Advice on what you need to consider when opening up or moving your office to the Southern Highlands.

One of the interesting things we’ve learned from the global pandemic was the discovery that a large percentage of the workforce can actually work from home.

It’s become pretty clear the traditional commute into the office – whether that be in the city or in the Highlands – can be easily replaced by a commute from the bedroom to the home office [via the kitchen!].

Here’s some stats for you to chew on.

• As of August 2023 around 37% of Aussies work from home regularly. 
• This is 5 percentage points higher  than pre-pandemic levels of people working from home.
• 40% of workers would like to spend even more time working from home than they currently do.

Why? Less people in the office means less office space which means less overheads. And turns out working from home and not dealing with a daily commute means we’re a helluvalot more productive! Who’d have thunk it?

So, what does that mean for the Southern Highlands?

Well, our proximity to Sydney and Canberra, and the lifestyle we offer means businesses that were based in Sydney so their work force could travel into the office easily, are relocating to the Highlands [or already have!].

Commercial and residential real estate agents have been helping people make the corporate tree change and set up shop locally.

Collab spaces in the Highlands are in high demand and local recruitment agencies are busy seeking candidates for lots of new jobs. 

 So, if you are thinking of moving your business or setting up a business in the Highlands, what do you need to consider? Who should you speak to? And what do you need to know?

1 // Find your guru

Seek out and speak to an expert and local biz specialist.

Margherita Colley, Principal of Highland Recruitment and her amazing team, have filled hundreds of positions for big and small businesses and organisation in the Southern Highlands for well over ten years. You get to know the local business landscape pretty well doing that!

“The Southern Highlands business and employment market is unique. It’s very different to Sydney,” Margherita says.

“Speaking to someone who has lived and breathed that for a number of years will put you on the front foot and minimise risk when you’re setting up locally.”

2 // Find your tribe

There are a number of active business and networking groups in the Southern Highlands and Margherita recommends getting in touch and joining up

“Joining these organisations will help you connect with other local business owners. Tapping into that network and local knowledge is vital,” Margherita says.

Here’s some to get you started.

• Southern Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Southern Highlands Food and Wine Association
• Business Women’s Network Southern Highlands
• Women in Business Southern Highlands
• GROW – Southern Highlands NSW Association Inc.

3 // Find your space

The type of space you look for will depend on what you’re going to use the space for.

• Are you moving ‘head office’ from Sydney (or anywhere else) to the Highlands?
• Or will the Highlands become a satellite office for a pared back city office?
• Will all your team work from home but you need a space to catch up regularly or touch base or hot desk?

Many local real estate agencies are well across commercial property and leasing opportunities, with plenty of options available to move right into.

And there are some local collab spaces that work well for keeping the overheads low, or giving you a temporary space to base yourself while you consider next steps. 

Check out our walk through of The Office Bowral to get some ideas of what to expect from a top notch coworking space. 

4 // Find your people

Look, we’re a little biased we admit, but there are so many super-talented and skilled people in the Highlands.

We regularly chat to people who have incredible knowledge, experience or unique skills.

So, employing locals and tapping into that is a smart move.

And outsourcing your recruitment to a local company is even smarter!

“We have a huge database of potential terrific local candidates which is great,” Highland Recruitment’s Margherita Colley, says.

“So we know where the good people are, and can help a business get on the front foot with recruiting and finding the right person for them!”

And reading this will help! Why Outsourcing Recruitment Is A Smart Move For A Small Biz.

5 // Find your suppliers

Having a team of awesome suppliers you can rely on, and experts in their field around you is integral to business success, right?

There are loads of companies in the Highlands that provide products and professional support to keep your business ticking over.

They’ll totally have your back. Here’s a list of local suppliers to get you started.

• Stationary
• Printing and Signwriting
• Marketing and Graphic Design
• Accountants and Financial Services
• Legal Services
• Recruitment Agencies
• IT and Technology
• Cleaners
• Removalists and Storage

And having a list of local tradies to help fit out a new office or call if pipes burst or anything like that is also handy. Bookmark this!

The way we see it, the more businesses that set up in the Highlands provides awesome local employment opportunities and helps keep other supporting businesses doors open, so bring it on, we say!

Oh, and once you have set up your office, don’t forget to claim your free biz listing on The Fold’s Directory here.

If you need help with recruiting, or you’re keen to have a chat to Margherita and tap into all her awesome knowledge, you can find the Highland Recruitment office at The Acre in Bowral, on the corners of Bong Bong Street and Banyette Street.

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