The coronavirus pandemic has changed, possibly forever, how we live our lives and do business. The effects of the disease, and the containment measures taken by world governments, have particularly affected the economy. Non-essential companies have been forced to shut down, and millions of people have become unemployed. Freelancers and small businesses have been particularly affected as their limited savings have proved insufficient safety net. In the tough post-COVID-19 economy, more freelancers and small businesses choose flexible private office spaces over ‘traditional’ leases. This is why they are making this switch:

A Choice for Freelancers and Small Businesses in the Post-COVID Economy

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, freelancers and small businesses are increasingly opting for private office spaces. Several factors contribute to this shift in workspace preferences:

Unparalleled Flexibility in Uncertain Times

The coronavirus has negatively affected market liquidity on a global scale. A combination of forced closures, rising unemployment, stay-at-home orders, and numerous other factors have reduced spending. As a result, the post-COVID economy will be marked with uncertainty. Private office spaces offer flexible short-term rental agreements, usually monthly. This is ideal for freelancers and small businesses who don’t want to be stuck with the burden of a long-term lease agreement while dealing with unreliable income streams.

A Safe Networking Environment

Networking is the lifeblood of entrepreneurship. Unfortunately, most freelancers and small business owners have already worked in isolation. In the post-COVID economy, reduced mobility will further isolate them. You can (safely) interact with fellow freelancers and entrepreneurs within a private office space. This can lead to business opportunities, new ideas, and increased morale due to socialization. Being in the same building with other professionals also makes it easier (and probably cheaper) to access the services/products that they offer.

State-of-the-Art Technological Infrastructure

The e-commerce sector has thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic. With stay-at-home orders being in place in multiple jurisdictions and people generally being apprehensive about going out, more purchases are now being made online. Freelancers and small businesses need to have an online presence to survive during the post-COVID period. Most private office spaces already provide the technological infrastructure you need to do this, with broadband internet, modern computers, and teleconferencing equipment.

No Start-Up Capital

When you move into a private office space, your only expenditure is the monthly rental cost. Furniture, computers, utility connections, and everything else you need will be provided. Raising the required initial capital investment would be impossible for most entrepreneurs in the post-COVID economy. Savings have been depleted, most businesses were non-operational, and lenders are apprehensive about financing entrepreneurship efforts in a troubled economy. Therefore, not only are private office spaces the best option for small businesses and freelancers, but in most cases, they might be the only affordable option.

A Safe and Optimized Working Environment

Private office spaces exist for one purpose – to provide a conducive working environment. As such, every design element is included to ensure that workers can concentrate on productivity. Each workspace has the privacy required by small businesses and freelancers for optimal performance. The spaces are large enough to enable multiple renters to work within a single complex while maintaining social distancing. Most private office spaces use disposable utensils further reinforce the safety element. This is a much safer approach to protecting yourself against infection, especially when compared to using reusable utensils.

Private Office Spaces Are Adapting to the New Post-Pandemic Reality

While valiant efforts are being dedicated to eradicating the coronavirus, most experts believe that it is something we will have to deal with for an extended period. In this new reality, private office spaces adapt their operational protocols to protect clients from COVID-19. For example, most are instituting one-way hallways to limit congestion in typical office areas. Other efforts include washing and disinfecting the workplace daily, as well as the provision of handwashing/sanitizing stations.

The Final Word

One of the defining characteristics of small businesses and entrepreneurship is the flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic is considered the most economically damaging event since the Great Depression. In this ‘new normal,’ working from a private office space gives small businesses and freelancers the agility they require to operate in an uncertain economic climate.