7 Innovative Ways to Build Your Brand

According to ongoing studies by McKinsey & Company, companies with high levels of racial and ethnic diversity are 33-35% more likely to outperform their industry averages financially. There is no denying the fact that diversity makes way for a stronger, more unified workplace. When a company values and embraces employees, leaders, team members and clients belonging to a myriad of different cultural identities, ages, ethnicities and genders they can look forward to increased innovation, creativity and profits. It also helps in promoting improved employee performance, happiness and loyalty plus a stronger team culture. Inclusivity should be regarded as a crucial step to successfully support a diverse team – one that is capable of welcoming and valuing every team member. However, what does having an inclusive workplace mean? And what does it mean for your company and team? What Is Diversity In The Workplace? “Diversity” means a range of differences, generally, there are four different types of diversity: internal, external, organisational, and worldview. Internal diversity includes things like race, age, gender, sexual orientation, physical and mental abilities. These are traits a person does not choose for themselves. External diversity includes things like education, appearance, location, socio-economic status and religious beliefs. These are things that a person is not necessarily born with. Organisational diversity can include job function, job hours, workplace location and pay rates. These are things that a workplace has more control over than an individual. Worldview diversity takes into account each individuals concept and view of the world around them. It includes political views, outlook on life and the world, the way an individual approaches every day, their morals and judgement. These views can change over time and are not set in stone. Diversity in the workplace means you are creating an environment full of a different range of people with varying backgrounds, views, values, personality traits and cultural identities. You are creating a hub or hive of employees, leaders, team members and clients that each brings a unique perspective and view to the table. What Helps a Workplace To Create Inclusivity? In a recent survey, it was reported that around 80 per cent of employees feel that inclusion is an important factor in selecting an employer. Creating a workplace that fosters inclusivity takes leadership direction and a dedication to an ongoing mission to build and maintain an inclusive environment. This is not a ‘set and forget’ concept. In its essence, you are bringing it to life. Before you think of adopting inclusivity in any workplace, you should understand the basics – how people tend to experience inclusion (and unfortunately, exclusion) and the essential traits of a truly inclusive workplace. Here are some aspects that help to create and nurture an inclusive workplace: A Sense of Belonging The overall sense of connection and belonging will help the employees to feel they are part of an environment, company and culture that knows and values them. Having a Proper Voice When employees have the sense that they have a ‘voice’ in the company, are valued and heard – they are most likely to share their opinions with others. More opinions means more ideas and more chances for growth and innovation. A Sense of Uniqueness Just like connection and belonging, employees, members and team should be able to feel unique and unafraid to express their uniqueness. They should have a sense that the company cares about their individual experiences and strengths and they feel safe to share their uniqueness. Feeling of Value Who doesn’t love feeling valued? Sometimes even simply telling a team member they are valued is enough to make them feel seen, heard and appreciated. Feeling valued leads to greater workplace satisfaction and loyalty. Learning and Development Having clear and ongoing access to advanced learning and development opportunities shows your team you care about the growth, aspirations, and ideas of each unique individual. Setting up an annual learning and development fund for each team member is a great way to demonstrate this. Allowing team to come to the leaders with ideas on how they can learn and develop their skills is also essential. A Collaborative Environment Irrespective of the department or role, a collaborative environment helps in breaking down barriers when creating a truly inclusive workplace. The onus on creating a collaborative environment comes from the leadership team. What meetings, events and initiatives can be created to foster more collaboration across your teams and departments? Access to Resources Helpful resources like diversity support from managers and leaders help in your team knowing that the company is committed to supporting each team member, no matter what their personal identities and diversities may be. Strategic Alignment Does your company have a diversity and inclusivity strategy? Is there a leader in charge of that strategy and is the strategy shared with the team? A proper strategy that outlines in detail the diversity and inclusion plan, is an excellent first step in talking through how your workplace can become a leader in diversity and be known for nurturing a truly inclusive culture. What Does Inclusivity in the Workplace Mean in 2022? In 2022, a truly inclusive workplace is one wherein people with all types of ‘differences’ feel welcome, valued for their contributions and safe to express themselves. It is a place wherein people with differences – both visible and invisible differences – get access to the same opportunities for advancement, learning, development and growth opportunities. A truly inclusive workplace assumes that everyone is capable of doing an excellent job – irrespective of their unique differences. A workplace that values diversity and actively fosters inclusivity is the way of the future. How Can You Start to Encourage Inclusivity in the Workplace? Educating Managers And Leaders About What Inclusivity Means To Your Company Every initiative starts with the leaders. The managers and leaders of any company looking to create an inclusive workplace should have access to the company’s inclusivity strategy and are actively looking for ways to enhance and better an employee’s experience. Whether this means scheduling dedicated cultural training and diversity workshops, conducting comprehensive inclusivity evaluation of the workplace (then acting on the findings) or having a proper employee feedback flow on how the workplace can do better is important. Rethinking Workforce Policies How long has it been since you reviewed your inclusivity policy? Maybe you don’t have one created yet? The policies could range from performance management to recruitment. Some ways through which you can model the company policies for a highly diverse workforce are: Facilitating the hiring process to include candidates from different community-based outreach programs, hiring consultancies and online avenues. Ensure that the employees are receiving access to leave for holidays that might not be covered in the official holiday calendar, but are important to their cultural and religious beliefs. Ensure that your company is paying its employees on the basis of job title and skill (and not gender, education or other). Have Your Team Get On-board with Inclusivity Practices Leaders are expected to be purposeful about including others who observe things differently. The narrative should be aimed at continuously highlighting distinctively positive experiences that people from all identities, backgrounds, orientations, and faiths bring to the company and culture. It is also important to encourage your team, clients and leaders to practice the respective traditions and culture within the workplace. This is one of the best ways to show your team that the company respects them and their identities and demonstrates they are safe and respected at the workplace. To ensure an inclusion-based culture, it is important to start at the beginning. It is important to advocate, preach, and promote that inclusivity is an integral component of the company’s values and it’s more important to live into it. Make sure you showcase your diversity via your company’s websites, social media channels and in-person during interviews so that potential team members, clients and partners remain aware of your inclusivity policies and diverse workplace. At JAGA we encourage our team, leaders and members to bring their best, most authentic selves to work. No matter your background, culture, orientations or other unseen diversities we will champion you and include you in our company’s values. We believe in an inclusive workspace, full of members with rich differences is the best workspace we can offer to our members. As such, our workplace is a safe one and we see members with a variety of internal, external and worldview diversities. Speak with us today about how you can join us at either of our Canberra locations: JAGA Allara Street and JAGA Swanson Court.

