Using an NYC shared office space needs to be approached with care and testing out a space can help you to make the best decision possible.
An NYC shared office space typically brings about the thoughts of a nice and well kept office space.
Will you get…
- …a commercial office building with a fancy lobby? Good chance.
- …nicely appointed reception and conference rooms? More than likely.
- …accommodating staff? You bet.
- …a fancy coffee maker with color LED lights and foaming milk? Absolutely.
- …a collaborative work environment that adds real value to your practice (like referral or co-counsel opportunities)? Huh? Not a chance.
NYC shared office space typically comes with a high level of benefits. The benefit with the most value is the potential to collaborate with the people in your office. Having like-minded professionals around makes referral potential skyrocket because it is easier to have those individuals in the office, even if you’re not associated with the same firm.
An NYC shared office space needs to be looked at as a way to attract business.
In comparison to an attorney profit ranking, your office space should be like a junior associate for productivity. In your first year of renting an office space, you should expect to earn enough to cover the value of your office.
How is this made possible? It’s can be made a reality by referrals within the office and opportunities beyond the space. Expecting more than just being able to cover rent is a recipe for disappointment.
Management helps to foster a collaborative environment.
For this concept to occur as naturally as possible, there must be a set tone of harmony. This means the office culture has to be collegial.
Management should always be the one to set the tone of the office environment. In an NYC shared office space like Law Firm Suites, interaction is often encouraged and facilitated by the office staff. As soon as it is exemplified by the staff, tenants will likely follow.
Although Law Firm Suites encourages this type of interaction, it is often common for many shared office spaces to have an environment similar to residential highrise building. No one really talks to each other and even though you may have lived in this beautiful space for many years, you may have never met your neighbors. This is common and completely acceptable.
An executive office center, especially one in New York, can mimic the apartment dwelling environment. Tenants might converse with the receptionist from time-to-time just like they do with the doorman of their building; however, when it comes to other tenants, conversation might be ignored and you’ll find many people just walking directly to their office and closing the door in solitude.
Having little to no interaction means less of an opportunity for collaboration or referral exchange. Little interaction might work fine in an apartment building, but in an office space where you’re doing business, interaction is necessary to keep your business flourishing.
Executive office space staff generally do a great job of getting to know each client. They just do a lousy job of getting clients to know each other.
Being lonely as an attorney will always register as negative because it is indicative of lost potential that passes you by as you don’t interact.
Give the office a test run before renting!!
“Day offices” are common in the executive suite industry. Basically, the description is in the title. You rent these offices by the day or even half a day.Spaces like Law Firm Suites do this for law firms should the space be available, and it is a great way to have an office to meet or do work without the commitment.
When first using a day office program, ask if the center will allow you to use at least one day for free to get a feel for the space. Also, find out from the site manager when the most activity takes place during the week.
Show on that day with your laptop. Do a little work, but mostly schmooze. Ask the manager to introduce you to some of the lawyers in the office. If it can be arranged, see if there are any lawyers who could be potential referral partners and see if they would want to meet for lunch with you.
Interact with as many tenants as possible, but be sure to target professionals who may have the same type of clientele you have or desire to have.
Finally, get a feel for the energy in the space. Is it collegial? too noisy? too quiet? do people interact with each other? does it have a vibe similar to a hotel?
These are all important things to consider when trying out an executive office center.
