Choosing the place where we are going to work is not a simple decision. That space would be where we develop and carry out the professional challenges we take on, whether as entrepreneurs or leading work teams.
There are different options nowadays, from working from home, in a coffee shop, a private office, or a coworking space. When deciding, you need to consider the most convenient for you.
Freelance Latam was established six years ago because coworking spaces are the best office option. Whether for workers and companies looking to keep up with future work demands or other traditional options. In this article, we summarize why working from coworking spaces or home office are also good alternatives:
Why Choose Coworking Spaces?
It is the use of infrastructures, such as an office or other type of space, dedicated to people working as freelancers or for companies. They design these areas to provide synergy between members, sharing ideas and knowledge in the community.
We understand this change may involve testing the pros and cons to see the balance of productivity and personal fulfillment. That is why we want to show you the main benefits of coworking spaces so that you can adapt them to your particular case and make the best decision.
Working in a coworking space allows you to be in contact with a network of professionals from different fields. You would not have access to it if you worked independently with your team. This paradigm also rethinks how we relate to our work environment, sharing ideas and participating in coworking.
Besides, one of the most outstanding values of shared offices is collaboration: the possibility of working together with other members on the same project, whether creating business opportunities or exchanging clients, thus creating a community among work members that often goes beyond a working relationship.
Flexible To Business Growth
Working in a coworking space offers many benefits, whether starting a business alone or with a team. Coworking spaces provide you with a flexible office that suits the needs and size of your business.
You can access common spaces that are even more accessible than individual desks and access all the other benefits. Among the benefits, there may be a front desk, meeting room, Wi-Fi, and kitchen. Also, if your company already has several staff members, separate desks and private offices for your team are a good option.
You’ll Save Money
They design coworking spaces to reduce the structural costs of a company as much as possible. Following the logic of collaborative economies, instead of each company having its building… With meeting rooms, offices, reception, kitchens, services, and all the investment that implies. In change, members share the same infrastructure and services in coworking spaces, making costs much lower.
Also, these services are included in the same invoice, saving administrative work for the members.
Coworking Benefits
The benefits refer to production and the possibilities of connecting with others. The coworking facilities host various events that allow socializing and taking a moment to talk about topics other than the professional.
A coworking space offers different options to suit your company or project, such as:
- Virtual offices.
- Office spaces (shared and private).
- Conference rooms.
- Shared spaces for breaks and relaxation.
Besides, it is a dynamic and innovative environment. It is ideal for startups, freelancers, and entrepreneurs.
Pros Of Coworking Spaces
Beating Loneliness
As it can happen in a traditional office, coworking spaces also help combat loneliness. A conversation in the kitchen or on the terrace with other members will always be an option.
Fostering Relationships Between Coworkers
Coworking involves sharing a space with other companies or startups, which may provide you with networking opportunities. You can learn from experienced entrepreneurs and get new skills that could be useful in the future. Expanding your professional and personal networks is a good start for your project.
Visibility and Business
As we mentioned earlier, coworking spaces not only foster an incredible sense of community. Many people may see a remarkable increase in new members thanks to the connections they can make in their coworking environment.
Optimizing Costs
Although paying for a coworking space does not mean you’ll spend less than you would owning an office, some different options and prices adapt to the needs of each member. It’s ideal for companies that have just joined the business world.
Working With The Latest Tech Equipment
You need to invest in equipment and design when renting your own office. Coworking spaces offer flexible plans for equipment, including materials or extra services, such as communication technologies, reception, or mailboxes. You will have adequate meeting areas to receive your clients and convene business meetings.
Healthy Work Environment
In offices, healthy environments generate a feeling of collectivity that will make your workplace pleasant.
It offers advantages that your team can attend, such as events and conferences. You will be able to work in a positive and vibrant environment and be part of a close-knit community.
Fewer Distractions
Another benefit is an increase in productivity while reducing distractions. However, some people are less distracted working from home or in a traditional office where cases are distinct.
If you prefer the first option, being surrounded by other coworkers like you can give you that extra boost of inspiration. In addition, you can have full access to equipped meeting rooms that will allow you to create the best version of yourself, thus increasing your efficiency.
