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The COVID-19 pandemic has had a carry-over effect on New Hampshire’s business landscape, leading many companies to embrace remote working to keep their employees safe and maintain operations. This has resulted in a shift away from traditional brick-and-mortar office spaces, and new businesses and existing firms are catering to small business needs by providing solutions such as professional co-op office spaces, meeting rooms, and conference rooms. Two local firms, CEO Bedford and Spark Offices, offer such services and shared their perspective on the changing office needs.
Cindi Colburn, the President of CEO Bedford, believes that her company has a finger on the pulse of changing office needs, having been in business since 1989. CEO Bedford has come up with various solutions to cater to the needs of small businesses, startups, sole practitioners such as doctors, lawyers, and financial planners, and sales representatives. The pandemic has brought in many new clients with varying office needs, leading CEO Bedford to offer full-time private offices, virtual programs, professional mailing addresses, and conference and meeting room space for rent. One of the driving forces behind the demand for office co-op spaces from CEO Bedford’s clients is the need to return to a familiar working environment post-pandemic, as the initial excitement of working from home has worn off. CEO Bedford offers a “Getaway Suite” option for larger companies that have given up their office space, which offers private offices rented by the company for their employees to work both from home and in an office environment.
Jenna Baggs, the Office Manager of Spark Offices, highlights the importance of finding a co-working space that solves the problem areas of a remote or hybrid work situation. Spark Offices offers a productive environment that encourages collaboration and provides a network of resources for working professionals. Remote/hybrid professionals enjoy the option of a co-working space to escape the confines of their home office and benefit from the community offered by such spaces. Baggs notes that the office environment is evolving rather than dying post-pandemic, as more companies offer hybrid work models as employee benefits, leading to questions about how to utilize underutilized office spaces. Spark Offices offers Flexhub, which partners with businesses to maximize their existing office spaces and build a collaborative community that reduces expenses, expands networks, and preserves company culture.
In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the adoption of remote working on a large scale in New Hampshire, causing businesses to rethink traditional office spaces. New businesses and existing firms such as CEO Bedford and Spark Offices are filling this void by providing co-op office spaces, meeting rooms, and conference rooms to meet the changing office needs of small businesses and remote/hybrid professionals. These alternative office solutions provide a productive and collaborative environment, offering valuable resources and community to businesses and their employees.
