Lead smarter: Efficiency-driven people operation and flexible workspaces for the future of work

In today’s rapidly changing business environment, success for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) lies not in scaling up recklessly, but in staying lean and adaptable. For international subsidiaries, tech startups, and logistics companies alike, the need for efficient operations with small but high-performing teams is more urgent than ever.

Two strategies are increasingly adopted by forward-thinking leaders:
* Lean HR Operations – Streamlined human resources management
* Flexible Workspaces – Agile, cost-effective office solutions

Discover in the article below how to optimize overhead and foster a thriving workplace.

Lean HR: What it is and why it matters for SMEs?

Lean HR is not about cutting staff — it’s about maximizing output from every role and eliminating wasteful HR processes.

According to AIHR, the ultimate goal of Lean HR is to continuously remove unnecessary steps in HR operations while improving service quality. To achieve this, HR teams must collaborate with business leaders to promote lean thinking across the organization and deliver HR services as efficiently as possible.

Lean HR enables companies to:

• Hire roles that truly add value
• Outsource or automate administrative tasks
• Optimize recruitment, onboarding, and performance reviews
• Focus on employee experience and team culture to retain top talent

Build Productivity Through Better Systems — Not Just People

A critical success factor in Lean HR is understanding that productivity issues are often rooted not in people but in the systems they operate in.

Instead of relying solely on individual productivity hacks (like the Pomodoro Technique or time-blocking), high-performing companies look at how work flows across the organization.

To unlock better output with leaner teams, organizations should:

• Fix broken workflows: Identify bottlenecks, delays, and unclear handoffs
• Redesign communication: Minimize unnecessary emails and meetings through clear, structured channels
• Visualize work: Use tools like Kanban boards to track team progress transparently
• Standardize processes: Document and streamline recurring tasks
• Enable cross-functional collaboration: Break silos and improve alignment between departments

By improving your internal systems, you empower lean teams to do more with less — without burnout or micromanagement. (Productivity Is About Your Systems, Not Your People by Daniel Markovitz, Harvard Business Review)

Why Lean HR matters by industry:

1. Tech Startups

Startups thrive on agility and speed. Lean HR helps them scale quickly by automating hiring pipelines, simplifying onboarding, and building high-impact teams without the bloat.

Example: GitLab, a remote-first DevOps platform, operates with a minimal HR footprint by using automation and documentation as core tools (GitLab Handbook). They manage a global team without physical offices through lean operational principles.

2. Logistics Companies

In a sector where efficiency drives margins, Lean HR minimizes operational delays by streamlining shift scheduling, training, and compliance tracking.

Example: DHL incorporates lean principles in both logistics and HR. Their “Certified International Specialist” program is a global initiative focused on continuous training and lean performance (DHL Group – Strategy 2025).

3. Semiconductor Firms

These companies require highly specialized talent. Lean HR allows them to focus on long-term R&D retention strategies, streamline complex hiring processes, and reduce time-to-productivity.

Example: TSMC has adopted lean methodologies across engineering and HR, enabling agility in its fast-paced innovation environment (TSMC Annual Report).

4. Talent Outsourcing Providers

For companies managing talent at scale, Lean HR ensures quality delivery by automating backend processes and focusing on talent readiness.

Example: Teleperformance uses AI-based recruitment and lean performance monitoring systems to manage over 400,000 employees worldwide (Teleperformance 2023 Annual Report).

For teams under 50 employees, Lean HR offers a path to low operating costs without compromising productivity or long-term growth.

But for Lean HR to truly succeed, your workspace must also support that flexibility — through modular layouts, remote collaboration tools, and agile team zones.

Flexible Offices: The Foundation for Lean Teams

Unlike traditional office setups that require:

• Long-term lease commitments
• High upfront costs for fit-outs and furniture
• Limited ability to scale up or down as needed

As Theflexinsights points out, “Modern businesses require spaces that can be adapted quickly and cost-effectively,” (Kunal Sharma, Founder and CEO of Flipspaces – a commercial interior design and build firm has seen this shift firsthand). 

Sharma said “The pandemic accelerated this trend, pushing companies to reconsider the traditional office model.” With offices reopening post-pandemic, firms seek solutions to scale up or down as needed, accommodate hybrid work models, and provide employees a safe, collaborative environment.

