How Coworking Spaces Stand To Benefit Remote Workers

 

Remote work – the ability to work from anywhere- was recognized as a global work movement even before the pandemic compelled many to work from their homes. But it gained tremendous momentum in 2020 as people were inherently forced to look at alternative workspace options.

How is remote work defined?                           

Remote work is work from an alternative yet efficient workspace- not the traditional office. Remote workers use digital tools to handle tasks, complete projects and communicate internally. Remote work is facilitated by the necessary infrastructure, devices and a steady internet connection.

Contrary to what we perceive, remote work is a broad umbrella term that encompasses more than work from home to present more viable and economical options such as:

• Working full-time from coworking spaces
• Working remotely on a flexible/rotational office schedule (available in the office from time to time)

Is work from home and working remotely the same?

The answer is NO because ‘working remotely’ signals that you could be working alternatively from a coworking space.

If you are a company considering adopting a remote workplace style for your employees, here are compelling reasons why you should rent an office in a coworking space:

1. Meet Inspiring Coworkers

Unlike a standard set of employees working in an office, a coworking space is a professional space for people who come from a diverse range of professionals – think web developers, software salespeople and e-commerce specialists or even graphic artists.

Coworking spaces can introduce you to so many types of professions you may have not even heard of and the diverse people who work in these professions.

These spaces buzz with people coding websites, writing novels or designing startups and is a far cry from the corporate talk and dry meetings most people know as an integral part of ‘professional life.’

2. More Stimulating Than Traditional Offices

Have you ever worked with your laptop on a gallery seat? On an open deck? or simply de-stressed by resorting to a game of foosball? This is all possible in a day when you rent shared office spaces!

Sometimes a switch in surroundings is the best inspiration of all, which is why the best coworking spaces are designed with meditation rooms, outdoor deck space, social cafeterias, high-top tables, couches- you name it!

Coworking spaces are aesthetically and ergonomically planned, sporting creatively designed spaces to make you think beyond the box.

3. Coworking Spaces Foster Entrepreneurship

Taking up fully-furnished coworking spaces are for those who work remotely already or any group of employees working for a small or large company that has sought office space at a coworking space.

Coworking spaces, a relatively new phenomenon, are usually future-focused, newly-built and therefore have incorporated creative and modern designs into their builds.

Entrepreneurship, because it can be outside the box, requires a certain level of an inspirational environment. Whether you and your team comprise three people or fifteen, being in a coworking space and using all its dynamic locations and benefits will likely inspire new ideas.

4. Reduces Anxiety And Loneliness In Remote Workers

A feeling of isolation stems from prolonged periods of working from home or alone without any company making burnout and loneliness real concerns for remote workers ....read more

Coworking, Private Offices, Custom Built, Dedicated Desk, Hot Desk, Virtual Offices & Meeting Rooms

We are a growing community of inspired professionals who work in creative & innovative spaces. Our vibrant business ecosystem offers flexible office plans, seamless connectivity and security. We are a contemporary workspace, A playground for minds, a powerhouse for brands.

We are Workafella.

Why Coworking Spaces Are Naturally Conducive To Employee Engagement

 

Today’s workforce comprises mainly of millennials who call themselves the “creative class”. They refuse to tread the traditional path – be it the choice to work independently as freelancers or shift to a cooler workspace in place of conventional offices; their approach to work and their workspace are very different from the mainstream. So, it’s no surprise that keeping this class of employees engaged can often seem like a challenge – but one that delivers “loyalty” in ten folds if done correctly!

This is what makes businesses of all size turn towards the future of workspaces – corporate coworking. While the observed link between employee engagement and shared coworking areas is quite apparent, often it is disregarded.

Coworking spaces are inherently great at employee engagement because they capitalize on the three main Ps: Productivity, Potential & Performance.

Workspace Innovation And Design

When employees work in formal workspaces with confined cubicles, productivity tends to take a hit. Soon enough, this declining efficiency negatively affects their engagement. But allowing employees a free, unrestricted space to work delivers quite the polar results. It engages them entirely and unreservedly!

How does coworking help in this case? Employees get to choose when and where they want to work, given the flexibility of options between open and private office spaces. Secondly, they are infrastructurally and ambience-wise designed to impel engagement. The openness, flexibility, and collaborative spirit found in coworking spaces are just the right fit for these new-age employees!

The Flexibility Of The Coworking Space

Today’s workers crave flexibility. They enjoy accomplishing tasks according to their schedules instead of arriving at the office and leaving work at the same time every single day. While some may require a rigid 9-5 structure to perform to their 100% competence, others may work better through the night. Alternatively, suppose an employee knows that they have access to their choice of a workspace (open or private office space). In that case, they are also more likely to dive into a project enthusiastically. Unlike coworking areas, traditional offices do not offer this choice,

This is also favourable if you work with a remote team. Employees often lose interest due to the dearth of human contact. When employees are placed in a high-energy, collaborative environment to communicate, share ideas or brainstorm concepts, output increases. This collaboration is what drives productivity. Coworking spaces brim with this collaborative spirit, making them inherently superior for employee engagement.

