Negotiating your best office deal
Business costs can mount up rapidly, and quite often, the office that you rent can be one of your main expenses.
So how do you get the best deal? Remember that in life you can negotiate on practically everything!
Our first tip is to ensure that you are approaching the negotiation from a point of knowledge. The more offices you see the better idea you will have of what you should be getting for your money. You may find that some big office suppliers can give you space in a big complex with great facilities. However, check the space that you are actually entitled to and you may find that your staff are going to be sitting on your lap. Do you need to be in a large office complex?
Perhaps something smaller would suit. It is often in smaller office parks or in offices that a developer has converted from an old barn or residence that you can strike the best deal. Without a big corporation behind the lease holder they have the potential to be more flexible.
So now you have got to grips with the market does it seem like there is an excess of serviced offices on show? If so, the prices should be lower and you may find that the lease holders will be very flexible. Whatever the situation it is important to know a few bargaining tricks:
- Prepare yourself for the meeting or phone call – know your targets and limitations. Bear in mind that your interests are the bottom line.
- Take a confident approach. Don't be backed into a corner – ensure that you stick to your guns – but ensure your bluff isn't called.
- Make sure there is logical reasoning behind your negotiation. You want them to drop the price? Why should they?
- Identify areas in which you can make concessions so that your price can be met.
Follow these simple tactics and you should be able to secure office space at a good price.