Have you started freelancing on the side then decided “hey, this could actually be a business!” and need to get serious? There are several aspects to consider when you need to choose between freelancing or running a small business. You need to think about who your target audience will be, what services you can provide for them, whether you want to work solo or bring in a team, what are your long term future goals, and where you see yourself in five years time. It may seem overwhelming, but these are the questions that can help determine how you “brand” yourself. What is a Freelancer Vs. A Business Owner? Looking at whether you set yourself up as a freelancer vs. a business owner, here are some important points to consider:  Do you want to work alone or are you looking to hire employees? If your business grows quickly, will it be a good thing OR are you willing to do away with new opportunities and grow at your own speed? Are you prepared to go through complicated paperwork, financial challenges, and legal filings that come along with establishing and running a business? Or, would you rather not pay attention to these, keep it simple and concentrate on delivering quality work to the clients? You might assume that freelancers and business owners are on the same line. As a matter of fact, both roles have distinct risks, responsibilities, and goals. A freelancer works individually as a contractor for different clients paying by the project or by the hour. The goal of a freelancer is to fill in the available time by securing tasks that pay well and serve to be dependable sources of work. In most cases, freelancers do not require any formal registration or business license with the government for operating. However, it is always a great idea to check with your state’s rules as well. The best part is that freelancers get to work at their own will – preferably at a coworking space. A coworking space is the perfect set-up for freelancers who are dedicated to working on their own projects but don’t want to be by themselves at home. If your home is not suitable for a home office, or you do not have the space or inclination to work from home or out of a cafe, a coworking space is ideal. To read more about the benefits of coworking, click here. On the other hand, a small business owner might start out working alone. However, he or she might eventually consider hiring employees while building the business into something major for ensuring constant and stable growth. Small business owners emphasise less on the delivery of the desired products or services – that remains up to the employees of the business enterprise. They are more focused on running and growing the venture. Small business owners are also expected to deal with employee issues, regulations, and business taxes throughout the journey. Funding the business also remains a major challenge as business owners start out. On the other hand, freelancers tend to operate with minimum overhead. When Do You Make the Switch from a Freelancer to a Business Owner? As a freelancer, how do you know when it is time to transition to the next stage of being classified as a “business owner”? This is a tough question! Here are some tips that will help: Analyse Your Goals and Priorities If you genuinely dream about waking up whenever you want, working from anywhere you choose, and having your own selection of clients – then being a full-time freelancer is the ideal solution. Assess the Right Time If you started freelancing without understanding your niche, you might have come across new interests through several trials and errors. As such, you can also accelerate your freelancing operation to focus on something that interests your niche and double-down to make it a more serious venture. Your Growth Can Decide For You Are you finding that you have more clients than you know what to do with and need help in fulfilling all the requirements? You might be on your way to full blown business leader and need a team to help you. Ways to Become More Professional As A Freelancer If you’re happy to be a stellar freelancer, there is nothing to say you can’t have a very stable and profitable career. Especially if you take a few extra steps that most freelancers don’t take. These steps will allow you to stand out in your field and be seen as a leading freelancer, or ace for hire, in your field. Here are some ways to boost your professional career as a freelancer: Develop Your Online Presence You can create a strong digital presence on multiple platforms. Additionally, you can also design a professional website to call yours. When you nurture a strong network, it offers you access to prospective clients to allow your professional experience to excel. Work from a Professional Address While the notion of working from home might entice you as a freelancer, still having a dedicated professional address to work from can be the cherry on the top. Preferably, choose from working from a coworking space to avoid the overall overheads and boost productivity. Treat Yourself as the Boss Whether or not you register a company, you can still be your own CEO. Freelancing, as a career, allows you to be your own master in whatever you do. Network and Develop Your Professional Community This comes hand in hand with working from a coworking space as the built-in network of like-minded people are waiting for people just like you to join in! New work, connections with prospective clients and professionals are made daily in such communities. Whether you are comfortable with calling yourself a freelancer, and loving the freelancer way of working and living OR you know you are destined to build a business around your skills and ideas, and want to grow into a business owner, you are exactly where you need to be right now. The world is changing in how we approach work and life and at JAGA we’re all for it. Work situations and work locations to suit a flexible schedule is something we are very passionate about and we invite you to come and visit our two Canberra locations: Allara Street and Swanson Court to see them for yourself.

