Shared Office and Coworking Spaces have completely transformed the modern business landscape, changing how people approach an office workplace. But what exactly does a coworking space have to offer, and would it suit you? Let’s find out
What is Coworking?
A Coworking Space is a much more flexible office space model where remote workers, entrepreneurs, freelancers, small teams, and more will share an office space, renting out their own desks while sharing a common working area, and sharing the use of shared facilities such as Meeting Rooms, Event Spaces, Kitchens, and Breakrooms. Unlike a traditional office setup, the desks and rooms can be rented out as needed with short or long-term contracts, which creates a flexible office space that can adapt to the needs of the members.
An open office plan will encourage productivity, creativity, increased connection, and networking. Working in a coworking space allows you to keep your work life and home life separate, enhancing your work-life balance. Coworking spaces offer a wide range of membership, ranging from a daily rate to longer-term contracts. Coworking spaces are ideal for businesses and individuals who are looking to work away from their home environment with some flexibility.
The Benefits of Coworking?
Some specific reasons why people choose to work in a coworking space are:
- Flexibility: One of the most appealing aspects of coworking spaces is the flexibility. You can choose where and when to work without being tied down to a long-term office lease.
- Cost-Effective: Traditional office leases can be pricey, especially for small businesses or startups. Coworking spaces allow individuals and companies to only rent out the space that they use in the office, saving money on rent, utilities, and other office expenses.
- Community & Networking: Coworking spaces bring together professionals from various fields, creating a community of different individuals from all different walks of life and careers.
- Ease of Use: Coworking spaces take all of the hassle out of working in an office as the tasks such as cleaning, office management, and shopping are taken care of, allowing you to solely focus on work during your workday. Coworking spaces also come stocked with everything you need to work, such as furniture, internet, printer access, and more.
- Increased Productivity: Working from home or in a noisy café can come with distractions and interruptions. Coworking spaces operate as a professional environment that helps people stay focused and productive.
Who Uses Coworking Spaces?
Some examples of the kind of people you will meet in a coworking space are;
- Freelancers: For independent contractors, freelancers, and gig workers, coworking offers a professional space to work and meet clients at an affordable price.
- Remote Workers: Many companies now offer remote work options. Coworking spaces provide remote employees a productive alternative to working from home
- Startups & Small Businesses: For businesses that are just starting out or scaling, coworking provides an affordable solution for office space without long-term commitment.
- Corporations: Even large companies use coworking spaces when they need a satellite office or a space to collaborate with teams across different regions.
Types of Coworking Plans and Areas
Coworking spaces offer a wide variety of flexible plans catering to all types of business models. These plans include.
- Hotdesking: Hotdesking plans are the most flexible of all the coworking plans. These plans give you a workspace between standard business hours, usually 8:30 am-5 pm, from a pool of the available desks in the space. These plans are very flexible, and tend to be offered at a daily rate, but can also be offered weekly or monthly. These desks tend to be in an open-plan office environment.
- Dedicated Desk: Dedicated Desk plans are the more standard coworking plan. This allows you to have 24/7 dedicated access to the coworking space and your own dedicated desk to set up however you’d like. These plans are usually for a longer term and are offered either monthly or yearly payments. These desks tend to be in an open-plan office environment.
- Private Office/Team Space: A Private Office is the most premium option that a coworking space offers. This provides a separate and private area for the office for a small team or an individual. These offices tend to be in the nicest part of the office. Usually on a long-term basis offered monthly or yearly payments.
- Meeting Room: Coworking spaces offer meeting areas for confidential calls, meetings, or events. These are fit-for-purpose rooms with all the essentials you need for meetings, tables and chairs, TVs and whiteboards are common. These rooms tend to be booked on an hourly basis
To conclude, coworking is much more than a shared office space. It’s a flexible, cost-effective solution that fosters creativity, networking, and productivity. Whether you’re a freelancer, remote worker, or part of a growing startup, coworking offers a unique environment tailored to your needs.
If you are in the Tauranga area and looking for a coworking space for a day or something more permanent, we might have something for you. We offer a wide variety of hotdesk and dedicated desk plans as well as a meeting room. If you are interested, click the link below to learn more.