affordable office space Kansas City

5 Tips for Designing a Small Office Space in Kansas City

Small businesses tend to have to get creative when designing an office space. Your office equipment and décor should allow for a combination of functionality and an inviting environment for clients and employees. Here are a few tips for making the most of a small space, as suggested in the article “Small Office Space Layout Design & Storage Ideas”:

1.Go for Openness. Trying to cram too many cubicles and dividers into a small office space can make the office seem even smaller and more crowded. Create an open office environment, which will have the added benefit of allowing for collaborative work and encouraging teamwork among your employees. If you have to create a partitioned area, do it for meetings with clients or private discussions, and try to put this area in the back of your space.

2.Take Measurements. Not taking enough accurate measurements of a space is a simple mistake that many business owners make. In addition to measuring your space, make sure you measure any piece of furniture or equipment you are considering purchasing to make sure that it will fit in the space that you want to put it. Try measuring your current furniture and looking through catalogs with measurements listed to get an idea of what will actually fit.

3.Be Thrifty. A lot of times you can find good furniture for an office at yard sales or thrift shops. This can also allow you to be a little creative with your furniture—you can bypass the bulky, standard office furniture and try something unique and perhaps even more functional, such as long dining room tables for work stations or pullout desks that can save you some space.

4.Reduce Your Paper Files. “Go green” and cut down on clutter by taking advantage of online data and file storage options, such as DropBox, GoogleDocs, Box.net, and more. You will save a lot of space with fewer papers to file.

5.Wall Storage. If you cannot fit file cabinets or other storage furniture in your office, look to the walls. You can add shelves, cubbies and magazine holders to the walls in order to hold things like files, supplies, reference books, and more. You can also use space under desks for storage containers for additional room.

Get creative with your small office space and create an environment that is unique, inviting, and efficient!

Looking for a small office lease in Kansas City? Give us a call at 913-685-4100 to learn more about our affordable office space in Kansas City!

What is the Benefit of Working With a Commercial Real Estate Broker in Kansas City?

A lot of businesses, especially small start-ups, find themselves faced with the question of whether or not to hire a commercial real estate broker to help them find and lease an office space. Since the commercial leasing process can be long and requires attention to detail, there are a lot of benefits to working with a broker. Here are some questions you might have if you are thinking about hiring a commercial real estate broker, as well as suggestions for how to navigate this process, as outlined in the article “Commercial Real Estate: What You Need to Know Before Leasing”:

Why Should I Work With a Broker?

Commercial real estate is a different animal than residential real estate. It can be a challenge to even just find out what spaces are available. There are also a lot of zoning restrictions to deal with. Commercial real estate brokers can help give you an insider’s view of these nuances, and given that often it is the landlord who pays the broker’s fee, there is really no major reason not to take advantage of this resource.

How Do I Choose a Commercial Real Estate Broker?

The first criteria for choosing a broker is looking for a tenant broker, as tenant brokers specialize in working with potential lessees, versus agents who represent landlords. Tenant brokers typically want you to sign a representation agreement, which makes them the exclusive person who can show you the property. It is not a bad idea to sign this when looking for a small space, as it gives the broker an incentive to find you a great space. However, if you are looking for a larger space where commission is involved for the broker, you might not want to limit your broker options with a representation agreement. If you find yourself in a small town that does not have any commercial real estate brokers, you can still take the reins on your leasing process by going through public tax records to find building owners and contact them directly.

Where Can I Find Commercial Real Estate Brokers?

Once you have decided to work with a broker and you know what you are looking for in a broker, the next step is actually finding one. If you are already working with a commercial real estate attorney on your lease, they should be able to recommend several brokers for you. If you are not working with an attorney, talk to other people you know who have rented commercial property and are pleased with their leases to get a referral. You can also use the internet to find lists of large commercial real estate firms.

What Are the Potential Downsides of Working With a Commercial Real Estate Broker?

