As you've probably noticed, there's a growing segment in the job market known as the gig economy. With their experience during the pandemic, businesses realized the benefits of allowing their employees to work remotely.
This meant that by 2023, 38% of workers in the United States were part of the gig economy. And to cater for this, the availability of coworking spaces has seen a huge rise.
But these spaces aren't just being utilized by businesses as working options for their staff. They're also attracting freelancers whose previous choice may have been cafes or home offices.
So are you considering this for yourself?
This article aims to outline the advantages you'll get - here's an example of
coworking spaces in Houston where you can see the kind of services that are typically on offer. We also provide some guidance on selecting the one that's best for you.
Understanding Coworking Spaces and Their Advantages
Coworking spaces are shared offices that welcome individual workers from a wide variety of sectors and situations, and allow them to work in a professional setting.
Benefits Offered by Coworking Spaces
You'll probably want an escape, maybe from noisy coffee shops or a home office filled with distractions. You may also want somewhere that
fuels creativity and networking. Probably a cost effective solution. and perhaps somewhere for your startup to have a workspace setup, without the financial burden of a permanent office.
So here are some of the advantages you'll see.
Flexibility; You'll be able to choose from a variety of office layouts and desk options to meet your needs. This means being able to easily adapt the arrangements as the team size fluctuates over time.
Community spirit; Traditionally company cultures have been cultivated through employee interactions. A sense of community is built in the workplace. Coworking environments enable individuals to engage with people with similar interests, enhancing the sense of belonging.
Networking prospects; Engaging with coworkers and exchanging ideas fosters connections. Such an environment provides an avenue for initiating networking by offering assistance or collaborating on projects.
Enhanced productivity and innovation; Many people find
solutions through interactions. Collaborating with teams from other disciplines and industries can introduce new perspectives and even off-the-wall approaches.
Cost savings; There's a big opportunity to share services such as reception support, internet access, printing facilities, workstations, computers and common areas. Predictably this results in significantly reduced expenses.
Combining these services can greatly enhance the office environment at a fraction of the cost.
Tips for Selecting the Right Coworking Space
First of all, whatever you do, don't be swayed by impressive setups and recreational areas. Instead take into account the following;
Choose a good a location
This means it's near stores, eateries, public transport and neighboring businesses. Avoid locations that are remote from any of these because you'll pay the price in the end!
Don't base the final decision purely on price
The price will surely be lower than an office lease, but going for the lowest price is a recipe for problems down the line.
Make careful checks on furnished workspaces, secure Wi Fi access, the level of technology you need, team support and meeting amenities. This last one is easily - and commonly - overlooked.
While striking a balance may be challenging don't rush into making a selection that's not up to scratch. This will be the center of your working world, after all!
Seek out flexibility
This is another key benefit that's often not considered. There is no need to sign a fixed term (or space) agreement for an excessive period of time.
So stick to your guns: you'll find that the office providers often give way if they think they'll lose you.
And if you need out-of-hours access, don't forget to cover it - and get agreement in writing!
Consider all the facilities
It's easy to think of coworking spaces just in terms of desks and chairs. But if you do this, you'll be missing a trick.
Ask what they provide - an open question will often highlight areas you may not have thought of - and try to assign a value to each.
We've already mentioned things like WiFi access and technology, but what about the real basics? Are there enough power points for your uses? Is there heating and air conditioning provided? Will you need access to printers and scanners? Coffee machines anyone?
Privacy is essential
Having meeting rooms and even private phone booths might be crucial for safeguarding client or business information. If you need this, make sure the environment ensures privacy and security. You may even want to stop other people from viewing your screens. So make sure you ask about the privacy measures you need before committing yourself.
Physical security is important, too
you should have access to lockers for storage of your own belongings- whether it's clothing, packed lunches or maybe an overnight bag! You must feel secure and the at the very least you should have personal lockers with keys.
And, of course, make sure that the premises have effective security arrangements at the entrance.
Take a tour before you decide
We're not talking about a quick fly-round while the salesperson (sorry: center manager...) blasts your ears with the benefits of their offering, but a close inspection of everything: take a prepared list of your needs, and make sure every item is ticked (or crossed...)
Make Sure Your Coworking Space Aligns With Your Needs
As we said at the start, coworking spaces have become
increasingly popular over the past few years. And finding the right workspace for you is crucial if you're going to enhance productivity and drive success.
Take note of what we've said here - it's based on experience, not theory - and make sure that your choice is one that creates the environment you need for a successful future.
