Stress-busting tips for workspace management

Running an SME brings many rewards – you’ll have more independence, control and flexibility in how you work. And doing what you love means you’ll always be motivated to make your company the best it can be. However, SME ownership isn’t always plain sailing. The success of the business rests on your shoulders, and you’ll also need to contend with evolving external challenges such as the current financial pressures on businesses and difficulties in recruiting skilled staff. 

With so much to think about, it’s important to make smart decisions about the fundamentals of your business. If the basics are set up to take care of themselves, you’ll have time to focus on what you do best and face any unexpected challenges. Renting a serviced office space is one way that SME owners can eliminate many stress factors when it comes to workspace management, and we’ll tell you how below.

Costs: Poor cash flow is a common reason why companies fail, so it’s always at the forefront of any SME owner’s mind. If you rent or own business premises, rising interest rates are making monthly outgoings such as rent or mortgage costs increasingly unpredictable. In addition, the rising costs of utilities is adding to cash flow uncertainty, with a quarter of small business owners saying they won’t be able to sustain the higher energy costs for longer than 12 months. When you rent a UOE serviced office, you pay one monthly fee which covers rent and utilities, helping you stay in control of your cash flow.

Admin: Running an SME always involves a sea of paperwork – from paying suppliers and chasing invoices to meeting legal obligations and negotiating service contracts. With a UOE serviced office space, we look after the WiFi, cleaning, utilities, maintenance, and more – so you can cross all that off your admin to-do list. 

Hygiene: The health and safety of staff is paramount for SME owners, and Covid, flu and colds will become an increasing cause for concern as we head into winter. At the UOE Hubs, you can rest assured that stringent cleaning regimes are in place to help keep you and your staff as safe as possible.

Security/Access: No SME owner wants the stress of being woken up at 3am because the alarm has gone off at their office premises. With a serviced office space, you’ll have a private lockable office within a secure building. You and your staff will also be able to access your space 24/7 – perfect if anyone needs to work late on an important project or if you want to come in over the weekend to catch up on that pesky admin. 

Maintenance: With so many different demands to juggle, maintaining your workspace may not be at the top of your list, but if equipment isn’t serviced or broken furniture isn’t fixed, repairs could become more costly or time-consuming. When you rent a serviced office space, all the maintenance is taken care of. You don’t even need to worry about the furniture – desks, chairs and lockable pedestals can be provided if required, so you can knuckle down to work as soon as you move in.

Connectivity: Your business doesn’t have to be operating in the IT sector for connectivity to be important. If you’ve been working on a new product for months, can you risk the computer saying no when you’re about to email your customers about it? Many aspects of our working lives depend on reliable internet connections, which is why we offer super-fast, unlimited WiFi.  

Collaboration: We’re great believers in the power of working together. By working in the same building as other business owners, you’ll be able to not only network with like-minded people, you’ll also be able to bounce ideas off them too. Who knows, it may even lead to new business partnerships! Your staff will also be able to chat to staff from other companies, switching up the office dynamics and creating a lively, inspiring atmosphere. 

Professionalism: When it comes to clients, presenting a professional image of your company is key to them having confidence in working with you. When you’ve got an important project to present or a new client to impress, holding a meeting amid the hubbub of your busy office space or at a local coffee shop/restaurant might not be ideal. At the UOE Hub, you’ll be able to access meeting rooms with all the facilities you need to showcase your business in a professional environment. 

We have flexible serviced office spaces available in Hertford, so if you’re an SME owner looking to take the stress out of your workspace management, book a tour to find out more about what a UOE Hub could offer.