{"id":3000015083,"date":"2020-06-23T10:47:43","date_gmt":"2020-06-23T14:47:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/?p=3000015083"},"modified":"2020-06-23T14:33:00","modified_gmt":"2020-06-23T18:33:00","slug":"what-consulting-firms-look-for-in-a-workspace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/workspace-solutions\/flexible-products\/what-consulting-firms-look-for-in-a-workspace","title":{"rendered":"What consulting firms look for in a workspace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

COVID-19 has caused unprecedented disruption to how we work, travel, and live. And while it\u2019s unclear what exactly the world will look like in the future, WeWork is already seeing variations in office space needs<\/a> among different industries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I recently sat down with leaders from consulting firms who shared some of their concerns and requirements as they aim to take their largely distributed workforce back to the office. Below, I share some of the themes I\u2019m hearing, and discuss how WeWork is uniquely positioned<\/a> to help this particular market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consulting firms will require more space for \u201cgrounded\u201d consultants <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With wide-ranging changes to the workplace, many consulting firm clients likely won\u2019t have consultants on site anytime soon. For consultants, that means they’ll be working from home<\/a> every day of the week. While many consultants are used to this by now, it does pose a challenge to consulting firms when all consultants, globally, are \u201cgrounded.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For junior consultants, working from home 24-7 may be particularly challenging. They\u2019re often younger individuals in urban areas who share living spaces with roommates. And in a COVID-19 world, working from a coffee shop won\u2019t always be an option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professional distancing standards will vary by country, with different space requirements across the board. For firms trying to set up offices around the world for a global workforce, this is a particularly thorny issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

WeWork can provide an interim space solution\u2014no matter the team size <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Today, WeWork partners with all of the top-10 largest consulting firms. They have space in 224 of our more than 800 locations globally. Thanks to our presence in premier markets across 38 countries\u2014available on demand\u2014we can help facilitate a consistent and reliable experience for your consulting client. No need to manage multiple negotiations with multiple parties in different markets\u2014we can get them up and operational on-site within a week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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WeWork 152 Elizabeth St<\/a> in Melbourne.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, offering a space close to where consultants live reduces their commute<\/a>\u2014and the need to take public transportation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consulting firms need customizations in space, IT security, and deal structures <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many large consulting firms are starting to reevaluate the workplace\u2014both the physical space they\u2019ll need and how they\u2019ll actually use it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We know that the headquarters for large firms tend to serve as touchdown bases for traveling consultants. They also serve as research and development showcases for client development. Consulting firms have high IT standards, requiring that IT closets are housed on every floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of customized space requirements, the consulting workforce\u2019s needs also vary depending on the market and time. For most consulting offices, Fridays are the highest trafficked days, followed by Mondays. Space utilization usually drops drastically Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. This is a trend we don\u2019t expect to go away. With WeWork, firms can choose to utilize space only on the days that they need, which saves them money. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Headquarters by WeWork offers a flexible, economical solution<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

WeWork can work with your client to match their space requirements<\/a>, no matter how many employees they have. This reduces upfront capital costs and can accommodate customized membership structures. Together, we can help your clients secure longer-term commitments with options to terminate, expand, or contract within a space, or to transfer to another location within the WeWork portfolio. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And as part of the Headquarters by WeWork<\/a> solution, consultancies have control over their own IT closets as well as their physical space. Teams can customize their layouts and add their unique branding throughout their area, making it easy to transition their tech stack while maintaining their brand.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consulting firms require office space in premium markets <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most consulting firms occupy high-rise buildings in major cities and prefer locations with a marquee lobby experience and 24-7 security.  As many other industries shift and expand to address professional distancing standards in their offices, the competition for top-tier space in cities may increase. WeWork buildings are located in prime neighborhoods in 149 cities around the world\u2014making the process of looking for an office in a desirable location that much easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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WeWork 518 Xinjiang Lu<\/a> in Shanghai.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, as foot-traffic patterns change to comply with new distancing standards, professionals will confront longer lines to enter buildings and lower capacity for elevators, putting a premium on lower floors accessible by stairs. Luckily, 40 percent of WeWork\u2019s portfolio within the U.S. is below the 6th floor, which means clients occupying these spaces will avoid congested lobbies and lengthy elevator wait times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For your clients looking for longer-term space, WeWork offers full-floor options with premium, customized amenities at a competitive price. This allows your clients to expand their footprint in highly sought-after submarkets while keeping costs down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consulting firms have their own needs\u2014and so do their clients <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We recognize that every firm, project, and client is different. As the market continues to reflect and reshape a new normal, WeWork continues to innovate and lead the market in flexible offerings\u2014both in the space we provide, and in structuring deal terms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019d like to learn more about how we can creatively structure deals, layouts, and locations to serve your consulting clients, please visit<\/em> brokers at <\/em>wework.com\/brokers<\/em><\/a>, or email <\/em>brokers@wework.com<\/em><\/a> to connect with us today.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n