There are a few potential pitfalls to keep in mind when deciding to work with a broker:

Brokers do not focus on pointing out terms in your lease that you should negotiate or could be bad for your business.
Commission for brokers is based on the percentage of the lease cost, so brokers will most likely try to push the more expensive spaces.
In general, be aware that the less expensive your lease, the less attention you will probably get from your broker.

With these issues in mind, you might consider working with a real estate attorney as well who can help you with the nitty gritty lease details.

There are a lot of benefits to working with a broker, especially if it is your first time leasing, but be sure how to educate yourself on how to choose the best broker for your business and be aware of a broker’s biases and blind spots!

If you are interested in learning about office rental space in Kansas City, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to hear more about our available affordable office space in Kansas City!

15 Ways To Be Spending Savvy in your Office Space in Kansas City

Most small businesses need to be very cost conscious when they first start out in order to survive. Here are a few tips for how your business can start to save, as suggested in the article “25 Money Saving Tips for Small Business”

Switch to online billing services. By using services like PayPal, you might be able to avoid some monthly and statement fees, though you will want to look into the “per transaction” fees on any online banking system to make sure that particular site will really end up costing you the least.
Watch your printers. Printer ink can be expensive, so look into ways to save, such as using recycled cartridges, buying in bulk, or sharing printers.
Reduce phone expenses. Take a look at your phone usage and think about ways you can adjust to save some money, whether that be eliminating a few phone lines, changing your plan, or looking into internet phone services.
Get rid of the desktops. If possible, switch employees to laptops, which consume much less energy and have the added benefit of being mobile.
Turn off the lights. Try to keep utility expenses down by keeping lights off in unused areas of the office.
Take advantage of the internet. Whether for calls, conferences, business form templates, ordering checks, advertising, or sending newsletters to clients, the internet can make your work more convenient as well as more cost efficient.
Review spending on supplies. Is it possible to buy more things in bulk? Look into trade shows, Craigslist, or buying wholesale as ways to save on office expenses.
Consider subleasing. If you have unused office space, you might be able to arrange to sublease the space, which would mean not paying for unused space and getting some help with rent.
Hire interns. When you are looking for seasonal staff, consider opening up positions to college students who often do internships for class credit, which will reduce your payroll without hurting your productivity.
Cross promote. Include in an advertisement a mention of a service or item that would be a good addition to the item being advertised.
Join community groups. Being involved in trade associates and other community groups can often provide advertising opportunities and can keep you plugged in to the latest news and techniques in your industry.
Evaluate your mailing list. Take a look at your mailing list to see if you can weed out any inactive customers, undeliverable addresses, or changed addresses. Mailing is an expense for you, so you want to make sure you are not wasting letters. You can also save on mail by sending it in the morning so it will arrive early rather than paying for priority or express mail.
Ask for referrals. Word-of-mouth is a powerful form of advertising, and it doesn’t cost you a dime. Include testimonials on your business’s website and ask clients to make referrals.
Get the best deal. Request three bids from vendors before signing a contract, because often vendors will match competitor prices in order to get your business.
Travel smart. Use travel websites to look for the best plane ticket prices. You can also save by having employees share things like rental cars or even hotel rooms. This kind of cooperation can majorly reduce travel costs.

Small businesses can benefit financially from taking a step back and evaluating what they have been spending on. Often there are a variety of simple solutions for cutting costs in an office space!

If your business is interested in affordable office space in Kansas City, give a commercial real estate broker in Kansas City a call at 913-685-4100!

3 Creative Ways to Find More Kansas City Office Space

It can be difficult for start-up businesses to acquire the office space they need on a shoestring budget. If your business is looking to maximize office space with minimal damage to your finances, check out these creative suggestions from the Forbes article “Thinking Outside the Box When it Comes to Office Space”:

Evaluate Your Staffing Needs

One way to deal with the need for space is to see if you can minimize the workforce in your actual office space. See if you can create internships or independent contractor agreements so that you do not have as many employees crowded in your office building.

