Coworking: Expectations Vs. Reality

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(Coworking: The future of the workplace)

The demand for co-working spaces is surging around the world, even corporate are now getting into shared office spaces. These are the cheaper alternatives to the existing traditional offices, which comes with a flexible environment, attractive office layout, a hub for social interaction and all other basic amenities.

Whereas, this is still a fresh concept for a few independent professionals and budding entrepreneurs in India. For those who haven’t yet explored and visited a free-thinking work culture of coworking spaces, this is the right time to do so. Every new person entering the shared office space has their vision & expectation about co-working spaces.

The expectation of joining a coworking space can be different for different personalities, however, the situations can be very different on the first day! An industry veteran starting out his/her own consultancy within a shared office space vs a freelancer who is keen on acquiring a new skill would perhaps expect of different happenings.

To give you a better understanding of how things actually are; here is a breakdown of a few expectations and their realities within a coworking space:

(**These understandings are not to demotivate you from joining a coworking space, but to keep you away from distractions and in focus as you triumph your objectives.)

Being Productive at Work

The ultimate goal of anyone joining a coworking space is to get their work down and drive out maximum productivity.

That’s the thought several of us have in our minds – to nail it on right from the first day! But, most of them are let down when they aren’t in their favourable scenario.

(People working at a coworking space.)

The shared office space experience could be a totally new experience for a person who is used to work in the confines of a cubicle. Professionals could find the unorganized a bit overwhelming for their line of work, but coworking spaces have their own way in being super organised that way.

For most of the members, their integral creativity and skill do not diminish after joining. In turn, with enriching activities and events happening in the calendar year, most of them found it exciting being in a shared office. Tell us, when was the last time an event happened at your workplace?

Apart from this, members take initiative instead of waiting for other coworkers to come and speak to them. This helps in bringing a collaborative work spirit, making you more enthusiastic. If you share your thoughts with others it will the best contribution you can offer to your business or organization, and thus churn out more productivity at work.

Becoming a Center of Attraction

With a work environment so joyful, every new member would expect the first day to be like their birthday!

While you will not be mobbed, but new members assume their first days would be a cheery ride, where the rest of the space holding you on their shoulders. A few might be lucky enough, but it doesn’t happen for everybody.

(A huddle meeting going on inside a coworking space.)

Remember, the first time you went to your school? Or, your college? Who made efforts in introducing yourself to the world? It was certainly you! Just the same way on your first day make sincere efforts in understanding the work culture, the people, the activities they do, the building plan, the parking guidelines, or the nearest restaurant.

You will get the attention that you need. Most community managers plan out the welcoming of their new members well in advance. Where emails are sent out informing the presence of new inductees. A few other spaces host meetups where the bunch of new folks are introduced to the rest of the community.

These are humble steps, but sticks with the reality. This is also good for the long run, as you slowly march from being an acquaintance to a coworker.

Free Movement

While you certainly are free to use the space provided by the management, you cannot actually misuse it.

Everybody like a designated desk or a pod, or the recliners in the lounge, but its open for others as well. The flexible work environment lets you use your authorized desk as well as other facilities like the activity room, lounge, cafeteria and more. Anyone can roam around in the office building and use the complete area until or unless another coworker is not working at the same desk. Thus, it is important that you are not invading anyone’s space.

(A lounge area of a coworking office.)

Hidden Costs and Additional Perks

The best part about becoming a member of a coworking space is the long list of benefits that you get. From the internet to skills-building materials – a lot of them could be free, but a few could be carrying additional fees for access. As new members, the experience could be devastating.

Coworkers often think of that this co-working office space provides a number of additional value with covered benefits as their membership fee. But there are could be a few extra amounts lying hidden like for say additional fees for the meeting room access, or snacks, an hourly rate to meet with your clients in shared spaces and other nitpicky things.

Therefore, if you’re a solo entrepreneur and ready to move-in at a flexible work environment, it is essential to look or ask about what’s included and what’s extra in your co-working membership.

No Need To Bother About Petty Things

At co-working spaces, you don’t have to bother about moving into new spaces, long hours of commute, overpriced meals, breakout zones and other things. These shared office spaces often come with a huge perk where it offers various benefits that you haven’t expected in other conventional work setups.

If you need anything from choosing workstations to a cup of coffee, you can ask politely whatever you require at the time of operating your business. The shared spaces strive to bring the best office experience to start-ups and coworkers through flexibility, innovative and functional design and other accommodations. It offers fix desks as well as virtual office, combined with innovative service such as pantry services, a community manager who handles all your hurdles regarding co-working requirements.

If you are still expecting and making a lot of bubble around your mind then it’s the right time to ponder and know the choices of what you’re going to make. Opinions can be moving as there are both good and negative words for the co-working spaces. But, it is ultimately you who needs to expand your business within an environment that fosters like-minded professionals. In case you’re having doubts about selecting the right office space, you can contact us and check out our smart and flexible workspace solutions with all the facilities and core services.