It is predicted that the total number of coworking spaces all around the world will rise to 26,000 by 2022. Compared to 8000 coworking spaces only a few years ago, in 2015, this is incredible growth.
Why? Because the world is demanding more flexibility and more options for work.
The modern workspace is shifting to a highly flexible model. Whether you’re a freelancer, small business owner, remote worker, digital nomad or you’re a company worker looking for more flexibility, coworking is an offer to consider.
Setting Yourself Up for Success While Coworking
Coworking success depends significantly on some core values that you and your coworking space should share. When investigating coworking spaces, take a look at how well they cultivate the following values:
Belonging
Coworking spaces are committed to creating a sense of belonging among their members. The sense of belonging helps in bringing the best out of the members. Without a sense of belonging, a coworking space serves just like any other typical office space.
Nurturing
In a coworking space (and especially here at JAGA) we believe in nurturing our Members. We aim to help provide them with opportunities, resources and relationships to lead them to ample growth; both personal and professional. The entire concept of a coworking space depends on the notion of nurturing. At a share office space, coworkers tend to help each other in growing through the spirits of cooperation and collaboration.
Community
Amongst its members, a coworking space instils a sense of community. It helps in bringing members close to each other. Moreover, it also helps in creating an ambience for encouraging the spirit of shared productivity, creativity and commitment to growth.
According to Deskmag’s coworking survey, people choose a coworking space based on it having an enjoyable atmosphere (59%), to interact with others (56%), and to build a sense of community around themselves (55%).*
* Source: Deskmag
A Typical Coworking Day
Does a “typical” day at a coworking space exist? Well, a typical day at a coworking space for an average worker means you’re ‘in house” for anywhere from four to eight hours. You can add in some breaks for coffee, lunch and a walk around to get some light, stretch your legs and have a chat.
Members of coworking spaces tend to belong to a diverse crowd. 60% of coworkers globally are under 40 years of age, freelancers makeup 46% of members and typically women make up around 44% of coworkers.*
With a coworking space, the name of the game is flexibility. So if you want to treat your coworking space like a traditional office, come in at 9:00am work with an hour lunch break and leave at 5:00pm you can do that. If your hours are based around school drop off and pick up times you can do that too. If you love a late start and late finish, that’s up to you (with most coworking spaces open 24/7* Source: Deskmag
Tips to Gain the Most Out of Your Coworking Experience
Whether you are a freelancer, part of a remote worker team or own a small business here are some ways to gain the most from your experience at a coworking space:
Explore the Available Options
- A dedicated kitchen
- Coffee room space
- Printing facilities
- Reliable, highspeed wifi
- Meeting rooms
- Conference and workshop facilities
- Relaxation Spaces
- Wellness Room
- Shower facilities
- Bike rack facilities
- On-site parking
- 24/7 Access
- Close access to cafes and shops
- Daily Cleaning
- A connected community of like-minded coworkers
- Events for our community of members
Take Part In Networking Events
Once you’ve immersed yourself in coworking life, a great way to enhance your experience is to take part in the organised events. Coworking spaces regularly host networking or socialising events, put on for the benefit of their members. Events can include presentations from key industry guest speakers, social mixers, holiday parties, themed workshops, or even Friday movie or knock-off drinks.
These events pose a great opportunity to get to know and connect with your coworkers. Also, the events do wonders in expanding your own personal and professional horizons. Many collaborations, referrals and work recommendations start from connecting at a networking event.
Aim To Be Social
Of all the benefits of coworking..this may be the most important: A stunning 89% of coworkers say they feel happier after joining a coworking space and 83% say coworking makes them feel less lonely.* That’s a huge win for workers who are looking to work independently on their own business and projects yet want the social benefits of being surrounded by others.
In a coworking space, you can socialise by having conversations with people in entirely different sectors or industries; providing ample inspiration or a totally new way of approaching your work.
- Source: Small Business Labs
Understand And Get To Know The Management
Most coworking spaces have a dedicated community manager for managing community-related tasks, welcoming new members and organising member events.
A community manager can help you in understanding what amenities are available for you, how to make the most out of your experience, what events are coming up and even connect you with existing members that may be a great buddy for you.
Plan For Productivity
Just like any other working space, there can be certain distractions to your productivity. The good news is, coworking spaces are shown to actually boost your productivity. Call it a hive mentality or maybe a healthy worker-bee vibe, but when you make use of the space around you and the tools available, you will be able to get more work done in less time when you are coworking. Amazing.
The bottom line: Coworking is here to stay!
Unlike a conventional office set-up, a coworking office space delivers ample flexibility and is a perfect solution for any freelancer, hybrid worker, remote worker or digital nomad. With a wide range of amenities at your disposal PLUS a collective of like-minded individuals for you to connect with, your coworking experience is waiting for you.
Contact our team today to inspect either of our two Canberra locations: JAGA Swanson Court and JAGA Allara Street. We can’t wait to welcome you to the family.
