Enterprise Nation

According to the 2008 Home Business Survey, home business owners are more than happy to branch out of their home office to attend tailored events and visit hub facilities and centres created to meet their needs.

When asked what they would most like to see in their area, 48% of home businesses replied that they’d appreciate more events and networks tailored to their way of working and 31% said they’d like to see more physical infrastructure (hubs, professional meeting space, enterprise units) in their town/city/village.

Which probably accounts for the rise we’re seeing in homeworking spaces and places; from the corner of the local wi-fi enabled coffee shop, to private members club, One Alfred Place, it’s becoming easier for home businesses to find their favourite branch office.

Enterprise HQ in Shrewsbury is one such place. Opened in 2007 to cater to businesses being started from homes across Shropshire, the unit provides professional meeting space and a lively calendar of events. Membership is rising fast and new units are coming online in other parts of the county.

For home business owners who regularly travel from their county to London and need a base in the city, then One Alfred Place is the perfect choice. The private members club was developed and designed by Rob Shreeve, who says:

“I decided to open One Alfred Place because there was nothing like it. I was working outside of London, coming in to the city a couple of times a week, meeting in hotel lobbies, coffee shops and traditional clubs - but none of them are really suitable for business. There seemed to be a huge gap in the market. The intention was to replicate all the facilities you get with an office, without having to pay for one, in the environment of an exclusive London Club. We offer open spaces, quiet corners, lively meeting areas, work stations, private board rooms and presentation suites with a first class restaurant and bar. All have one thing in common – they are designed to allow our members to relax and do business in comfort and in style.”

As well as a place to work and space to meet, home business owners also look to a branch office that can provide services and supplies. This is where Staples comes in.

With a UK network of stores - open 7 days a week and for 12 hours on weekdays - Staples is the port of call for home business owners needing anything from paperclips to an office chair. But did you know that inside most stores there’s also a copy and print centre and DHL service point, meaning Staples can help out with print (leaflets/proposals/brochures) packaging and production (reports/presentations/newsletters).

The DHL service point sends packages and products within the UK or worldwide meaning Staples provides this infrastructure so you don’t have to. For the home business owner it offers access to a professional print and copy/posting service formerly only available to the largest of companies.

With these places and spaces offering all a home business owner needs - at a cost that won’t break budgets - there’s no wonder people are choosing to ditch the traditional office for a cosy home office and a practical branch office on the side.

Links

• Enterprise HQ
• One Alfred Place
• Staples store finder

Home Business Survey results

What is the one thing you’d like to see in your area that would help you and your home business?

Dedicated live/work developments - 10%
Events & networks for home business owners - 48%
A unit that offers hotdesking & professional meeting space - 31%
Faster broadband/more wi-fi hotpots - 11%

Photo credit: Flicker user, Creativity+ Timothy K Hamilton.