How to find your ideal fit

IT MUST SUIT YOUR BUSINESS Consider suitability, aesthetics, location and lease periods.

Usually at the beginning of a new year many businesses will be looking for new premises. Some will be looking for bigger and better, while others are downsizing to smaller and cheaper. Whatever the reason, there are a few things to consider if you are to find the ideal space for your business. And therein lies the first prerequisite of choosing office space: it must be ideal to your business.

Ideal office space should be tailored to your business offering, because perception matters greatly and carries a wealth of value to customers. Believe it or not, your office is part of the selling process: it contributes to a customer’s overall decision of whether or not to do business with you. An ideal office assures customers and affords you a degree of trust and credibility.

This counts for all businesses – not just professional services that make use of executive-type offices – even manufacturing businesses. There is little chance that a customer will give you a big order after seeing, for example, a processing plant’s lack of capacity, professionalism and most of all, a dodgy location.

That brings us to the next point: “location, location, location”. It doesn’t only count for retail, it applies to other businesses, too. The location of your business contributes immensely to the overall perception a customer determines.

However, that doesn’t mean you should be located in the most opulent suburb but rather, a modest and safe location that corresponds with your revenue. South Africa is in the fortunate position of having fantastic mid-tier suburbs that have in recent years developed some incredible office premises at reasonable rental rates.

After zoning in on suitable suburbs, you must enlist the services of a real estate agent. Do not attempt to find an office on your own – it is time consuming and extremely inefficient. Real estate agents will have multiple locations that fit your desired premises criteria.

Additionally, they know which property companies are offering what type of promotions, such as four free rental months with a four-year lease.

This brings us to the last point, which is concerned with lease periods.

For income security, property owners would prefer to tie you down to long-term leases, which might not be ideal for you.

It is possible that you might out-grow your premises or require smaller premises which could affect your lease agreement. Lease with a property company that has multiple locations. That way if you ever need to move, they can easily shift you to their smaller or larger unit within their portfolio of properties.

Munya Duvera is CEO at Duvera Elgroup