Coworking, once reserved for independent contractors, has opened up to a wider range of people over the past decade. Flexible work arrangements are a response to the changing nature of the workplace and the evolving organizational structures of companies.
More cost-effective and user-friendly, they meet the needs of businesses and new generations of workers who value a comfortable work environment. It is most popular with small and medium-sized businesses, as well as some large organizations.
Brief history of coworking
It all started in Berlin
In the 1990s, the first “hackerspace” in Berlin opened its doors, giving birth to the concept of coworking. The goal was to bring together people with a passion for technology in a more open and collaborative environment. Modern coworking spaces have their roots in places like this.
A model for the world
Dozens of new locations around the world immediately followed suit. Each location offers a unique concept to meet the needs of all workers, including design, services and community.
The term “coworking” is used to describe a shared workspace.
Working in a coworking environment is a great way to meet like-minded people and work on the go. Coworkers work together in open or private spaces within a community.
How do coworking spaces actually work?
The service provider, the rental agreement, the Flex office, the Covid and the workstations, the working modes and the coworking spaces adapt to the current demand and scenario.
Contracts in a coworking space: what are they?
The service contract
The service contract is the best contract for flexible work spaces. All services are included in the service contract as a subscription.
This subscription can be paid by the hour, day, month or more. Coworking spaces are responsible for establishing the terms of their membership contracts.
The price of a coworking space, as well as any additional fees :
Negotiating pricing for services based on the length of a contract will always be an option.
Some coworking spaces charge a fee to cover the cost of utilities such as water, electricity, gas and general maintenance that they use.
Leaving a coworking space
The amount of notice you need to give the coworking space to let you go is determined by the specifics of the coworking agreement. The notice period should be between one and three months.
Private offices represent 80% of all workplaces
Coworking spaces are, first and foremost, workspaces. In order to accommodate both large companies and newly created start-ups, more than 80% of coworking spaces include private offices and stand-alone workspaces.
Coworking spaces have adapted to changing work patterns and offer a variety of work environments.
It is common in coworking spaces to use the Flex Desk. It allows all occupants of the space to switch workstations daily and move into common areas, such as the kitchen, couches or specialized cubicles, without having to assign a workstation to a member of the space.
Meeting rooms and private offices, ranging from two to 20+ workstations, can also be reserved in coworking spaces for use by the individual businesses housed there.
Workspaces for coworkers come in many forms
There are many types of coworking spaces, including those where people from a variety of industries and backgrounds work together in a shared workspace, as well as those that are more focused on promoting collaboration.
Coworking Café
This is a café that rents out workstations for the day or by the hour. Packages that allow customers to pay for the time they spend rather than the amount of food or drink they consume are common.
Coliving
Coliving is an extension of the concept of coworking. It is a term used to describe a place that is halfway between home and work. In order to facilitate social interaction, the space is separated into three sections: residences, workplaces and common spaces. Traditional monthly rents are often used as the basis for calculating the monthly fee.
Business Center
An office space that includes furnished and equipped workstations, internet connection, printers, overhead projectors and conference rooms is called a business center or Business Center. In most cases, a business center is not as concerned with the people or services it offers as a coworking space.
Support structures
During the early stages of business development, it is important to have support systems in place. Whether they are incubators, small business gas pedals or startup studios, they can provide a variety of services, from simple hosting to mentoring and funding. They want to help initiatives grow and thrive in the best possible environment.
Benefits of working in a coworking space
Why are coworking spaces so popular, and why are more and more businesses opting for a coworking office rather than a regular lease?
Because coworking spaces fully understand the issues facing today’s businesses and are able to address them perfectly.
1. The price
One of the main advantages of coworking spaces is their low cost. Although the price may initially seem higher than that of a regular office, keep in mind that all the services a company may need are included: furniture, internet connection, reception, mail service, etc.
With a standard 3/6/9 lease, there are many costs that can add up quickly.
2. Flexibility
Flexibility is another major advantage of working in a coworking environment. With a standard lease, it’s a long-term contract (3 years, 6 years or 9 years). There are monthly subscriptions for the coworking space, and the contracts are much more flexible in terms of responsibilities and deadlines.
Companies that are growing quickly and can easily adapt the number of workstations to their staff would benefit greatly. However, in times of crisis, the number of jobs can be quickly reduced and great savings can be made.
3. Services
As a third advantage, coworking spaces offer a wide range of services. Since they are part of the standard offer, companies do not have to look for these services on their own.
Coworking spaces offer a wide range of services depending on the location of the facility. Right down to the more luxurious offerings such as gym classes, catering or concierge services, there is a wide range of services available to meet your needs.
4. The community
Joining a coworking space puts you in touch with a diverse group of businesses on a daily basis. You don’t even have to leave your office to expand your professional network and make successful business alliances.
Many coworking spaces have internal communication tools that allow you to reach out to the entire community and solicit feedback on your product or service.
How do you find a coworking space that’s right for you?
Today, there are a plethora of coworking spaces, making it difficult to choose the perfect location. Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for a place that feels like your business and where your employees can thrive.
Location
The location of the business is the most obvious and deciding factor. While some organizations choose to be located in the heart of the city, others prefer the peace and quiet of the suburbs.
Depending on the type of business and the location of its employees, you may choose a commercial district or a more cosmopolitan area for your new location.
It’s no secret that coworking spaces located in the most popular areas of the city are the most expensive due to the importance of location.
Services
Different coworking spaces offer a variety of services depending on the preferences of the target organization, such as access to gym classes, spa services (massage, hairdresser, yoga), training opportunities for employees or social gatherings for colleagues.
To choose the perfect setting for your business, you’ll need to review a wide range of options.
Meeting rooms
Most coworking spaces make meeting rooms available to their members, but the methods of booking and accessing these spaces can vary widely. For this reason, some coworking spaces limit access to a few hours per week.
Therefore, the number of accessible meeting rooms is an important factor to consider, especially for organizations that meet frequently with clients or business partners.
Types of offices
In today’s world, a coworking space is no longer synonymous with a large, bustling open space. In most places, you have the option of having a private office or even a semi-private space for your work.
It’s not uncommon for coworking spaces to offer design services that allow businesses to customize their workspaces to fit their personality and values.
Cost
There is no doubt that the cost of a coworking space is an important consideration when deciding where to work. The cost of an office varies depending on the company’s budget, and the previous criteria will have a direct impact on the price.
Therefore, today’s coworking spaces offer a wide range of cost options to meet the needs of a variety of businesses.
