Coworking spaces are springing up all over the world, and it’s no longer uncommon for companies to base some or all of their operations there. However, many entrepreneurs and managers are wondering whether it is possible to develop a strong corporate culture in a shared environment with other professionals and businesses. The answer is yes, and this article explores how to achieve this while enjoying the benefits of coworking.
1. Understanding corporate culture in a coworking environment
Corporate culture is more than just a set of values and principles on a wall. It includes behaviors, modes of communication, the way employees collaborate and interact, and the working environment in which they evolve. In a coworking space, although the company does not entirely control the physical environment, it can still shape a strong and coherent culture through its internal practices.
A coworking space can even provide fertile ground for developing a dynamic corporate culture based on flexibility, innovation and collaboration.
2. How to create a corporate identity in a shared space
Even if your team shares the space with other companies, it’s important to maintain your own corporate identity. Here are a few ways of achieving this:
Define clear values: From the outset, it’s crucial to establish and communicate your company’s values to your employees. They must be integrated into every aspect of your organization, from the way employees interact to decision-making processes.
Establish rituals: Small rituals, such as weekly meetings or team lunches, are essential for maintaining cohesion. These moments create a bond between team members, even in a shared space.
Create a personalized team environment: Even in a coworking space, you can personalize the areas you occupy on a regular basis. Whether it’s posters, inspirational quotes or even subtle decoration, these touches help to reinforce the sense of belonging.
3. Exploit the diversity and collaboration of coworking spaces
One of the main advantages of coworking spaces is the diversity of the professionals who work there. As a company, you can take advantage of this diversity to enrich your culture:
Collaborate with other companies: A coworking space offers unique opportunities to work with other entrepreneurs or freelancers, exchange ideas and learn new skills. This openness to collaboration can become a central pillar of your company’s culture.
Encouraging innovation: Being in a dynamic environment with different perspectives can help stimulate your team’s creativity. By cultivating a culture of openness and learning, you enable your employees to enrich their work with new ideas.
4. Maintaining team cohesion in a flexible environment
Flexibility is another key benefit of coworking, but it can also pose challenges in terms of team cohesion. To develop a strong company culture, it is essential to maintain regular connections between team members, even if not everyone works in the same space every day.
Regular communication: Using collaboration tools such as Slack, Zoom or Microsoft Teams helps to maintain fluid communication between team members. Plan frequent team meetings too, whether in person or online.
Create a sense of community: Organizing internal events, such as team-building nights or social activities, helps to strengthen ties between employees and consolidate corporate identity, even in a shared space.
5. Measuring the impact of coworking culture
It is crucial to monitor the evolution of the corporate culture to ensure that it continues to develop in the right direction. Here are a few indicators to look out for:
Employee engagement: Are employees motivated and satisfied with their working environment?
Productivity: Are teams achieving their objectives while respecting the company’s values?
Collaboration: Is the team able to work well together, even in an open and flexible environment?
By using internal surveys, regular interviews and employee feedback, you can adjust and strengthen the company culture.
In short, it is entirely possible to develop a solid corporate culture in a coworking space. It requires a clear intention, consistent practices and regular communication. Companies that successfully exploit the potential of coworking spaces can not only strengthen their cultural identity, but also benefit from the flexibility, innovation and diversity offered by this unique environment.