In any business, there is no denying the importance of effective communication amongst team members, leaders, clients and leads. Whether you look forward to sharing the vision of your company or developing your strategy for the next twelve months or even pitching projects to investors or clients – you cannot go far without organising a proper meeting. While meetings are crucial, the environment in which they take place is equally important. Face-to-face meetings are back in style as we all are now suffering from Zoom overdose. There is so much more an in-person meeting can give to you and your guests. As we investigate the reasons why hiring a meeting room is a MUST in 2022, let’s consider the following points. What A Professional Meeting Room Does For Your Business Whether you typically work from home, hotdesk at a coworking space or rent a small business office with a team; you will gain value from renting a meeting room at different times, for different reasons. The biggest advantage of hiring a meeting room is that it allows you to conduct your business in a highly professional setting. Whilst your local café or coffee shop might appear appealing, the noises, customers and space can be quite distracting and unproductive (not to mention unprofessional). When you make use of a dedicated meeting room, one that is clean, spacious, with all amenities on hand it will offer your clients and partners a great impression. It will also help in providing the right atmosphere to manage your business dealings. Some of the main reasons we see our meeting rooms hired: 1. Team meetings If you have a team that works remotely, it will serve your team building and communication to have everyone together, at least one day per quarter. Even if every quarter is a stretch, getting the team together for an annual planning meeting is a must. 2. Client meetings Your clients demand a certain level of professionalism. The fact that you have a space available to meet with your clients will give them a sense of trust and security in you and your business. 3. Pitches for new business and projects When you are pitching for new business or discussing a project that needs funding, you will want a professional and polished space to showcase your information and use AV equipment to discuss the benefits of your project. 4. Workshops and paid events If you are putting on a workshop for paying clients who are there to learn and develop their skills, listen to expert advice and have invested in a ticket, they expect a certain level of comfortable surroundings. 5. Board meetings A meeting room hire for a board meeting is a perfect solution when different board members are coming from different locations and offices. When you hire a meetings room at JAGA we are able to organise catering and AV equipment, anything you require for your board meeting. 6. Photoshoots If you run a professional services business from home or from a hot desk but you want to get some branding photos created for your business, you may consider hiring a meeting room for the day. Here are some more reasons why you should consider hiring a meeting room: Change Your Space - Generate New Ideas When your team are asked to continually perform similar functions in the same office space every single day, they are less likely to feel creative and energised. A set office routine might appear safe. However, it tends to inhibit creative thinking. When you hire a meeting room that can accommodate your entire team and have it set up for a creative, idea-filled day to set the plan of the business for the next 6 – 12 months, it can help in offering a completely different experience for your team. Create A Professional Image Your clients, partners or potential clients will be impressed by the fact that you have a dedicated meeting room for your conversations. When you conduct business in a well-organised and modern environment, it helps in the creation of an image of distinction and professionalism. When you hire a meeting room, it offers access to a clean and well-maintained area for conducting business. It is quiet in comparison to the overall chaos of a coffee shop. You will be capable of presenting a highly professional image. It is an additional benefit when you are working with colleagues and clients. Your clients will have a long-lasting impression of the overall professionalism of your business. Ample Productivity Without the distraction of a chaotic office environment, messy home office or a coffee shop, you will find it easier to be highly productive when you host meetings in a purpose-built meeting room. As people enter the conference room that you have rented for your business, they will know exactly what to expect – to get down to the business at hand. Everyone aims at focusing on the discussion and tasks at hand instead of distractions that could have occurred in another environment. You are also capable of conducting your meeting for as long as you want when you have access to a dedicated environment for the same. Help your clients, team or partners stay focused and on task! You Gain Privacy Unlike a typical public setting for your business meetings, private and dedicated meeting rooms for rent, give you confidence that all your confidential information will be private and secure. Some meeting rooms for hire are equipped with soundproof technologies for much-needed privacy. Meeting rooms for hire are also known to offer access to a password-protected and dedicated Internet connection for ensuring that all your online activities remain secure and safe. Access to Advanced Equipment Most team strategy discussions, team planning sessions and client briefings need access to state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment. If you purchase this equipment for the sole purpose of a meeting a few times a year, the costs can add up (plus you then need somewhere to store the equipment in between meetings). Purchasing and maintaining such high-end hardware components becomes impractical and uneconomical for a small office or startup setting. A dedicated rental meeting room can offer access to such advanced equipment along with the presence of a trained staff member to offer instructions on how to operate the same. When you hire a meeting room along with the AV equipment, you gain all the major benefits of the technology when you need it the most without any clutter, hassle, or additional costs. Other Amenities Meeting rooms available for hire at JAGA can include custom catering, refreshments during the day and use of our award-winning spaces and facilities for you and guests. If the meeting is stalling, or you can sense your guests need a change in scenery for an hour, head to our cafe area for a caffeine boost! If you’re hosting a group session that requires some brainstorming, send a few groups to the break out spaces we have available. The choice is yours. Sometimes it can be difficult to convince your team members or clients to physically attend a business meeting. Especially post 2021 where we’re all so used to Zoom. However, when you offer them a highly convenient and comfortable space away from the familiarity and distractions of the standard office meeting rooms, you will be creating a highly dynamic, productive, and efficient environment. To understand which meeting rooms we have available for rent across our two Canberra locations: JAGA Swanson Court and JAGA Allara Street , please contact our team today on 1800 512 150 or click here.