Find Co-Working Space.

Co-working spaces are more flexible than a 3-5 year lease agreement, and allow tenants to rent on a yearly, monthly, or even daily basis. This can be great if your company is digitally based (and thus mobile) and you want to interact with other small business owners in a collaborative environment.

Rent Shared Office Space

This has similar benefits to co-working space, but might involve a more stable, long term arrangement. The practice of larger companies subletting extra space to smaller businesses has been a common trend in commercial real estate. You might even be able to rent as little as a desk or cubicle for a flat rate.

Do not give up on the idea of finding a good office space that fosters productivity just because you have a small budget—there are a lot of options out there!

If you are looking for a small office lease in Kansas City, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to learn more about our affordable office space in Kansas City.

5 Qualities That Your Office Space in Kansas City Workplace Environment Needs in Order to be Great

Many small business owners decided to start their own businesses because they were tired of working in negative environments, and often successful small businesses create a positive environment for their staff by not recreating those torturous work environments. Here are some tips for making your own workplace a positive space, as suggested in the article, “How to Make Your Small-Business Workplace Great“:

Build Trust. This is central to creating a positive work environment. Think about how you can build credibility, earn respect, and foster fairness.
Friendship. A major contributor to employee satisfaction is having good friends at work. In some of the best workplace environments employees report not just having casual friendships, but strong relationships with coworkers. Create a welcoming environment by instituting a mentor program for new employees to help them get settled.
Pride. Make your employees feel like what they do makes a difference! Give them affirming and constructive feedback regularly to let them know that you care about what they do.
Authenticity. Promote acceptance, which will allow people to be their authentic selves, instead of putting on a “work persona,” which can be draining.
Common Goals. Be clear about what is expected and most important in your workplace. Create unity by giving employees a common goal to work towards.

Promoting a happy staff is so instrumental in building a successful business!

If you are looking for a small office lease in Kansas City, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to find out about our available affordable office space in Kansas City!

Six Tips for Finding the Best Deal for a Kansas City Office Space: Part II

The commercial real estate market can be difficult to navigate, but you can prepare yourself to become a pro. Check out these tips for finding the best commercial real estate deals, as seen in the article 7 Steps to a Hot Commercial Real Estate Deal:

#3 Be Ready To Walk

This goes hand in hand with having a plan. Real estate pros always have an exit strategy—the best deals are ones they know they can walk away from. Be on the lookout for damages that need repairs, learn to assess risks, and make sure you are always calculating whether a space fits in your budget.

#4 Find the Motivated Landlords

You are not the only one looking for a space; landlords are often looking for tenants. Your job is to find these landlords, particularly the ones who are ready to lease to you below market value. The best deals are often accompanied by a motivated seller—someone with a reason to lease to you at a low rate. Motivated landlords are usually more willing to negotiate.

Bring your business smarts to the table when you start looking for commercial property. Taking the time to develop a sharp eye and savvy negotiation skills can help save your business money in the long run and ensure you are satisfied in your new commercial space.

Is your business on the hunt for commercial realty in Kansas City? Give us a call at 913-685-4100 to find out about our available affordable office space in Kansas City!

5 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Office Space in Kansas City

You may have resolved to exercise more or to finally get to some projects around the house this New Year, but have you thought about some resolutions for the office? Here are a few suggestions for ways to make 2014 a productive New Year in the workplace:

#1 Set Clear Goals

An obvious first step to improving your year is setting goals, but make sure these goals are clear and attainable so they provide motivation and not frustration.

#2 Delegate!

Do not take all the work on yourself, which can be tempting in a small business environment. Save yourself some stress and achieve a more balanced work lifestyle by passing along tasks to others.

#3 Try Something New

Whether you take a free ecourse or talk to other people in the business for new ideas, stretch yourself to do something new. You might improve your business skills, or you might just find a new area of interest unrelated to your business, which still adds a healthy element of balance to your life.

