ATTRACTING GOOD TALENT is proving to be a real issue for many businesses, with unemployment at a near 50-year low. Plus, one of the major challenges right now is how to actually lure staff back to the office. [Read more…]
Will People Return to the Office Anytime Soon?
IT’S OVER 18 MONTHS now since the pandemic triggered a total disruption to our everyday office routines – causing millions of people to work from home.
As we move into the second year – many established companies are still undecided on the new workplace model going forward. [Read more…]
CBD Offices … After Covid
BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, there was a shortage of office space looming within the Sydney and Melbourne CBDs.
In fact, both were heading towards unhealthy vacancy levels of around 2% to 3%.
However, with extended lockdowns and some new supply coming onto the market … all that has clearly changed. [Read more…]
Seeds of Opportunity Emerge from the Turmoil
IT MAY SURPRISE YOU to learn that new businesses grew at a record rate during the last financial year. And that’s because COVID-19 served up a whole host of new opportunities among the economic turmoil.
Apparently, there were 365,500 new start-ups along with 277,700 established businesses closing shop – delivering a net gain of 87,800 new businesses.
As encouraging as that may sound, these newcomers will face challenges going forward – given they began in a climate of low interest rates and government support.
Nonetheless, they will clearly add to the demand for suburban office space – as workers seek to avoid the grind of a long daily commute.
Add to that the large CBD firms currently decanting whole departments out to the suburbs – to also be closer to where their employees live.
Bottom Line: Every change (however disruptive) brings with it seeds of opportunity. Sometimes these are hard to recognise – but highly profitable, for those who do.
How Will COVID Affect CBD Office Vacancy Rates?
IN LATE JANUARY, the Property Council of Australia released its 6-monthly summary of CBD vacancy rates around Australia.
And not surprisingly, there has been an increase across the board – following a slow return of office work, as a result of COVID. [Read more…]