95 per cent of people state that they procrastinate occasionally. Yep, we all do it. It’s too easy not to! But what happens when you’re working towards specific goals and really need to get the work done? That’s when you need some tools to combat procrastination and work more productively. JAGA is here to help. What is Procrastination? You know when you really need to do *something* but you just keep finding other things to do instead? Like online shopping, booking that restaurant for Friday date night, watering the plants, searching for a book club to join – you know the important things in life! Procrastination is your brain putting up stop signs in front of the big juicy projects you have on your list because they’re probably hard or scary and our brain is programmed to help us enjoy the fun things in life, not the hard things. Researchers reveal that individuals who are master procrastinators see higher levels of stress. Maybe from fear of still having that *thing* on your list or making it out to be a bigger challenge than it actually is. In this post, we’ll aim to arm you with 6 Surefire Ways To Beat Procrastination and work through your to-do list with purpose and power. Beating procrastination is incredibly important in a coworking environment so you can focus on your individual work without being distracted by the space, people and amenities around you. Top Causes Of Procrastination Understanding what causes procrastination can help you use relevant strategies to overcome it and achieve your full potential. While everyone tends to procrastinate occasionally, chronic procrastination can be a different thing altogether. We all put off things for different reasons, it’s normal and in most cases can be the result of too much pressure at work or too many things on your list (so you’re not sure where to start). Some of the most common reasons to procrastinate: Fear of failure (What if I do the thing, and it’s wrong?) (What if I can’t do it?) Perfectionism (I don’t want to do it until I know it will be perfect) Fear of criticism (I don’t want to do it then have others mock it) Depression(I won’t do a good job at it anyway) Avoidance (I’m just going to ignore that one for now) Task aversion(I’ll stick to the easier things for now) Lack of energy (I can’t focus on that today, I’ll do it tomorrow) Decision fatigue (I’m not sure if this is the right thing to focus on?) Trouble in focusing (What was I doing?) Too much on your list (Was I doing that? OK I’ll add that to tomorrow’s list) Waiting until the last moment (That’s due today? Ok I’ll do it now) Difficulty in defining goals (Where does this fit on my priority list?) Most of us are prone to at least one of these thoughts once a day! When you can start to see a pattern in your thoughts and understand why you are procrastinating, then you can start to beat it or at least take active decisions to combat it. Top Ways to Beat Procrastination Procrastinating doesn’t mean you are lazy. It could mean that you don’t have a clear idea of your priorities or you’re so overwhelmed with items on your to-do list you need some help to get through it all. Most of the time taking no action can be the result of fear of failure, decision fatigue or having trouble focusing. However, you can only put off things only for a specific time period. Especially if you’re a business owner, freelancer or solopreneur and the work (stops) when you do. So in order to work effectively, using methods to overcome procrastination will give you back precious hours in your work week! Most importantly, procrastination saps our energy and time and most likely you end up feeling frustrated and drained when you realise how much time you’ve wasted avoiding a task. If you wish to minimise the overall stress due to not getting your things done, here are some solutions to try: Create a Proper Weekly To-do List Create a Proper Weekly To-do List Prepare a realistic to-do list and ensure that you have timings around each action item. On this single piece of paper, avoid cramming every single task (because this could lead to overwhelm). Think about the 5 – 10 most important weekly tasks and include timed deadlines as this helps you in being reminded when your task is due. You can think of preparing a to-do list every day, week, or even month. It will ultimately depend on the number of tasks you have to complete. We recommend starting with a weekly to-do list which you can easily break down into daily tasks. Begin with Power Moves It might appear overwhelming at first but “do the hardest things first”. This is because the hardest task is going to be the one that you had been avoiding all this time! You will feel SO much better knowing that big task that’s been hanging over your head is finally done. If this task is a big, audacious task it might help to break it up into bitesize tasks that you can work on each day of the week. At the end of the week, you’ll be five steps closer to achieving your goal. Most of us are great at preparing the ‘to-do’ list. Even ticking off the easiest tasks of the entire day feels so relieving and better. Every to-do list will have a few of these bigger “Power Moves” on the list, this is where you can really take hold of your week and take control of your procrastination. Break Down the Entire Workload When you break down the entire workload into smaller amounts that are manageable, it will stop you from significant procrastinating. When you have multiple deadlines or a complicated project to complete, you might start feeling anxious at the mere idea of the total workload. Therefore, you can break every step down. Create a proper checklist for every major task. You can break down as many parts as you can. It will help in motivating you and reducing your chances of procrastination. When you see everything on your list you can also see who you can delegate certain tasks to and even put a priority list together. Ensure a Proper Routine When you have a proper routine for everything you do daily or weekly, it will help you in avoiding procrastination. Therefore, if you observe that you do most things during the morning hours, establish a proper routine for it. You can even leverage the benefit of the moments you feel the most energetic to tick off a majority of things on your to-do list. This ensures that your day starts in a productive manner. Avoid Distractions (To An Extent) “Put your head down and focus!” – easier said than done! Distractions are part of our everyday. We’re all attracted to the bright, shiny lights so it’s hard to zone out 100% when our brains aren’t designed for it. When you go into a “getting things done” mode with a healthy respect for the ebbs and flow of the day you won’t get too down on yourself when you do get distracted. You can do simple things, like turn the phone off notifications, close your office door, turn off social media and focus – but will you say NO when someone offers you a coffee, or wants to have a chat? Probably not and that’s ok. Put Time In For Play And Fun Working through that to-do list is not just about the work. Give your brain a rest, put the time in for play, get out for a walk, have a coffee with friends, get some different perspectives and relax. You’ll find that your work flows easier and you’ll procrastinate less when you have some scheduled (and not so scheduled) breaks. How Can Coworking Beat Procrastination? When you have a separate working space – away from home, like in the case of a coworking environment, it can help in separating your personal life from the professional one. It becomes easier to focus on the work you need to get done from your hot desk or private office without the temptation of cleaning the house, Netflix or napping! Coworking spaces are designed for workers – they have the best of both worlds; spaces to refresh, refuel and relax or meet with clients, plus spaces to put your head down and get the work done! In fact, a recent coworking study showed that 64% of people sharing an office with a coworker have improved on completing their tasks on time, and 68% say they are better focused. Talk to us today about touring one of our Canberra coworking sites; JAGA Allara Street or JAGA Swanson Court and seeing what a difference JAGA can make to your worklife.

