FreeOfficeFinder, established in 2002, is an modern and complete service that helps companies discover and lease their splendid workplace areas for gratis.
As one of many pioneers within the personal, versatile workplace area market, the corporate has grown alongside the business, which is projected to achieve USD 2.84 billion by 2029 within the UK alone. FreeOfficeFinder has been on the forefront of this progress, assembly the demand for adaptable, managed, and serviced workplace areas throughout London and the UK.
The corporate’s mission is to offer companies with an enormous array of workplace choices with out the burden of hefty relocation charges, a typical observe amongst different brokers. What started with a modest database of simply two buildings has expanded right into a portfolio of over 2,700 properties managed by greater than 1,000 landlords. This progress displays FreeOfficeFinder’s unwavering dedication to providing all kinds of workplace options that cater to numerous consumer wants, from small startups to massive companies.
To this point, FreeOfficeFinder has assisted over 50,000 organisations in securing their good versatile workplace areas, a testomony to the belief and confidence companies place of their companies. The corporate’s dedication to high quality and business requirements is additional highlighted by its membership in The Versatile Area Affiliation since 2009.
Working underneath a hybrid work setup, the FreeOfficeFinder group splits their time between a serviced workplace in Farringdon, London, and distant work. This expertise underscores the significance of getting a collaborative workplace surroundings—a perspective they bring about to the shoppers they serve.
Right here, CEO Nick Riesel, of FreeOfficeFinder shares insights into the inspiration behind the corporate, the teachings realized through the years, and the rules that outline their method to enterprise.
What was the inspiration behind FreeOfficeFinder?
In the end, I noticed a spot available in the market and went for it. I used to be working within the residential property sector, and I noticed a chance to repair an issue that so many individuals had been dealing with. After I spoke to folks it turned clear that conventional strategies of discovering workplace area had been overcomplicated and outdated, usually involving excessive prices within the type of company charges and an absence of transparency.
The imaginative and prescient was to create a service that not solely related shoppers with appropriate workplace areas but in addition supplied a seamless, one-stop-shop course of. Thus, FreeOfficeFinder was born.
By leveraging the mannequin the place landlords pay us for profitable introductions, we may maintain the service solely free for shoppers, which means companies can give attention to what they do greatest with out the added monetary burden and complexity of workplace looking. The time period FreeOfficeFinder mirrored our providing in 2002, and nonetheless does to at the present time.
Who do you admire?
Jeff Bezos stands out for me. His journey with Amazon, reworking it from a web-based bookstore to a world market that sells just about all the things, shortly and simply, is a outstanding story of strategic pivoting. His skill to foresee the potential of the web and adapt his enterprise mannequin to that has not solely revolutionised e-commerce but in addition made him one of many wealthiest folks on the planet. By staying modern and customer-focused he’s proven unimaginable entrepreneurial versatility.
I additionally admire Richard Branson for his superb skill to create a model that has stretched throughout so many various markets and industries for over 50 years. His knack for making his model a hit in so many sectors is outstanding.
Wanting again, is there something you’ll have completed otherwise?
Actually? An excessive amount of to depend! I’ve realized a lot that will have been invaluable within the early days of the enterprise. However I believe most of all, having a mentor again initially would have actually helped.
Gaining access to somebody with related entrepreneurial experiences may have actually accelerated our progress and improved our decision-making processes. Over the previous 20 years, the training curve has been steep, with new insights gained each week. A mentor may have offered steering and knowledge that will have resulted in attaining milestones a lot sooner and doubtless with fewer obstacles too. There have been so many questions I want I may have requested. I hope that additional down the road I may supply others the form of mentorship which I now know have been so helpful to me.
What defines your approach of doing enterprise?
The way in which FreeOfficeFinder conducts enterprise is grounded in rules which may appear clichéd however are basically sound: delivering good service and being honest to everybody concerned—employees, prospects, and suppliers.
We’re all about fostering a optimistic working surroundings and constructing long-term relationships. When folks need to work with you, and revel in their work, it minimises the time and assets spent on changing employees or negotiating with dissatisfied shoppers. As a substitute, you possibly can higher make investments your time in rising the enterprise and making the service choices higher and higher.
What recommendation would you give to somebody beginning out?
I believe an vital piece of recommendation is to attempt to worth criticism over reward. Powerful as it’d sound, understanding the weaknesses in your service or product is essential. Constructive criticism means you could have actionable insights that, when addressed accurately, can considerably enhance the standard and enchantment of what you’re providing. Embracing suggestions with a progress mindset actually can actually rework challenges into alternatives.
And, in fact, as I discussed earlier than, get a mentor for those who can. Having a mentor means you get to be taught from somebody who’s been by means of the ups and downs and may share their knowledge that can assist you keep away from errors and make good decisions. Mentors enable you construct confidence, sharpen your sport plan, and introduce you to vital folks. Worth an thought being profitable over whose thought it was.
