By Andrea Ditter-Middleton
Entrepreneurship goes hand in hand with the American dream, but while having a great idea is one thing, getting a business started is another. The hard truth is that only one in 10 startup companies succeed, and this high rate of failure often has more to do with poor execution than a bad business idea. As veteran entrepreneur and Fortune contributor Neil Patel writes, there are many “humble” reasons why companies fail, and it almost always includes ignoring the little things.
That is why it’s so important for startup companies to get “beyond the idea” and set themselves up for success in their physical space. Conscious attention to space and design in your startup’s office can help alleviate problems down the road and put your startup on the path to success.
Leave Finding the Perfect Space to the Professionals
Location, location, location. Finding the right spot for your office is a critical “little thing” that could make or break the business. Working with a licensed real estate professional who specializes in corporate rentals makes this process easier and less stressful.
According to Leigh Quintana, a licensed realtor with Stevens Realty Group in New York, the benefits of working with a professional for your startup needs go beyond the obvious. In fact, she says, “Working with a licensed realtor is not only essential to finding the right property, but for navigating the transaction.” Realtors negotiate price, of course, but Quintana adds that they also sort out other details that impact your bottom line, and you need to understand what you’re getting for your money.
Quintana also emphasizes the importance of knowing the area and your market. Real estate agents specialize in knowing all the little details that impact businesses, such as commuting patterns, walkability, and parking situations within a town, neighborhood, or district, as well as technical details like zoning laws. Real estate agents are famous for being “in the know” in communities, and they are excellent network connections who provide the type of word-of-mouth advertising that is critical for a startup.
As Quintana emphasizes, “We encourage clients to lean on their agents for their connections, contacts, and knowledge about what is trending in their market.”
What’s Inside Also Counts
Once you choose the right location, simply adding a few desks and setting up some computers isn’t enough. Your office is a professional space that represents your company to the public. Interior design takes time and investment, but it is a detail that has a lasting impact. Consider the following factors:
- Be Flexible: Some of the most successful offices allow employees the option to work alone or together in lounge areas or large conference areas in what is known as a flexible workplace design.
- Stay Classic and Neutral: Neutral-toned, high-quality furniture pieces serve as the perfect backdrop and blend with and enhance other decorative elements, such as wall graphics, that promote your brand.
- Consider Ergonomics: There’s a proven connection between long hours at a desk and medical issues ranging from a sore back to carpal tunnel syndrome, but ergonomic workstations featuring chairs with lumbar support, adjustable height desks, and adjustable screens help prevent these issues.
Furniture rental is one way to make handling the details of office design easier to manage. This option allows you to experiment with modern office design strategies while keeping your bottom line flexible. CORT Furniture Rental offers a number of convenient packages and delivery options to make setting up and changing your startup office design quick and easy.
Your Dream Realized
Your office is the place where your ideas come to life. It’s the heart and the face of your business. If you want to be the one in 10 who succeeds, your plan must include all the little things, from comfort and convenience to presentation. Take time to carefully plan and execute the perfect office space.
