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Tag: Regus

  • Regus, Desh concepts unveil new co-working space for start-ups, others

    Regus, Desh concepts unveil new co-working space for start-ups, others

    Regus, in partnership with Desh Multi Concepts Empire Limited, has unveiled a state-of-the-art co-working and business centre in Garki 2, Abuja for growing community of entrepreneurs, startups and corporate innovators.

    The launch of the new Regus Workspace marks a step in the global firm’s mission to democratise access to affordable, world-class work environments and support business growth across Africa’s largest economy.

    Speaking, Regus Country Manager, Mr. Ayo Akinmade, described the facility as a flagship location designed to make business feel like home while guaranteeing global standards of professionalism and comfort.

    Akinmade said  the Garki 2 Regus Centre offers a wide range of business-oriented facilities designed to meet the needs of modern professionals. 

    These, he said,  include private offices for two to six workstations, a co-working hub for freelancers and startups, a meeting room that seats up to seven persons, and a multi-purpose hall capable of hosting up to 100 guests for seminars, training sessions and corporate events.

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    Other amenities include a business lounge, coffee kitchen, and a hybrid power system combining public electricity, solar energy and generator backup to ensure uninterrupted operations. Its serene but accessible location further offers tenants convenience without the typical congestion of central Abuja.

    “When we first came here, we thought this day would come, and today, we celebrate that vision being fulfilled,” Akinmade said. “This is not just another office building; it’s a business ecosystem designed for productivity, collaboration and growth.”

    Akinmade explained that subscribers pay monthly and automatically become part of the Regus global network.

    “You can sign up here and use locations in Lagos, Port Harcourt, London, Japan or Paris. The benefits go beyond your immediate location… it’s a global benefit,” he said.

    He noted that Regus also facilitates networking opportunities through quarterly events where businesses can interact, collaborate and explore new partnerships.

    Addressing concerns about security, Akinmade said the facility works closely with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Police to vet clients and prevent misuse.

    “We have strict documentation procedures. Every client must provide photo identification, CAC registration, bank references and utility bills. This ensures transparency and helps us assist authorities in tracking any fraudulent activity,” he explained.

    He added that the company’s automated payment systems and access controls ensure that only verified and active clients can use the workspace.

    “If you default on your payments, your access card and internet connection are automatically deactivated. This protects our ecosystem and ensures fairness to all members,” he said.

    Representing the Executive Chairman of Desh Multi Concepts, Mr. Adesola, Dr. Abbas Idris said the partnership with IWG-Regus was conceived in response to the country’s rising demand for modern, flexible workspaces.

    “This centre marks a landmark addition to Abuja’s growing network of flexible workplaces. We repurposed this property after recognising the increasing need for high-quality business infrastructure and the international standards Regus represents,” Idris said.

    He noted that the centre’s establishment reflects a forward-looking strategy aimed at making business operations smoother, more convenient and globally competitive.

    During a guided tour, the Centre Manager, Ms. Chioma Nwaocha, led guests through the facility’s offerings, highlighting its blend of functionality and comfort.

    Nwaocha said: “This is not just an office space. It’s a community, a place that promotes cooperation, innovation and productivity. Whether you’re a freelancer, a startup founder, or a large corporation, we have a model that fits your needs.”

    She explained that Regus offers options ranging from physical offices to virtual office packages designed to help entrepreneurs own a professional business address, access meeting rooms and enhance global visibility.

    “Our virtual office plan gives you a credible business address, live reception, mail handling, and access to our lounges nationwide and internationally,” she added.

    According to her, clients also enjoy 24-hour access through secure access cards, including weekends and holidays.

    Speaking further, Akinmade emphasised the centre’s value for businesses seeking convenience, affordability and global reach.

    “So this Garki 2 location is our newest location in Abuja. It has a number of offices, an event hall that seats about 100, a standard suite of co-working space, reception, club area and an eight-man meeting room,” he said.

    He added: “What we hope we have for this space is that by the end of January, we should be full. One of the benefits of our model is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money upfront… you just come in here, plug your computer and work.”

    Project Manager at Desh Multi Concepts, Dereen Adesola, said the building was originally planned as a hospitality facility before being redesigned as a workspace hub.

    “We own the building and partnered with Regus to manage the virtual office and workspace operations. Our focus was to ensure that the interiors reflected Regus’ global standards, professional, elegant and inspiring,” she said.

    She added that the partnership aligns with Desh’s philosophy of repurposing real estate to drive productivity and support local entrepreneurs.

