The coworking concept has emerged as a viable solution for professionals and companies looking to establish their workplace in a physical environment without compromising their budget. Originally, it was conceived as an alternative for freelancers looking for a physical space and a community. This integrative phenomenon has become an essential element of the commercial, real estate and business sectors.
This disruptive trend had its roots in 2005, when programmer Brad Neuberg introduced the idea in San Francisco. Initially, his pioneering space offered only 5-8 desks to work at. However, he managed to create a unique entrepreneurial ecosystem with free wifi, shared lunches and meditation breaks.
What is coworking?
Coworking has transformed the way professionals carry out their projects. It is not only about sharing a physical space, it also gives freelancers, remote workers, startups and SMEs the possibility to share experiences, ideas and resources. The main objective of this phenomenon is to create synergies and establish fruitful collaborations between individuals with different but complementary projects.
A crucial component of the success of flexible offices is the presence of the “community builder”. This professional works to generate an environment of trust within the collaborative space, fostering interaction and support among members. Their work goes beyond the physical management of the space. He also focuses on cultivating the community, his mission is to lay the groundwork for strong and lasting professional relationships.
Data supports the expansion of office sharing. According to Statista, the coworking space industry has experienced significant growth of 158% since 2020, and the same report indicates that currently, there are more than 23,000 coworking spaces in the world. Moreover, it is estimated that this figure will exceed 40,000 by the end of 2024.
The rise of coworking spaces is based on employees’ perception of collaborative offices, because coworkers believe that working in shared environments during their working day significantly increases their productivity.
How does a coworking space work?
Coworking spaces have redesigned the work environment by offering a variety of options that adapt to the changing needs of professionals. In general, they usually offer three alternatives, allowing for flexible working and building a dynamic community:
- Flexible positions: a perfect option for digital nomads, freelancers, remote workers and even students. The user freely chooses his or her place in the shared space, with no strings attached, and only needs his or her laptop to work. In addition, they have access to all facilities during the working day.
- Fixed workstation: combines the features of a traditional office with the benefits of shared offices. The employee reserves a private room within the shared environment for more consultation and privacy. It is a perfect option for small meetings.
- Private offices: Within collaborative working environments there are separate spaces that can be rented. In this way, individuals can maintain the privacy of a conventional office, but without giving up the communal activity.
What services does coworking offer?
Generally, shared offices provide the following services as a matter of course:
- Access to shared work areas with flexible working hours.
- Rental of private rooms with audiovisual equipment.
- Common rest areas.
- Social, fiscal and administrative address.
- Connectivity and internet use.
- Storage spaces.
- Printing and reprographics services.
- Cleaning services.
What advantages do coworking spaces offer?
Shared offices offer a series of advantages to users, which make them so attractive:
- Being part of a community. It transcends the concept of a working environment, as it encourages the creation of dynamic and collaborative communities among its users. Thanks to this real estate phenomenon, workers can generate synergies, share experiences, knowledge and opportunities for growth, as well as avoiding a certain isolation that freelancers sometimes have to face.
- Cost savings. Collaborative space is a very attractive option for small businesses, freelancers and growing startups. They can reduce leasing and maintenance costs, without giving up basic services.
- Flexibility. Flexibility in the choice of spaces and schedules allows you to adapt to the changing needs of each professional. It also offers the freedom to choose between different working modalities, whether remote, hybrid or face-to-face.
- Facilitate networking. Shared environments act as natural networking hubs, facilitating the establishment of solid professional relationships. They are a perfect opportunity to meet new industry experts and attend events.
Training opportunities. Constant interaction with diverse professionals facilitates knowledge sharing and learning opportunities. Thanks to collaborative environments, employees can ensure their professional development.
Improved productivity. Collaborative offices motivate users and contribute to increased productivity. There are even special coworking spaces to stimulate the creativity and diversity of professionals. - Providing a physical location. The availability of a physical location contributes to the credibility and visibility of professionals.
