Membership of Regus Group's Business World initiative "has exploded" in just six months with 200,000 individuals and 10,000 companies worldwide signing up for one of four membership packages that support mobile professionals, the global provider of workplace solutions said this week.
Business World was launched on the cusp of the global economic meltdown. It offers immediate access to professional day offices, business lounges and cafés in more than 600 locations worldwide.
Buoyed by this early success, Regus estimates it will have one million Business World members by the end of the year. Regus Malta opened in Swatar earlier this year.
"When we launched Business World we had no idea a global economic crisis of this magnitude would hit, but this innovative product is providing significant business benefits," said Mark Dixon, Regus group chief executive officer. "Despite the recessionary environment business is still getting done and money is still being made. The companies that will thrive are those that seek out and seize new opportunities. Whether it's expanding into new markets or streamlining existing real estate investments, the programme gives members a competitive advantage - access to a physical business presence just about anywhere business gets done, at a reasonable cost."
Dixon added: "Until now there hasn't been a product that gives today's rapidly growing mobile workforce instant access to professional, private office space anywhere in the world their business takes them, for as little as $30 a day.
Market research firm International Data Corporation predicts that the number of mobile workers worldwide will reach one billion by 2011.
Frequent international business traveller Andy Abramson, founder and CEO of marketing and social communications agency Communicano Inc., is a Business World member.
"My Regus BusinessWorld card is as important to me as my credit cards," Mr Abramson said. "I rely on Regus business centres across the world to help me meet with clients and stay productive while on the road. All of my employees are virtual workers with no central office, but with the Business World card we can access a professional office at any time - while dramatically reducing overhead. The money we could have spent on office space and furnishings now goes to the team instead - and they're our most important asset, especially in these times."