Regus has international market for a la carte business services
Touted as a new way to work, shared flexible office space is becoming a popular option, especially as businesses become more mobile. Entrepreneurs and startup companies can immediately have a professional office environment to work in and greet clients, all without the high overhead expenses and long-term leases.
With 1,800 locations in 600 cities across 100 countries, Regus, which was founded in Brussels, Belgium, and is based in Luxembourg, is considered to be the largest and one of the top companies in the world that delivers executive office space. The company recently opened its second Greenville location on the fifth floor at NOMA tower, 220 N. Main St. Its other location at Millport Circle and Butler Road in Greenville opened in March 2013.
“As the revitalization of Greenville continues, demand for our a la carte business services increase,” said Donna Scott, Regus’ regional vice president. “Professionals in the market are looking for space they can tailor to their specific requirements.”
On the fifth floor of NOMA tower, glass doors give a glimpse into sleek, modern offices, but there is no signage indicating it’s the Regus offices – and that’s by design.
“We don’t want the Regus brand to stand out; we’re an extension of all of our clients,” says Denita Kozeny, Regus general manager of the NOMA tower location.
Nora Heatherly and Charles Braden round out the three-person support staff and serve as Regus’s first-line greeters once you enter the doors. Regus clients will let them know when their appointments are due, and Heatherly and Braden will greet the appointments by name.
“It’s all in an effort to make customers and clients feel welcomed,” says Kozeny. The Regus team also answers phone calls tailored to each of their clients. “It’s amazing what three people can get done. We make a really strong team.”
One of Regus’ selling points is that all employees go through Regus’ “school of excellence training.” This allows each location worldwide to operate the same way so clients know what to expect, whether they are walking into a location in Greenville or Brussels.
All Regus customers receive a business world gold card giving them access to any Regus location worldwide, where they can take advantage of daily and commuter office space while traveling.
Other small touches provide a level of sophistication and executive care to
Regus customers as well, like the gourmet coffee at the refreshments bar and a stocked service pantry with white china coffee cups and dishware provided (which Regus staffers clean up).
Standard office amenities are available, too, like Internet, FedEx service, video conferencing, copiers and conference rooms. Clients can even work with Regus staff members to order office supplies or provide catered lunches for meetings.
All 70 Greenville offices come equipped with ergonomic furniture, telephones and even artwork on the walls. Office options range from a virtual office plan that offers a business address for mail, telephone answering, mail forwarding and preferred rates on offices and meeting rooms to private, team and project office configurations.
Customers include a wide range of businesses, from accounting professionals, financial advisors, engineers and lawyers, to companies that want a presence in Greenville without a full office team or even larger businesses that may not have enough space for employees or may be building out new space that isn’t quite ready yet.
Regus also partners with commercial real estate and residential brokers for referrals and offers a 10 percent commission. “It makes a good synergy between us,” says Kozeny. Current tenants and others are offered referral bonuses.
