Serviced office opens flexible workspace to SMEs, startups

COMPASS Offices’ shared workspace in Ayala provides an alternative address for SMEs, startups.

As the competition gets increasingly tough, it always pays to get ahead. For the most part, it always boils down to a company’s strategy—whether in terms of marketing, product differentiation, or even an office location.

For smaller firms and startups, the workplace can be a crucial consideration in terms of site, cost, contract term, and of course, the customized services.

And this is exactly where Compass Offices, which offers world class customer service and office facilities, is set to make its mark in the Philippines.

Fresh from opening its first serviced office in Makati City last year, Compass Offices is already experiencing a strong demand, says Paul Gregory, the company’s director for marketing.

“The Philippines is one of our important growth markets. We have seen strong demand for our services, which continues to grow on a monthly basis. We have already exceeded our growth rate predictions for serviced office space, occupancy rates and demands from our customers here. The growth rate is among the strongest in the Asean countries and this trend is predicted to continue,” Gregory says in an e-mail to the Inquirer.

Gregory explains Compass Offices is catering to different sizes and type of businesses. From multinational companies, business process outsourcing (BPO) firms, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to startups, Compass Offices claims to have the “experience to build customized business solutions for them.”

“At Compass Offices, we are committed to be a business partner to our clients by providing service that is more than just offices, meaning our customers can focus resources on their core business,” Gregory notes.

“We understand the different demands that each business has. That is why we pride ourselves as a company that is able to provide a customized and flexible solution for their businesses. This is also supported with transparent pricing structure and no hidden costs, commitment to providing the best customer service in the serviced office industry and to create a real business community between ourselves and our clients. Additionally, our locations are certified (by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority),” he adds.

Growing demand

Gregory says the company is hoping to tap the rich opportunities offered by the Philippine economy, which has been growing strongly and steadily over the past five years. As a result, many foreign companies have started to set up shop here, while existing ones, including the local firms, have also begun expanding their respective operations.

He takes note of the number of BPO companies from the United States, Europe and Australia looking at the Philippines as a conducive environment for foreign investments.

“We believe that demand for office space will continue to grow. The Philippines is one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia with a gross domestic product (GDP) growth predicted to reach 6.1 percent in 2016. There is also a rising trend of employment with improved infrastructure development driven by the government’s support of businesses and investment,” Gregory says.

Citing latest data from CBRE Philippines, Gregory says lease office demand is predicted to grow to at least 850,000 square meters by 2018 from 600,000 square meters at present. With this in mind, Compass sees a “myriad opportunity for our services to support and empower businesses in Philippines in the coming years.”

“Last year, we entered the Philippine market and saw tremendous demand for our services. We are providing a real alternative in the market for our clients, whether a BPO or an SME. Recent data from the Department of Trade and Industry indicates small medium business represents 99.6 percent of overall Philippine enterprises,” Gregory says.

“It is an exciting time for the Philippines and us. Given our international experience and client-centricity mindset, we are expanding our presence in the Philippines. After the successful launch of our first office in Makati, we will open another center in Bonifacio Global City,” he says.

Best service offer

Gregory says the opening of the second Compass office in BGC serves as a sign of commitment the company will continue to invest in the Philippines and that it will remain in the country to support the businesses of its customers.

When things take off, Compass Offices is even mulling to further expand its network across Metro Manila and Cebu in the future.

For now, Compass is focusing on providing “our customers the best services and locations to support their business growth.”

“Through our services, clients can enjoy flexible business solutions that suits their needs, ranging from a Virtual Office to customized serviced office that can be adapted to their company’s specific needs,” Gregory says.

For companies that want to grow abroad, Compass customers can access the company’s serviced offices in eight different countries namely Australia, China, Hong Kong, Poland, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Singapore.

In Hong Kong and Singapore, the Compass team can also help clients with business formation, auditing and payroll services.

“We want to offer an easy one-stop solution for businesses that want to expand in both markets,” Gregory says.