While it seems like the end is in sight thanks to vaccine rollouts, many of the developments that took place over the course of the last year look like they are here to stay. For many, one of the welcome changes that occurred as a result of the lockdown orders was the opportunity to work from home. This allowed employers to see the benefits of flexible working, and many businesses are continuing these arrangements despite the easing of lockdown measures. However, while there are many that support the idea of working from home, there are others that complain about the difficulty of overcoming distractions.
What many people seem to forget is that there is a middle ground between the rigidity of traditional office space and the isolation of working from home. Coworking spaces are a phenomenon that have been taking the world by storm for quite some a while now. These are shared spaces where self-employed people or those from different organizations come together in an office-like setting to share resources on an ad-hoc basis. Let's take a look at some of the benefits of coworking spaces to ascertain whether they are a good option for your business:
Excellent Networking Opportunities
One of the primary benefits of coworking is that it allows people to connect with others outside their regular work circles. Part of this may come from simply working alongside people, but you'll also find that a sense of community emerges in these spaces. Many coworking spaces actually organize regular networking events to allow users to get acquainted.
Helps Tackle Loneliness
A major downside of working from home is that it can get lonely. This becomes even more problematic in the case of freelancers. Coworking spaces provide an opportunity to surround yourself with a network of professionals, which helps reduce the feeling of isolation. Seemingly irrelevant interactions such as a brief greeting from the postman or talking to the barista each morning serve to increase our sense of belonging. Coworking spaces allow people to take things a step further through the creation of a dynamic work community.
Affordability
Regardless of whether you're a freelancer looking for a change of scenery or an established team that needs a private office for weekly meetings, you'll find a coworking solution to suit your requirements. Flexible agreements also allow you to scale your business, which is great for growth. Be sure to do your research in order to find the most cost-effective solution that meets your needs. Novel Coworking affordable offices offer a great range of flexible options.
Increased Productivity
Numerous studies have shown that coworking spaces boost productivity amongst workers and allow people to thrive. There are a number of factors that drive this increase in productivity include employees having greater control over their job or ascribing more meaning to their work, as well as the fact that coworking spaces allow you to be surrounded by like-minded people, which creates a sense of community and can increase motivation.
A Happy Medium That Provides a Good Work-Life Balance
Even the most introverted among us need a little human interaction from time to time. On the flipside, the restrictive nature of a formal office environment and the anonymity some people feel when working at a big corporate doesn't always work either. Coworking spaces offer a happy middle ground by providing opportunities to collaborate with others without being governed by office rules. Furthermore, some coworking spaces actually provide opportunities for people to adopt a healthy work-life balance. For example, some coworking spaces will be part of a larger complex which may allow users to access gyms or yoga studios. These small changes can make a huge difference when it comes to creating happier workers.
It is possible that not every one of these benefits applies to you personally or to the nature of your business. Regardless, it's hard to ignore the fact that the world of work is changing. While there may still be many people who remain on the fence when it comes to working from home, coworking occupies a strategic middle ground that has the potential to bridge the divide between traditional office stalwarts and the work-from-home brigade. Whether you are an entrepreneur looking for investors, a creative looking to bounce ideas off other like-minded individuals, or a team looking for an ad-hoc meeting space, coworking has advantages for us all.
