A Thriving Partnership: Wanda Gibson's Journey with IWG and Regus

As organizations across the globe increasingly adopt a hybrid approach to working, in which employees spend a few days at home and a few days in an office, the flexible workspace industry is exploding in popularity. International Workplace Group (IWG), the largest provider of flexible workspaces with over 3,300 locations worldwide, is at the forefront of this trend, helping business investors, building owners and institutional developers adapt to the changing post-COVID world by eliminating income losses on empty spaces. 

In just the past year, IWG has added hundreds of new locations to its partner network via strategic partnerships with landlords and building owners. Wanda Gibson, who recently signed on to open a Regus location in Northern Cincinnati, is one of those new partners. 

The Decision to Partner with IWG

Gibson has an extensive background in commercial real estate and has owned a 20,000-square-foot building for many years. She previously used the space as the home office for her 34 nursing homes, which she sold in 2011. 

After leasing out the space for several years, Gibson found herself in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic with an empty building and a tough leasing market. It was at this point that her local broker introduced her to the flexible office space concept, and she began considering partnering with IWG and Regus. She explained that she was impressed with the level of trust she experienced from the outset. 

"I never felt like I was being hard sold or given a pie in the sky concept,” said Gibson. “I never felt like somebody was trying to convince me to do something that I might not want to do.” She appreciated the transparency and honesty with which the opportunity was presented, and the reassurance that there would be a way out if the partnership didn't work as expected.

One crucial factor in her decision was her visit to an existing Regus location in Kenwood. Gibson was impressed with the facility and experienced management team, which she saw as a testament to Regus's commitment to providing excellent service and support.

Similarly, Gibson recognized the potential of her own building's location in a rapidly growing area north of Cincinnati. With increasing residential and commercial development, she believed that the flexible office space concept would be a perfect fit for the community. 

"It was the right timing for the growth in this area and the change in the culture, particularly with COVID, where more people are working remotely,” Gibson said. “That makes the flexible office concept much more attractive.”

How IWG Supports Partners from Day One

Throughout the partnership process, Gibson has found the IWG and Regus teams to be supportive and flexible, ensuring that she remained in control of the project every step of the way. 

"The thing that impressed me about Regus was that they emphasized that I was the boss,” said Gibson. “They would give us access to preferred pricing and vendors, for example, but I could feel free to go out and find my own bid. I always had the final say, and if I had any questions about a decision they were making, they were available to have a conversation about it." 

Gibson also praised the bi-weekly meetings with the project management team as invaluable in keeping the project on track. Despite the challenges faced in renovating the building, such as the unexpected need for a sprinkler system, for example, Gibson has been impressed by the support from her IWG and Regus partners. She has also appreciated the excitement and engagement from the sales team, who have shown enthusiasm for her project and worked closely with her to ensure its success.

“I worked in construction before working in nursing homes, so I have a general understanding of that industry, but when you combine that with everything else that goes into opening a flexible workspace, such as preparing the sales team or the marketing, that is well beyond my pay grade,” said Gibson. “To think that I would have been responsible for doing all that without the help of IWG is overwhelming.”

A Bright Future Ahead

Gibson’s advice for those considering partnering with IWG is to approach the relationship with trust and collaboration. She emphasized the importance of open communication and a willingness to listen to the expertise that IWG and Regus bring to the table. 

"If you work truly as a partner, instead of as an owner directing someone to do everything you want them to do, you will have a much more positive experience," Gibson said. "Trust the team’s expertise, but also remember that you have the final say. This balance of trust and autonomy creates a strong partnership."

Looking ahead, Gibson is excited about the growth potential of her partnership with IWG as her newly-renovated Regus facility gears up to open. She believes that the flexible workspace industry will continue to grow in popularity and relevance, especially as remote work and hybrid work models become more prevalent. 

"I can see the demand for this type of workspace increasing in the coming years, and I'm thrilled to be part of this movement," Gibson said. "I'm looking forward to providing a much-needed service to the people in my area, and I'm grateful to have the support and guidance of IWG and Regus throughout this journey.” 

As remote and hybrid work models continue to gain traction in the modern business landscape, innovative entrepreneurs like Gibson are well-positioned to benefit from the growing demand for flexible office solutions. With the backing of industry leaders like IWG, partners can be confident in their ability to navigate the challenges and successes of this exciting market segment.

For more information on partnering with IWG, visit: https://1851franchise.com/internationalworkplacegroup/info