#4 Schedule Time for Yourself

Part of achieving healthy balance is knowing when to scale back and take time to reenergize. Try to make a weekly commitment to do something you enjoy and be as firm in honoring that time as any other business commitments.

#5 Be a Good Community Member

There are plenty of worthy causes out there—find one you are interested in and resolve to volunteer, donate, or even be a leader in an organization.

You spend so much of your time at work—don’t neglect this part of your life as you are considering your New Year’s resolutions!

If your business is looking for Kansas City office space for rent, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to find out about our affordable office space in Kansas City!

How Do I Pick a Kansas City Office Space Location for my Business?

Once you have decided that renting an office space is the best move for your business, the next step is to start finding the best location.

Commercial real estate agents will tell you that the most important factor in establishing a successful business is true to the old adage: location, location, location. This does not always necessarily mean that a high traffic, high cost area is best for your business. To make sure you find a space that meets your financial and physical requirements, consider the following questions.

How important is location to your business’s success? Does your business require you to be near other stores or in the area of a certain client base?
What kind of location best serves your business? Do you need to be in an area that gets a lot of foot traffic or is easily visible from the road?
How much rent can your business afford? Know your budget going into the search, and do not let yourself make leasing decisions that put your business at financial risk.
Is your potential location appropriate for your business operations? Have you looked into zoning requirements or other legal restrictions on business operations in the area?

Before you enter into serious negotiations, make sure that a potential space meets your location needs.

If your business is looking for an affordable office space in Kansas City, give a commercial real estate broker in Kansas City a call at 913-685-4100!

Critical Terms For Your Small Office Lease in Kansas City: Part II

If you are a small business owner looking to negotiate an office rental space for the first time, there are some key terms that are typically included in a lease that you should be familiar with as you begin the process. Here are a few more critical terms you can expect to come across:

Security Deposit – and the conditions for the return of this payment.
Improvements – know whether there will be fixtures added to the space, or any modifications or improvements (these are called build outs when a landlord is finishing a new space to a tenant’s specifications). Clarify who will pay for these, and who owns them after the lease term is over (typically, the landlord will own them).
Maintenance and Repair – whether it is your responsibility or your landlord’s to maintain and repair the space, including heating and air conditioning systems.
Subleasing – whether you can sublease or assign your space to another tenant.
Renewal and Expansion – whether there is an option to renew your lease for another term or expand into surrounding spaces.
Termination – determines if and how the lease may be ended; this clause includes any agreements on penalties for termination, notice requirements, and any alternatives to taking a dispute to court.

Doing some homework before you start looking for a space can help you become a savvier lease negotiator!

If you are interested in office suites for rent in Kansas City, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to find out about our affordable office space in Kansas City.

TI Allowances and Credits for Your Office Rental Space in Kansas City

If you have found the perfect space for your business, but have decided it needs improvements, consider asking your landlord for a Tenant Improvement (TI) Allowance or TI Credit, which is a fixed amount of money a landlord agrees to give a tenant to improve a space. This can help you do things like repaint a space, put up new signage, or even reconfigure the entire layout. Here is some information on how to go about the process of obtaining a TI Allowance or Credit:

First, both parties agree that improvements are necessary, and they put this agreement in a lease addendum called the Work Letter.
The landlord maintains the right to oversee and approve each step of the improvement process. It might be the tenant’s responsibility to coordinate the work or get estimates from contractors, but it is the landlord who ultimately reviews all of the work and invoices before paying the contractors.
If a landlord does not agree to the proposed improvements, they might still allow the tenant to make the changes to the space—but at their own expense. However, even in this eventuality the tenant might still be able to get the cost spread out, or amortized, over the duration of the lease term.

Talk to your landlord to find out if obtaining a TI Allowance or Credit is possible!

If you would like to learn more about our affordable office space in Kansas City, give a commercial real estate broker in Kansas City a call at 913-685-4100!