---

Guest post by: Brian Monteith Become an Author

Tweet

---

---

Office space by the hour

Business expands as economy shrinks

'This is the perfect time for us," says Brian Monteith, master franchisee for Intelligent Office in Canada. "Where some see uncertainty, we see opportunity." He's not kidding. Since opening its first location in Canada in the spring of 2005, Intelligent Office, a virtual office for companies looking to save on the cost of leasing office space and hiring administrative staff, has opened another seven locations across Ontario with plans to move into Montreal and Vancouver this year. It is on track to meet its target goal of 40 offices by 2015.

While the economic downturn is taking a toll on companies worldwide, it has proven to be an opportunity for Intelligent Office. "We measure our lead sourcing every month, and leads have doubled since September, 2008, just as the economy started faltering," Mr. Monteith says, adding February was a record month for leads at all locations.

"Small business owners are looking for cost-effective solutions to renting office space, which can easily run between $6,000 and $8,000 a month, and that's where we come in. We offer a prestigious business address, mail service and 24/7 access to the space on a pay-per-use basis. It's a variable cost as opposed to a fixed cost of thousands a month on a lease."

Members have access to all locations, full-time receptionist and lobby listing, turnkey telecommunications and phone service and for each location up to eight Intelligent Assistants or remote receptionists who answer calls through computer telephone integration software and seamlessly connect that call to members, wherever they are.

Intelligent Office helped Michael Gerochi open Mind Mappers, a management consulting/training company and reseller of Mind Mapping software. In 2005, he was working on contract at the Ontario Lottery Corporation when he heard an ad for Intelligent Office. "I wanted to launch my company, but the cost of having a professional location was simply too high," says Mr. Gerochi. "This gave me the push to do it. I pay $300 a month and I can appear big-time to major clients.

"I use their reception staff -- they take all my calls -- office space, mailing service. The building address is advantageous. It's more professional than a home address and filters out unwanted solicitation. I can rent a cubicle for $15 an hour or a window office on the 57th floor at First Canadian Place in Toronto for $25 an hour instead of sitting in the food court with my laptop." He also uses the boardroom ($70/hour) to network with industry leaders.

"I've been using this service for four years now," Mr. Gerochi says. "I don't see a need to acquire bricks-and-mortar office space, even as I grow. We would do our weekly meetings and book the office space when needed. Costs are really low."

The need to reduce overhead in this economy is just part of the reason for Intelligent Office's growth. "The message is loud and clear," Mr. Monteith says. "People are looking at more cost effective and flexible ways to do business. It's a trend that will continue even after the economy recovers. Many Fortune 500 companies are getting out of the real estate business and more of their employees are working from home. In turn they need to outsource a variable rent office solution to their employees when they need it. This is all trending to the future. It's not just the little guy saving money. It's the big guys, too. And that's where companies such as ours come into play."

That is what led then venture capitalist Ralph Gregory, to launch the company in 1995 in Boulder, Colo. "The idea was simple -- clients could work from home or anywhere their laptops and cellphones took them, but Intelligent Office would be their professional office base, fielding all business calls, faxes and mail, and provide a first-class corporate facility with offices and conference rooms available when needed."

It worked. In 1999, he started the franchising program in the United States where there are now locations from coast to coast. Mr. Monteith envisions the same for Canada. "The virtual office is becoming the norm in Canada," he says. And he is making sure Intelligent Office is there to meet growing demand. "We want to position ourselves as an integral service. Work is something you do. It's not a place you have to drive to any more. And that is thanks to all the technology options available."

Related Articles

  Managing Time - Try a Power Hour
  What Makes an Ideal Office?
  How businesses can benefit from the affordable office space options found in Business Parks.
  Leasing Office Space – Part 15 of 23 Lease Negotiations
  Opening a New Office Location
  TIPS FOR MAKING MONEY WITH REAL ESTATE YOU DON'T OWN
  100 Ways to Succeed #111
  Sales Training Can the Introvert Salespeople Find Happy Hour Bliss?
  Effective and Efficient Office Designs
  Environment and productivity at the office
  Working at Home vs Getting an Office
  Golden Rules for Leasing your First Office Space
  Don’t forget about Service Franchise Opportunities
  Establishing Your Work At Home Business Hours Of Operation
  Save Money - Work from Home - but be Ready for Mobile Challenges
  Taking Back Your Life
  Legal Marketing: White space can be your best friend
  Adding More Space To Your Home
  Office Fit Out Services
  Advantages of a Virtual Office for Entrepreneurs

Related Forum Posts

Re: Quote of the Day - “Don’t spend money until you’re making it
Re: NEW VIDEO - What books should you read to learn about busine
Re: Books for the Entrepreneur
Re: Quote of the Day - "If you believe that what you're doing is
Re: Can Anything Stop The Facebook Juggernaut?

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Selling Change

Top 5 Tips for Better Online Ads

Developing an Abundance Consciousness

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.