    “A business grows only when the environment is right. Regus provides that fertile soil where entrepreneurs can plant their dreams and watch them thrive,” Adesola said.

    Regus, a member of the International Workplace Group (IWG), operates in over 132 countries and 9,000 locations. Through its membership network, Nigerian clients can access co-working lounges, offices and meeting rooms worldwide from Lagos and London to New York and Nairobi.

  • Firm expands flexible workspace hub in Abuja to support SMEs, others

    Firm expands flexible workspace hub in Abuja to support SMEs, others

    Regus, a leading provider of flexible office solutions, has launched a new state-of-the-art workspace in Murjanatu  House, Abuja, signalling its continued commitment to supporting freelancers, startups, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and multinationals in Nigeria.

    The 1,200-square-metre location is Regus’ latest addition to its portfolio in the country and is expected to deliver between 50 to 60 private offices and approximately 140 desks.

    The company said the space is designed to meet diverse needs of Nigeria’s evolving workforce from solopreneurs and remote workers to large corporate teams.

    Regus Sales Director, Henry Onyeche, noted the brand’s customer-centric product offering tailored for specific user segments.

    “We have product-specific categories of customers. For freelancers, we offer flexible memberships to allow them access our over 10,000 centres globally in 123 countries. Whether you’re in the U.S., China, U.K, or South Africa, once signed up, you can walk in and start working as Internet and support staff included.”

    He noted that these solutions are especially relevant in Nigeria’s real estate market, where rigid long-term lease demands can be prohibitive for small businesses.

    “Our clients can book offices hourly, daily, monthly, or yearly without agent fees or multi-year commitments,” he added.

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    Country Manager,  Ayo Akinmade, said the new space was developed with quality and functionality in mind, allowing professionals to operate efficiently at competitive prices.

    “This location can generate income for individuals and small businesses, while also contributing to the economy through employment and tax remittance,” said Akinmade.

    “We expect our clients to be VAT-registered, employ staff, and engage in civic responsibilities.”

    Akinmade, who lived and worked in UK, said his experience using Regus abroad inspired him to bring the concept to Nigeria.

    “There was nothing like this when I returned, so I reached out to Regus and pitched the opportunity. We started in Lagos, moved to Port Harcourt, and Abuja, now we’re growing,” he recounted.

    Regus also caters to hybrid work demands. Clients can request spaces for as little as one day a month or on a rolling basis.

    The firm’s commitment to security is robust, prospective tenants undergo a vetting process, including identity verification, company documentation, and professional references.

    Valentine Nwandu, Regus partner and chief executive officer of VCN Spaces Maitama Limited, stressed the strategic significance of the new Abuja location.

    “You can’t get a better location than this, from Transcorp to INEC, NEPA, and the Federal High Court, we are in the heart of the city,” Nwandu said.

    “It’s accessible, secure, and surrounded by premium institutions. That benefits both employers and employees.”

    He expressed gratitude to the team and stakeholders who helped realise the project.

    “Let this new space inspire us to push boundaries, achieve our goals, and continue our journey of success together.”

    The new Murjanatu House site is one of several expansions planned across Nigeria, with new hubs expected later this year in Garki Area 2 and other major cities.

    Regus currently operates multiple centers in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja, offering co-working areas, private offices, meeting rooms, and virtual office services.

  • Why women should work closer to their homes

    Why women should work closer to their homes

    A truly equal world would be one where women ran half our countries and companies and men ran half our homes,” writes Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg in her book, Lean In.

    Latest research by Regus, the flexible workspace provider, confirms that mind-sets are rapidly changing as 80 per cent of African firms believe companies that will not employ women returning from maternity leave are missing out.

    Far from returning with an obsolete address book and a rusty memory, working mums bring valuable skills and expertise; say 68 per cent of African businesses. These are the key findings of the latest research by Regus that canvassed the opinions of more than 19,000 business owners and senior managers in 98 countries.

    Respondents reported that flexible hours, working closer to home and the option to video conference instead of travelling at least some of the time are among the top strategies to get more mothers back into the workforce.

    Other interesting figures show that:

    • 63% of African respondents think more women are demanding to work remotely when they return to the workforce
    • 40% say working closer to home is a key incentive
    • 15% report that the option to video conference instead of travelling would help returning mothers

    Commenting on the results, Joanne Bushell, VP Africa at Regus says: “Reports highlight that the non-participation of women in the economy is costing as much as 27% per capita GDP in some countries. When combined with the fact that companies with a higher percentage of women on the board are more profitable, it is clear that businesses need to adapt protocols to better suit working mothers.