A Stimulating Environment

Simply put, every employee benefits from working in a different working atmosphere. While some thrive in stimulating offices where they can socialize with their colleagues, others may be more comfortable in quiet private office space areas where they can zone in on their tasks. Luckily, coworking spaces offer both areas for people to work distraction-free while also incorporating dynamic spaces to interact and collaborate.

Coworking spaces enable employees to pursue their work meaningfully and provides opportunities to expand their network simultaneously. Furthermore, shared workspaces are melting pots of diverse talents and skills that exist in the same space. The heterogeneous nature of these workspaces promotes further collaboration, often resulting in a mind-blowing innovation.  This loops back to meaningful work, and consequentially they become more engaged.

Engagement: Socializing And Otherwise!

A dull office that’s always quiet, and doesn’t encourage collaboration, stifles creativity and productivity. Employees can only become more engaged when their office encourages more social interaction opportunities with their colleagues. Coworking spaces promote community, collaboration ......read more

Coworking, Private Offices, Custom Built, Dedicated Desk, Hot Desk, Virtual Offices & Meeting Rooms

We are a growing community of inspired professionals who work in creative & innovative spaces. Our vibrant business ecosystem offers flexible office plans, seamless connectivity and security. We are a contemporary workspace, A playground for minds, a powerhouse for brands.

We are Workafella.

What makes your company a great place to work for?

 

This is a question that has recently been making the rounds of many aspirational organizations who strive to achieve Top Workplace status. This increase in frequency recognizes and points at a growing shift in the overall industry from profitability to personability.

Today, progressive companies have evolved in their understanding of what it takes to make the employee experience more humane, engaging, positive, and fulfilling. The ways to achieve this can be as varied as excellent company culture to innovative plug and play offices for rent.

Considering the multitude of factors present, there are a few key ways in which an aspiring company can aim to achieve excellence:

1.Office Space:

This is by no means something that can be overlooked. Could it be a possible coincidence that some of the best companies to work also happen to have the best-looking offices? The easiest way to do this is, consider a reputed plug and play office for rent. Hand over this important responsibility to them and let the experts handle the rest!

Innovative and creative office space designs have been proven to increase productivity and boost workers mood. Even a simple component like an innovative breakout space can help to break the monotony of cubicles.

Some of the other advantages that come along with a plug and play office space come in the form of numerous amenities like access to complimentary meeting rooms, business support services, access to events and a well-stocked pantry. Your employees will indeed thank you later.

2.Culture:

An organization’s culture comprises the values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that employees share and use daily in their work. This culture determines how employees describe where they work, how they understand the business, and how they see themselves as part of the organization.

Culture is also a driver of decisions, actions, and ultimately the overall performance of the organization. An influential culture offers mutual support, promotes trust, rewards employees’ efforts, and ensures that employees know their work is meaningful.

3.Professional growth:

A good company have managers who look for ways to match their employees’ skills and passions with the organization’s needs. They do this by frequently interacting with their direct reports. They notice what the employee is good at doing.

They find out what their employees are interested in learning or accomplishing, and they help advance careers by promoting their strengths.

4.People:

Employees in your company should trust the people they work for and have confidence that they would be treated fairly, with respect and honesty. Trust is a powerful retention tool, and companies should honour that fact. And the path to that?

Clear and straightforward communication. In this case, coworking spaces and other shared office space providers have the upper hand. This is because the arrangement of the workspace is designed to facilitate an open communication flow.

For example, an inspiring meeting room that helps bring out the ideas! Working with supportive people and understanding fosters personal connections and professional growth.

5.Challenging work:

An experienced employer knows that challenging work is a tool of motivation. People inherently want to be challenged so they can continually grow and learn new skills. Great companies expect their employees to rise to challenges and be completely engaged.

A good company allows its employees to make mistakes, figure things out, get good at something, and solve problems without breaking their spirit. They reward and celebrate successes while encouraging their employees to stretch their skills and their capabilities.

It’s quite simple. The best companies are those who genuinely focus on inspiring the best from their people—employees who have dreams, aspirations, and personal goals ....read more

Coworking, Private Offices, Custom Built, Dedicated Desk, Hot Desk, Virtual Offices & Meeting Rooms

We are a growing community of inspired professionals who work in creative & innovative spaces. Our vibrant business ecosystem offers flexible office plans, seamless connectivity and security. We are a contemporary workspace, A playground for minds, a powerhouse for brands.

We are Workafella.

The Most Important Step For You To Take As An Emerging Entrepreneur Today!

 

The beginning of another year always brings in an air of hope. Especially so for emerging entrepreneurs because it represents the time to list down goals with the aim of blazing past them soon in the future. That time is here now, to fix your sight on a big goal – “Setting up a new workspace”.

That can no doubt sound intimidating but here’s where we need to take a step back. It’s about the careful, step by step due diligence of your needs and requirements, before you decide on your workspace.

