How to Maximize Your Chicago Shared Office Space

Entrepreneurs or freelancers often have a difficult time deciding whether or not they should have an office. Many can make do working from home, but find that the distractions of household chores, kids who are out of school, or even the lure of their favorite television program harms their productivity. Others pay a premium to keep an office in the city, then find that their busy schedules never allow them to spend much time there and feel their rent money is going to waste. So what’s the solution? For many entrepreneurs, the answer is a hybrid of the home office and the traditional office space, often called ‘shared office space’. This can include anything from a cubicle in an open plan with other cubicles, or a fully furnished executive suite. Because you are sharing the space with other entrepreneurs, you can benefit from a multitude of services without paying a high premium.

If you’ve decided that shared office space is the right decision for your business, you want to make sure you are taking full advantage the situation. Here are some tips to help you do just that.

Tips To Take Full Advantage of Your Shared Office Space in Chicago

·Take advantage of all the features. Many virtual or shared office packages have a number of amenities that can include receptionists, an answering service, use of business lounges, conference rooms, and copying equipment, free wi-fi and long distance, and more. Being aware of all the features is the first step to utilizing them. You can then start building your schedule around utilizing these services and schedule meetings for days you’ll be in your office, plan long-distance calls for office days, etc.

·Know what you’re looking for. To fully take advantage of your new shared office space, you have to choose the right set-up. If you simply need to get out of the house a few days a week so you can think clearly, a fully-furnished executive suite is probably not right for you. Know exactly what you’re getting the space for, then choose accordingly.

·Schedule rooms in advance. Don’t make the mistake of scheduling a last-minute meeting and just assuming that one of the conference rooms will be open. Try to schedule meeting and conference rooms as much in advance as possible to ensure they will be available. You might also keep an eye on days that tend to be less busy, and try to schedule your regular meetings for those days of the week.

·Get to know your ‘co-workers’. One complaint of many professionals who work from home is the lack of interaction with co-workers. Shared office spaces can provide you this vital human interaction—but you have to seek it out. Get to know the others who are working in your space, plan some office-wide get-togethers, and make a point of doing some networking while you’re in your office.

If you’re looking for a great compromise between working from home and renting an expensive office in Chicago, shared office space might be your best choice. If you decide to utilize shared office space for your business, make sure you keep the above tips in mind to make sure you’re making the most of your situation.