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 Just like a standard office, every coworking space will have a unique and specific culture. Before you settle down on a space, you need to be sure that your values fit well with the culture of the coworking space you’ve signed up to. A good first step is to book a tour and have a manager present the coworking space to you and take you through all the amenities. A coworking space should provide access to ample amenities for you to enjoy and enhance your every day. For example, at JAGA our amenities include: 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 To gain the most from your coworking experience make sure you take advantage of the amenities and know what is available for you! 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 One of the biggest benefits of coworking is the sense of connection it creates. While many people choose coworking to work independently, the environment naturally brings opportunities to engage with others and feel part of a community. In a coworking space, you can strike up conversations with people from entirely different industries and backgrounds, often leading to fresh perspectives, new ideas, and unexpected inspiration or collaboration opportunities. For those who want the flexibility of working on their own terms, without the isolation that can come with it, coworking offers the best of both worlds. 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.

Coworking is fast becoming the chosen ‘non traditional’ method of working for all types of ‘non traditional’ workers. This is a subtitle for your new post. Whether you’re a remote worker, digital nomad or freelancer wanting to work alongside other professionals, coworking fits the bill. Finding a local coworking space also serves to be a great way for retaining a sense of stability and routine while travelling to another city or country. First, let’s understand who are remote workers, digital nomads and how are they different from coworking members. Plus, what are the benefits of coworking for all types of workers? Who Are Remote Workers? A remote worker is an employee (employed by an organisation) but works outside the typical office environment. It could imply working remotely from a local coworking space, from home or in some city across the globe from where the headquarters of the organisation is located. As technology continues to advance, the concept of remote working is becoming increasingly common. Remote workers are now seen across a wide range of industries and their numbers are on the rise. Who Are Digital Nomads? If you are ready to work off your laptop from wherever you are in the world, then you’re ready to become a digital nomad. Digital nomads are “nomadic” in nature – they like to move around. In some cases, digital nomads prefer working from a particular place for a certain time of the year. For example, if you’re a ‘sun chaser’ and hop around the world chasing summers, working as you go, then you’re a digital nomad. You may also have set areas and times you work. Some digital nomads spend half a year in one location, half a year in another and they follow this pattern year after year. You could also have the luxury of choosing to pick up and take off whenever you get sick of a particular place or location OR you’re a travel industry expert and your whole business revolves around your nomadic lifestyle. Who Are Coworkers, or Coworking Members? Coworking members are individuals who typically work most days in a coworking space. They pay for the services, space and amenities of a coworking environment and get to come to work every day with other coworkers [as opposed to working by themselves at home]. The definition of coworking is when workers assemble in some neutral area for the purpose of working together, sharing space and amenities, yet independently. It’s different from a conventional workspace because members in a coworking environment usually do not work for the same company. With coworking, you have improved flexibility as you are not required to sign a long-term contract and can choose to pay month to month to use the facilities. Coworking attracts small business owners, solopreneurs, freelancers, creatives and some remote workers who are looking for a space other than the loungeroom, amenities that they may not have at home, more social connection and a possibility of expanding their professional network. Benefits of Coworking for All Types of Workers It’s estimated that by the time of 2024, the total number of coworking spaces across the globe will simply double to reach over 40,000. Coworking environments are becoming a big part of the future of ‘work’. Companies, individuals and organisations are all jumping on the coworking train, for good reason. Not only does working from a coworking space help in significantly reducing the operating costs of a business, it also serves as a much needed social interaction for individuals and has a host of other benefits for members, no matter how they label themselves. Here are some benefits of coworking spaces for digital nomads, remote workers, and self-employed freelancers: #Meeting Other Inspiring Professionals at Your Coworking Space In contrast to the group of employees working in an office, in the conventional sense, a coworking space serves to be the professional home for individuals with all types of talents and jobs. Coworking breeds collaboration and you will be introduced to different types of professionals, that could help you professionally and could also need your services! When you are around other like-minded professionals who may be coding websites, designing marketing strategies, writing novels or organising corporate events, it could be a massive boost of inspiration for you personally and professionally. #Coworking Spaces Are More Inspiring Than a Traditional Working Space It’s a proven fact that switching up your work environment to something different than what you are used to may just give you the best inspiration you’ve ever had. This is the reason why modern coworking spaces usually come with additional features like meditation rooms, social kitchens, outdoor deck space, zip lines, couches, hammocks, and high top tables. If you’re the kind of person who is easily bored and needs new spaces to inspire them, a coworking membership may be for you. Different workspaces can also help to make you more productive. [Have you seen our digs? Yep, they’re award-winning. Check them out here ] #Some Coworking Spaces Are Open 24/7 Are you a remote worker who needs to tap into a team zoom call 2:00am your time? It happens. Sometimes remote workers or coworkers work on a different schedule than the traditional 9 to 5. Coworking spaces open 24/7 give you access to all the amenities and space you love, at the time you need it. #Coworking Spaces Can Boost Your Social Interactions Coworking spaces around the world are starting to