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Like a lot of modern business owners, your venture probably started in your bedroom on the strength of one good idea. While you’ve probably been able to run this business fairly comfortably for a long time, it’s understandable that eventually you’ll want to expand your operation into a physical office. There are a range of challenges that come with this, but one of the biggest is staying within budget. Here’s some of the ways you can save on your office costs.
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The first tip I can offer is to learn to negotiate with office brokers and estate agents. Renting or buying an office for your business certainly isn’t cheap, and every penny you can knock off here will be a big help. It’s good practice to read some commercial real estate journals, and get a feel for what availability’s like these days. If there’s dozens of properties waiting for tenants, then you can drive a much harder bargain than you would be able to otherwise. Blaming outside constraints on your budget, such as stubborn shareholders, may also make the property owner or broker more inclined to give you a lower price. You should also be aware that most office brokers will add 10-15% onto the price you pay, so it often pays to go straight to the landlord.
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If it looks like the budget for your office is going to be a little stretched, then you may want to mull over how much you actually need a physical office space. These days, modern business is become far more focussed on the digital arena. It’s now perfectly possible to establish a business in Manhattan, and hire a graphic designer based in Australia. If you’re a small enough business, and you’re managing to stay on top of all your necessary processes by relying on virtual resources, then you may want to abandon the idea of an office altogether. Sure, this may mean that your dream of leaning back behind a massive oak desk and staring across an incredible view from a skyscraper has to wait. Still, virtual solutions are generally much more practical.
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Finally, be sure to shop around. If you’re in the early period of your business, then you’re probably obsessed with managing your time wisely, and getting things swiftly out of the way. Due to this, you may be tempted to go to the first office supply website you find, and order everything from there. I strongly advise that you take your time looking for the best prices. Specialised sites such as Office Chairs Only generally have a wider selection, not to mention advice on how to choose the best chairs for your business. When it comes to basic stationery supplies, you can probably talk to wholesalers and get a huge discount on bulk orders of pens, paper and so on.
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I probably don’t have to tell you how quickly things can change in a business, so penny-pinching is very important! Take this advice, and you’ll save a lot of money on setting up your office.
This article was provided by ellie jo