Reasons Why do People use Shared WorkSpace?
Co-working is a newer concept that combines convenience, community, and collaboration. Both big businesses and independent workers are jumping on board with this new-age business model as there’s been an 83% increase in coworking spaces from the short span of 2012 to 2013.
Shared work settings influence productivity levels as they help members be more effective and efficient with their time. They also offer more flexibility and control over your work environment. So how can a coworking environment help entrepreneurs, freelancers, and startups thrive? Read on for 10 reasons why a shared workspace boosts productivity.
A Unique and Thriving Office Environment
The freelance community gets expected to grow to 50% by the year 2020. This leaves many workers seeking an alternative to an in-home office or local coffee shop. It’s also making waves against more traditional office building rentals.
The communal workspace offers a chance for the independent workforce to have the best of both worlds. They get an energetic atmosphere filled with career-oriented individuals. As well as all the must-have office essentials to thrive at work.
This includes Wi-Fi, printers, copiers, and a mailroom. Along with laptop hookups and hot desks or shared workspaces. This gives each member the opportunity to work on their own projects in a shared setting.
There are also a few different types of co-working environments that you can choose from. These include shared workspaces and coworking spaces, with a few differences between them. Depending on your preferred working style, one may allow you to be more productive than the other.
Blurring the Lines of Traditional Office Culture 
Unpredictability and a challenging environment get ranked as the top two workplace stressors. This can lead to lowered productivity and poor performance at work. A shared work environment means a more relaxed structure than traditional office settings. Without all the corporate hierarchy, workers find themselves in a less stressful environment.
People feel they have more room for self-expression and open communication. The co-sharing work culture is healthier and promotes a happier workforce. Here’s more on how to know if your current office is providing a toxic work environment.
Boost Your Productivity: A Shared Sense of Community
A coworking space attracts business owners, entrepreneurs, and freelancers who are all looking for a place to collaborate and create. These like-minded individuals all have common goals, commitments, and a career-oriented drive. They come together as a community to create a one-of-a-kind office culture.
Here they work to motivate and inspire each other. It’s a culture that offers a unique vibe and doesn’t limit creativity or idea-sharing. This helps to spark fresh ideas and boost work output.
Members often follow a working model that includes full transparency without communication barriers. They also find themselves able to get more work done as they are away from all the distractions of home.
An Innovative and Interactive Work Space 
If you’re looking to begin a startup company, you’re going to need a physical place to work. So why not make it one that fosters creativity and encourages communication? Here is more information on finding a great shared workspace that meets your needs.
Productive office space is all about the right interior design and layout. Shared work settings offer open layouts with desk spaces and lounge areas that promote interaction. These spaces include ergonomic seating for more comfortable working conditions.
They also feature innovative designs in color palettes that spur concentration and creativity. This includes big white or neutral spaces with subtle pops of color. This is best for an environment that evokes focus.
Boost Your Productivity: Office Perks Included…
Another benefit of a shared work setting is all the office perks that come with membership. This often includes break rooms with kitchenettes and coffee bars. As well as more private areas for hosting meetings.
Coworking buildings also get outfitted with brand new equipment. You’ll also gain access to office managers that oversee daily operations. So, no having to deal with office maintenance or repairs.
A Better Work-Life Balance 
Aren’t we all seeking more flexibility and freedom when balancing our careers and personal lives? Co-working allows you to determine your own hours. This way you can work during your most productive times.
This membership-based feature provides you with 24-hour access to your own office space. This makes it more convenient for your lifestyle and your unique scheduling needs.
Those who freelance can sometimes find themselves feeling isolated. Shared office spaces give you a chance to join the daily grind and interact with other professionals.
It’s also more affordable than renting your own office space or studio. Most facilities offer flexible membership plans that standard office leases are not able to provide. This helps growing companies as coworking environments are more adaptable to business expansion.
