Musical Chairs Looking to save on steep office rent? Hoteling could help cut your overall expenses.

Two years ago, Lou Hoffman noticed many offices at hisprofessional services firm in San Jose, California, often sat emptywhile their occupants traveled or visited clients. When Hoffmanactually figured out how ineffectively he was using his overalloffice space, the amount of money being wasted made him squirm.

It turns out only 45 percent of the Hoffman Agency's spacewas being effectively utilized. After searching for ways to improvethe situation, Hoffman discovered a concept called hoteling.

An emerging facilities management strategy, hoteling doesn'tassign employees desks for their permanent, personal use. Instead,workers use a desk for as little as a few hours, relinquishing itto the next employee once their work is done.