Servcorp Barton offers clients and visitors a well-designed reception space, with exceptionally well-trained staff. Photos: Servcorp Barton.
As one of those many people who operate from a slightly chaotic home office, I am always curious when I hear how the workplace is changing so quickly, especially with what seems like daily advances in technology. Easily distracted by the garden, pets and household chores, the time I might have saved in commuting is quickly gobbled up, and I must wrangle my own IT and slow internet connection. However, there are alternatives for freelancers, consultants, start-ups right through to branch offices of international businesses. I thought it would be interesting to have a look at the business solution that international serviced office company, Servcorp, is currently offering in Canberra.
Servcorp offices feature state-of-the-art kitchens which are continuously monitored and well stocked.
I am impressed by Servcorp because I know it has got to be doing something right – really right. The company has been around for nearly 40 years and has an extraordinary network of offices worldwide including Paris, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Abu Dabi, although probably the one I found most exciting is the new Servcorp branch located in edgy Barangaroo, Sydney. I enjoyed chatting with Australian Manager Liane Gorman and hearing how wonderful the views are and how co-officing is taking major cities by storm. It is exciting that this could be my own Sydney office if I become a member of the Servcorp community by signing up as a client. Membership of the Servcorp community should greatly appeal to all sorts of businesses as it enables members to connect and communicate with other Servcorp clients – not just in your location, but all around the world, providing contacts from like-minded business people across the Servcorp network, which offers 150 branches worldwide.
To figure out if one of the office packages on offer might be a good fit for me and how it works for existing clients, I accepted an invitation to spend the morning in the very well presented offices of Servcorp Barton, located on the first floor of the Hotel Realm in the prestigious Parliamentary Triangle in Barton.
I had a number of options. My first option was a virtual office for a reasonable monthly cost enabling me to take advantage of everything but a physical office. There really are times where you don’t actually need an office, but just an upmarket central business address and a receptionist who answers the phone in your company’s name. With a Servcorp virtual office, I would have access to boardrooms, private offices and co-working lounges – all at a fraction of the cost of a physical office.
My second option is co-working and leasing a desk in a comfortable shared area. Co-working started over 10 years ago in the United States, and Servcorp is meeting demand by giving permanent clients more break out space. A further option is having my own serviced office with a variety of sizes available. It is interesting that a number of clients have started with a virtual office, and progressed through the co-working space and now have a permanent office.
I was interested to see how it would all work! Warmly greeted in reception with the offer of a coffee, I was then shown around by Tiffany Blyton, Servcorp Barton manager. All the staff I came into contact with obviously love their jobs and take pride in their high standards and skills. Within ten minutes of swishing in through the direct access from the carpark, I had my own phone number and a comfortable small boardroom with an electronic whiteboard that could comfortably accommodate a small meeting of eight. This came with the added benefit of the light leafy outlook over the Realm Precinct inner courtyard and an excellent cappuccino. All of Servcorp’s meeting room facilities include state-of-the-art communications technology and in-house IT support. The work environment and decor is subtle and relaxing, with lots of original artworks.
Servcorp Barton offers a number of different sized boardrooms.
I noted there was iced water to hand, a phone with my unique phone number and a personal receptionist who can answer on my behalf. It was time to get down to some serious international business, so I tried the streamlined, online booking system and booked a meeting room in Singapore with the option of catering. It was all just too easy!
I was impressed with Servcorp’s co-working lounge.
I was curious about Servcorp’s IT management as it is something I struggle with operating from home. I am sure it is this aspect that will appeal to small businesses faced with high costs in setting up their own IT system. I discovered that Servcorp’s fibre optic cabling delivers very fast connection, the wifi is encrypted and Servcorp has its own in-house IT professionals ensuring there is no overloading and an even flow of capacity. The IT team is also on hand to assist clients with their individual needs.
Servcorp doesn’t just offer an office space, it offers a total business solution to suit a wide range of businesses in the 21st century. Reading the Tenants List in the front foyer is a good indication that Servcorp has a strong base of tenants, from multinationals to consultants to start-ups.
As the office environment changes almost day by day, there is no doubt businesses are coming to terms with the concept of co-working and ‘hot desking’. Even the virtual office is now completely relevant for a mobile workforce that travels with a smartphone and a laptop but needs somewhere to catch their breath, focus and get a bit of solid backup from professional office assistants.
Also within Precinct are the choice of a number of popular restaurants, cafes and bars and the Hotel Realm offers top quality accommodation, from standard rooms that are remarkably spacious through to a variety of options for suites.
So if you are looking for a workspace that will allow you to focus and concentrate, whether it is a small office, a desk or even a virtual office, then maybe there is a solution already. If you have aspirations to have your own network of offices all over the world, then Servcorp can definitely help you achieve that. As a client of Servcorp, your international travel will be seamless as all technical barriers are eliminated. There is no doubt that they regard the success of their clients as their own success. Servcorp offers a free visit, or even a free trial period, which will give you the opportunity to experience the environment for yourself. If you would like to arrange a free visit, please click here.
Servcorp is well-located in the Realm Precinct on Level One of the Hotel Realm in Barton, right in the Parliamentary Triangle.
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