Setting up your startup office? Here are 14 useful tips

MANILA, Philippines – Congratulations! Your startup is going to finally have a brick-and-mortar home.

But how should you go about it? Should you keep it simple first or go cool and trendy like many startup offices these days?

To answer those questions, you need to know your company’s needs first and set priorities from there. We’ll look at three areas namely, cost, location and design. Take note of these points:

Costs: Tight budget? Prioritize

Speaking of setting priorities, here’s something about the costs. Having an office that operates five times in a week and at least nine hours per day is not cheap. So, if you’re setting up an office on a budget, watch your expenses. Here are some practical ways to avoid overspending:

• Consider buying low-cost, slightly used but good-quality office furniture and supplies. You don’t need expensive pieces yet.
• Buy the essentials first. You might want to put off a game room or other perks to give way to, say, more meeting rooms, workstations or office equipment.
• Invest in necessary office technology like fast internet connection, telephone system, computers and printers. Avoid going for high-end alternatives if not necessary.
• Shop around for the best deal when making purchases for your office. As a businessman, you surely understand how important this is.
• Office spaces within a business district can be more expensive than those in the nearby addresses. Forget fancy office locations first and find a practical one instead.

Location: Be very wise with your choice

While money is a consideration when picking a location for your startup’s headquarters, there are other aspects you also need to look into. Here are some questions to answer before actually housing your business in an office:

• Will your employees be able to get there easily?
• Is it close to your clients?
• Are there nearby dining spots?
• Does the address and building represent your company well?
• If it’s near your competitors, will it do bad or good for your business?

Office design: Take note of productivity boosters

The office can make or break your employees’ productivity. You don’t want their second home to be the ultimate reason they’re not getting things done for your business.

So, when designing your first office, keep in mind the following:

• Good lighting, including natural light, helps employees to concentrate. Bad lighting, on the other hand, may cause headaches, poor eyesight and even fatigue.
• Invest in chairs that are adjustable and comfortable.
• Place a few plants near the workstations. These not only increase productivity but also help improve the air quality in your office.
• Consider adapting an office layout that promotes collaboration and socialization among employees while also considering your employees’ need for privacy.

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