The standard representation of a “workplace” in most people’s eyes is often seen as a large number of employees working silently and individually in their own cubicles. While some may argue that this isolation can boost productivity, there have been a number of studies indicating that cubicles can have adverse effects, actually inhibiting employee engagement, thus decreasing productivity. However, this blog is not intended to promote open-floor offices, but rather coworking spaces.
These areas, defined as a place in which remote employees in almost every type of business work alongside one another as a business community, have been found to be extremely effective in terms of productivity and efficiency. This may be surprising to some, seeing as these spaces are typically comprised of a large number of workers focusing on projects of their own, therefore almost promoting noncooperation. But, the entire feel of being in an environment containing likeminded individuals focusing on their respective tasks at hand can actually inspire those to work harder.
If you manage of team of employees that are permitted to work remotely or from home at certain times, you may want to suggest a nearby coworking space, depending on one’s working preferences. If an employee has a fairly hectic personal life (i.e. children, pets, etc.), he or she may thrive in a coworking space without all the distractions that present themselves at home.
Those who have less hectic personal lives can also succumb to distractions, as they have more time spent near their televisions, beds, and pantries. Similarly, this sense of isolation and loneliness can negatively affect one’s mood, directly translating to lower levels of motivation and work rate. It’s important to separate work from home if you wish to have a constructive staff, and coworking spaces can be that middleman for freelancers or remote employees.
An invaluable aspect of business is networking. We’ve all heard the notion that having connections in the business world can lead to better opportunities. What better way to network than to spend time in a coworking space? While there may be individuals within these areas who work in entirely different fields, many of them possess skills that can be applied to several aspects of business. This can lead to a growth of staff, clientele, partners, or suppliers of business.
Offering your employees the opportunity to spend time in coworking places can reflect extremely well on your style of management, as you are promoting sociability rather than an introverted style of business. Many people today feel that they miss out on their social lives during their standard 5-day work weeks. Since we interact with one another within our workplaces on a daily basis, the hours spent outside of the office can seem lonely and ineffective. Coworking spaces are capable of filling this gap, allowing your team to expand their connections, and, as mentioned above, network.
Coworking spaces are often open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, generally offering food and beverages for added comfort. These areas are great for promoting collaboration, productivity, and education in your employees. Should you have a platform in place that allows remote work, consider looking into coworking spaces in your area to offer these invaluable assets to your team.
