Shared workspaces are here to stay

In the span of just a few months, the way we work and navigate our daily lives has changed.

Businesses all over the world have completely readjusted their operations in an effort to stop or slow down the spread of COVID-19, or the coronavirus. As governments have ordered individuals to stay home and practice social distancing, more employees are experiencing remote work for the very first time. Unfortunately, not everyone is equipped to manage a remote work situation. 

Despite the benefits of working from home, some people find it very distracting. Some of the top interruptions include household duties or chores. Anyone working in a dedicated office space won’t be able to see the dishes overflowing or the laundry piling up. This is why flexible workspaces exist – they are positioned to help people work safely and efficiently in an isolated area. Also called shared offices or coworking spaces, these areas are designed to help large corporations and small businesses alike. 

Learn how your organization can take advantage of these shared offices below. 

Why businesses need shared offices

When the average person thinks of coworking spaces, they imagine freelance workers who work remotely. However, there is a growing trend of large organizations taking advantage of the benefits shared offices offer. Technology giants Microsoft, IBM, and Verizon are all testing flexible workspaces for employees. Coworking helps them remain competitive while making it easier for teams to communicate or work with each other, even in different cities or time zones. Some experts even say that corporate coworking is the future of the industry.

So how does a shared office work? Coworking spaces offer employees all the conventional perks of a traditional office without the long-term lease. Tenants pay through a simple monthly membership fee, and in exchange, they can access private and communal areas. This offers businesses superior flexibility because they can grow or downsize as needed. Coworking spaces also come pre-furnished and full of different amenities such as conference rooms, break rooms, and kitchens. 

The cost benefits of coworking spaces

When new companies invest in shared offices, they avoid quite a lot of startup costs. First, the month-to-month rates of flexible workspaces are far less expensive than beginning long-term leases from scratch. Commercial real estate in cities like New York City and Los Angeles is almost unattainable for a growing business. Instead, shared spaces provide all of the utilities and furniture you need without additional financing. This includes pricey appliances like refrigerators and microwaves. 

In order to attract and retain top talent, businesses need offices in centrally-located areas near other businesses, transportation, and shops. The buildings themselves should also seem clean, up-to-date, and modern. Most coworking spaces are located in busy, yet easy to access districts. When people work remotely, they want to be able to travel to an open office in a convenient location. The coworking business model is the perfect solution for organizations that want to be more accessible to their employees. 

Why employees need shared offices

With people working from home, it is easy to feel isolated or lonely. This is because they may not have the same social interaction at home when compared to a traditional office space. Coworking companies provide a convenient and professional work environment that encourages community between workers in a wide range of industries. As a result, people can enjoy a greater work-life balance. And since these working spaces also offer private offices, employees can choose when to be social. 

Coworking spaces are also ideal for networking with a number of people, including other entrepreneurs. So if you need assistance with bookkeeping or a web designer, the professionals you need might be a few desks away. Mingling with others is also great for gaining new business through word of mouth. Many flexible working spaces even offer short-term community events and programs so individuals can learn new skills and educate themselves. 

Tools for efficient coworking

Even though shared offices give organizations and their employees a fully equipped space, businesses still need the right remote working tools to get things done. If you want to expand your business by employing international talent from around the world, you might worry about how to get your teams together during the coronavirus pandemic. Luckily, Google Workspace offers the very best platforms for managing a remote workforce. It allows people in different time zones to work on projects at the same time. 

First, Google Drive gives workers access to any files they need through cloud storage solutions. Remote workers can upload files to Google Drive and share them with other parties, including administrators or other workers. The constant synchronizing of data allows everyone to have the most up-to-date information possible. The best part is that individual permissions can be managed through the administrator panel. Organizations can remove access as needed to keep their company data safe. 

Using a combination of Google Calendar and Google Meet, employees can schedule video chats to collaborate on different projects. In fact, the free version of Google Meet allows you to bring together up to 10 people for a video chat. Whether you need to pitch a new client or hold a training seminar, these programs make it easy to complete projects. Managers and team leaders can even block off certain times in their Google Calendar to keep themselves organized throughout the week. To make work even easier there are intranet solutions available that integrate with Google Workspace like Happeo.

How to boost collaboration during remote work

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused us to change how we think about the workplace. Employees do not have to choose between the traditional office or the comfort of their own home. Coworking spaces and shared offices will continue to be an important tool for workers, especially with the benefits and resources they offer. 

At Happeo, we are experts in workplace innovation. While flexible offices have been increasing in number over the last few years, we provide the software and tools you need to succeed. Learn more about what we have to offer by contacting a member of our knowledgeable staff today. We can get you started in the right direction.