Here are some essential tips to help you make the right decision:

1. The Nature And Culture Of Your Business:

The first consideration when looking for office space is the nature of your business. The ideal space should be large enough to accommodate all your employees and other operational work. For instance, there should be provisions for the storage of stock, materials, and anything else essential in your business’s function ability. On the other hand, if you’re not ready to take the leap to a larger space, you could even look at convenient shared office space options.

The ideal office space should also enable you and your employees to showcase the culture of your business. This shouldn’t be missed because the working environment plays a significant effect on the productivity and morale of your employees.

Get a workspace that motivates your staff to work harder and longer. Never play low on the image and reputation you intend to build your business when finalizing on your office space.

2. Value For Money

Evaluate the pricing of each space to ensure that you’re getting value for your money. Sometimes lease contracts have many costs hidden in fine print. Take time to read the lease document or you may miss those charges.

Calculate the total costs of moving your business to the new space, including the cost of renovations and installations. Space should be worth every penny that your business will spend on monthly rent charges. One thing that can reduce the hassle significantly is to opt for a comfortable plug and play office, which allows you to save valuable time.

Profitability always has to be the driving factor. Additionally, the price should be within your budget for rent and leasing charges.

3. Space Layout And Amenities

The office layout will determine if all the equipment and furniture that your startup needs will fit. While space may appear large enough, some furniture and equipment may not work depending on the layout. Appropriate lighting adds to the ambience as well.

You want to create a comfortable and safe working environment for your staff. The amenities present in the space can help you make a wise decision.

If you intend to meet most of your clients at the office, look for space with an accessible waiting area and access to a meeting room. Other important things like internet and telephone connections, parking facilities, and other amenities like a pantry and storage units also play in.

4. The Right Location

One of the reasons for choosing a physical location for your startup is to convey the right impression to your clients. People trust brands with physical locations. Its easier for them to meet the owners and seek information about the business.

The location of your office space determines the image you create to your potential and existing clients. While renting or leasing a space in prime locations is quite expensive for a startup, choosing such locations helps you build your brand image.

Your clients and staff too should have an easy time accessing...read more

Coworking, Private Offices, Custom Built, Dedicated Desk, Hot Desk, Virtual Offices & Meeting Rooms

We are a growing community of inspired professionals who work in creative & innovative spaces. Our vibrant business ecosystem offers flexible office plans, seamless connectivity and security. We are a contemporary workspace, A playground for minds, a powerhouse for brands.

We are Workafella.

Importance Of Having A Risk Management Strategy For Your Business In 2021

 Risk is the leading cause of uncertainty in any organization, and ignoring its constant presence in the business world does not make it any easier. Companies are now increasing their focus more to identifying risks preliminarily and handling them before it affects the business. Understanding the company’s exposure and practising risk management signals the first step toward a healthier business.

The importance of having a risk management strategy is illustrated below,

1. A Safe And Secure Work Environment For All Staff And Customers

Health and safety are critical parts of a risk manager’s role. They actively seek out problem areas in the organization and look for ways to address it. They use data analysis to identify loss and injury trends. They also implement strategies to prevent them from reoccurring.

This benefits employees in physical work environments. Such as, determining whether that shared office space you’ve taken up is risk-free and is otherwise convenient. It can also benefit office employees and those in similar positions in case of ergonomics.

A safer workspace is better for everyone, and risk management can positively impact it.

2. Increase The Stability Of Business Operations While Also Enabling Project Success:

No matter the department, risk managers can help employees succeed with their projects. Just as they assess risks and develop strategies to maximize organizational success, they do the same for individual projects.

Employees can reduce the likelihood and severity of potential project risks by identifying them early. If something does go wrong, there will already be an action plan in place to handle it. This helps employees prepare for the unexpected and maximize project outcomes.

3. Protect From Events That Are Detrimental To Both The Company And The Environment:

Consequently, many risks involve a reputation factor: something happens that causes the public to view the organization negatively. Reputational issues could impact individual employees as well, even if they weren’t involved.

A formal risk department dramatically decreases the likelihood of this fallout. When an incident inevitably does occur, a standard risk management program and the process quickly contains the event, lowers the chance of escalation, and gets into problem-solving mode.

Another element to factor in when building long term trust is having a furnished office space in a well reputed area. This plays a key role in building reputation and trust rather than someone who does not have a ready office space to go to.

4. Benefits culture:

It protects all involved people and assets from potential harm. A robust risk management culture is better for all parties: frontline employees, risk managers, executives, and decision-makers.

It creates a mindset of prevention and safety that permeates the organization and influences the actions of employees. It sets expectations of performance and sends a positive image to the public.

5. It Helps Establish The Organization’s Insurance Needs.

Decision-making is challenging, especially when making important choices that leave an enormous impact on future success. Risk management data and analytics guides.....read more

Coworking, Private Offices, Custom Built, Dedicated Desk, Hot Desk, Virtual Offices & Meeting Rooms

We are a growing community of inspired professionals who work in creative & innovative spaces. Our vibrant business ecosystem offers flexible office plans, seamless connectivity and security. We are a contemporary workspace, A playground for minds, a powerhouse for brands.

We are Workafella.