The Freedom in Downsizing from Underutilized Headquarters

At Bamboo, we recently helped several established companies downsize to a flexible private office within our footprint. 

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This decision helped each company save on costs and support a remote-first or hybrid team. It also helps their team members feel less alone. 

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Let’s look closer at the reasons behind why an established company might want to downsize and release themselves from the long-term liability of a headquarters space. 

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We know this strategy will not be for every company, but it certainly is a growing trend to understand. 

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1. Reduce Costs & Better Serve Hybrid/Remote Work.

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The biggest reason established companies are choosing flexible offices vs leasing an entire floor or building on their own: reduced costs. That size of a team’s space is often underutilized. If a team allows for remote work or hybrid work, their people need less space. They aren’t in every day, causing some to share desks or need less conference rooms than before. Choosing coworking offices allows for a private team setup but sharing premium amenities, making it easier and usually more affordable than signing a long term lease.

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2. Hybrid Work Can still be Lonely, But Coworking is not.

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Larger teams working on a hybrid schedule (a few days remote, a few days in the office) often still crave community. An established company may allow team members to choose their schedule or rotate into the office two or three days a week. However, if they aren’t collaborating and talking to others who aren’t in the office these days there can still be a sense of siloed departments or individual isolation. Some teams are instead choosing private offices within a coworking building to allow for both the sense of collaboration and community, while providing an in-person flexible workspace option. Bamboo programs our spaces with frequent community events, wellness activities. Our community team makes intentional introductions so your team and leaders are feeling inspired -- all of this is provided included in a team membership. 

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3. Improve Quality & Facilities Excellence 

Bamboo’s hubs are often brand new, offering premium amenities like indoor bike storage, cold-brew coffee, mother’s room/prayer rooms, team training rooms, private conference rooms, statement staircases, and in Ann Arbor a rooftop coworking lounge. Parking is easy and nearby. This all makes for a high quality experience for your facilities setut with no build out cost or up front investment to the company. Even if a buildout is offered by your landlord, it will be added on to your per SQ ft. Additionally, no team member will need to manage the facilities orders, stocking, and care, as our Bamboo team manages that for you.

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4. Streamlined Flexible Footprint for a Distributed Team 

If you’re a member or have a private office suite at Bamboo, your team can access all our locations included. With premium locations currently in Downtown Detroit, Downtown Royal Oak, and Downtown Ann Arbor, and more coming soon across Michigan -- it can be easier to support your distributed workforce across Michigan. A team will sign up and choose their office suite location but can offer coworking and meeting space access across our footpring. Conference rooms are booked through an app. Desks can be shared in an office through the app too. This makes it easy and streamlined for your team to access what they need when they need it. Often teams especially remain distributed and yet want to hire talent and support them with convenient perks like coworking. It’s a great way to balance flexibility, remote-work, and thoughtful and intentional support for your distributed team.

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Considering finding more freedom in flexible offices setups for your team? 

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Bamboo currently supports team sized 1-50 in our region with flexibility for their private office, team offsites, and facilities needs.

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Reach out to discuss a strategy that might work best for your team.