Downtown Phoenix gives growing businesses a solid place to plant some roots. From networking to negotiations, there’s no replacement for being accessible and up-close and personal with the decision-makers of your industry. When a deal is being made, the only way you stand to land the deal or even get a piece of that work is if you’re present. If you’re working from home or from the suburbs, you could be missing out on deals you’re not even aware of. Let’s talk about the value of doing business downtown and bust a few of those myths that might be holding you back.

Why Basing Your Business Downtown Makes Sense

When you work downtown, you step into an environment rich with new business opportunities. Many larger businesses — potential clients — either have offices downtown or are regularly downtown to make deals. And who do they make those deals with? 

The people they know. The people they trust. The people who are present.

They want to talk to people who are present, on the ground, when they have a question or need. By basing your business downtown, you’re positioning yourself to get to know these people and to be present when they have questions.

This is something a lot of new and growing business leaders don’t think about when choosing a base for their business. Are you positioned to be able to network with your customer base every day? Will you run into potential clients at your coffee shop or gym? If you work out of downtown Phoenix, you almost certainly will. Additionally, many places in downtown Phoenix places like The Department, host networking events to encourage these connections.

Some of the Best Amenities Anywhere

World-class amenities abound downtown. Not only do the best basketball and baseball players filter through downtown, but some of the best restaurants, coffee shops, museums, and event centers in the nation call downtown home. Why does this matter to you as a business leader? Well, there are a few reasons.

• They allow you to make a great first impression when you’re meeting with potential customers. What out-of-town client will refuse Phoenix Mexican food?
• They let you show gratitude to your most faithful customers by giving them memorable experiences. It’s hard to say no to a Diamondbacks-Yankees game. 
• Potential hires consider amenities when they’re looking into moving on from their current companies. Simply being close to all these incredible amenities will make your company more attractive to top talent.
• It makes catching a game, meeting the family for a great meal, or enjoying the company of a friend that much easier when you’re already working downtown.

About now, you might be thinking this all sounds great, but isn’t it a little out-of-the-way? First off, there are reasons people travel for work, and that’s to be present and face-to-face with customers. Not just when you really, really need to, but every day. And that makes all the difference in some industries.

But if you still need a little encouragement, consider the following.

 

Get Downtown in No Time

Lots of us who work downtown don’t actually live downtown. We commute in every day. If you’re living in the suburbs like many other people who work in downtown Phoenix the commute isn’t bad at all. Depending on where you live, you can be getting off the highway into the downtown area within about 15 minutes. Just hop on the highway, set the cruise control, and take advantage of the smooth drive to make calls (with your hands-free, of course) or catch up on that industry podcast.

Your Commute Can Be Very Productive

Speaking of podcasts, many people think of their commute as a waste of time without realizing a short commute can actually be a great jumpstart to your day. They think they could be working, spending time with loved ones, or relaxing, but instead, they’re stuck driving to and from work. And if that’s how you view your commute, you’re right, it is a waste of time. But there’s another way to look at your commute that will actually increase your productivity. 

Think of your commute as dedicated time to do those important but flexible tasks. Here are some ideas to get you started.

• Call a family member or an old friend you haven’t seen recently. 
• Listen to an audiobook you’ve been meaning to read. 
• Touch base with current clients or prospects.
• Catch up on industry-focused podcasts to stay on the cutting edge.
• Enjoy some sweet tunes without interruption.

 

Is Parking in Downtown Phoenix Really that Bad?

Many of the people who think that downtown has no parking are the same people who only come for the weekends, events, and games. Obviously during those things parking will be limited, but what does parking look like on a Tuesday? That’s what matters to you if you’re considering working downtown.

According to the official website for Downtown Phoenix, there are over 25,000 parking spaces available downtown. That’s a lot of parking spaces.

Park & Rides and Light Rail Make Parking Even Easier

But even if you can’t land a spot near your office, the park & rides conveniently spread across the valley make getting to the office a breeze. Simply park at whichever location is most convenient for you and hop on the light rail. It runs right into the heart of downtown and passes many offices, including ours. It’s is a great space to finish that podcast, or make one last call before you walk into the office.

Besides, once you find yourself a parking spot, you’ll be set for the day. You will be able to pick up a quality cup of coffee from one of Phoenix’s great coffee shops, get to all your meetings, grab a great lunch at one of many awesome food trucks, meet a client for dinner, and even catch a game all without ever needing to park again. Not a bad deal, right?

The Pros Easily Outweigh the Cons

When it comes to working in downtown Phoenix, the pros easily far outweigh the cons. The fear around traffic and parking is definitely exaggerated. And the inconvenience is insignificant when compared to the value of basing your business downtown. Working downtown is a great option to consider, especially when many of your current and potential customers work there. We don’t regret our decision to call downtown Phoenix home for The Department.

If you’re ready to take the next step and really experience what working downtown could do for your business, schedule a tour of The Department. Kick the tires a bit. Talk to people who work downtown every day and ask them how their business has benefited from working downtown. And discover how coworking downtown can help your business grow.

We hope to see you soon!