Your Business March 2020 - 261

Workplace solutions

parts of expensive cities, suited to different needs and
budgets. Here are the office routes open to you...

Call-answering services

At its most basic level, a call-answering service acts as
a reception service, taking callers' details so you can
get back to them when it's convenient or transferring
the call through to you. Enhanced services are also
available, and may also include managing customer
service lines, sending out company literature based
on the data collected from incoming calls and
managing responses to offers or campaigns. 
A call-answering service can also provide you
with a contact number of your choice, whether it's
a central London suffix or 0845 business line. 
Who it's best for Individuals or very small teams who
need to focus their time on growing the business not

There's a certain
cachet to having a
staffed space, and an
address in the right
part of town also
reassures clients
answering phones, but are not yet in the position to hire
a full-time receptionist.
What it costs Basic packages start at around £25 a month,
although some companies offer pay-per-call options. 
Options Jam, Reception HQ, Connect Communications. 

Registered address 

As well as giving the impression of a swanky HQ, a
registered office address is a legal requirement for any
business wanting to trade within the UK - it's used to
register your business with Companies House and HMRC.
Your registered office address must be used on all company
stationery, such as letterheaded paper and invoices. 
It's important to note that these addresses can't be used
for company meetings or actual office space. Neither can
you receive general mail there. You'll need to request
a further mail-forwarding service for this, which some
companies offer for free.
It's better to have a registered office address that is
manned, as it's where all official documentation from
Companies House and HMRC is sent. If documents are
mislaid and you fail to respond by a certain time, there
may be legal and financial implications. Remember too

Work and wellness

The right office environment will help your staff
stay healthy and happy, says Nic Pryke from Oktra
For a business to look after its people, they must consider
how their working environment impacts wellbeing. Broadly,
wellness is influenced by three things: physical environment
(air quality, access to daylight, desk comfort); fitness (spaces
to encourage movement, subsidised healthy snacks);
and mental health (access to advice, spaces to relax).
Our experience tells us a well-designed office with a
focus on employee wellbeing has become a priority for
employers across most sectors, particularly in tech and
service industries. Potential employees have also shown that
they consider the workplace when deciding whether to take
a job. In the end, a healthy workforce will perform better.
Oktra aims to understand more than just the
physical space our clients require. We use tools to
analyse our clients' business drivers as well as their
culture and ethos. We then use our experience to
challenge and test the brief, introducing ideas from
the most successful workplaces for consideration.
We are firm believers that every organisation
is different and needs a bespoke solution.
that this is not the same as a PO box. A PO box can't be used
as a registered office address. 
Who it's best for Startups currently operating
from home (or hot-desking around the friendly
neighbourhood coffeeshops), website owners who
need an address with which to register their website
and international businesses who need a registered
address to allow them to operate in the UK. 
What it costs Basic packages start from around £45 a year. 
Options Company Address, Your City Office, Capital Office. 

Renting/flexible offices 

Whether you want to meet with your business partners
and collaborators to work on a project or need a space for a
meeting or presentation, it's important that it's in a central
location, is professional and well equipped. Many companies
allow you to rent a space that suits your requirements
on a flexible basis - from small spaces for brainstorming
sessions to grander premises for a launch or conference. 
WiFi, pens, pads and refreshments are often included;
video conference equipment can be made available too.
Spaces can be secured at short notice and many don't
require a deposit.
Who it's best for SMEs and startups whose budgets are
not yet up to leasing office space that reflects their brand,
culture and ethos.
What it costs Costs can be hugely variable, and pricing
can be per head or dependent on venue.
Options InstantOffices.com, Flexioffices, Hubworking.

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Your Business March 2020

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