As employees and employers come to terms with the modern work world, it’s becoming evident that workplace flexibility is now a critical competitive advantage. Companies that want to inspire creativity among teams, boost productivity and attract top talent are rethinking their ways of working, and many are adopting co-working spaces.
This trend has been expedited by workers looking to escape the isolation of remote work and the long commutes to the office. Organizations that choose co-working spaces also save money and build a great workplace culture. Now is the time to find a co-working space that works for you.
What is a Co-Working Space?
A co-working space is simply a shared space that offers office amenities and is designed to suit a wide range of personalities. Inside a co-working space, you will find hot desks, private working stations, discussion rooms, kitchens, meeting rooms, and coffee areas, to mention a few. These types of working spaces are ideal for people working collaboratively or independently.
Finding a Co-Working Space
Co-working spaces are common among freelancers, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and small teams who value flexible working on a budget. Even so, every co-working space will have unique features and amenities. Some are renovated rental apartments, while others are retail, industrial and commercial offices turned co-working spaces. Whether working as a team or solo, you must consider a couple of things before choosing a co-working space. We have rounded up the top five below.
Decide What Is Important to You
Everyone is different, and the things you value aren’t necessarily what your teammates want. Some co-working spaces have extra amenities you may not find in a typical office environment. For instance, you could have a gym, shower, phone boots, workshop café, etc. Based on the needs of your team, some of these amenities may be more important than others.
Similarly, some people value open spaces with lots of natural light, fresh air, and indoor & outdoor plants for maximum productivity and creativity. Others, however, would prefer added flexibility, i.e., the option to move from an indoor-outdoor working space to a private room, depending on what they are working on.
A co-working space providing childcare amenities is a huge plus for working mothers. Whether working independently or in a team, always pay attention to what is important to you, as far as health and productivity are concerned. If you can’t influence the selection process, talk to your manager about why you have specific preferences.
Accessibility of the Co-working Space
Accessibility of the co-working space is not just about its location and whether it’s situated in a high-traffic part of the city or a remote town. Rather, it’s also about the 24/7 access to the premises. Some workers are more active and productive in the morning while others prefer evening and late-night hours. Before choosing a co-working space, inquire about the opening and closing hours and whether they can accommodate your schedule.
Check the Internet Connectivity
The fact that you are working away from the office means you need internet connectivity to do your work and communicate with your teammates, manager, and even with the people back at home. To avoid connectivity issues, you want to choose a co-working space with high-speed internet, preferably fiber-optic. If you are working on video projects or graphic-design work, ensure the internet speed is no less than 50Mbps.
Prioritize Security
If you are to leave some of your belongings in the co-working space, double-check the level of security. The co-working space should be in a fenced or restricted area with CCTV cameras in and outside the building. There should also be security personnel within the area 24/7. This makes the area safer, especially for people who work late at night.
Consider the Extra Cost
Before committing to a co-working space, check if other costs are charged separately beside the monthly membership. Some co-working spaces charge extra costs for printing services, meeting rooms, renting lockers, etc. Always check for any hidden costs and see if they fit your budget.
What to Avoid in a Co-Working Space
As much as co-working spaces are great for productivity and creativity, a lot could go terribly wrong. When looking for the best location to share with teammates and even other freelancers, always take your time to assess whether it meets your expectations. Ideally, you should bargain for a trial membership to ensure you are getting value for your money, even if it’s a paid one. Here are some of the things that point to potential issues within the co-working space:
- A lack of strict rules of conduct. That means some workers can bring their bad habits without facing the consequences.
- Poor cleaning routine. Things could get messy if people eat at the working table and nobody cleans up the area.
- Inadequate amenities and congestion. This is often common with poorly designed, traditional working spaces.
- A lot of hidden costs that keep changing without your consent.
- Lack of privacy. Modern working spaces don’t mean giant halls with no privacy whatsoever.
Get Started Today
Now that you know what to look out for and avoid in a co-working space, you want to keenly explore your options. Always visit all the co-working spaces you have selected to get a feel of how it is to work there before making the final decision.
About the Author/s
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
