It’s estimated that more than 1-million people now work in 14,000 co-working spaces around the globe and the trend has become increasingly popular. The co-working phenomenon is driven by a combination of the freedom the internet affords workers and full office facilities at a much lower cost than traditional space.
But What Makes A Winning Co-Working Space?
Price
Most companies don’t need an entire building or even the whole floor. Co-working is a chance to reduce operational costs by finding a co-working place that offers all the facilities of an office for much less than an office. In South Africa, co-working offices cost 30-50% less than in traditional offices.
Location
A very important decision driver is location. You don’t want to spend too much time commuting, while it’s also good to have a position close to potential clients and major business hubs. Being close to shops is also useful.
Atmosphere
You can’t fully understand the nature of a co-working space until you spend some time there, but you can get a feel of the ambiance immediately. Try to choose a place where you and your colleagues can feel at home. Most people feel more relaxed in co-working spaces due to the general atmosphere of well-being and a stress-free environment.
Community
A great atmosphere often comes as the result of a coherent community. Some of the best co-working places attract like-minded people who establish good relationships. Many co-working spaces hold learning and social events which helps build a sense of community.
All The Equipment
A co-working space must have every piece of equipment you need in everyday work such as printers and copy machines. Of course, a stable and high-speed internet connection is mandatory, as well as landline telephones.
Conference Rooms
Most of the time, clients and business associates won’t mind having a meeting at co-working places. However, sometimes it is necessary to provide them with a more peaceful room and hold an appointment without external disturbances. For this reason, a good co-working space must have several conference rooms. They are also useful for established companies that want to hold offsite meetings.
Food And Coffee Station
Everyone needs a break in the workplace. A thoughtful co-working space should offer not only great coffee and food but also a relaxing place to really enjoy the pause and forget about professional duties for a while.