Old-school 9-to-5ers might not like to admit it, but flexible and remote work -- at least some of the time -- is quickly becoming the norm. In a recent study, 70 percent of people reported telecommuting at least once a week, and 53 percent said they telecommute at least half the time.
It's easy to see why remote work is increasing in popularity. The pluses, including no commute time and zero wardrobe spend, are myriad. However, just because you're no longer working Dilbert-style, that doesn't mean you automatically reap the benefits of telework. After all, only the truly disciplined among us can successfully work in front of our TVs in our pajamas.
For most folks, the environment has to be right for work to get done, and done right. Enter flexible workspaces, which help solopreneurs, entrepreneurs, freelancers, small businesses, start-up employees, and the otherwise office-less get work done their way, on their schedule. We look at the top three ways a flexible workspace can help you get and stay efficient and effective in your business.
Prime locations
At Metro Offices, the leader in Washington, DC flexible office space for more than 25 years, we have nine central Washington and Washington-area locations from which members can choose. Many of our spots don't even require the use of a car because they're within quick walking distance of the Metro (some even connect directly to the Metro). So rush-hour traffic and expensive parking garages be darned -- you can get to your office space and get work done no matter how bad the street gridlock is.
Plus, as a Metro Offices member, you're not stuck at one location, which means you can be productive even when you have to move around. Have a client meeting in Dupont Circle and a later flight out of Dulles? Have your tete-a-tete at our Connecticut Avenue location and then work from our Herndon office, just off the Dulles toll road, until you have to leave for the airport.
Less distraction
Think you'd get more done working in total solitude? Think again. Flexible office spaces have actually been shown to increase worker productivity. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that, while you are bound to overhear snippets of other people's conversations and the like, you don't know those around you the way you would in a traditional office-with-employees setting. Working among (but not with) other like-minded solopreneurs and entrepreneurs means "you're less likely to get pulled into ... conversations and [get] distracted," writes Inc.com contributor Jory MacKay.
Multiple price points
Those just starting their own business often have to watch every penny and stay on-budget -- which means an expensive office-suite lease is out of the question. What's more, such leases in and around the national capital region are frequently long-term. Even though you're optimistic about your new venture, you don't know where the next few years are going to take you or that new business. Membership at a flexible-workspace provider such as Metro Offices comes at multiple price points and with many options, from virtual office mailing-address and phone services to dedicated-desk plans to private, lockable workspaces. (Just think of how much more work you'll get done now that you don't have to stress about office-space costs.)
Metro Offices can save you money this year -- seriously. Compare what it costs to run your own office vs. simply letting Metro Offices do the work for you.
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