see innovative events being created for the benefit of members. Everything from Friday afternoon knock-off drinks to movie nights, yoga mornings, tax time information sessions and yearly planning sessions. Some of our favourite events we’ve seen lately include a table tennis tournament and a sip & paint night. Events and activities like these offer a sense of community to individuals who may be used to spending a lot of time to themselves. Even better, you can learn something new and make new friends. #Coworking Makes It Possible to Work Remotely and Travel In case you are wondering how to work remotely, and travel at the same time, coworking can be your ideal solution. In most major cities across the world, you’ll be able to find coworking spaces. You can sign up for daily hot desking or a monthly membership if you know how long you’ll be in a certain area. Coworking offers a convenient solution to work remotely, in an insta-worthy space with full amenities, while travelling at the same time. As we all adapt to new ways of working, investigating non traditional work settings, like coworking spaces could just be the unique and different solution you’re looking for. To investigate JAGA Swanson Court and JAGA Allara Street , talk to us today and book in a tour. Remote workers, Digital Nomads and Coworkers – we welcome you all.

A recent survey found that 22% of coworking members identified themselves as introverted. The concept of coworking had indeed revolutionised the career of several independent professionals. Around 71 per cent of coworkers report that they tend to feel healthier in a coworking space in comparison to the conventional office set-up. Moreover, another 68 per cent of individuals revealed that the concept of coworking helped in improving their overall focus. Positive statistics across the board support the theory that as people, we work better together. A shared environment breeds collaboration, communication and community. All things most of us crave. For extroverts – those sparkly people that thrive on interaction with others – being able to work in a coworking community is a major benefit. However, introverts – those (no-less-sparkly) people who are happy to spend time alone and are generally quieter, may find it counterintuitive to become a member of a coworking space. Or.. is it? This article aims to answer the question; Can introverts thrive in the coworking space? What Defines An "Introvert"? When Carl Jung described the personality traits of “introverts” back in the 1920’s he assessed that introverts prefer minimally stimulating environments, and they need time alone to recharge. In general, introverts are great listeners – thinking substantially before speaking. They are usually very self-sufficient, highly observant, curious about the world and committed to their goals. Most introverts find it hard to speak publically, be the centre of attention or be put on any public ‘stage’. Preferring to write over talking and “feel” emotions deeply and significantly. It’s not to say an introvert is a bore. Quite the opposite. Introverts can be very funny, tell great stories, be peaceful and patient in friendship and in a work sense become reliable and trusted advisors, confidants and managers. Can Introverts Work Well with Others? For many introverts working for themselves, whether it freelancing or running their own business, set to their schedule and time is a match made in heaven. Many introverts are very successful on their own and can work quite happily by themselves. A coworking community might not be the first thing that comes to mind when an introverted person is looking for their ideal working environment. However, not all introverts prefer to work in solitude. In fact, being an introvert does not mean you want to lock yourself in a room free from other people! Some introverts enjoy the daily interaction with others, even if just minimally to say Hello over a coffee in the kitchen. For introverts wanting to step out of their comfort zone, work (next to or around) other people, in a well designed, light and airy location with amenities they love (constant supply of tea or coffee) then coworking could be their new favourite thing. Introverts are great individuals to work in a coworking environment. This is because the environment offers them ample opportunities to work in a highly focused and driven atmosphere. Here, the individuals will be surrounded by like-minded and passionate professionals. Coworking for introverts involves people working in the same space. However, it does not imply that it needs to be an inherently “extroverted” or loud affair. Rather, the shared working style helps in creating an environment for motivating individuals to dedicate themselves to specific projects. For those who prefer working alone, but in an environment filled with purpose, passion and productivity, then coworking is the answer. Why is Coworking Successful for Introverted People? Coworking offers lucrative options for extroverts, introverts, and every individual in between. As coworking offices are highly flexible, you can come and go as you please. With the concept of coworking or hybrid working, there is no involvement of long-term contracts, tying you to a particular work environment that might not be fit for you. Most coworking environments understand that every member has a unique working style. Therefore, they aim at catering to the existing differences. When you are an introvert, it is not necessary to step out of your comfort zone for taking your career to the next level. It is all about coming across the right working environment to allow you to succeed. Irrespective of your working style or preference, an innovative coworking office space will suit your individual needs. Benefits of Coworking For Introverted People Some additional benefits of a coworking environment for introverted individuals are: #New Space Equals New Energy Has working from home got a little stale? Do you feel the urge to inject some much-needed energy back into your everyday routine? In such a situation, introverts can benefit from the change of scenery. Working in a new space sparks new energy if you are used to working from home or in a solo space. Coworking also boosts productivity and creativity. #Boost Your Self-Confidence If you’re an introverted person that also feels socially awkward then coworking presents a great opportunity for you. The more social interactions you have (this could be a friendly hello in the morning or a comment about the weather at lunch) is the more opportunity for you to stretch your social muscles. These interactions with fellow coworkers can help to fuel your communication quota for the day and help you feel as though you belong in your space, you’re a valued member of the community and overall boost your self-confidence. #Great For Your Career Coworking spaces effectively help in bolstering your professional portfolio. Coworking