A flexible office offers:

• Scalable workspace — grow or shrink based on team size
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
• Move-in-ready offices, no setup needed
• Full amenities for productivity, collaboration, and well-being
• Dedicated support team delivering an exceptional workplace experience

Real Companies – Real Solutions

It was a tricky choice between all the different co-working spots and traditional offices. Some business leaders really had to figure out how to save money while still making sure the team had a cool place to work that kept them motivated.

The great thing about set up your office in Dreamplex – a leading flexible office – is that our members didn’t have to shell out extra cash for things like desks, chairs, or office supplies. It meant they could just focus on the important stuff – their actual job and running the company.

Plus, the Dreamplex team often organizes engaging activities for everyone, like games, get-togethers, and happy-hours. At the Ngo Quang Huy & Le Hien Mai location especially, there are plants all over the place which is really easy on the eyes, and the whole layout just helps our members to be creative and to concentrate better. Because of all this, people actually got way more productive!

As our members put it:

“Choosing Dreamplex saved me and the company a decent chunk of change, so we could really pour our energy into getting better at what we do. Dreamplex basically took care of keeping the team happy and the office vibe positive!”

 – Ms. Trần Thị Ngọc Trâm – Director at ITSJ GROUP

“After our time working with Dreamplex, we truly feel like part of a family—there’s always someone ready to support us, creating a sense of safety and comfort. Thanks to that, our professional performance has continued to improve.”
— Ms. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Xuân, Chief Representative, Sorin Corporation / Korea Zinc

A flexible workspace reduces fixed costs, lowers risk, and supports rapid adaptation.

Why Business Leaders Choose Flexible Workspace 

1. Flexible Scaling

Flexible Office allows businesses to easily increase or decrease the number of seats/office space according to actual needs (e.g., pursuing new projects, expanding, or downsizing) without being bound by common penalty clauses as in traditional leases. This helps companies proactively adapt to the market demands. 

2. No Long-Term Lock-In

Flexible Office offers flexible agreements, often short-term (can be monthly, or 6-month/1-year terms with much more flexible conditions) instead of rigid 3-5 year fixed leases. This helps businesses minimize financial risk and maintain strategic agility to adapt to changes.

3. Premium Experience

• High-quality professional space design: Beautiful, modern, aesthetically pleasing offices, often by reputable architects, creating an inspiring work environment.
• Prime locations: Representative Offices usually located in central districts (like D1, D2, D3 in HCMC) or key business areas which are convenient for critical transactions.
• Modern furniture and amenities: Ergonomic chairs, comfortable lounges, fully equipped pantries (often with free tea/coffee), tech-equipped meeting rooms, and soundproof phone booths.
• Enhancing company image: Creating professional impressions on clients, partners, and candidates.

4.  Built-In Support Services

• Professional Reception: Guest welcoming & guidance, mail/parcel handling.
• IT support: Ensuring high-speed internet, cloud-based printing support, and troubleshooting.
• Cleaning & Maintenance: Clean workspace, regular equipment maintenance.
• Security: Ensuring area safety (Guards, cameras, access cards).
• Dedicated Member Experience Team: Ready to assist with admin requests, operations, or providing necessary information.

5.  Community & Networking:

Some flexible offices are not just a workplace but also a community of professionals, startups, and businesses across various industries. They regularly organize networking events, knowledge-sharing workshops, seminars, and social activities, which creates opportunities for members to expand their professional network, learn from others, and find potential partners or business opportunities within the community.

6. Cost Efficiency:

• Compared to traditional office leases, businesses can save significantly on initial capital expenditure (CapEx) for design, fit-out, and purchasing furniture/equipment.
• Monthly operational expenses (OpEx) are often bundled into a service package (including rent, utilities like electricity/water, high-speed internet, management fees, cleaning, reception…), making budgeting easier and often more efficient than managing multiple separate vendors.

Conclusion: Scale Smart with Lean HR and a Flexible Office

In a post-pandemic world, agility is not a luxury — it’s a necessity. Companies looking to grow without overextending their budgets must embrace lean team structures and agile workspaces.

As a thought-leader and Flexible Office provider, Dreamplex offers the environment and support services for exactly that. Whether you’re a fast-scaling startup or a local branch of a global business, you’ll find a flexible home here — one that grows with you.

👉 Ready to streamline your business with a flexible workspace?
Call us or fill out the Contact Us Form today.