You’ve eventually made it in the door, whether you were part of the major shift to remote work in 2020 or you’ve been following that work-from-anywhere ambition for a while. You’re good to go as long as you have your laptop and a reliable Wi-Fi connection. But then you’re thinking it’s time to step it up a notch. Perhaps you miss the commotion of a regular office. Perhaps you’re uninspired by gazing at the very same walls of your residential office area.
Whatever your motivation, it’s likely that you’ve contemplated the advantages of having to join a coworking space at some time in the previous few years. You’re not the only one who feels this way. Since their inception, coworking spaces have exploded in popularity in practically every city in the UK, USA, as well as many other countries.
Pros of a Coworking Space
Some companies immediately established a work-from-home habit. Others took longer to put up systems that allowed them to operate remotely. Organizations discovered that this new manner of working had certain advantages after the bugs were ironed out.
1. Networking:
According to Anthony Mixides, Director at The London Vape Company “A coworking environment boosts your probability of meeting like-minded individuals which is a wonderful motivator for your company’s growth. You will get the opportunity to meet and interact with a variety of businesses and areas.” He adds, “Engaging with high-performing professionals will not only develop a feeling of community, but it will also enhance your self-confidence and offer avenues for improving your service.”
2. Professional Address:
Coworking spaces are positioned in the heart of a city, accessible to public transportation and restaurants while also being handy for workers to work from. “Working from home or a café as a company owner may not give the appropriate impression to potential clients, so a coworking space provides not only a professional area but also specialized meeting rooms, cafeterias, and coffee zones to assist you network more effectively.” says, Daniel Foley, Founder of Daniel Foley Consultancy.
3. Attend Events:
Many coworking facilities go to considerable efforts to host events. Participate actively in such events. It not only allows you to acquire new skills, but it also allows you to meet and engage with new people. According to Frederic Linfjärd, Director of Growth Marketing at Planday “Events in coworking spaces are a terrific opportunity to meet and connect with other members, which can lead to future partnerships. Attending events offers networking pathways and a gate of opportunity for new clients and ideas, which leads to new business avenues.”
4. Boost Productivity:
Around 68 percent of respondents say that working in a coworking space allows them to focus better. Renting a company workspace from a coworking site might boost your concentration level if you like to work outside of the office but still in a professional environment. Furthermore, the additional benefits provided by a coworking facility will always surpass the expense.
5. Flexibility:
It’s all about being adaptable when it comes to Coworking. Choose your workday and time, then show up; it’s that easy! Renting a Coworking space from an agile company allows you to choose your schedule without the hassles of owning one. It’s a less key to be concerned about!
6. Reduced loneliness:
It just takes a single Google search to turn up hundreds of articles on how to deal with the loneliness of WFH – proof enough that homeworking loneliness is a serious issue. “Coworking spaces, like traditional offices, serve to alleviate loneliness by offering a social atmosphere where no one tends to work in complete solitude.” says, Sasha Quail, Business Development Manager at Claims UK. Sasha adds, “A discussion with a coworker or another coworking space user over the water cooler or at the kitchen counter is always just a short walk away, so whenever you need a breather from your desk, there’s always someplace to go for a talk.”
7. No long-term tenancy:
Zaeem Chaudhary, Architectural Draftsman at AC Design Solutions says, “One of the most significant advantages of using coworking spaces, particularly in uncertain times like these, is the option to avoid getting trapped into a long-term contract or lease for your offices. You have total freedom to transfer to a different workplace, cut down on the number of days you utilize the facility, or switch completely to homeworking if you use a coworking space.”
Chaudhary adds, “This is in contrast to what you may find in a typical office, where you can be bound into a three-year lease with a costly break clause. Even in normal conditions, the adaptability that private office leases provide is constraining, but it’s especially destructive when a subsequent COVID-19 lockout situation remains possible.”
Cons of a Coworking Space:
1. Distractions and Noise:
With keyboards tapping, phones ringing, and staff conversing, offices may be a loud setting. This is amplified in a coworking workplace, where dozens of enterprises share a single area at any given moment. A loud office may be a major distraction for your employees, making it difficult for them to concentrate on their tasks. Similarly, during internal discussions or customer calls, a noisy workplace can be distracting. According to a Clutch poll, 48 percent of individuals believe coworking is excessively noisy and distracting.
2. Lack of Privacy:
“If you don’t have your own office, finishing all of your jobs in a public location might be difficult, especially if you’re working with confidential material or sensitive customer data. Competitors in the same building can hear in on your team’s brainstorming sessions or phone conversations due to a lack of soundproofing and excessive use of glass and steal your unique ideas. Leaking classified material may result in significant penalties or litigation for your company, so be extra cautious while conversing on the cellphone or reading crucial papers in common locations, or avoid coworking environments entirely.” says, Mathew Bowley, Marketing Manager at Solmar Villas
3. Lack of Exclusivity:
According to Daniel Carter, the Chief Editor at 88Vape, “For all sorts of businesses, coworking offices provide memberships with unrestricted access to common workplaces. They are meant to let guys come and go as they choose, including bringing as many friends as they want, which can result in overcrowding and lack of accessibility to meeting areas. You also have no assurance that you’ll be working with like-minded experts, whereas private offices prefer to keep like-minded enterprises in the very same business areas.”
4. Less Value for Money:
Many firms choose coworking spaces over private office options to save costs and save money. Although this might be advantageous, particularly for small firms and start-ups, typically coworking memberships provide less value for money because you don’t receive your own private office, furnishings, or IT equipment; instead, all amenities must be split with other businesses in the facility. Adam Crossling, Marketing Manager at Zenzero suggests, “Taking a tour or using a free test pass before signing any contracts to ensure that the facilities are great value for money and, more importantly, will add value to your company.”
5. Lack of Luxury:
Hot desks, couches, and plug connections for your gadgets are common features of coworking facilities, and some even provide benefits like complimentary hot beverages and a cookie jar. “Nevertheless, there are some crucial elements that are missing,” says D.F Carter, the CRO Specialist at Visual Ping. “Employees demand extra conveniences when working in an office all day, such as ergonomic seats to reduce back discomfort or a wide-screen display to alleviate eye strain, which coworking cannot provide. Larger workstations, natural daylight with floor-to-ceiling windows, Starbucks coffee, and stylish furnishings are all options with a serviced office,” Carter adds.
6. Unprofessional Brand Image:
The location in which you establish your company will influence the image you project to potential clients and talent. If you are a business organization or a luxury products firm, for example, coworking spaces can rapidly become chaotic, noisy, and dirty, which may not create the correct image, especially if you are inviting clients to your premises.
7. Lack of Customization:
“Using color schemes or logos to decorate your workplace may assist to foster a sense of connectedness, create an exciting work environment, and increase employee happiness. However, with a coworking space, there is no way to customize or trademark your coworking space because it is a shared area with community furnishings and services,” says Nick Edwards, Director at Snow Finders
Conclusion:
Are you ready to take your remote lifestyle to the next level by embracing a coworking space? Or do you believe it isn’t the right match for you? We’ve got all the insights and insider guidance you need to make your work-from-anywhere ambition a reality, no matter what your remote working style is.