communities breed collaboration. If you’re looking to expand your professional network, pick up some referral work and even increase your client list then coworking could be of great benefit to you. #Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone Shared office spaces offer the golden opportunity to involve yourself in new, refreshing activities. Your coworking space may offer events, parties, collaborations, games, and meet-ups. With these activities, you can push yourself out of your comfort zone to meet new people and enjoy different creative endeavours. Making the Most Out of the Coworking Space as an Introvert Quiet, light-filled spaces (perfect for thinking up that new biz offer), a collaborative, connected community and a welcoming attitude towards different work styles make a coworking office an introvert-friendly environment. Here are some ways to thrive in a coworking space as an introvert: Tap into the overall expertise of community or member managers. Ask these experts all the questions about how you, as an introvert can enjoy the best experience of the coworking space. Find a coworking buddy. Chances are other introverted members are working alongside you. Create small talk and find a coworking friend that you can enjoy a lunch every so often or a coffee break together. Attend meetings or events hosted by the facility. Even if you don’t feel like being social at all, you could gain a lot from the shared experience and possible career connections these events can bring. Take ample time to recharge. Membership in a coworking space does not mean you need to be in every single day. If you feel like a day at the home office, then take it. Coworking spaces provide the ideal choice for all types of individuals, whether you’re an introvert or extrovert. At JAGA Canberra Coworking, we create an environment where every one of our members can thrive, prosper, and progress. Whether you’re looking to become a coworking member, look at a hybrid work style or need private offices for you and your team, connect with us today . We’re more than happy to walk you through our two Canberra coworking locations: JAGA Swanson Cour t and JAGA Allara Street.

The benefits of working at a coworking space are plenty! Coworking spaces offer a full spectrum of benefits for self-starters, right from networking opportunities to improved productivity, and so much more! In this article we’ll cover: What Is Coworking? How Does Coworking ‘work’? The 5 Main Benefits of Working At A Coworking Space How To Get Started Coworking First up, if you live and [work] in Canberra, be sure to check out our two coworking locations. We may just be the peanut to your jelly. At JAGA we offer serviced offices, private meeting rooms, memberships for coworkers (including monthly and daily options). Plus our award-winning spaces are designed to help you increase your productivity, creativity and support you in your business growth [really, we care about our member’s success]. Be sure to check out our two locations here. What Is Coworking? The modern concept of working with other independent people in a shared space successively is referred to as “coworking”. Within the concept of coworking, a coworking space is designed to offer its diverse occupants an interactive and productive environment. Think plenty of natural light, dedicated desk area to get-it-done, office spaces, meeting rooms, shared areas, kitchens packed with all the tea and coffee you can imagine…you know, all the good things you want in a work environment. If you wish to escape the solitude of your home-based office or the bustle of your neighbourhood coffee shop, then coworking could be your new *thing* How does Coworking Work? Coworking feeds into a viable business model while serving a great concept – providing an innovative workspace for people who need it and a place wherein work gets done. The concept of coworking goes beyond the meaning of a shared working space itself. Its working philosophy is deep-rooted in allowing people to come together for ensuring that the work gets completed happily, workers get to interact with each other, work relationships are formed and businesses thrive. Irrespective of the job or the background, a coworking environment offers individuals a personal, professional working space to focus effectively. It also delivers access to ample networking opportunities along with an often much-needed social element. There are several models on which a coworking space tends to work: The membership model: Most coworking spaces come with a daily, weekly or monthly membership. The walk-in model: If an individual only wants to use a certain amenity for a specific time, say a meeting room for four hours, they can do that and only pay for that service. Coworking Benefits More than a working trend, the phenomenon of coworking is fuelled by rapid changes in our modern working culture. Well before lockdowns had us all zooming, flexible working and remote working was becoming increasingly popular. The advancements of technology, the growth of solopreneurs, side-hustlers and digital nomads, plus the freelancer economy has seen coworking spaces serve to be thriving ecosystems for a wave of not-so-traditional 9-to-5ers. The 5 Main Benefits of Coworking You Should Know About 1. Coworking helps to reduce loneliness whilst improving connection Humans crave connection. Coworking spaces surround professionals with a network of like-minded people. Whilst each worker may be working on their own projects, being surrounded by other industrious people helps in reducing the loneliness that can come from working from your home office day after day, week after week. Even irrelevant interactions tend to have a major impact on your daily sense of connection with your community. A small, friendly conversation with your coworking neighbour, the receptionist or the barista can heighten your happiness quota. And a happy worker, is a productive one! 2. Coworking helps to improve productivity A recent study observed that 84% of coworkers revealed that working in a coworking environment made them feel highly motivated. Source. During a typical workday, your overall energy levels and focus tend to fluctuate significantly, right from the morning hustle to the mid-day slump. Thankfully, your coworking space is capable of accommodating these highs and lows. Usually, a coworking environment blends a wide range of working areas together, catering to diverse working styles. Are you a stay-at-your-desk and get the work done for hours type? You can do that. Do you prefer to brainstorm and collaborate with your team over a coffee or boardroom then get to work? You can do that too. Do you find your best results come from sitting down in a communal area and talking through some ideas with a friend before putting pen to paper? That can happen as well. Simply, coworking spaces are designed for improved productivity. This is because they offer