Shared office has become increasingly popular among businesses. There is just such an innovative space in Yangpu-Inno Chuangzhi, a two-building complex located on Guoxia Road. Notwithstanding the coronavirus outbreak, businesses moving into the buildings have seen a surprising uptick during the first half of this year. So, what has it got to appeal to these businesses?
"We have tried renting mobile desks before, and had a great experience. So we moved our research and development team here," said Liu Yong, General Manager of Shanghai Yilang Data Technology Compan, a business established in 2015 focused on data analytics. Yilang has just moved into its new home this July, occupying a small office on the second floor of Inno Chuangzhi. Before this, they had quite a bumpy ride going from one shared office building to another, but eventually ending all the contracts for rent and environment reasons.
"Mobile desk" is a special business model created by Inno Chuangzhi for start-ups, which usually start small, and oftentimes is just one person-the founder. To maximize the utilization of resources, start-up businesses only need to pay 1,000 yuan per month to enjoy all the common facilities in the building, like the conference room, desks, recreational room, and gym, while employees can take their computers working anywhere in the building. During lunch breaks, they can also enjoy free drinks in the bar; if stayed up late the previous night, they can also have a nap anytime in the public sleeping pods. The increase of shared resources, Liu Yong said, meant cost-saving for businesses, "Yilang only has an office space less than 20 square meters, and four sets of desks and chairs. But that's all they need, nothing more. Even the cleaning staff is shared here."
Compared with Yilang's four staffs, Flexem, an information technology company that moved into the building one year ago, has a lot more, for which they have rented a whole floor with a space of nearly 2,000 square meters. "Inno Chuangzhi's handling of visitors, the regular cleaning and disinfection, and its services during the coronavirus pandemic are very reassuring," said Dong Yingbin, deputy general manager of Flexem. On top of the many conveniences brought by shared facilities, they are also very pleased with Inno Chuangzhi's comprehensive management model, he added.