What to Look for in a Coworking Space in the Philippines
Choosing an office coworking space looks easy in a brochure. Then your team shows up on Monday, and the Wi-Fi crawls, with the only meeting room already booked for the week. A few checks before signing on the dotted line can help prevent this.
Here are few things to check before you commit.
Internet and backup electricity
Ask for actual speeds in writing. “Fast Wi-Fi” says little. Next, ask what happens during a power outage. Is there a backup generator? A second ISP? This is especially important for call centres and BPO companies in the Philippines, as a loss of connectivity can mean missed targets and dissatisfied clients. It’s just as important for BPO companies in Cebu, where a large percentage of staff work the night shift to accommodate clients in other time zones.
Location and commute
A coworking space in Manila isn’t helpful if your employees can’t get there. Check the nearest MRT, LRT, and jeepney routes, and see how long it takes to get there.
A coworking space in Makati is great if you work with clients in the financial district.
A coworking space in BGC suits teams that have international clients. Hiring in Mandaluyong and Pasig?
A coworking space in Ortigas is a great option. Going to the Visayas?
A coworking space in Cebu is a good alternative.
One practical tip: if you are looking at multiple coworking spaces in Metro Manila, visit during peak hours. Not at those times on a weekday when there’s no traffic.
Flexibility for your changing headcount
Your team grows, shrinks and changes. Look for locations with shared, private and semi-private spaces all under one roof, so you don’t have to move when your team changes. See how quickly they can set up 10 seats and how much notice they need to remove them.
Sales Rain offers desk leasing, private and semi-private offices, as well as virtual offices.
Meeting rooms and client areas
You need space to host clients and interviewees and run a team call without disrupting others. Check how many meeting rooms there are and how easy they are to book. Also, see if projectors or other display systems are available.
You can learn a lot about a place by checking out their front desk. An attended front desk says a lot about how they’ll treat visitors.
Security and access
Answers to the previous questions should give you an idea about how secure a space is and how easy it is to get your employees into the space.
CCTV, key cards, visitor logs, and lockable storage are the basic security features. Nice-looking offices are not always secure. If your employees handle customer data, identify who can access your floor and how you can revoke access when employees leave.
Also, consider a backup site. What happens when the electricity goes out for the day? Where does your team go then?
Sales Rain offers coworking spaces, private offices, and seat leasing options across Manila and Cebu. Book a site visit at salesrain.com and assess for yourself before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
What facilities should a coworking space provide?
They should offer secure access, a comfortable desk, a meeting room, and a dependable IT helpdesk.
Is a coworking space suitable for BPO teams?
Yes, it suits smaller teams. Larger teams may require dedicated seats or a private office, and backup systems.
Should businesses choose Makati, BGC, or Ortigas?
When choosing a location, consider employee commute times, client accessibility and costs.
How can businesses compare workspace costs?
Ask for quotations and compare costs for services, utilities, internet, and meeting rooms.
Find a workspace that fits your business
Sales Rain offers workspace solutions, including seat leasing, private and semi-private offices, and meeting rooms, across the Philippines.
