Flexspace solutions are not only for startups anymore: major corporations are getting in on the act in Algeria too, says Tarek Abou-Zeinab, Country Manager in Africa.
As 2019 starts to draw to a close, it seems the worldwide trend for flexible workspace shows no sign of abating. While it was once seen as the premier choice for entrepreneurs, startups and SMEs, it's now becoming a viable option for larger corporations too. In Algeria, the growing flexspace market is starting to attract major companies like Motorola, who are moving away from procuring permanent business premises in favour of renting more flexible workspace solutions.
"Large companies are starting to adopt this policy as it allows them to focus on their business, evolve and thrive in an optimised, convenient and pleasant work environment,” says Tarek Abou-Zeinab, Regus Country Manager for Africa, which includes Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Gabon.
Since opening the first Regus office in the ABC Tower in Pins Maritimes, Algiers in 2006, group company IWG have had a solid presence in Algeria. In the beginning, the majority of Regus Algeria clients were multinational companies operating regional or satellite offices, but there's been a recent uptake in larger corporations choosing a flexible workspace solution over permanent commercial premises.
Cloud computing and more reliable Wi-Fi have played a big part in the change. "The trend for corporates investing more heavily into flexspace probably started with the digitalization of the trades," states Abou-Zeinab. "Today's trades are powered by new technologies and are no longer locked in physical offices, hence this growing trend towards using flexible workspace."
Like the rest of the world, companies in Algeria are starting to reassess the way they use their office space. With the costs of commercial property rising in many of the country's main business hubs, companies are increasingly moving towards using a flexible workspace such as Regus as their main office base. Of course, the benefits for businesses are tenfold, with flexibility being the key advantage. Without being tied to a rigid fixed lease, companies are able to evolve their workspace according to current needs, which is much more advantageous to the bottom line.
"We still remain a market leader, although we certainly have some competitors, but our experience in the field gives us the best share of the market," says Abou-Zeinab. "We are the only ones to offer such a rich and comprehensive range of products and services where others still have many gaps."
For large corporations such as Motorola, using a Regus flexible workspace solution is a low-risk option and means they can scale their office requirements up and down in line with their business requirements. Regus has more than 3,000 offices in 120 countries around the world, and membership opens up a wealth of choice for international businesses – one of the key attractions for choosing flexible workspace over a more traditional office base.
Setif in Eastern Algeria is one of the country's main business hubs and the trade capital of Algeria. IWG has recently opened a third Regus site in Setif, and also plans to open a property in 19 Hydra in Algiers in 2020, plus more coworking space in Oran, Ouargla and Hassi-Messaoud. "As for the future of business in Algeria, I'd like to see less regulation in investment laws and more support for the local economy," Abu-Zeinab concludes.
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