The flexible workspace sector is home to different types of workspace accommodations. Within the flexible workspace sector, you will see coworking spaces and business centres. Although there are a few similarities between coworking spaces and business centres, the main differences can be seen in how they operate and the perks they can offer small businesses.
Business centre office solutions offer a wide range of office spaces for businesses to choose from. The types of office spaces can range from:
As you have probably noticed from the list above, business centres also offer coworking accommodations. Whereas a stand-alone coworking office will only be able to offer coworking space, and will not include as much variety for different types of office space.
Many will tell you that cost is the biggest difference, but in fact, some coworking plans will cost you upwards of $300 per month. Yet, you can get a shared office space at an office business centre for as low as $225 per month. More importantly, an office business centre that offers shared office space, can give you 24-hour access 365 days a year. There are few coworking centres that can offer that.
Those who evangelize coworking spaces will probably sound like a broken record when they try to tell you that “it’s not just a shared office” and claim that they offer more of an entrepreneurial vibe, a sense of community, a sharing of knowledge, a chance to learn from those around you. But the same can be said about a shared office environment in a professional business centre with hundreds of other businesses. Office business centres simply have more choices regarding office solutions. When the time comes to take more private office space, the community of other businesses remains the same. However, it might be just down the hall or in the next office over. You will still see many of the same people in the coffee room and maybe some new faces too.
Additionally, business office centres can have organized networking events so people have more opportunities to meet one another and build relationships.
What about professionalism? It is true that coworking centres can offer a great place to work and allow for more collaborations and interactions, but what do your customers think of this type of “coffee-shop-like” place you are working from? Most coworking spaces do offer at least one meeting room for members to have a private meeting with clients. But very few have 7 or more meeting rooms and boardrooms of various sizes. This means you are less likely to gain access to a meeting room when you need it, and there is even less opportunity to accommodate for those last-minute meetings.
At a business centre, you might be sharing a workspace with several other businesses, but your clients and customers do not need to know that. When your clients presents themselves at the reception area of an office business centre, you are informed of their arrival and can take them to the meeting room you booked without them seeing the actual office space that you work in. Additionally, with business centres you will have access to a wider variety of meeting room spaces, meaning you are more likely to reserve a spot when you need it and will be able to accommodate more attendees.
Overall, business centre office solutions offer a higher degree of professionalism for your business.
Your location is important to your clients, as it will affect how they perceive your business. But what if you are in a non-central location that isn’t known for being a place of business – this may have a negative impact on your image. Coworking centres can be great, but they often do not have prestigious and professional business addresses. Whereas Telsec’s business centre is located in the Financial District, where we offer office rentals in Toronto.
Some coworking spaces offer a great place to work, but they are not set up to receive your business mail or courier deliveries. An office business centre not only gives you a prime business address, but the employees there can receive your mail and courier packages even when you are not physically present.
While your business matures, it makes sense to review your location periodically. As your growth progresses you may be better suited to a private office or a private team space. Unfortunately, these types of spaces are not normally offered by a coworking office.
If you start out at a coworking office and find yourself needing an upgrade, you will be presented with the challenge of moving your office to a new location. This will not only be costly and time-consuming but will cause confusion to your clients in terms of changing your business address.
If your business is in its early stages, choosing a coworking space inside a business centre will offer more flexibility when the time comes to upgrade. Since business centres offer a variety of office spaces, you can easily transition into a more private office space without needing to change your business address.
There is a range of facilities that should be on your checklist when considering whether to put your business in a coworking space or a business centre. Whichever you choose, you want to make sure you have access to all of these amenities:
Besides available amenities at your coworking or business centre, you might also want to learn what other services are available to you as a member or client. Often times, when a business is considering where they want to work, they forget about some of the services that they may need to be done on an a-la-carte basis. A shared office in a professional business centre will often offer things like secretarial services on demand, network printing, colour photocopiers, binding services, mail forwarding, live professional receptionist answering your business calls, video conferencing, VoIP telephones that allow you to receive and make calls when you are not in your office, as well as other concierge-style services that are not offered by stand-alone coworking centres.
Book a tour at Telsec Business Centre and see all the workspace solutions that are available for your business.
1. Jennifer Smith
General Manager
The Omni King Edward Hotel
37 King Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1E9
Tel: 416-863-9700
Website: www.omnihotels.com/hotels/toronto-king-edward
2. Mark Perry
General Manager
Executive Hotels and Resorts (Boutique)
8 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E1
Tel: 416-350-2419
Website: www.spazen.ca or www.cosmotoronto.com
3. Emeline Boul
General Manager
Hotel Victoria (Boutique)
56 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1G5
Tel: 416-363-1666
Mobile: 647-574-5832
Website: www.hotelvictoriatoronto.com
4. Omkar Sawant
Reservations Manager
One King West Hotel
1 King Street West
Toronto, ON
M5H 1A1
Main: 416-548-8100
Reservations: 1-866-470-5464
Website: www.onekingwest.com
5. Van Nguyen
General Manager
Cambridge Suites Toronto
15 Richmond Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1N2
Direct: 416-601-3757
Hotel: 416-368-1990
Website: www.cambridgesuitestoronto.com
1. Michael Pagliaro
Carisma (Italian)
15 Toronto Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2E3
Tel: 416-864-7373
Website: www.carismarestaurant.com
2. Patti Shaw
Terroni (Italian)
57 Adelaide Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1K6
Tel: 416-203-3093
Website: www.terroni.com
3. Declan
Restaurant 20 Victoria – Michelin guide approved
20 Victoria Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2A1
Tel: 416-804-6066
Instagram for reservations: https://www.instagram.com/twentyvictoria/
4. Mana
Nami (Japanese)
55 Adelaide Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1K6
Tel: 416-362-7373
Website: www.namirestaurant.ca
5. Restaurant Lucie
100 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2W1
Tel: 416-788-9054
Website: www.restaurantlucie.com
6. Niam H
Cantina Mercatto
20 Wellington Street East
Toronto, ON
M5E 1C5
Tel: 416-304-0781
Website: www.cantinamercatto.ca
7. Siva Sathasivam
Uncle Tony’s
38 Wellington St E
Toronto, ON
M5E 1C7
Tel: 416-455-6650
Website: https://uncletonys.ca/
8. Pizzaiolo
104 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2Y6
Tel: 416-860-0700
Website: www.pizzaiolo.ca
9. Robin Singh
Woods Restaurant and Bar
45 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E3
Tel: 416-214-9918
Website: www.woodsrestaurant.ca
1. Thom Tullo
Morpheus8 by Inmode
47 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E3
Tel: 416-863-6564
Website: www.amanspa.ca
2. Altitude Athletic Training
56 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E3
Tel: 416-366-3838
Website: www.altitudeathletictraining.com
3. Physioheath Studios
33 Victoria Street, #130
Toronto, ON
M5C 2A1
Tel: 416-368-2525
Website: www.physiohealth.com
We are by far the most experienced and best coworking team in the market – established in 1980
18 King Street East, Suite 1400
Toronto, Ontario M5C 1C4 Canada
Please check out our 70 second video on our home page or click here:
Take a look at our facilities www.telsec.net
Telsec will Customize Your Client’s Office(s) Layout to Meet Their Requirements.
You are welcome to drop-in any-time, a quick call would be appreciated to ensure our availability Vanessa 416-574-1112 or Josie 416-606-4349 or e-mail josie@telsec.net.