Reasons why collaborative workspaces are key to business

Reasons why collaborative workspaces are key to business

Flexible contracts, savings on furniture, maintenance costs, and cleaning and sanitary protocols, among others, are just some of the benefits offered by collaborative workspaces that today, in times of pandemic, are highly valued by companies of any size. And industry.

Our country is facing its greatest challenge in history due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the changes that seemed distant today are a reality, and it is due to the decentralization of the corporate in terms of personnel; coworking spaces will be the most used since they are related to multiple occupations. The “new normal” forced companies to reassess how they do things, evolve their business model, and look for new opportunities to face the times ahead successfully.

The Director of WeWork Argentina, Tomás Calusio, points out that Argentina has more than 4,000 members of their Community, representing more than 1,000 companies in their portfolio. The multinational segment represents 74% of employment, which is currently the fastest growing for WeWork in all the region’s countries. “Both large and medium-sized and small companies are increasingly turning to more flexible offices and contracts that allow them to save close to 15% and focus on growing their business,” he adds.

But why has the modality of collaborative workspaces become so convenient?

Decentralization

Most of the collaborative workspaces have locations in different parts of the big cities, which allows the distribution of the activities of the companies so that the collaborators go to the headquarters that best suits them in terms of proximity or mobility area to avoid daily transfers by transport.

WeWork conducted a global study with Brightspot Strategy to understand professionals’ perceptions of work in the post-pandemic context. 90% of the people surveyed want to return to the office at least one day a week. And 20% want to return to the office 5 days a week.

Efficient decision making

This type of office provides ease of interaction between the members of a company, which allows efficient decision-making and joint actions that contribute positively to companies.

Human connection

Working together can generate networks that go beyond a physical space, maintain people’s interaction, and solve problems as a team. A study by The Hamilton Place Strategies & Replica indicates that 81% of surveyed Millennials and 82% of Generation Z feel less connected to their teams while working from home. 57 % of Millennials and 61% of Gen Z say the daily time they spend on video calls makes it difficult to get things done and decreases productivity. They want to be something other than the Zoom generation.

Flexibility

According to  WeWork, collaborative workspaces offer options that provide flexibility to companies, both in terms of spaces, type of membership, and contracts, which translates into offices tailored to the needs of each company. They offer memberships from 1 month to more than 10 years if the client wishes. In addition, their contracts can be signed for one/two months in the event of a future outbreak of Covid.

• Investment

The real estate firms dedicated to providing these spaces, such as  WeWork, modified the offices according to the sanitary measures and protocols indicated by the health institutions of our country. This prevents companies from restructuring investments or adjusting to restart their activities in the new normal.

Spaces

These spaces promote the exchange of ideas, encourage creativity and the well-being of members, are comfortable, and adapt to any need, which translates into a better quality of working life. According to a study carried out by McKinsey & Company, 80% of those surveyed said that they would improve labor relations if they had greater communication between teams. In addition, 43% stated that face-to-face meetings would improve these relationships. And 84% noted that workplace challenges or concerns take longer to resolve.

• Services

The vast majority of shared offices are ‘all-inclusive’ spaces; that is, real estate companies offer companies a series of services, such as Wi-Fi, gel alcohol, electricity, water, cleaning, and the implementation of health protocols.

Innovation

Collaborative workspaces allow companies to constantly innovate and develop new options to make their collaborators feel happy and more productive.

Stability

WeWork highlights that spending a long period working from home affects people’s mental and physical health. For this reason, collaborative workspaces favor the performance of members, in addition to helping to strengthen their identity and corporate culture.

10 reasons why collaborative workspaces are key to business recovery

Relationship between generations

These spaces allow different generations to live together in the same space, making it possible for an exchange of experiences and continuous learning.

How to decide if a coworking space is right for you: Pros and cons of a professional

Working at home for yourself or remotely for someone else is a great opportunity, but like everything, it has its blessings and curses. Working from anywhere is becoming the norm as people seek flexibility in their work lives to create more work-life balance. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or an employee, you’re likely to join more people working from anywhere and anywhere that isn’t an actual dedicated office. And COVID gave us an unexpected test in remote work that helped leaders realize that people can and will be their best selves anywhere. 

When your workplace decision is up to you, weighing the factors and researching your options can be difficult. I reflected on my experience as an independent contractor to identify the main advantages and disadvantages. 

Reflecting on personal experience

After three years of working in my home office, I found myself unmotivated, missing the office dynamics and people, and needing to escape the washing machine that always seemed to need a load. It didn’t matter that my closest friend became the big silver “box” in the kitchen. The “freshman 15” became the “COVID-19”, and for those of us who stayed at home beyond that, it was becoming a trap we could not escape. I needed to leave my house because it didn’t relax me to be there even after closing my laptop at night. 

Encouraged by a friend but dragging my feet, I investigated some coworking spaces. It turned out to be the best decision I ever made. I found a great space worth every penny to me… let me break it down for you. 

10 reasons why collaborative workspaces are key to business recovery

Advantages of working remotely in a coworking space:

• Building Community and Friendships  As the number of people working remotely increases and we spread our wings, we often feel like the lonely dove out there. The flexibility of working remotely is amazing, but it can also be incredibly lonely. Joining a coworking space connects you with other people in the same club who can relate to you in many ways, no matter what industry they belong to! And those “happy hours” and social events always help us meet new people. 
• Surprise Collaboration and Networking Opportunities  Since coworking spaces bring together so many people from different places, industries, and passions; it’s an incredible opportunity to network and potentially find a collaborator. Often these spaces collaborate with local economic development organizations and may also offer additional resources and opportunities. 
• “Peer Pressure” I’m talking about the good kind of peer pressure, I promise! Your fridge will never tell you to return to your desk. Having people around you who work and are motivated can help you stay focused and continue to achieve your goals. Those around you may inspire you.  
• Office supplies… Need I say more? (Think Office Space ) Coworking spaces often provide the office supplies you need and more. Printer, scanner, copier, pens, envelopes, sticky notes… and let’s face it, who buys envelopes anymore? Good thing coworking spaces do, so if that’s the case, you can use just one and not have to buy 100! And don’t get me started on the cost of ink!

