Just a short walk from OfficeLinks Bryant Park office location, you can also step onto history at the Discovery Time Square Exposition at 226 W 44th St (between Seventh and Eighth Aves) seven days a week between 10am-10pm.  This new large-scale exhibition center, will offer limited edition runs of exhibits from across the globe, including the Titanic exhibit. The 60,000-square-foot space is just around the corner from OfficeLinks Bryant Park office location and is housed in the former New York Times building, and includes a learning center, a space for special events and a café.  For more information, click here.  What a great location.  This is just another benefit of being an OfficeLinks office, virtual office and meeting room client.

OfficeLinks Wall Street NYC Client that is Unlocking the Keys to Success

How can a company improve the lives of many Americans while at the same time developing a profitable business during a difficult economic climate?  The answer to this question is certainly not an obvious one. However, after sitting down for an interview with Oryan’s Group, a company dedicated to helping create better business through innovation, automation, organizational alignment, optimal management structure, and solid business strategy, it was clear to me that this company has a strong answer.  Dr. Oryan Yitzhak, President and CEO, of Oryan’s Group, first brought his company to OfficeLinks’ 40 Wall Street location in December of 2008 with a vision to identify opportunity in the turbulent American marketplace.  After considerable due diligence and careful consideration he found his niche. Leveraging his experience in real estate and investment banking and insights into the American marketplace, Dr. Oryan Yitzhak purchases properties for renovation and rents them out at discounted rates.  In the short term Oryan’s Group improves residential areas as well as the lives of the Americans who occupy his properties and in the long term, he is building a profitable business as his aim is to sell these properties at real value once the market picks up.  Having learned about the great work of this company, I am especially pleased to observe it is thriving despite the current recession. Oryan’s Group recently took on more office space at 40 Wall Street and we at OfficeLinks are honored to provide a nimble workplace platform that could accommodate their expansion.

Selecting the right Office Space in New York City, Chicago, or realistically anywhere, involves significant due diligence.  Since office related expenses are commonly the second largest cost to hit the bottom line, examine the complete spectrum of workplace options to ensure that you select the solution that is optimal for your business now and for tomorrow.

There are really four options to consider:  Traditional space, sublet space, business centers and home working.  In future blog posts, we will dissect each option in greater detail.  But, for now we will look at some core elements of the decision-making process.

Total Occupancy Cost:

When examining price, ensure you are including all the factors of this very complex equation. To be very clear, square foot pricing is not Total Cost of Occupancy.  Price per square foot is simply one factor.  At a very high level, consider all the costs for fitting out your office so that it is “business-ready” (don’t forget about the common areas including reception, meeting rooms etc…) and then running and managing that facility.  Then factor in that cost when the space is totally utilized and when it’s not. For expediency sake we’re proving a very high-level overview. In an upcoming blog post, we will address the true definition of Total Occupancy Costs. 

Other factors in your decision-making process should be:

Term of the agreement. In today’s dynamic marketplace your business needs to be agile.  Long-term, fixed leases do not enable business agility. There is a clear disconnect between what landlords and business owners need. Business Week quoted a stat that 50% of a typical company’s office space sits empty.  You can mitigate this risk with agreements that have flexible terms and allow you to expand and contract your office space according to business needs, which leads to the next thing to consider.

Rent increases.  Even with long-term leases, rent tends to increase.  So when you find an option with a shorter, less risky term, you want to cover yourself from potential rent hikes.  Ask for a clause that correlates rent increases to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).  With today’s marketplace, you can request a shorter term and ask for a rent freeze for the first year. Watch out for increases tied to “fair market valuations” and stick to CPI.

Building maintenance and utilities.  With every office comes office related bills – as the cost to actually run the business.  Remember to ask for a definitive list of what’s included and what additional charges you would have each month. If the services and utilities are all charged separately, you may see that your low rent price per square foot option is no longer a wise choice, which leads me to the next point.

Complete office and support package. You know how to run your business and each minute you are distracted from it negatively impacts your output.   To ensure you are optimizing each hour, select options where your office management is included in your monthly price.  Business Centers offer options for a receptionist to answer calls, to give a warm welcome to greet visitors and can even help arrange meetings as needed.  To many, these services immediately equate to savings in headcount or from utilizing that staff for business driving efforts.   Using shared business equipment cuts overhead and utilities are generally included in your monthly cost.  For many, the networking in such a shared business environment has lead to new revenue gains.  Finally, a long-term lease agreement that doesn’t support your dynamic business needs could prove devastating to your business.

Risk:

For most, running a real estate function is not a core competency.  Identifying the space where you want to office is one thing.  Forecasting the right amount of space so that you can optimize utilization, negotiating a 50+ page lease agreement, establishing a business-ready environment is another.  Making the wrong office decision can really be a noose around the neck of a business for years to come.  Consider all options that mitigate that risk.   

New York Magazine names it’s Best of NY Winners and OfficeLinks congratulates this years 2009 Best of NY – Chelsea winners!  

Chelsea Piers Field House in the category Play Spaces for Kids

City Treehouse  in the category Play Spaces for Kids

Co.   in the category New Restaurants

Del Posto   in the category Linguine With Clams

Socarrat Paella Bar in the category  Paella

Chelsea is truly a special part of New York City and OfficeLinks is pleased to partner with businesses in this area.  Imagine an office environment where business is let free to thrive – where the decor tastefully merges the building’s exposed brick walls and antique tin-covered roofing with modern steel and a variety of wood grains, resulting in an organic, comfortable space with style to spare.

We’d like to think of it as doing business with a bling bling.  See for yourself or stop by!

Clients who OfficeLinks at Bryant Park have found their place to THRIVE.   It’s truly a different world out there from an office standpoint. The old logic of real estate is dead and gone.  Clients that OfficeLinks choose the program that is right for their unique business needs.   Consider then when securing your office.  Terms are flexible – ensuring the right amount of space and term.  Productivity is assured from day one – offices are fully furnished and equipped with leading-edge connectivity, telephone lines and equipment and a support staff that is available on-demand.  Cash is protected – there is no upfront capital expenditure and companies that OfficeLinks save up to 60% on their facilities costs.  Meeting rooms by the hour, videoconference capabilities Virtual and day office packages are also available.    Find your space to thrive at Bryant Park.

What these businesses also benefit from is the location, a prime business address AND quite a buzzing Bryant Park with a full calendar of events.  And to make it even better, the events are free!  So, mark your calendars and head over to Bryant Park for: 

Bryant Park Yoga – Tuesdays 10:00 am – Stretch and relax amidst the NYC hustle and bustle

Meet the Birds Bryant Park Tour – Tuesdays 11:30 am - Get up close and personal with these NYC feathered friends

Tai Chi at Bryant Park – Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30am – Start off your day in a balance between your body and mind

Bryant Park After Work – Tuesdays and Wednesdays 6:00pm – Follow the sound of the music and kick back after a day at work.

HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival – Mondays 5:00pm – Enjoy a full array of films shown under the stars on the Great Lawn.

Piano in Bryant Park Series – Most weekdays at 12:00pm - Enjoy listening to some of the best New York pianists as they tickle the ivory

 For full details and see the entire Bryant Park Events Calendar.

Not from the Bryant Park Area and just passing through?  If you need a day office or meeting room near Bryant Park – Call  877 265 4657 or contact OfficeLinks NYC Office Space anytime.