A remote office, sometimes referred to as a satellite office, branch office, or division office, is a part of your business that operates in a separate physical location from the main office. And no matter your industry, revenue, or the size of your business having a remote office can benefit your company and your team.
While some remote offices are set up in different cities, regions, or countries, others may be established just across the street or within the same building. It all depends on what best suits your business needs.
But no matter how you might use a remote office, we’ll teach you how to successful set it up.
6 Advantages of a Remote Office
Before we dive into the how of setting up a remote office, let’s talk a bit about the why.
1. New Market Access
Having a remote office can provide your businesses with a strategic foothold in new markets, enabling you to expand your reach and tap into local opportunities without the need for a full-scale relocation.
By establishing a physical presence in different regions, your company might get the opportunity to:
- Build stronger connections with local clients
- Better understand market dynamics
- Leverage local resources
- Possibly capitalize on tax and regulatory benefits
- Tap into new talent pools
- Reinforce your brand presence in key regions
- Gain a competitive edge by localizing your services or products to meet specific market needs
2. Flexibility and Operational Agility
In the modern business world, change is a certainty, and maintaining operational agility is essential.
Having a remote office better allows your business to quickly adapt to changing market conditions, scaling up or down based on regional demand without being locked into long-term commitments.
3. Significant Cost Savings
Beyond safeguarding your operational agility, remote offices generally come with reduced operational costs when compared to traditional office leases.
Often situated in coworking spaces, remote offices can typically be opened and operated without the need for heavy investments in infrastructure, staffing, utilities, and maintenance.
4. Enhanced Work-life Balance for Employees
With remote work growing in popularity and viability, your office—remote or otherwise—needs to be a place where employees want to go, not just somewhere they’re forced to go.
Modern employees expect their employers to support their work-life balance, and remote offices can do just that.
With access to remote offices in various locations, your team can enjoy greater flexibility to balance their professional and personal lives, whether that means working closer to home or choosing a location that allows for easier family care or personal commitments.
5. Access to Amenities
As an extension of improving work-life balance, the amenities at your remote office are also massive contributors to employee wellness and their enjoyment of work.
When you open a remote office, particularly in a coworking space like Launch, your team can access amenities like fitness centers, fully-stocked kitchens, relaxation and meditation spaces, comfortable lounges, and outdoor areas.
This gives them the ability to work wherever and however suits them best throughout the workday—and to take breaks the way they want to as well.
6. Networking and Collaboration
If there’s one thing people lost when remote work came into play, it’s the vital social element that comes with working in an office.
While most people didn’t give it much thought pre-pandemic, those workplace interactions and “watercooler” chat were vital to our happiness at work.
When many people moved to a home office environment, the first thing they realized was that isolation and loneliness became catalysts for unhappiness.
By offering your team a remote office, you’re also giving the opportunity to network, socialize, and collababorate—whether it’s with their colleagues or people they meet in the building.
Coworking spaces like Launch Workplaces even provide social events for all to attend where they can learn, connect, and grow.
Suffice it to say that providing the opportunity for social interaction creates a personally and professionally enriching workplace experience for your team.
7 Steps for Successfully Opening Your Remote Office
If you’re thinking about opening a remote office but don’t know where to start, here are seven high-level steps you’ll need to consider in the process.
1. Plan First
Like any major business decision, setting up a remote office should start with a clear plan. Take time to assess your business goals—both short-term and long-term—and determine if a remote office aligns with them.
Ask yourself, “What benefits could a remote office bring to our business?” and, conversely, “Can our business continue to succeed without one?” These questions will guide the next steps in the process and help shape your plan.
2. Brainstorm Your Ideal Work Environment
Before you move forward, think about the type of work environment that would best support your remote team. Would a traditional office setup with cubicles work best, or would an open, flexible space be more conducive to collaboration and productivity?
Gather input from your team and discuss their preferences. While you may not be able to meet every request, understanding their needs will help you create a workspace that fosters success.
3. Focus on Design
Design is more than just aesthetics; it plays a vital role in productivity. The right design elements can motivate your team and shape how clients perceive your business.
From mobile furniture to lighting, multipurpose workstations, and color schemes, every detail contributes to creating an environment where your team can focus and excel.
At Launch Workplaces, we emphasize thoughtful design that enhances both employee well-being and the professional image of your business.
4. Make Accessibility A Priority
When selecting a location for your remote office, accessibility is key. Consider how easy it will be for employees to commute, whether by car or public transportation and how simple it will be for clients and visitors to reach your office.
