The pandemic saw the concept of hybrid working rocket from something that a few organizations might dabble in, to an essential model in order to ensure the survival of some organizations during lockdowns. The face masks may have been put away and Covid for some may be a thing of the past, but one thing is certain: hybrid working is here to stay, and coworking spaces could offer the perfect solutions for organizations that want to offer employees flexibility without turning their office into a ghost space.
In the aftermath of the pandemic, employers have taken time to regroup and assess how to move forward in a world where the power of hybrid working is widely acknowledged. Coworking spaces have emerged as the result of these changes, offering optimal office conditions that provide the flexibility that today’s workforce demands. From the most in demand tech jobs to innovative startups, coworking spaces provide an opportunity to collaborate, network and be part of a buzzing community while maintaining the flexibility that the digital workforce of the ‘20s has come to expect.
Forging industry connections
The water cooler chitchat is one of the big office time wasters, with hours wasted every day by people commenting on the weather, weekend plans, or recipe ideas every time they grab a drink. However, it is also a place where innovation can happen, where working relationships are forged, and where teamwork begins. Losing the water cooler chats may save time, but employers can also find that they are having a negative impact on team building and office collaboration. Coworking spaces don’t just allow colleagues to network; they encourage broader collaboration with a wide range of people, which can lead to interesting opportunities and the development of innovative concepts.
Coworking spaces help businesses to foster a culture of development and collaboration. Rather than being faced with a single office culture (positive or negative), coworking brings new ideas, and can have the effect of diluting more negative elements of a workplace while introducing new ways of working and collaborating. This can naturally lead to increased output and open the doors for more opportunities for the organization as a whole, as well as developing individual team members.
Flexibility
After unprecedented times, it is natural to see a shift in priorities and Covid-19 saw a global shift away from work-obsession towards more effective work-life balance. Several industries and organizations that stoically denied the prospect of flexible working were forced to deploy it to some extent and many – in fact, most – discovered that it has its advantages.
Hybrid working allows employees to where, when, and how they want to, in order to fit in with their lifestyle. Provided clients’ expectations are met and targets are reached, the opportunities for hybrid working are limitless, and depending on in-office requirements, it is easier for employers to source the best tech talent unrestricted by geography. The coworking model facilitates this as, for minimal investment, it allows employers to provide a professional office working space for employees across locations with minimal cost, while still benefitting from facilities like reliable connectivity, industrial printers and resources, a choice of meeting rooms and high-quality video conferencing.
Staff wellbeing
There may well be a wealth of talent out there, with tech opportunities continuing to rise as the digital market grows across sectors. However, retaining staff is cheaper and more convenient than replacing staff. Offering hybrid working and optimal coworking spaces will allow an organization to ensure the wellbeing of staff, providing a flexibility for them to achieve a good work-life balance while ensuring that a professional, well-equipped workspace is available should it be needed.
Many coworking spaces offer wellness events and seminars; from yoga to wellness workshops, mindfulness to career advice, coworking spaces allow employers to offer unrivalled health and wellness benefits to employees without being solely responsible for the associated costs. Other bonuses such as gyms, cafes and even cinema spaces can help to make coworking spaces rewarding environments that incentivize staff to come into the office while offering them the flexibility to prioritize homelife if needed.
Consistent office environment
Remote working is not for everyone and while some thrive in a home office environment, others need the routine of going to work and being in a formal office space in order to feel motivated and fulfilled at work. Coworking spaces allow organizations to recruit talent from further afield while still offering them a productive office from which to work, without the costs associated with setting up regional offices, further allowing them to develop a strong team while catering to individual work preferences.
Creating a productive coworking space
Creating a coworking space that works doesn’t happen overnight. It can take a while to develop the coworking community and curate a range of facilities and resources that will facilitate the strong networking and working ethos for which coworking spaces are becoming increasingly well known. Organizations that are setting up or entering new coworking spaces need to invest a little time into helping workers to adapt to the new environment. Meet and greets and icebreaker events can help your employees acclimatize to their new space and meet other workers in the office while introducing your organization as a whole to the space. Events such as hosted lunches, staffroom cakes, and workshops will all go a long way to smooth the transition into a coworking space.
As the modern working environment continues to evolve, it is important that employers of all sizes remain open-minded enough to be able to meet the changing needs of their staff. Utilizing coworking spaces may seem like an unnecessary expense, but if done correctly, they should allow your organization to reduce its overheads while giving you the opportunity to attract a high caliber of talent. If you are new to coworking, take a look at the different coworking facilities that are available to you and make note of the facilities that you would prioritize in line with your company’s ethos and the anticipated costs. If done properly, introducing coworking spaces as part of your hybrid working policy could save you considerable amounts in terms of overheads while optimizing performance and minimizing staff turnover.
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