Inspiration And Creativity
Coworking offices usually have large spaces, with access to many areas and services. The designs have an inspirational environment that is more pleasant for professionals. They can reflect on their work performance and feel better, healthier, and more positive.
Spaces According To Your Needs
Coworking spaces are in the heart of cities and metropolitan areas. They are built in central locations to be accessible and within everyone’s reach to meet the needs of any company, startup, or freelancer. They have dedicated spaces for meeting rooms, presentations, and coffee, some of the added benefits of a coworking space contract.
Complementary Services
If your company’s operations are large-scale or you manage a local venture looking to expand. In coworking centers, you will find all the complementary services and comforts you need to achieve your goals.
As you have seen, the benefits of coworking spaces are perfect for any business or project, whether you are starting or an established company. The good news is that they adapt to your needs.
Cons of Coworking
As we see we find many virtues in Coworking, we want to mention some aspects that are not so much:
Coworking: Open And Close Schedules
The opening and closing hours can sometimes be too strict, as can the schedules for spaces, classrooms, and meeting rooms. The rules must be complied with to avoid affecting other users, so you cannot extend the meetings or rush the work a little more.
Silence
Sometimes, it’s awkward to start talking on the phone when all your colleagues are concentrating.
Noise
Noise can be a problem, but it is not much more of a problem than that shared in a big office. You can also ask for private offices.
Lack of ‘privacy’
You’ll have to deal with confidential and sensitive issues or phone calls with no privacy.
However, these disadvantages are also solvable. In many coworking spaces, you can ask for keys so you can come and go as you please. Besides, you can listen to some music with headphones to isolate yourself from the noise and use it as a signal so that you are not interrupted. In the end, when dealing with sensitive information, you could always do it in the meeting rooms or at least get out of the common areas.
In short, you can achieve fast and efficient growth with coworking space alternatives.
Working From Home
“Home office,” “remote work,” and “hybrid work” are concepts that we can see in business every day. Sometimes, these work modalities have different meanings because the terms are exchangeable.
Although they have different features, we must realize, learn, and be aware of each. Among them, we can describe the following:
- It requires a lot of self-discipline to meet schedules. Otherwise, the person could work even on weekends to meet the objectives it is not always possible to have.
- Prepare a room free of distractions. To solve this, workers should adapt someplace in the house where they can concentrate.
- Distracting events can happen. At any time, it can come from a neighbor knocking on the door or someone visiting you. So, it is better to set up schedules and let the family know to avoid interrupting.
- The person does not have the opportunity to socialize with office colleagues often. So, they may feel lonelier, yet there are other ways to get in touch.
- Other costs may increase. Although the cost of transport or gas will reduce, electricity, phone, and internet services may increase.
- It leads to a more sedentary life. The person may be sitting all their shift at home due to not having to leave to go to work, which may affect health. A solution may be to take a walk after work or a light workout.
Working from home sounds easy, but it needs commitment from both parties and a trust-based relationship between the company and workers.
What Is Hybrid Work?
Hybrid work is a model that offers employees the flexibility to work from anywhere. Employees can work from home, in the office, or anywhere else. Organizations can establish hybrid work schedules and set dates and times for employees to work in the office. They could give employees full autonomy to choose when and where they want to work.
The pandemic-related shutdowns demonstrated that many employees might be as productive working from home as they are in the office. Both organizations and employees have discovered several advantages of remote work.
So now that companies can get employees back in the office, the question is whether to return to the old model work or continue to take advantage of hybrid work. After all, both the remote work and normal work models have several pros and cons. The solution that many companies are turning to is hybrid work.
Pros And Cons Of Hybrid Work
What Are The Benefits Of Hybrid Work?
Now that you know what characteristics define hybrid work, it is time to address some advantages and disadvantages of implementing it in a company. The purpose is to check whether it is the best solution for your company. When applied, hybrid work models can bring many advantages to employees and the organization.
Companies have incorporated hybrid work into the dynamics of many teams due to the benefits. These models generally promote flexible schedules and make it easier for them to perform their duties from home or in an office. Such as when illness strikes or turnaround times are tight.
