When people talk about the “future of work”, it often sounds like something far off or theoretical. But the future of work has arrived, and it’s changing how businesses think about the way they operate.
At Rubberdesk, we work with companies of all sizes, every day. What we’re seeing is simple: businesses want more control, more choice, and fewer long-term commitments when it comes to where and how they work. And that’s exactly what flexible workspace offers.
The evolution of the office
For decades, the standard approach to office space was to sign a long lease, fit out the space, commit a large amount of capital in a bank guarantee and hope (or pray) it would still suit your team in five years!
Of course, with the rapid rate of change businesses face that model doesn’t make much sense anymore.
Businesses grow, shrink, change, and experiment, that’s not unusual. But for small businesses small changes to headcount have big implications on the physical space.
Locking into a fixed space with fixed costs doesn’t reflect how most teams actually work today. Many established businesses need flexibility in case they hire more staff, or surge capacity for all-hands meetings. And where Flex office space delivers is by offering these spaces on demand.
A financial equaliser
One of the biggest benefits of flexible workspace is how it levels the playing field. A small business can now access a high-quality office in a central location without needing to commit to a long lease, spend lots on fit-out costs or tie up capital. That used to be a luxury only big corporates could afford.
And luxury is the right word. There are Flex Offices to suit all businesses from bare-bones budget options to all-inclusive high end offices in premium locations.
Now, whether you’re a two- or two-hundred-person team, you can find a space that fits your needs and budget. You can scale up or down as needed. That kind of flexibility is financially savvy. And with licence terms of 12 months, the need to carry excess capacity to suit their growth plans is much reduced. In fact, forecasting errors are at worst a twelve month and not a five year mistake
Co-working spaces are a great example of this shift, offering freelancers, startups, and growing teams access to professional environments without the overheads of traditional office setups. Even small, inexperienced teams can now find the right selection of offices with live availability (in just 20 seconds, thanks to tools like our AI office matching platform). It’s a fast, intuitive way to explore options and make informed decisions.
It’s also worth clarifying the terminology in this evolving market. Terms like “flexible workspace,” “co-working,” and “managed offices” are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different models. Managed offices, for instance, offer a private, fully serviced space with everything taken care of, from cleaning to IT support, making them ideal for teams that want autonomy without the hassle. As the market grows, clearer definitions will help businesses navigate their options more confidently.
The role of data
One of the things we focus on at Rubberdesk is transparency. We use data to help businesses compare options and understand exactly what they’re paying for. That’s important because the flexible office market can be hard to navigate. Prices vary, terms differ, and it’s not always clear what’s included.
For this reason, data plays a crucial role in making flexible space a financial leveller. By giving businesses, regardless of their size or resources, the tools to evaluate their options fairly, we help ensure they’re not overpaying or settling for less than they need. It’s not just about finding the cheapest option, but about identifying the right space that fits your team, supports your goals, and makes financial sense. Combined, data and flexible space give businesses the power to stay agile, control costs, and compete on more equal footing.
Looking ahead
The way we work is changing. Not because of trends or buzzwords, but because people want more balance, more autonomy, and more value from their time in the office. And because businesses are responding by rethinking their approach to workspace.
Flexible offices have become a long-term solution. They give businesses the ability to adapt without overcommitting. They support hybrid working without compromising on quality. And they allow companies to grow on their own terms.
Workspace should work for you, not the other way around. That means giving businesses the tools, data, and support they need to find the right fit. Whether you’re just starting out or managing a national team, flexible workspace can help you stay focused on what matters most: building a great business.
By Jim Groves, Co-Founder at Rubberdesk
