The number of co-working spaces is doubling in number every year internationally, these shared office environments have definitely caught the attention of the real estate industry, converting traditional enclosed offices into open-plan workplace for freelancers, startups and growing companies. This is what is now become one of the most preferred environments to work within, bringing together entrepreneurs as well as employees of big corporations from different sectors of the industry, allowing them to share not just space, but also skills, expertise and contacts. So what makes co-working spaces so attractive to employees and employers and why do people thrive in these shared-office environments?
COLLABORATION
The main role of co-working spaces is to inspire and encourage collaboration between the community of startups, entrepreneurs and independent professionals. People are more than happy to offer their particular knowledge and skill set to each other, instantly benefiting from the expertise of like-minded independent individuals and professionals. Collaboration is one of the top factors for employees to thrive within their work and work environment and daily tasks presenting them with great interaction opportunities for social or professional benefits.
FLEXIBILITY
Offering flexibility within a work space and services is high on the advantage list of a co-working space. The dynamic and sometimes uncertain nature of startup companies is related to often resizing of the team leading to sudden change in office requirements. Providing flexible office terms and lease offers suitable solutions to young companies, providing them a cost effective solution on a monthly, even weekly basis. In addition to that, co-working spaces offer flexibility of work hours. With 24/7 access, professionals can work on their project in their own time depending on individual deadlines and needs.
COMMUNITY
The community of the co-working space is an important factor for employees to enjoy and benefit from their work environment. With a range of different in size and different typed of companies and entrepreneurs, it is a vibrant networking opportunity as soon as you go through the front door. Coworkers share the diversity of professional knowledge and backgrounds, your own project seems more meaningful and important. The opportunity to describe what you do more often creates the notion that your work is really interesting and distinctive within the community.
There will be a follow up post to this where I will look at a survey that was carried out to analyse why people thrive in co-working spaces. I am hoping to get it posted for you later this evening.
More Information…
There are some very informative websites that discuss co-working and the benefits that come with the use of a co-working space. For more information, please follow the links below to these websites:
http://www.coworkinglondon.com/why-do-people-thrive-in-coworking-spaces/
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/230446
https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-coworking-2377413
https://hbr.org/2015/05/why-people-thrive-in-coworking-spaces