    “When women return to work after maternity leave, they often find that juggling professional and personal duties can be very demanding, if not impossible. It is not surprising, therefore, that more and more mums seek flexibility. Whether that’s through flexi-time, the opportunity to work closer to home at least some of the time, or the option to choose video conferencing over business travel, these incentives are increasingly key to encouraging more women back into employment and driving the workplace into the future.”

    Regus customer, Zandra Persson, a web based masters student in Kigali says: “For businesswomen that are on the move and who want to cut expenses this is an attractive concept. I have a small son at home and need to work somewhere quieter and not too expensive so the business lounge in Kigali is great.”

  • How lack of adequate sleep affects workers

    How lack of adequate sleep affects workers

    Over half of workers in West Africa (59 per cent) report that they have to sacrifice sleep to fit in personal and work commitments, either by waking up too early or by burning the midnight oil.

     

    Although flexible working is highlighted as a way to reduce commuting, creating more hours in the day for sleep or family life and improving productivity and staff retention, only 34 per cent of firms are rewarding management for encouraging the creation of a flexible workforce.

    According to Regus, the world’s largest provider of flexible workplace solutions, workers also highlight that a shorter commute (19 per cent) and greater flexibility of location (24 per cent) would give them more time spend with their families as well as to catch some extra sleep, but businesses can also benefit from introducing greater flexibility which is reported to improve productivity (51 per cent) and help retain staff (90 per cent).

    These are some of the key findings of a global survey by Regus, based on interviews with more than 24,000 business-people from over 90 countries. “Lack of sleep is clearly detrimental to workers health and happiness with long working hours closely linked to heart disease,” says Joanne Bushell, Vice President Africa, Regus.

    Respondents highlight that a shorter commute and more flexibility over work location would help them spend more time with their families, finally spelling an end to sleepless nights filled with catching up on work or personal tasks that couldn’t be squeezed into the day.

    Key Findings and Statistics

    Globally about 29 per cent of workers are sleeping less than they wish to fit all their commitments and in West Africa about 59 per cent of workers are sacrificing sleep to fit in work and personal commitments, while over 27 per cent feel they have to overcompensate for time taken off for personal matters.

    Workers highlight a shorter commute and location flexibility as ways of helping them spend more time with their families. But businesses can benefit too, as flexible work is thought to improve productivity and help staff retention. Yet currently management is being rewarded for encouraging a flexible work environment only in half of firms.

    Bushell continues: “This survey shows that allowing employees to work closer to home in professional and fully efficient environments can have an important impact on family life and provide workers with a few more minute skip each morning.”

    The Regus boss added, “But the benefits are not just for workers, firms can also improve productivity and retention by introducing flexible working. In spite of the win-win benefits that flexible working can bring on both employee and company side, there is evidently still plenty of grounds for improvement as over half of West African firms do not recognise or reward managers for encouraging the creation of a flexible workforce.”

  • Better work/ life balance

    Better work/ life balance

    Better work/life balance is being achieved most successfully by business owners and by the younger generations in Nigeria and Africa according to the RegusWork:life Balance Index research.

    However, the Index has slipped four points across East and North Africa and six points in South Africa since last year, showing that people in business are struggling with a mounting pressure of work.

     

    The study, published for the second year running by global workplace provider Regus, is based on the views of 26,000 professionals in more than 90 countries with direct representation in 16 African nations. The international study includes East, North and South Africa.

     

    A study conducted in Anambra State in Nigeria found that employees would want their employers to introduce some policy intervention that would positively impact on their work-life balance dilemma. Studies have suggested that employees want jobs that give them flexibility in their work schedules so that they can better manage work-life conflicts.

     

    In the past in the contemporary Nigerian environment, a typical employee in a public sector organization would work conscientiously all the week days from Monday through Friday. This situation has since changed as employees in many public sector organizations are increasingly complaining that the line between work and non-work time has become blurred, creating personal conflicts and stress.

     

    The global findings should be seen in the context of the specific score for East Africa (121) and South Africa (129) which beats the global average (120) and the score for North Africa (113), which lags behind the global average by 7 points. However, positive feelings abound in the workplace, with 78% of East Africans and 79% of North and South African respondents enjoying work more than they did a year ago.

