Coworking spaces provide an environment for people to meet in a communal area while they work. Unlike a traditional office environment, many coworking spaces bring together people from different industries. Read on to learn more about the benefits of coworking spaces.
#1. Networking
If you are self-employed or work from home in the business industry, then this does not provide you with many opportunities to get your name out there. However, if you were to work in a shared work space alongside other business people, this would provide you with far more networking opportunities. Y
You would, in many cases, have the opportunity to meet with creative workers and salespeople all in the same office. This means you would get input and many contacts that could help you in your future business endeavors.
#2. Amenities
Some people choose to rent a coworking space because it provides them with certain essential services. Just a few services offered at many coworking spaces are as follows:
- Printing
- Copying
- Fax services
- Business consulting
- Large conference rooms
- Guest speakers
Many coworking spaces also provide the same amenities you would see in a traditional office, such as large conference rooms in which you can hold group meetings. Some coworking environments even provide receptionists.
Unique coworking spaces go even further and offer convenient services like dry-cleaning pickup and errand running services. Renting a desk in one of these specialized spaces may be a bit pricier, but the amenities are convenient enough to make such a rental a tempting option.
#3. Guest Speakers
Similar to business conferences, coworking environments often invite guest speakers to the job site. These speakers give advice and testimonials on many areas of business, such as professional ethics, handling self-employment taxes, increasing business revenue or other topics related to entrepreneurs and office workers.
#4. Less Competitiveness
Because people in coworking spaces often work in different industries, they don’t feel as though they are competing with one another. There is no direct supervisor who compares employees to one another. With no immediate supervisor to impress, workers can thrive in a shared office space.
#5. Similarities to Traditional Business Environment
Some people use communal working spaces because such spaces provide a quiet, business-like environment. For instance, those who freelance from home may often be distracted by television or children. Going to work in an office takes them out of the home environment and its distractions. This allows for greater productivity, which is among the most important benefits of coworking spaces.
#6. Combat Loneliness
Remote office workers spend all day on a computer and rarely have the chance to socialize with other workers. For this reason, workers may choose a coworking space to combat loneliness. Renting a coworking space ensures that the renter will meet other workers. This means workers have others to share their achievements with as well as other people to vent to when they experience setbacks.
The communal work spaces and conference rooms also help workers feel a sense of community. Making friends at the office also gives workers a positive outlook on their work life and makes working much more pleasurable.
#7. Advice
Remote workers may often question whether or not their businesses are running as efficiently as possible. One good way to improve strategies is to learn from others. Members of shared working spaces have the opportunity to solicit advice and help from others who run similar businesses. They get advice on which software and techniques work best. Each worker brings his or her own unique methods to work, and that knowledge is shared with others, which can increase productivity.
#8. Improve Work/Life Balance
In fact, some communal workspaces feature a community lounge where workers can chat over coffee or discuss their current projects. This provides workers with a good combination of work time and social time. Workers are free to socialize as often or as little as they like. This creates a casual work environment and may help relieve stress.
#9. Accessibility
Unlike traditional offices that are only open during the day, many coworking spaces are open 24/7. This allows workers the freedom to stay late or arrive very early. It also allows workers to run errands during the day and come back to work whenever they want. This flexibility is great for both single parents as well as workers who want to make time for continuing education.
#10. Cost Effectiveness
Renting a space in a coworking community might seem pricey at first. However, it is often cheaper than leasing commercial office space. Coworking spaces statistics show that a coworking space can reduce a small company’s expenditures by 75 percent. While renting your own private office would certainly afford you the luxury of privacy, working alone could also cause loneliness. Thus, in order to save money and find a supportive community, many workers opt for a shared work environment.
#11. Collaboration
Some workers enjoy coworking in a creative environment. Designers, writers and illustrators are among those who benefit from having another pair of eyes look at their latest projects. For instance, a designer might like to get another worker’s help with new designs. An author might like to share novel chapters and encouragement with another writer. Illustrators and writers often collaborate on group projects.
Working in a shared office space has many benefits, such as networking. These environments are often laid-back and promote both productivity and social engagement. For all these reasons, coworking spaces are gaining popularity.