As we navigate deeper into the 21st century, it’s fairly obvious that the way we work is
changing. Technology has made it easier than ever to work from anywhere in the world. All
you need is a laptop and an internet connection.
But what does this mean for the workplace? Are corporate offices going the way of the
dinosaur?
It’s probably safe to say that it won’t happen over night, but to quote Bob Dylan, “The times
they are a-changing.” And in the rapidly changing, fast paced work environment of the 21st
century it would be wise to examine all of your options.And one of those options is investing in a co-working space. Co-working spaces are becoming quite popular in the modern business world of start-ups, solo entrepreneurs and freelancers.
These community-oriented, flexible spaces are a perfect solution for doing business your way.
And these days, whether we’re running a small start-up team or roaming the markets as a
freelancer, we could all use a little flexibility in our busy professional lives.
But even with all the buzz and hype, the idea of a co-working space may still seem a bit foreign to you. And like any smart professionals, you want to do your homework and see for yourself whether a co-working space is right for you.
And to help you make an informed decision, here’s a list of 5 advantages of investing in a coworking space.
Cost
When you consider the cost of renting office space vs. investing in a co-working space it’s a
no-brainer. Traditional office space can be quite a bit more expensive. Or even more costly
would be renting or purchasing an entire building. Based on cost alone, there is no
comparison… co-working space is a much more affordable and smart decision.
There are other factors to consider, however. Perhaps you feel that you need the space. And
there is a certain pride and satisfaction of having your very own building with your company
logo on it. But unless you’re GE or Walmart, chances are you’re not quite there yet and you’d
just be wasting your money.
Like we mentioned above, the business world is making a shift to an online industry. And with
the power to manage your entire business or freelance operation from a laptop, why spend the extra money?
Unless of course you’ve managed to raise millions of dollars in venture capital… but even then… why not use that money for something else?
Productivity
One of the biggest questions around co-working space is, “Doesn’t sharing space with other
businesses and freelancers hinder productivity?”
But when you talk to the people who actually use a co-working space, the answer is usually a
resounding no. Most co-working environments offer a variety of ways to utilize the available
space. From private meeting rooms to phone booths and community work spaces… you will
be able to use the space you need without interruption from outside distractions.
And the amenities are often abundant as well. Every co-working space may be slightly
different, but some of the most common amenities include free coffee, broadband internet,
kitchen facilities, and in some cases even things like 3D printing https://pivotmd.net/about-co-working/ are included in your membership.
So as far as productivity goes with co-working spaces, you’ll have exactly what you need to
manage your daily needs and beyond.
Community
In many cases, freelancers and entrepreneur types benefit tremendously from being a part of a community.
The hundreds of hours spent in isolation, either cooped up at home or in the back
corner of a coffee shop, can be detrimental to our mission. Without really even noticing it, we
start to crave connection. It may be hard to pinpoint at first, but something just feels a bit off.
What we may not realize is that human beings are social creatures. Being a part of a
community increases our overall well being and personal satisfaction. And being around like minded “doers” and “thinkers” may be just what you need to put a little pep in your step and inspire you to work just a little harder.
Of course this might not be for everyone. Some of us may actually prefer the solitude of a
home office or the people watching pleasures of coffee shop commerce. But even the most
introverted business professional needs someone to talk to every once in a while.
Collaboration and Networking Opportunities
LCollaboration and Networking Opportunities Community and collaboration go hand in hand. It’s just a fact… big ideas and innovations can’t help but come to life where like-minded people gather. And in a co-working space they often happen naturally and organically. There’s just something about the pressures of traditional office life that kills creativity, don’t you think?
You simply can’t predict who you’ll meet in a co-working space. You could have a casual conversation with a fellow freelancer or find the perfect candidate for that Chief Financial Officer (CFO) position you never even knew you needed. Running a small start-up? You’ll most likely need to hire a few freelancers here and there. And did we happen to mention… co-working space is a freelancer favorite?
Sure, you can find quality freelancers on sites like Fiverr and Upwork. But they’re few and far between, and it could take a while to find the right one. Wouldn’t it be nice to just walk over to Joe (who you talked to last week about his latest graphic design project) when you need a logo designed? He’s right there, you know for a fact he does quality work, and he’s not some internet troll, looking to scam you out of your hard earned money. It might not be guaranteed in a co-working space, but the odds are pretty high you’ll run into some folks to help you bring your A-game and grow your business to all time highs.
Freedom and Flexibility
Freedom and Flexibility
And finally… the grand finale of co-working space advantages: Flexibility. As a start-up team,
sole entrepreneur, or freelancer you never know what you’ll need for office space. One day you
could just be flying solo with your laptop, and the next you need to hold a team meeting for 12
people.
Co-working space is the perfect environment for this unpredictability. Why? Because you only
pay for what you need. Of course, membership plans will vary in price. But many companies
offer a choice of flexible plans to perfectly suit your office space needs.
If flexibility and freedom https://pivotmd.net/co-working-space/ sound like the
qualities you’re looking for in an office space, a co-working space is definitely something to
consider. In most cases, you will not be locked into a contract, you can upgrade or downgrade
anytime you want, and there’s no waiting period. You can use the space the same day your
membership is activated
Are You Co-Working Space Material?
Are You Co-Working Space Material?
Even with all these incredible advantages to co-working space, you might still be on the fence.
It can be hard to try new things. And co-working spaces are not quite mainstream yet. But
you can’t ignore the fact that the business world is changing.
Working from home is becoming widely accepted.
The internet has given rise to mobile
business trends. And the freelance workforce is growing fast. According to the Freelancers
Union https://www.freelancersunion.org/ there are now 57 million freelancers in the United States alone.
With the modern day workforce evolving at a rapid pace we foresee co-working spaces
becoming a mainstay in the near future. But the question remains… Is it right for you?