A new study has found that 80% of South African professionals report that the ideal business location should be smart and executive, one which they believe makes them appear to look like a bigger firm.
The research was conducted by Regus, a British company which assists businesses find and create the perfect workspace for their staff.
They interviewed more than 44,000 businesspeople in over 100 countries and found that while working on the go is normal, only a handful of limited activities can be carried out effectively anywhere.
In particular, the survey revealed that half (49%) of respondents reported that coffee shops are adequate for checking emails but not for writing responses, while 39% say they can send short replies or queries but cannot work in this environment for longer than 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, fewer than half of workers (39%) believe that the car is an acceptable location to make phone calls, but just one in 10 (12%) will use a private vehicle to make a conference call.
Instead, to carry out core work tasks for up to the equivalent of half a day’s work, a quarter require a business lounge (23%).
The Regus study found that the location plays a crucial role in ensuring that a central office is a successful and productive environment.
“In particular, all workers identify meeting rooms as one of the features most likely to let down a business's appearance, giving a wrong impression to visiting clients and prospective employees,” they said.
“The correct location for their business should look innovative, professional, and inspiring.”
In addition, the research found that 26% of entrepreneurs think that the ideal work location offers leisure activities such as a ping pong table or an Xbox or Playstation, while in Mexico, 77% of respondents believe co-working spaces offer new business and project opportunities.
Meanwhile in the US, 66% of surveyed worked said that co-working offers a creative environment, and in India, 74% of respondents report that co-working spaces offer inspiration through shared skills or experiences.