During the planning stage, scout locations that offer a range of accessibility options to accommodate everyone involved.
5. Invest In The Right Tools
Ensuring your remote team has the necessary tools to perform efficiently is essential.
High-speed internet, computers, printers, and collaborative tech solutions like whiteboards and video conferencing are just a few of the tools that will keep your remote office connected to your main location.
Without these essential tools, productivity could falter, and communication between offices may become challenging.
6. Provide the Amenities That Matter to Your Team
A successful remote office requires more than just functional tools and a good layout. Your team also needs access to amenities that support their well-being and performance.
Don’t just make assumptions—ask your team what kind of amenities would make a positive impact on their workdays, and look for a remote office location that offers them.
7. Choose a Location That Works for Your Team
The right location is essential for any remote office. It’s not just about finding a spot that’s convenient for your team, but also about selecting a place that offers them more than just a desk.
Consider what’s nearby—restaurants, parks, and public transport—that can improve work-life balance and make the workday more enjoyable for everyone.
A vibrant, well-situated office can contribute to higher morale, better productivity, and an overall positive team culture.
At Launch, we’ve already made this easy for you with nine locations throughout Maryland, Ohio, and Washington, DC.
Navy Yard, Washington, DC
Situated near the Capitol Riverfront, this location offers a dynamic environment with access to public transport, restaurants, entertainment, and waterfront parks. It’s perfect for teams seeking a vibrant urban workspace.
Glover Park, Washington, DC
Nestled in a quieter part of Washington, DC, just a mile from Georgetown, this location offers a blend of urban convenience and suburban calm. It provides underground parking and is surrounded by restaurants and shops along Wisconsin Ave.
Bethesda, MD
This location is near the Bethesda Metro and Bethesda Row, offering easy access to public transport, numerous high-end dining options, and retail shopping. It’s perfect for teams that prioritize convenience and a polished, urban environment.
Gaithersburg, MD
Located within the Rio Washingtonian Center, this location provides a scenic environment with lake views, over 50 restaurants, and retail stores, making it an excellent choice for teams that appreciate a relaxing, suburban atmosphere.
Towson, MD
Situated near the Baltimore County Circuit Court, this location offers a professional aesthetic, easy access to paid parking, and close proximity to top restaurants and retail stores. It’s ideal for legal professionals and other service-oriented businesses.
Crocker Park, Cleveland, OH
Located in Westlake, this vibrant suburban location is surrounded by a bustling shopping center, offering a wide variety of retailers and dining options. It’s an ideal workspace for businesses that thrive in lively, collaborative settings.
The Ring Building, Washington, DC
Located just a 5-minute walk from the Dupont Circle Metro, this central DC location is surrounded by a wide array of restaurants and retail stores, providing all-inclusive pricing, customizable office spaces, and excellent amenities like treadmill desks and wellness initiatives.
Rockville, MD
This location offers a convenient suburban office setting with easy access to major highways like I-270, making it ideal for teams commuting from across Maryland and the D.C. area. With a range of nearby dining and retail options, the Rockville office provides a peaceful yet well-connected environment, perfect for businesses seeking a quieter workspace without sacrificing access to essential amenities.
Watergate, Washington, D.C.
Situated in the iconic Watergate complex, this location offers breathtaking views of the Potomac River and quick access to Georgetown’s dining and retail options. Watergate is ideal for professionals looking for a prestigious D.C. address without the stress of downtown congestion. It’s a prime location for businesses that value both a luxurious setting and proximity to Washington’s key business districts.
Explore Remote Office Solutions at Launch Workplaces
Whether you need a private workspace or dedicated desks or coworking space for your remote office, you’ll find it at Launch, and all memberships include:
- 24/7 access for convenience
- Networking events to connect with other professionals
- Mail services and secure package handling
- Comfortable furnishings with ergonomic seating
- High-speed internet and professional-grade printing/scanning
- Meeting and conference rooms with video conferencing equipment
- Daily cleaning services to maintain a tidy workspace
- Fully stocked kitchens with free coffee, tea, and snacks
- Breakout areas for collaboration or a change of scenery
- Private phone rooms for sound-masked calls
- Wellness initiatives such as yoga, massages, and wellness seminars
- Philanthropic activities through the “Launch Into Good Works” program
- Top-tier locations
With Launch Workplaces, you can set up a professional, well-appointed remote office in days rather than the months it may take with a traditional lease.
Ready to get started? Book a tour of your local Launch Workplaces today.
