In today’s world of work, there are plenty of workspace strategies for the taking. One that’s rising in popularity is an “on-demand” workspace strategy. But what exactly is it? And how does it work?
Below, Hubble demystifies all things “on-demand workspace strategy”, so you don’t have to.
- What is an on-demand workspace strategy?
- What companies suit an on on-demand workspace strategy?
- How does it work?
- What are the pros and cons?
- On-demand case studies: Taskrabbit and Olio
- Switch to an on-demand workspace strategy with Hubble
What is an “on-demand workspace strategy”?
An on-demand workspace strategy is where employees can flexibly work from various locations rather than having to be physically present in a centralised office.
This is also known as a “fully remote” workspace strategy. With this flexible setup, employees can work from just about any convenient location, either solo or as a team.
These workspaces — such as coworking passes and day offices — are bookable on-demand, meaning your team can access them whenever and wherever they want, with no strings attached.
Employers who embrace on-demand workspace promote the benefits of WFH while recognising some work activities are better done in person. They empower teams to choose what works best for them.
Whether it’s to bring teams together to build culture or work productively on a group project, an on-demand workspace strategy helps bridge the gap between a full-time office rental and WFH.
What companies suit an on-demand workspace strategy?
Many companies can implement an on-demand workspace strategy and make it work for them. But for us at Hubble, there are examples where this level of flexibility is a no-brainer:
Fully remote companies
The first is remote companies that want to maintain culture and collaboration and give their teams a break from WFH.
It’s pretty common for people to think a “remote-first” strategy means only working from home. But it doesn’t have to be.
With an on-demand workspace strategy, remote companies empower their teams to work from locations convenient to them — whether that’s at home or a fit-for-purpose workspace near them.
Hybrid companies
If you’ve implemented a hybrid workspace strategy, chances are you have an office of some sort. But this doesn’t mean you can’t also adopt an on-demand approach to workspace.
For example, you may be renting a part-time office for 3 days per week to save on office rent. On the remaining two days, you may want to give teams the choice to work from somewhere that isn’t the home.
Not everyone’s homes are conducive to working productively. And sometimes, video-conferencing platforms can inhibit collaboration. With on-demand workspaces, you remove those stressors and ensure needs are being met.
Companies with additional workspace needs
There are a few other examples of companies where adopting an on-demand approach may come in handy:
- Office-first companies with employees who can neither work from home nor come into the office.
- Companies sending employees on work trips abroad, such as conferences or meeting clients.
- Companies looking for an easy way to host regular away days, offsites, team retreats, or events.
How does it work?
An on-demand workspace strategy is quite simple in practice. All you need to do is find a flexible workspace platform that offers a decent variety of workspaces and use it to book them.
Luckily, there are plenty of options out there that are affordable, easy-to-use, and free from hidden fees or long-term contracts.
For example, Hubble On-Demand offers the UK’s largest selection of on-demand workspaces, all bookable from one membership!
With Hubble On-Demand, you can book and access workspaces in two ways. The first is via a PAYG booking. This is best for teams that only need workspace on a one-off or ad-hoc basis.
The second is a Hubble On-Demand Monthly Plan. This is ideal for teams and those making regular bookings. With it, you’ll have access to admin features designed to give you visibility and control, as well as a healthy discount on each booking.
For many of our Hubble On-Demand customers, a monthly plan is a convenient and affordable way to access on-demand workspaces.
What are the pros and cons?
Before you implement a new workspace strategy, it’s important to consider its advantages and disadvantages to ensure you’re making the right choice. We’ve listed them below for ease:
| Pros | Cons |
| Cost-savings Office rent often ranks as the second-highest fixed cost for businesses. An on-demand strategy removes the necessity of renting a full-time office, reducing expenses on utilities and maintenance. | Lack of team cohesion Without regular in-person interaction, building strong team cohesion and spirit can be challenging. This can affect collaboration and damage team dynamics, so it’s important to strike a balance. |
| Diverse talent pool Remote working enables you to recruit top-tier talent globally, regardless of their location. This flexibility removes proximity barriers to the central office, attracting skilled individuals who may not be able to relocate. | Weaker collaboration Without a full-time office, you may experience a hit on effective collaboration. This risk can increase if you don’t utilise on-demand workspaces for the tasks that need it, limiting spontaneous interactions and decision-making. |
| Employee wellbeing An on-demand workspace strategy empowers employees to create their own work-life balance, enhancing satisfaction by accommodating personal preferences and needs. | Employee isolation A remote workspace strategy can create a sense of isolation among employees, leading to feelings of disconnection and limited chances for informal team-bonding — especially if you’re not utilising on-demand workspaces. |
On-demand case studies: Taskrabbit and Olio
Before you implement a new workspace strategy, you want to ensure it can yield positive results. To do this, you need to check out a few case studies.
We’ve included two Hubble On-Demand case studies below to make life easier:
Taskrabbit: Boosting flexibility and saving money with on-demand workspaces
In 2021, Taskrabbit decided to close its offices and have everyone work from home full-time.
However, it wasn’t long before they wanted a dedicated office for employees. But there were a few non-negotiables: no long-term contracts or expensive rents.
It became clear that Taskrabbit needed a workspace solution that was flexible, affordable, and empowered teams to work from anywhere, anytime. This is where Hubble On-Demand came in.
By not taking a full-time office for the whole team and opting for an on-demand workspace strategy, Taskrabbit has saved an estimated 87% — all via Hubble On-Demand!
With it, 400+ of Taskrabbit’s employees use coworking spaces, day offices, and meeting rooms to collaborate with their teams whenever and wherever they want.
Olio: Keeping culture and collaboration alive with a remote strategy
Olio has always been a remote-first company. However, to navigate the challenges associated with remote working, Olio set out to find a solution to help their teams work face-to-face.
They considered renting a full-time office but felt reluctant due to cost implications and the fact that it’s not a global solution. They wanted a more flexible global solution enabling their teams to work and meet wherever they pleased.
That’s when Hubble On-Demand entered the story. Now, Olio’s 100+ employees use it to collaborate with their teams in convenient locations.
In doing so, they’ve saved 95% compared to the cost of having a full-time office for all its staff. They’ve accessed 900+ workspaces across 16+ countries, and those numbers continue to grow!
Check out our video case study for more details!
Switch to an on-demand workspace strategy with Hubble On-Demand
With thousands of on‑demand workspaces to choose from across the UK and beyond, Hubble On‑Demand makes it easy to organise in‑person working for your team, wherever and whenever you need.
Organise workspace for teams to meet in a matter of clicks
Our simple-to-use platform makes it easy for organisers to find and book amazing spaces and invite their teams to join.
Manage your team’s usage and spend
Our admin settings make it hassle-free to manage how your team uses the Hubble platform, giving you control over workspace access and spend.
Get insight into your team’s way of working
Get a clear picture of your team’s workspace usage patterns and workspace preferences to feed into your future workspace strategy.
Discover more about Hubble On-Demand memberships today!
