How to build a flexible brand - Giles Fuchs at Property Week forum

What is the key to success the highly competitive flexible workspace environment?

“Location, design, building layout, staff, culture, ethos, IT, consistency of customer service. You can go on forever making a list, but all of those things need to be a part of it.” Says Giles Fuchs, CEO and Co-Founder of Office Space in Town (OSiT)

With more property companies launching flexible workspace brands, Property Week and proptech firm, Yardi put together a panel of industry experts, including Giles.

In terms of what makes a great location for a flexible workspace centre, Giles noted that for OSiT with offices in London, they need to be within a four-minute walk of a tube or train hub. Previously when he had a company that covered the whole of the UK his key metric was that the office location needed to be no more than a five minute walk from a Marks & Spencer.

With regard to role technology plays in running a successful flexi-office business Giles believes this should be divided into separate business areas and IT functions, which all need to work together to effectively and efficiently manage the business and client relationship: broadband connectivity, CRM systems, client on-boarding and accounting software and packages.

When asked for their single piece of advice to a newcomer wanting to break into the flexible workspace market the panel had many thoughts, from nailing the brand to employing a great designer who delivers a space that meets all your requirements. However, Giles believes the key thing, above all else, is to employ the right people!

Read the discussion on Property Week here.

* All photos by Paul Burroughs