A better work-life balance also makes employees feel more satisfied and excited about their job. This even makes them 125% less likely to become burnt out on the job. So a coworking environment can make you happier and more productive in your career.
A Dynamic Place for Project Management
A dynamic environment helps project management thrive. It offers places for focusing as well as collaborating. The best productive office space will give you full control over the style of work environment you need to get the job done.
This lets you pick where you work on various stages during a project. Choose a lively lounge area for brainstorming in a group setting. Or a quiet nook or desk for better focus. For tasks that need full concentration, throw on a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Then tune out to a productive playlist on Spotify.
Boost Your Productivity: A Mixing Pot of Professionals 
Coworking facilities attract members from different professional backgrounds, including digital marketing, technology, creative writing, and public relations. This makes it a great resource for new networking opportunities.
It’s a place of work and a place where you can collaborate and brainstorm with like-minded people. Different departments and companies come together, each offering different levels of experience. New members are also always getting added, bringing new skill sets to the table.
Shared work environments can also help you find new people to join your growing team. It has no shortage of website designers, social media managers, and app developers. Or you can build up your roster of business contacts for future endeavors.
This creates a new perspective at work, encouraging creativity and learning opportunities. It’s an excellent place to find a new business partner or a mentor for career guidance.
An Opportunity to Expand Business
The new-age business model of coworking is helping both small and big businesses expand their workforce. It provides a place for employee overflow for growing businesses. This way, coworkers can have more workspace for their team. This is a more productive environment than getting crammed into over-packed cubicles.
Big brands like Zappos, Google, Visa, and General Electric are joining in on shared office settings. They have found that expanding their remote workforce is improving productivity levels. Local newspapers and banks are also jumping on board with this new business model.
We have reached an age where crowd-sharing companies are on the rise. Brands like Uber and Airbnb can be more efficient when they combine resources. This also makes it easier for businesses and entrepreneurs to start their own ventures.
A Place to Promote Yourself 
Coworking spaces are a great organic resource for promoting your services or products. You have access to a growing network of professionals. You will also develop both working and personal relationships with these people.
Use this to your advantage and promote your business or a side gig. It’s easy to find new clients for your business here. Or have members help get the word out for you through grassroots marketing efforts.
If you’re skilled in a particular hobby, you can even reach out to members to build awareness. Consider teaching yoga, art, or photography classes on the side. You can even use this as an opportunity to find a new roommate.
Coworking members also make for a great way to increase your brand exposure on social media. You can gain new followers and expand your companies digital presence. You can also boost organic traffic to your website this way.
A Prime Office Location
The first rule of real estate is location, location, location. If you are looking for office space for rent, make sure you are looking in an area that is not only centrally located, but it will bring inspiration into your area of creativity. What’s great is that most of the coworking facilities get located in prime downtown settings. This gives you a trendy new address for your business. You’ll also be right in the heart of the city, making commuting easy and efficient. If you love where you work, then you will work better and have better productivity.
It’s also much more cost-effective than leasing your own office space in this type of location. There’s also less risk involved as well as less time spent looking for real estate opportunities. Having that financial burden off your back means you will have a clearer mind to work and all of your expenses will be split.
Also, if it doesn’t work out between you and the group or person you are renting with, you can end your time together and move on. Leasing locks you in a certain amount of time, and if you are not getting along, you can’t get out until the lease is up.
A Chance to Learn and Gain More 
Joining a coworking space opens up new opportunities for learning and business expansion. Many offer training programs, networking events, and fun activities for members. These include office happy hours, luncheons, or fundraisers.
There is great potential when it comes to community engagement and personal fulfillment. Some also partner with local gyms and fitness centers, offering discounted memberships.
Expanding Your Productivity in a Shared Work Space
Productive office space is one way to thrive as a freelancer, entrepreneur, or business owner. A shared workspace can offer you networking opportunities, business expansion, and a better work-life balance. Joining a coworking facility allows you to be your most productive self. Here are a few more ways to find success working as a freelancer.