     

    Perhaps contrary to common assumptions, globally the Baby Boomer generation appears less adept at juggling work and home life. Across the world, younger workers enjoy work more than Baby Boomers (76% compared with 64%) and are more satisfied with their productivity levels (81% compared to 69%.)

     

    Responding to the outcome of the research, Joanne Bushell, Vice President at Regus, said  “Staff who are happy at work are both more productive and less likely to leave the company”.

     

    “ As the jobs market improves, businesses are realising that to hire or retain talent, they must focus on extending their flexible working policies, such as offering a choice of work locations.  This is already happening – we see our network of local centres used every day by people working flexibly”.

     

    Regus is the world’s largest provider of workplace solutions, with products and services ranging from fully equipped offices to professional meeting rooms, business lounges and the world’s largest network of video communication studios.

     

     

     

  • Regus Survey: Nigerian exporters well positioned for profit

    Regus Survey: Nigerian exporters well positioned for profit

    Export- focused Nigerian and other West African companies with links to China and other BRIC nations are particularly well positioned to record better profits and revenues.

    This indication emerged from the latest research by Regus, the leading provider of flexible workplaces which will be celebrating its Lagos Mulliner Towers centre’s 7th anniversary at the end of the year.

    Brazil, Russia, India and China make up BRIC countries.

    The Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Deng Boqing described Nigeria’s economy as promising while highlighting Nigeria’s potentials for greatness as most populous country in Africa.

    He said: “Nigeria’s economy has been performing well in the past 11 months. The GDP grows at a rate of over 6 percent, the crude production stays at around 2.4million barrel per day and your foreign reserve increased to $45 billion.

    Regus’ second Global Survey report on export business, which canvassed opinion from more than 20 000 senior business managers in over 90 countries, shows that firms that trade internationally are more profitable than businesses that stick to their domestic markets.

     

    • 50% of global firms that export say they’ve increased profits over the last 12 months compared with 38% of companies that only trade domestically
    • 59% of companies that export said their revenues had grown compared with 37% of firms focused domestically

     

    • China is the most popular market with 48% of businesses exporting there, ahead of Europe (41%), North America (36%), India (31%) and South America (31%)

     

    • The most profitable areas for export are emerging markets and Europe

     

    The company’s report according to Joanne Bushell, VP Africa & Middle East not only spotlights the advantages of export orientation for West Africancompanies, it also highlights exporter concerns.

     

    “These include worries about property and paperwork; an issue raised by 78% of respondents and the challenge of building an image abroad, a concern for 35% of respondents while risk management is an issue for 40%.

     

    “Regus has the network, resources and expertise to help current and potential exporters with challenges such as this,” Bushell stated.

     

    She said  Regus office centres in locations worldwide are positioned in upmarket business areas and are equipped with the latest office and computer technology – bestowing substantial image benefits on client firms and ensuring market newcomers have the support necessary to make a strong impression.

     

    “Property concerns are obviously outsourced to the solution-providers at Regus as clients do not have to invest in bricks and mortar or sign lease agreements that lock them into sometimes onerous conditions.

     

    “This obviously mitigates many of the risks faced by a new entrant to a chosen export market.

     

    “In addition, Regus products like Virtual Office and Businessworld bestow great agility and enable clients to gradually build critical mass and rightsize their operations in specific markets,” Bushell said.

     

    Regus operates in Lagos and Abuja.  It  is also  represented in Ghana, Senegal and Ivory Coast. In a desirable export destination like China – which according to South African based Standard Bank, is Africa’s single biggest trading partner[2]– Regus has a presence in 52 centers in China. Worldwide, the business is represented in over 1500 locations, 600 cities and 99 countries.

     

    Over 24,000 business respondents from over 90 countries sourced from Regus’ global contacts database of over 1 million business-people worldwide which is highly representative of senior managers and owners in business across the globe were interviewed in September 2012 for the survey.

    Respondents were asked which they felt were the biggest challenges to productivity when working from the home. The survey was managed and administered by the independent organisation, MindMetre, www.mindmetre.com

     

    Regus is the world’s largest provider of flexible workplaces, with products and services ranging from fully equipped offices to professional meeting rooms, business lounges and the world’s largest network of video communication studios.

     

    Regus enables people to work their way, whether it’s from home, on the road or from an office. Customers such as Google, GlaxoSmithKline, and Nokia join hundreds of thousands of growing small and medium businesses that benefit from outsourcing their office and workplace needs to Regus, allowing them to focus on their core activities.