Loneliness has been reduced.
If the early days of the pandemic taught us anything, it's that isolation can have a negative impact on our mental health. When you work alone for hours on end, seeing only the mailman and possibly your pet, you're bound to feel lonely. In a shared workspace, however, you work with other coworkers, even if they are not from your organisation. You can also make new friends, network, and form new relationships.
Extra Benefits
As previously stated, many coworking spaces provide a wide range of amenities in addition to Internet access. Snacks, mail service, happy hours, and access to an onsite fitness centre are examples of amenities. As part of your membership, you can take advantage of these benefits, which can improve the quality of your professional and even personal life.
Opportunities for Networking
You'll meet people from various industries and organisations in a coworking space. You might strike up a conversation with someone who is a natural fit for your company, and vice versa. Working in a coworking space increases your chances of networking with other professionals who can help you advance your career far more than working in a traditional office or from home. These networking opportunities are beneficial to anyone, but especially to those who are just starting out in their careers.
Work-Life Harmony
The most important advantage of a coworking space is the ability to balance work and life. Working from home as a remote or independent worker can definitely blur the lines between your work self and your personal self. It's all too easy to take your work to bed with you when you work from home. However, if you use a coworking space, you will be more likely to divide your day into work and personal life.
What are the Cons of Coworking?
Working from home isn't for everyone. Here are a few reasons why coworking might not be the best option for you:
Consideration for Money
It costs money to join a coworking space, especially if you want to use one with a lot of amenities. That is not inexpensive. For some people, it makes more sense to use a free workspace, such as a library, or to pay a few dollars for a cup of coffee at a nearby coffee shop.
Distractions
Ambient noise in the workplace can boost productivity, but only in moderation. Some coworking spaces may be too noisy, impairing your ability to focus on your work.
Busyness
A coworking space (much like a gym) can be crowded depending on the time of day you visit. This can make finding a desk or a semi-private space difficult. Some coworking spaces manage traffic by allowing members to reserve desks and time slots, but this is not always the case. And, because you'll be sharing the office with others, don't expect a completely private experience.
How to Establish a Coworking Space
Let's change gears for a moment. Now that you understand what a coworking space is, perhaps you'd like to open your own coworking space. Because remote work has grown in popularity in recent years, there has never been a better time to open your own coworking space. But how do you go about it?
Determine why you want to open a coworking space. Your "why" is important because it will influence your entire business model, strategy, and amenities. Do you want to offer locals a low-cost office solution? Do you want to subsidise your own company by renting out some of your office space?
Determine whether there is a need for a coworking space in your area. It is critical to conduct market research to determine whether or not people in your area will use a coworking space. Hint: If your area already has a popular coworking space, it's a good sign that your local market can support another coworking space.
Select a location
The ideal location is easily accessible to people in your community, secure, and provides plenty of parking for those who may require it. Also, ensure that your building has high-speed Internet access, which is a must for any coworking space.
Plan and decorate the space
Determine how you will divide the space into zones (offices, recreation, and meeting). Then, buy the essentials, such as desks (sit/stand desks are a great option), chairs, sofas, and tables.
Make a decision on optional extras
What services will you provide to your members? Make a list of the benefits you'd like to offer, which you can then use to determine your unique value proposition.
Develop a marketing strategy
Determine how you will inform others about your coworking space. You must, at the very least, create a website and claim your Google Business Profile. Setting up an online marketing campaign through Google Adwords and/or Facebook Marketing is also a good idea. This allows you to target people who are looking for or might be interested in coworking.
Employ a community manager
A community manager will greet members, supervise activities, and oversee the overall operation of your coworking space. Consider using The Receptionist, a visitor management system, to assist your community manager. The Receptionist can help your community manager by automating daily check-ins, issuing visitor badges, and keeping an accurate log of who has visited your coworking space.
Final Thoughts Coworking provides a plethora of advantages to employees, including increased productivity, networking opportunities, and a variety of amenities. If you want to start your own coworking space, start with the tasks listed above.
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