Some of them are:
Improved Work Experience
Employees who feel comfortable in a company are more likely to be motivated to work. Hybrid work schemes are tailored to workers’ needs, so you can expect them to be satisfied with their work experience. Remember that these relationships should be mediated by a contract so that both parties are winners.
Increases Productivity
Beyond employees’ motivation, the reality is that being in a personal environment can help them concentrate and perform complex tasks. Also, by reducing time spent walking to the office and administrative processes, it is easier for employees to have enough energy to perform their duties.
Promotes Innovation
Remote work models are based on technology. Thus, companies that incorporate these tools and keep their resources up to date are better prepared to face future challenges. Besides, these resources help to stay ahead of the curve and promote a fresh brand image.
Benefits Of Hybrid Work For Employees
Greater flexibility. Employees can choose where to work and, in some cases, when.
Better work-life balance. No more wasted hours commuting to and from the office; employees can better combine work with other errands.
Greater satisfaction. Employees are happier if they have more flexibility and autonomy to choose their workplace.
Business leaders realize that offering flexible remote work options can lead to better results.
At least three factors contribute to the increase in productivity:
Less Time Wasted
For workers, the main factor that has increased their productivity is not having to commute to work. The time they used to spend driving or walking back and forth to the office is now spent working and having adequate rest.
COVID-19 has shown that the way of working needs to move forward, and companies need to identify what policies they can install to adapt to the employee’s needs
Zero Distractors
The main concern every morning is no longer “getting to the office early.” Now, it is about being on time for the Zoom meeting and starting early to deliver progress on the agenda. Workers are more focused on their work and not on meeting other goals.
For this, it is advisable to put in place a space to work, such as a desk and an office chair, to focus on 8 hours a day. It is also essential to combine this with personal schedules and work goals.
By working from home, employees do not feel the pressure of keeping a work schedule for the sake of keeping it, and downtime has been reduced. It is not a matter of working without a break but of concentrating and ensuring the time to work is the right amount to do daily tasks.
Comfort And Flexibility To Work
Being at home has been synonymous with family reconnection and energy replenishment. Workers have been able to sleep more, be with their loved ones, and take care of the details of their homes.
The flexibility that remote work has provided has even broken the barriers of dress codes. Betting on greater effectiveness and human contact from the digital. It is no longer a priority for the worker to keep an eye on their clothing or uniform, but rather effectiveness.
Flexible schedules have been an essential factor in increasing productivity. Workers would be more focused on achieving goals rather than schedules. Unless the schedule was part of the primary goal of their work, as is the case with education. Flexible work policies will help keep employees and increase their motivation. It will also be a tool to attract the best talent in the labor market.
Cons Of Hybrid Work
The hybrid work model has proven excellent for many companies, but some aspects should be considered before implementing it in workspaces.
For this reason, we present some possible disadvantages of their incorporation into business life.
It Involves High Investments
At first glance, it may seem that remote work allows savings on some operating expenses, such as rent or some labor benefits. In a hybrid work, companies must not only continue to divide resources into these elements.
Often, companies also pay for the expenses derived from the work performed by their employees, such as electricity, internet, and computer equipment. So, before implementing these models, you should analyze the expenses that will be generated and your capacity to cover them.
It Doesn’t Always Increase Efficiency
Although the hybrid work model has increased productivity and motivation, it does not imply that the work is delivered. Efficiency can be limited if employees are given too much freedom and can be diminished if there is no timely follow-up of workers’ tasks.
It Requires Training
Because the hybrid work model requires a good level of computer and IT expertise, it is usual that young workforces are well suited for positions in this format.
However, the hybrid model must be inclusive and be a work option for the number of employees. If your employees are not prepared to handle the systems, you must train them.
In summary, remote work and working from coworking spaces have many pros and cons. Which one to use? It is totally up to you. Now, each one depends on every professional and personal situation.
More companies are modifying their work system, but a matter must receive special attention and be dealt with reciprocally: company-employee trust. This is where the essence of remote work lies.
See more articles by Carla Fattal.
