s also great for people or teams who host meetings together or with clients because it gives them access to our fully-appointed conference rooms and event spaces.
We also realize that some people need an office a few days a week but don’t want to pay for it while it sits empty. So, you can also choose between a full-time and part-time private office. This gives you on-demand access to an office when you need it as well as to meeting rooms and our full suite of amenities.
Coworking
If you’re looking for flexibility, you’ll probably love coworking membership. They’re great for people who want to come and go as they please–those who need a space to work when it’s convenient but don’t want to have an office sitting around unused when they’re not there. You can simply stop in and find any open desk when you need somewhere to work.
And if you love being surrounded by fellow professionals, this will be a perfect fit for you because it puts you in a lively open-concept workspace.
It’s also great because you get access to our meeting and event spaces in case you have colleagues or clients coming in.
Dedicated Desks
With a dedicated desk, your membership is essentially the perfect middle ground between coworking and a private office. It gives you your own allocated space in the communal area where you can leave your equipment safely and securely at your own desk when you leave for the day so you don’t have to pack up and unpack. You can also bring in extra monitors and desk decor.
On top of that, you get full access to all of our amenities, communal workspace, and community events, as well as 24/7 access and the ability to claim your Google My Business-verified address.
Virtual Office Services
The reason I asked whether you really need an office or just administrative support is that many people find they really only need services and not space. For example, some people want to have a professional address but don’t actually want a workspace. Other times, people spend a ton of time on the road and just want someone to answer their phone and store their packages.
In this case, virtual office services are perfect. They give you everything you need without making you pay for things you don’t. So, you can have the support of an office without the physical footprint.
Meeting and Event Spaces
If you simply need a one-off space for a meeting or event, then you can book that with us as well. There’s no commitment necessary–you can just rent a space and use it as you need to. You’ll also get access to our fully-appointed kitchen and services like printing and scanning as well as our all-day complimentary coffee bar. We also have snacks available for purchase.
Whatever your professional needs or business situation, flexible office spaces offer a solution for you. It’s just a matter of finding the right fit.
If you’ve still got questions about which membership type is best for you, get in touch with us today. Our team is available to speak with you.