Co-working spaces are an ever-growing trend, but just because they are a popular place to work doesn’t mean they are the right choice for you are your business. In this article we look some advantages and disadvantages of working in both private offices and co-working spaces that will help you figure out what space would be more appropriate for you.
Community Spirit and Distractions
Working by yourself can be tiring and sometimes lonely. Humans are social creatures who crave interaction with other people allowing us to share our creative ideas, stories and lives. Co-working spaces give like-minded people the opportunity to do just that. On the downside, working in close proximity to your co-workers can be a distraction. You may find yourself debating about the outcome of last night’s sports game or the holiday you are planning instead of working, and these sorts of conversations should be kept to break times. If you find yourself too easily distracted, a co-working space may not be the right choice for you and should explore private office spaces instead.
Low Cost and Lack of Private Space
Co-working spaces have all the amenities you would need, including internet, printing facilities and furniture, at your disposal without having to buy them yourself. There is also the upside of not having to sign a long lease, meaning you are able to maintain freedom and flexibility in case your plans change. The downside of a shared work space is that you will not have any private space to conduct meetings or business deals, meaning you may have to find an alternative location to meet clients in order to discuss private matters. Having a private office with meeting rooms ensures your clients can come to you as you have the appropriate rooms to conduct private matters.
Networking and possible Conflicts
You can never have enough connections while building your business, and there is no better place to start forming those relationships than in a communal working environment. You will find yourself surrounded by a variety of people at different stages of their career, meaning you might pick up a few tips and some good advice while chatting in the break room. But sharing a space can cause conflicts from time to time. Conflict may arise because people are messy in common areas or your next door neighbour spills over into your workspace, the noise level may get out of hand if someone cannot control the volume of their voice, or if someone borrows an item and does not return it. All of these problems however can be settled politely and maturely, or avoided all together by letting your neighbours know your boundaries.
Creativity and Competition
Collaborative workspaces can cut down the time and energy spent figuring out solutions to problems because you would be able to reach out to other entrepreneurs for help, advice and guidance if need be. You might find that one or two of them have been in your position before and they can share their experiences with you and advise you on a plan of action. Although it is possible that you may find that you are in direct competition with others you share the space with, this could be uncomfortable but it is important to stay focused on you and your company, so if need be keep your cards close to your chest and try to turn your competitor into an ally instead – sometimes two heads are better than one.
Author Bio:
Ibtisaam is a business writer that is driven by company dynamics, CEO insights and creative outputs. Particularly interested in property development and business services in Dubai such as Regus.ae. Ibtisaam is your go-to lady for all your company-related queries.