• Internet Speed ​​and Reliability  If you share a house with someone else, live in an apartment building, or live in a rural area, this can be a big problem. Coworking spaces often have robust high-speed internet that works well regardless of the number of users—no more yelling at your roommates to stop streaming while you’re on a call. 
• Coffee… can we talk about coffee??? FREE COFFEE at any time of the day… brewed in a much better machine than at home! And it’s not just the coffee. Usually, coworking spaces have a fridge stocked with soft drinks, water, and even a few beers. Oh, and let’s not forget the snack drawers in the kitchen!
• No Dress Code Required to Listen, we all need a reason to ditch our stretchy pants for real clothes once in a while or not. Dressing for work, whatever that means for your job, can make a world of difference to how you feel while you work. And it’s part of the mental shift that helps separate your home life from your work life. #dressforsuccess 
• Claim your space  Working in a coworking space is much better than in a coffee shop where you have to fight over a socket or a chair and carry your laptop around to “powder your nose.” #invaluable.
• Affordable, flexible, and without compromise! Coworking spaces often offer different membership types, from part-time to full-time, and options for the number of open or office spaces. Usually, a “rental agreement” is not required; it is a month-to-month agreement. Coworking spaces offer those who are okay working outdoors a much better setup than a cafeteria. And for those who want real office space with a closed door. It just depends on your budget and your needs. The good thing is that you don’t need an office to meet with potential clients. Coworking spaces offer meeting rooms you can rent by the hour or day. 
• Can you say deductible?!! A coworking space may be discounted as rent for your business. Be sure to ask your accountant!

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10 reasons why collaborative workspaces are key to business recovery

Disadvantages of working remotely in a coworking space:

• The good news is that it is not your space; the bad news is that it is not yours. You have to keep in mind that it is a shared space. You will pay for privacy. There may be noise or distractions. The number of distractions and privacy will also depend on whether you work in the “open” space or have rented private office space. 
• “Sorry, no coffee today” (the coffee machine is broken). It will be fixed if something breaks, be it the coffee machine or the printer, but you may have to wait. You are on their schedule and in their currency, not yours. 
• Temperature control… or no control at all…  Office buildings have a reputation for being too hot or too cold… coworking spaces are no different. Bring an extra layer and your sandals!
• It’s more expensive than home. If you already work from home, this comes at an added cost. (And you usually can’t do laundry at the same time.) 

Coworking spaces are not for everyone, but I encourage everyone to try them. It’s a great opportunity to learn new things, meets new people, and learn about yourself. If you’re feeling low on motivation, need a change of scenery, or are ready to turn your business around with more focus, a coworking space might be a good solution. After two years of unforeseen events, why not? What can you lose? 

5 advantages of having collaborative spaces in the office

Cubicles and segregated work desks discourage collaboration and foster cultures that promote competition rather than teamwork. The result is a high-stress work environment that doesn’t benefit employees or businesses. We need to move towards workplaces that foster collaboration and collective thinking to buck the trend. Forward-thinking companies like Google, Apple, and Facebook are at the forefront of the coworking shift through hot desking, open spaces, and various services that encourage collaboration. More isolated workplaces are less productive. To buck this trend, take a look at these 5 benefits of collaborative offices:

#1 Teamwork Over Competition

Whether intentional or not, many of today’s workplaces value individuals over groups. This is evident in the way most companies are structured. Startups and departments commonly practice employee ranking and individual talent allocation, which inadvertently forces employees to compete against each other. Instead, collaborative workspaces allow teams to work with others and strive to achieve common goals and objectives. Moreover, these work environments foster friendship and camaraderie in the workplace.

10 reasons why collaborative workspaces are key to business recovery

#2 Connect to new ideas

Working alongside people from different fields and backgrounds can bring a new perspective to your work. Your coworkers can often look at the problems and challenges you face and approach them from another unexpected angle. Similarly, you can give a new perspective to the work of others. A collaborative workspace that allows for exchanging ideas will ultimately benefit the company. In short, the whole can always be greater than the sum of its parts.

10 reasons why collaborative workspaces are key to business recovery

#3 Increased well-being in the office

Workspaces that fostered collaboration were shown to reduce stress and depression while increasing the overall mood of employees. In today’s chaotic and stressful world, cultivating meaningful relationships, whether at work or home, is important.

#4 More energetic

A consigned rush to the four little corners of an office cubicle can rob you of your motivation and unity with the group. Get your energy back and work with others. With collaborative workspaces, employees can motivate each other and benefit from a fast-paced and motivated environment. Working alongside like-minded people can reignite your wits and boost you emotionally.

#5 Leads to efficiency and productivity

Collaborative environments are a way to bring out the best in people and groups. In a Harvard Business Review study of workplace prosperity, professionals working in coworking spaces scored 6 satisfaction out of 7 points – a full point higher than their cubicle office counterparts. To make the workplace more efficient, startups are making collaborative work more accessible through technology like digital printing equipment, shared networks, ergonomic office furniture, and many others.

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10 reasons why collaborative workspaces are key to business recovery