Are shared desk users ruining serviced
offices for tenants?

In the whirlwind of co-working culture, hot desking and shared spaces reign supreme. Whilst serviced office operators toast to co-workers as lucrative assets, bolstering revenue with each rented desk, private office tenants may not share the same enthusiasm.

Enter operators like Orega, flipping the script on co-working. Sales Manager, Mark Franklin tells us their zero shared desk policy is the ultimate game changer, a "major USP, particularly in today’s world of the drop in, no contract, share a desk environment”. Orega’s commitment to exclusively offering private offices and strategically shunning co-working desks “absolutely benefits the sales process” and distinguishes them from their competitors.

Despite private office tenants paying a premium for their own slice of solitude, they frequently find themselves locked in a fierce battle for resources and amenities against the ever-increasing tide of shared desk users who haven't made the same investment. As meeting rooms, breakout areas, and kitchen facilities are becoming overcrowded with co-workers, operators like Orega instil confidence in tenants and offer solace in the storm. After all, "there is space for everyone to thrive without sharing space with people with no connection to the workplace", Mark affirms.

On the other hand, how can we ignore the major perks of shared desk users? For one, the goldmine of networking potential. Private office tenants get free access to a real-time Linkedin where connections are made over coffees and cereals instead of clicks. Each shared desk user has their own treasure trove of connections that tenants may not have encountered otherwise. Marketing Manager at LABS, Sally Moore explains how “the opportunities for knowledge exchange and networking have proven invaluable in building relationships between entrepreneurs, start-ups and other businesses”. Cancel your Lusha subscription, let’s network like it’s the stone age.

Ultimately, the concept of co-working is brilliant in the way it fosters a collaborative culture.  Shared desk users serve as catalysts for productivity and accelerated business growth for tenants, with their ability to exchange ideas and gain valuable feedback. Sally reiterates “all our co-working spaces are designed to encourage collaboration in a healthy and productive environment.” Plus, tenants get to enjoy a more dynamic and vibrant atmosphere in their office buildings.