The "new normal" of instability in business
The year 2025 brought a new reality for companies and investors: persistent instability. According to Bogdan Mariniuc, co-founder and Managing Director of aSpace, this 'new normal' has fundamentally impacted long-term planning and business models. Companies are now compelled to devise strategies for a maximum of 12 months, a stark contrast to traditional multi-year plans.
Political instability emerged as a primary concern, fueling unpredictability and reticence among companies, particularly those with foreign capital. This environment led to postponed office openings or even the withdrawal of existing offices from Romania. Despite these challenges, aSpace successfully maintained its operations close to estimated levels by rapidly adapting its serviced office and coworking offerings to meet immediate demands.
Evolving demand for flexible office spaces
The confluence of crises and a complex geopolitical context has significantly reshaped the demand structure within the coworking and serviced offices market. A noticeable trend is the surge in demand for private offices on shorter leases, typically ranging from 6 to 12 months. Additionally, there's been a clear uptick in very short-term rentals for meeting rooms. This shift underscores that flexibility has become a major competitive advantage for businesses seeking agility and cost efficiency.
Amidst fiscal and budgetary pressures, a heightened focus on cost control and meticulous financial planning has become paramount for businesses. Flexible office solutions offer an appealing alternative, allowing companies to scale up or down as needed without the burden of long-term commitments and capital expenditure associated with traditional leases.
Romania's business landscape: strengths and challenges
Mariniuc identifies several key strengths within the Romanian business environment, including the impressive adaptability and flexibility demonstrated by local companies. However, he also points out significant vulnerabilities such as an unpredictable political landscape and persistent difficulties in accessing financing, which can hinder growth and expansion for many businesses.
For companies considering office space in Romania, partnering with a flexible workspace provider can mitigate some of these risks. By leveraging readily available infrastructure and services, businesses can focus on core operations, minimizing exposure to market uncertainties.
aSpace's strategic vision for 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, aSpace is setting ambitious goals centered on strategic growth and enhanced service delivery. Their key objectives include:
Developing strategic partnerships: Collaborating with other businesses and service providers to create a more integrated ecosystem.
Optimizing occupancy: Maximizing the utilization of their spaces to ensure efficiency and accessibility for clients.
Diversifying services: Expanding their range of offerings beyond traditional office spaces to cater to evolving business needs, potentially including virtual offices, enhanced technology solutions, or specialized support services.
Attracting investors: Seeking investment to fuel their expansion plans and further strengthen their position in the market.
Ultimately, aSpace aims to concentrate on revenue growth by optimizing the occupancy rate of its spaces and diversifying the services offered. This forward-thinking strategy positions them to not only thrive but also to better serve businesses navigating the complexities of the modern economy.
The future of coworking: a solution for stability
The coworking industry inherently benefits from its core principle of flexibility, a distinct advantage in an unstable economic context. As businesses continue to prioritize adaptability and cost-effectiveness, flexible office solutions are poised to become an indispensable component of their operational strategies.
However, for the coworking sector to become the primary choice for companies, it requires greater visibility and a clearer understanding of the comprehensive benefits it offers – from immediate scalability and reduced overheads to fostering dynamic communities and supporting business continuity. As businesses seek resilient and agile solutions for their workspace needs, flexible offices stand out as a smart, strategic investment for the future.
Source: forbes.ro
