The vast majority of knowledge workers don’t actively use coworking spaces: until now these workplaces have mostly actively been used by small business owners or freelancers who want a professional business address, need the space, and benefit from a sense of community.
But as we enter the era of flexible work, your company should be considering the benefits of a “Third Space” as an additional element of choice in a workplace strategy.
Coworking is emerging as an essential component in the world of work, and here are a few reasons why:
#1 Work-from-Near-Home increases productivity
In an environment of choice, we’re teaching individual employees to figure out which place is best for each type of work. Maybe they find they work more creatively at a library or coffee shop, with the background noise keeping them rhythmically typing away. Or they just need to get away from the chores they stare at every day at home and need a place to plug in and work.
Some teams need a place that’s quiet enough for an important meeting or has fast, reliable internet to support a day of video conferences.
Near-home options also support shorter commutes. For example, maybe a working parent needs an office closer to their child’s school to save time. Then, on the days they’re not driving their child to school, they might work from their home office.
At SWAY, we train teams to prioritize choice. The employees choose when, how, and where they work: coworking is one of those choices.
#2 Coworking combats the loneliness epidemic
While we all know that working away from the office typically leads to higher productivity and lower interruptions, many knowledge workers still want to be around people. Utilizing a coworking space can introduce workers to new people or simply improve their morale by seeing other productive workers around them.
They may be less likely to spend their time online shopping when they see another motivated worker one desk over.
Yes, this can be achieved in the office, but the “third place” is still more productive: because the employees aren’t working on the same projects, they are less likely to be interrupted or asked 50 questions on their walk to the restroom.
#3 Coworking supports sustainability
When COVID started, the enormous reduction in commuting showed us the possibilities for slowing climate change. But now, we’re heading back to our old routines, even if we’re driving to the office fewer days per week.
Coworking spaces support your personal and corporate sustainability goals by reducing commutes: your employees will be able to work from the location closest to their homes. These spaces can act as satellite offices for teams in a region instead of forcing hundreds of employees to drive possibly hours in each direction.
Utilizing a coworking space also allows companies to reduce their operating expenses, since the space handles temperature, lighting, snow clearing, and other factors typically included in your office rent.
#4 Coworking is a multi-billion dollar, decades-old industry
Coworking is more than just WeWork: In fact, the WeWorks of the world represent a small percentage of the coworking market compared to the combined volume of space offered by independent brands (a coworking company that may have only one or a handful of locations).
There are shared office spaces in almost every town in America, and tools like Deskpass will show employees which ones are closest to their home.
#5 Coworking is Simple with Deskpass
Deskpass has recently partnered with SWAY, as well as major leading companies, to raise awareness and create seamless access to the multi-million dollar coworking industry. SWAY ensures all partnerships align with one goal: offering more choice to the individual worker.
As a coworking aggregate, utilizing Deskpass means you don’t have to register for a single membership at any one coworking space; it means that you can easily book an on-demand desk, office, or meeting room at multiple coworking spaces spread across the world.
Why YOU (the individual worker) may enjoy coworking
Maybe you’ve gotten into the routine of your home office, and find it productive. Why would you consider adding a third space? But you might find the work-from-near-home strategy helpful (even if you’re attached to having multiple screens and five beverages at all times).
Change of Scenery
Sometimes you just need to get out of the house for a few hours. For working parents with in-home childcare, you know that your children are right outside your door. You may benefit from a professional, stress-free, quiet space more than you realize.
Even if your space is optimized for productivity and you don’t have children at home, switching things up can get ideas flowing, even if you choose a library or coffee shop.
Creativity Boost
Coworking spaces are primarily associated with entrepreneurs and creative workers, but that doesn’t mean a corporate employee can’t benefit from the creativity boost.
Creativity works best with some structure, and many of us lost that structure when the office closed. Get into a new, effective routine by driving a few minutes down the road to an office space.
The important thing is finding the place that works best for your needs: maybe you do some work best at home and others best in a shared space. Learning where that creativity clicks on can unlock potential in your day.
Meet New, Like-minded People
Working from home may be productive, but we all know it’s lonely. Even if you don’t want to talk to anyone new, seeing a friendly face a few times a week can get you in a new mindset. Many spaces have networking events or workshops, so you may even learn something new while you’re there.
“But I can’t afford it”
In the past, coworking has been cost-prohibitive for the typical knowledge worker. This is why SWAY trains companies to incorporate coworking funds into their portfolio of workspaces.
The individual worker should not be paying for this space.
As offices decrease their desk space, they sometimes give employees budgets for the perfect home office set up, improved internet package, or off-site infrastructure. Some of these funds could be allocated for a Deskpass package you could utilize.
We’re excited to expand our partnership with Deskpass, and you can learn more in our upcoming webinar and white paper.
If your company could benefit from training on making flexible work work, contact SWAY to set up a consultation and start learning from our data-based, personalized workshops.