Competent cost reduction: it’s not worth saving

We have already touched on the topic of competent management and cost reduction in the business center. Today we will talk about the opposite of things: what is definitely not worth saving. If you structure these things into categories, you get 4 main points: finishing, engineering, cleaning and staff.

Staff

The topic of staff qualification is extensive, but we wanted to say something else. Miracles do not happen, and qualified employees do not stand in line for a salary 50% below the market. Only one illiterate or inattentive engineer is able not only to destroy the ventilation system of your business center, but also to spoil relations with all tenants. Therefore, carefully select personnel and enter a multi-level control system to prevent material and moral damage. An equally important aspect is the “cultivation” of the internal personnel reserve, in case you, as an owner, follow the path of forming your own state of exploitation. Or the presence of an external company training center and programs for the involvement of personnel in the formation and implementation of quality standards of services.

Stephen King is a writer, not a businessman. But his phrase “When you save on trifles, it usually goes sideways” corresponds to most business concepts.

 Engineering systems

Burnt light bulbs, unlit staircases, stuffiness or bad smell in the room will cause a lot of complaints from tenants, and a broken toilet or clogged sink paralyzes the work of the company. Such a “service” on an ongoing basis will force tenants to leave your inhospitable business center. Therefore, it is dangerous to save on sanitary equipment, light bulbs and consumables for life support systems and safety. Through specialized software applications, enable residents of your business center not only to talk about the problem (for example, by sending a photo of the problem area), but also to play the role of not only critics, but allies with an indifferent attitude. If you are at a loss with a choice of similar soft - maintenance, we are always ready to consult you.

Cleaning

Tenants rent offices based on the cleanliness and order in the premises. Therefore, the cleaning schedules should be strictly observed, and the funds for cleaning should not end. You cannot look at 5+ if the toilet paper, garbage bags are out of the bathroom, and the dispenser does not give out liquid soap (Imagine if this happened in a 5-star hotel?).

You should not save on high-quality cleaning products: cheap counterparts may eventually ruin the presentable appearance of metal, ceramics and glass. Update repair will cost much more. If internal and external landscaping is provided in the BC, consider the cost of caring for the plants - without additional dressing and watering, they will quickly lose their decorative effect.

Finish

The temptation to save on the stage of finishing the premises arises from each owner: does it really make a difference for the tenant how much paint for the walls in the office cost? But uneconomical savings is the case when the costs for the further maintenance of the object far exceed the planned ones. In the paint example, this means that the walls cannot be rubbed during cleaning, or literally in a year they will have to be repainted. 

Things that can not be saved in the repair:

Windows - they provide the correct noise and heat insulation;

Doors and fittings - in office space they carry increased load;

Tiled carpet: this coating has a high degree of maintainability. The same applies to other floor coverings: modular floors are always more expensive, but easier to use and repair than roll;

Coloring the walls. The walls in the office are subject to temperature changes and drafts, so the classic paint on the putty is rarely used. Wallpapers for painting or wall panels are more practical.