Ten years ago, working 9-5 at the same desk, in the same office, Monday to Friday was the total norm. Flexible working was an occasional privilege or sick day perk; our working lives a rotation of the same familiar faces and colleagues. Van Sharma explores how workplace expectations have changed since then and, with them, the workplace itself
The mobile professional is causing the rapid change
The modern mobile professional is an integral part of this expanding, global industry that’s disrupting the entire shared office space market. Freelancers, start-ups and entrepreneurs are looking to plug in and network with like-minded professionals at co-working centres where communities can help each other to grow and evolve their own personal and professional interests.
This is a cultural shift and not a generational fad. The perception of how the modern professional goes to work has changed (and continues to change) as technology, and our ability to stay connected from anywhere, evolves.
At WorkSpott, we’re excited by this change and riding the wave. We’ve witnessed the benefits of co-working spaces first-hand and have seen the exciting economic potential of this shift – not to mention the benefits for the employee.
Since our inception, coworking has already further established itself as a viable business model. The past decade has shown us a burgeoning trend for spaces that nurture entrepreneurial spirit, and those that are part of the thriving gig economy.
At WorkSpott, we’ve tapped into this innovation by transforming underused restaurants, bars, and hotels into drop-in workspaces for our members to connect and be productive. Our cost-effective coworking solutions have flexible subscriptions to fit around lifestyle and needs, and we already host some of the brightest business minds in the capital.
The benefits of coworking are many, but here are the most important
1. Contact & Relationship Building
Every small business knows the importance of strong industry relationships, and the doors a good network can open. Your business is no exception! The people you co-work with could inspire an idea that takes your business to a whole different level. Studies show individuals who co-work see an increase up to 86% in their social circle.
Meanwhile, it’s known that individuals who co-work are able to expand their business networks up to 80% more than traditional office workers. The possibilities are endless and lead to a significant in individuals seeking out the opinions of their fellow co-workers; learning about what they’re working on before it even hits the market.
2. Increased Productivity & Innovation
It should be no surprise that collaboration naturally leads to increased productivity and innovation. London has been a hotbed of innovation for years, and as the entrepreneurial community continues to grow, it is important to allow this network of like-minded individuals the ability to successfully bounce ideas back and forth, creating a sustainable culture of innovation.
Without a motivated workforce and individuals, how are we going to create and bring to life the world’s next best ideas? Close to 68% of co-workers focus better, while another 89% report feeling more motivated to get their work done. Shared office spaces allow you to work at your own pace, managing and dividing time between tasks.
3. Cutting Costs & Flexibility
For start-ups, co-working solutions check all the boxes of being affordable, flexible, and a creative hub to nurture new ideas.
Whether you’ve just started out on your entrepreneurial journey, or already have a small team, watching costs and being as lean as possible is vital to your business’ longevity and success.
So, what does the future bring?
Expansion into New Markets & Territories
The future of this industry is global. More and more international cities and markets are experimenting with introducing coworking as a more cost effective and productive way to work compared to traditional office work. Cities that already have healthy appetites for start-up culture have embraced the benefits that coworking brings to the people who come through its spaces, and the ideas that can help boost the economy and the business landscape.
Newer parts of the world are now starting to experiment with this growing concept, and the expansion will continue to penetrate diverse areas of the world.
Industry & Sector Specific Spaces
Coworking has already established itself as a viable business model as it continues to grow. The past decade has shown us a growing trend for spaces that nurture entrepreneurial spirit, and those part of the gig economy. More and more of this community of growing co-workers crave likeminded members that want to be on a journey that helps them grow and evolve their professional and personal interest. The coworking spaces of the future will have more opportunity for users to connect based on their industry, relevance, and line of work. We are already seeing this across London with women only, creative, and technology themed coworking spaces.
Deepening Ties with the Corporate World
Coworking continues to change the perception of how the modern professional goes to work, and also how we view the concept of working from shared spaces. There is a real cultural revolution taking part where the average office goer wants increased flexibility in how they work and get things done. More and more corporates are throwing in their interest in experimenting with utilizing this growing way to work. Many companies reply on coworking providers such as WeWork to act as an agent for creating their organizational culture and office ethos. As the coworking spaces of today evolve into the next generation of workspaces for the modern professional, we will see these trends continue to pop up across the changing landscape.
In conclusion
With all this in mind, it’s easy to see why more and more businesses are experimenting with this fresh way of working.
The future of the industry is robust. The future is more and more global. Cities that already have healthy appetites for start-up culture have embraced the benefits of coworking, while even those that don’t are starting to sit up and take notice.
This is a revolution, and one that our members are proudly at the forefront of. Watch this (work)space.
Van Sharma is Co-Founder of WorkSpott.
AMBA members can enjoy a discount of more than 25% at WorkSpott, using the promo code AMBAWSPT00234. Visit www.workspott.com to activate your code.
Locations:
WorkSpott @ Kings Cross – Drake & Morgan, 6 Pancras Square, London, N1C 4AG
WorkSpott @ City East – 10 New Drum St, Aldgate East, Whitechapel, London E1 7AT
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