As technology has evolved and people have become increasingly connected via the Internet, the work environment has transformed. It is no longer necessary for so many people to commute to a traditional office. Startups are popping up all over the United States, and the freelance sector of the economy continues to grow. A report from the Freelancer’s Union and Upwork, titled “Freelancing in America: 2017,” found 36% of the U.S. workforce, and 47% of Millennials, are currently freelancing.
While working from home has its advantages, it can also be socially isolating. But the traditional alternative – a company office – can be confining and, if you’re the one responsible for the rent, excessively expensive. That’s where shared workspaces, also known as “coworking space,” come in. These spaces are ideal for freelancers, start-up companies, and small organizations. They provide a beneficial alternative to either working from home or being trapped in a cubicle in a standard office.
Shred spaces have several major advantages to offer:
1.Cost Savings
Coworking environments are cheaper than traditional offices. These spaces typically have affordable rents or membership fees because the costs can be shared across many workers. Furthermore, it’s easier to fill a vacancy when the building owners don’t need to fill an entire office with a single company but can rent a desk or suite on an as-needed basis to an individual or small group.
2.Flexibility
These spaces are also more flexible than traditional offices. Memberships are often month-to-month, which means workers can upgrade or downgrade their space as needed, and they won’t be trapped in long-term, expensive leases. This ability to easily change the work environment means workers can find the right match for their needs and circumstances.
3.Community and Networking
No longer are workers isolated at home or in the coffee shop. Rather, they can enjoy many of the social advantages of the traditional office, yet without the competitive pressure. Coworkers can interact in common areas, network, bounce ideas off of one another, and possibly help one another’s businesses. These spaces have an environment of collaboration and community and offer opportunities for both social and business networking.
4.Amenities
Many shared spaces offer the kind of amenities one might find in a traditional office building. Fitness centers will give workers the opportunity to exercise before or after tackling their work for the day. Food and coffee are often available, which leaves workers more time to concentrate on their projects instead of chasing their next snack or meal. Most coworking spaces are equipped with ultrahigh speed internet access, which may be better than what workers have access to at home or at the local Starbucks.
5.Meeting Space
The conference and meeting rooms available in coworking environments enable workers to meet with clients or contractors in a professional setting that is more impressive than a coffee shop or one’s own house. These shared spaces are also often centrally located, or nestled in business districts, which make them easier for clients to reach.
6.An Inspiring Work Culture
Working from home can be a challenge to productivity because there are too many distractions. The bedroom and television may be mere steps away. The routine and discipline of going to a physical workspace outside the home can increase productivity. Being in a working environment can also increase concentration. What is more, workers in shared spaces work in proximity with other people who are driven to excel and achieve, and this can create a synergy effect that inspires harder work.
Whether they’re looking to save money, escape isolation, or impress clients, freelancers, startups, and small organizations can benefit from everything coworking spaces have to offer. As of 2017, over 540,000 people were already taking advantage of the benefits of coworking environments. That number continues to grow, and the types of spaces continue to evolve to meet demand.