greater variety in comparison to a traditional office setting. Moreover, they also provide more structure in comparison to working from home. In working spaces that are designed specifically, progress comes quite easily and naturally. Moreover, intangibles including background music, ample natural lighting and moderate temperature conditions are all responsible for keeping you energised as well as refreshed throughout. Yes, your local coworking space is more than meets the eye. Your local coworking space will help you get done what you need to get done! 3. Coworking promotes work-life balance and wellness When you exercise during your working hours, it is linked with improved cognitive ability and increased productivity. Moreover, activities including yoga and meditation can help in fuelling focus and driving creativity. Coworking spaces are mostly known to include unique design elements including expansive indoor lounges and internal staircases for encouraging movement throughout the working hours. Some coworking spaces (like us at JAGA) offer access to dedicated wellness rooms for meditation or group activities. Some even offer on-site showers for post-workouts and planned group exercise activities. 4. The surprising relationship between coworking and mental health The relationship between mental health and work is something we should pay attention to. Typically, when you work alone for long periods of time, you can become easily stressed, have unproductive days, find it hard to stay motivated and on track. Most independent workers following the work-from-home culture feel this all too keenly. Add to that a sense of isolation and suddenly, stress levels can rise, even leading to depression and anxiety. Coworking, on the other hand, helps in establishing a healthier and peaceful work-life balance. Coworking offers options that don’t exist at home. If you feel the need to change your space you can get up, go to the cafe, find another worker to talk to, find an area to relax, calm down, and reduce your overall stress levels. When you have someone working at your side, it leads to better work engagement, improved job satisfaction, and increased productivity. 5. Coworking builds community and strengthens your sense of belonging Challenges appear simpler when you have a team of like-minded people around you for both emotional as well as physical support. Collaboration and communication in a coworking space are of utmost importance. A coworking space like JAGA breeds community. It’s in our company ethos to cultivate an environment where business owners, freelancers and workers can truly work together to achieve their goals and grow their businesses. Every individual, right from the person sitting at the hot desk near you or the one greeting you every day, can help in adding to your sense of community and belonging. When you indulge in planned community conferences or events, you can come across inspiration and connections in a highly energetic environment. How To Get Started Coworking Whether you are a freelancer working independently, a worker managing a remote team, or a home-based worker who wishes to change up your work style and become a productivity beast – get in touch with your local coworking space today. At JAGA, our coworking environments (we have two locations to choose from: JAGA Swanson Court, Belconnen and JAGA Allara Street Canberra City . They are both set up to provide flexible memberships to meet various requirements and teams. Solo? Team of two? Just want us for our meeting rooms? We get it. We’ve got you covered. Talk to us today.

Business innovation is a process by which any industry or organisation introduces new ideas, workflows, services, products and methodologies. Business innovations usually solve problems, improve existing products and strategies, boosting business and reaching new customers. What is the meaning of business innovation? Business innovation refers to the ideas and processes that a company implements to boost the business. For example, a business innovation could mean launching new products or services or improving business strategies, leading to higher revenue. At the most, basic level business innovation means taking up new ways to do this in order to gain profit. It also includes new programs that will help the employees to get involved with the project in a more efficient way. In the business world, business innovation means research and development and involves the 4 key innovative categories: Product innovation: This simply means new products or boosting the existing products making them more powerful, engaging, exciting or user-friendly. Process innovation: These are new ways and means by which a company or a business can deliver its products and services with the help of new equipment or techniques. Organisational innovation: This refers to internal change to business practices or external shifts in business relations. In the long run, this helps to grow the business performance. Marketing innovation: Improvements in marketing and ad campaigns in order to improve the appearance of the products and services and bring more customers into the doors. This involves being creative to engage more clients and build brand awareness. What is an example of business innovation? An example of business innovation is changing something old to new again, for example, Netflix. They reinvented the delivery of DVDs and transformed movie rentals along with streaming services. These innovative changes lead to the brand’s success. What is business innovation, and why is it important? Business innovations are new strategies and improvements made by a business or a company to keep up with the market’s pace of change. With the advancement of technologies, the companies must innovate in order to stay efficient and relevant and so that they do not lag behind. There are reasons why business innovation is important: Businesses make strategic changes by making a new product or a service and making the internal employees entrepreneurial in order to go ahead of the potential disruption. Business innovation can save time and make it easier for industries and companies to adapt to the industry shifts. It makes the company more sustainable. Companies and brands that are innovative and socially conscious have a higher demand in the market, and consumers are attracted to such companies. How can a new office space boost business innovation? Workplaces that are beautiful and creative and have a more employee-friendly ambience helps the employees to be more productive. Good and appropriate office space enables one to get more creative and allows one to think better and generate better strategies or plans that one can execute for the company to grow. In addition, if you invest well in the office ambience, it will change the overall working mood, and your employees will look forward to coming to work instead of waiting for office time to get over.