According to TeamStage, over 37% of SMEs worldwide use shared workspaces, and the figure is growing steadily. These spaces are becoming increasingly popular due to their affordability, flexibility, sense of community, networking opportunities, and better productivity. Unfortunately, running a coworking space is not without challenges, and some can cause your setup to fail. As a result, you need to devise a way to create a coworking space free from problems to guarantee its success. Below are top tips on how you can do this.
Invest in a Large Space
According to a survey by Clutch, limited space is one of the biggest challenges in coworking offices. Unfortunately, this brings about several problems, starting with a cramped and disorganized working area, which affects the employee’s ability to perform their tasks. Limited space also means less space for moving about, storage, office equipment, relaxation areas, etc. It can also make it difficult for coworkers to enjoy any personal space.
The hassles of inadequate space can also affect the employee’s creativity and productivity. In addition, it will create a very poor work environment, which will affect their overall wellness. As a result, the condition of your office space can scare away many members who aren’t comfortable working from your premises. Therefore, it’s vital to create a coworking space free from space problems to promote a conducive setting for all coworkers.
A few tips can help you improve available space in your coworking setting. First, you should start by decluttering, thus removing all unnecessary items. Using minimalist office furniture and equipment can also free up much-needed space. Lastly, efficient organization can prevent wastage, improving the available coworking space.
However, investing in ample office space might be the only way to create a coworking space free from space limitations. This can be especially essential if you’re considering expanding in the future. So, instead of struggling to improve your current setting, consider an office relocation to larger and more efficient premises.
Make Your Space Inviting
One of the top reasons why coworking spaces are popular is because they offer more inviting work areas, which leads to improved well-being and productivity. This is something that is lacking in most traditional offices and which often negatively impacts the employees. In fact, according to study findings by Onrec, many millennials in the U.K. are turning away jobs because of bland and uninspiring offices.
So, if you want to create a coworking space free from productivity and boredom problems, make it inviting and appealing. And one of the top ways to improve your premises is with better aesthetics, which you can achieve by hiring interior painting services. A fresh coat of paint will give your office a sleek look and feel, which can be great for coworkers’ productivity.
You can also use paint colors to create the desired mood of your coworking space, making it more comfortable and inviting. For example, according to Corporate Wellness Magazine, colors like blue and green can create a calming effect. On the other hand, shades of red, yellow, and orange can create an upbeat and stimulating atmosphere. These excellent ideas can help create a welcoming atmosphere for coworkers, improving satisfaction and productivity.
Besides painting, you can also make your office more inviting with better lighting. For example, installing large windows can improve the natural light on your premises, leading to improved satisfaction, concentration, and productivity among coworkers. And where natural light is insufficient, you can use light fixtures to brighten up the office, significantly enhancing the comfort of your coworking space.
Keep Your Coworking Space Clean
Cleanliness is one of the biggest challenges in most office spaces today. Unfortunately, the effects of this are often devastating. According to a study published by the NIH, inadequate workplace hygiene is linked to employee health problems and absenteeism.
But apart from the health concerns, unclean workspaces can significantly affect productivity. That’s because most people are inherently disgusted by dirty environments and will have a hard time concentrating. Furthermore, in shared workspaces, poor cleanliness can lead to conflicts when one or a few individuals are to blame for the issue.
Therefore, you must keep your premises clean if you’re looking to create a coworking space free from problems. And one of the top ways to do this is to hire an office cleaning company to clean the space regularly. Consequently, you’ll create a clean and conducive environment, improving coworkers’ comfort and allowing them to thrive at work.
However, besides working with cleaning companies, you can make hygiene the responsibility of everyone in the coworking space. For example, you can create a policy where everyone cleans up after themselves or come up with duty rosters where everyone takes turns cleaning. These shared cleaning responsibilities can be very effective in keeping the coworking space clean. In addition, they can foster a greater sense of community and cohesiveness among coworkers.
Invest in Enough Office Equipment
Coworking spaces can be an excellent platform for fostering creativity, collaboration, and productivity. However, this can be hindered by a lack of sufficient office equipment. Without adequate resources, the productivity of the individuals using your premises will be significantly compromised.
Unfortunately, insufficient office equipment can also lead to conflicts in the coworking space. For example, one of the coworkers might hog a piece of limited equipment for too long, leading to disputes with other individuals. So, to create a coworking space free from problems, you should ensure that your premises have enough office supplies and equipment.
It would be best if you started by investing in essential supplies and equipment for your shared office space. This includes stationery, printing services, scanners & copiers, and storage spaces. Your office should also have enough electrical outlets and charging stations. Lastly, you’ll need high-speed internet connectivity and, if possible, tech support services to help coworkers set up and troubleshoot problems.
Besides the basic supplies, you can invest in more equipment, which can help cater to the additional needs of coworkers. For example, you can purchase a laptop, PCs, and tablets, which you can rent to individuals without computer access. You can also invest in audiovisual equipment, which can be used for virtual meetings, webinars, content creation, etc.
Create a Safe Environment
According to OSHA, workplace safety can offer several benefits, like preventing injuries and illnesses, increased productivity, improved office culture, etc. These benefits can still apply to shared offices. So, creating a coworking space free from safety issues is another excellent way to cater to the needs of your premises’ coworkers.
You should pay attention to many safety aspects when creating a coworking space. For starters, you should ensure the physical safety of your premises by removing any potential hazards that could harm coworkers. Also, you should have a first aid kit in the office or, better yet, hire a trained health professional who can attend to medical emergencies.
Another safety tip for coworking spaces is to improve indoor air quality. For this, you can hire a heating and cooling service to install a central air conditioning system, thus guaranteeing safe and comfortable temperatures within the premises. In addition, you should ensure that your office space is free from any airborne hazards, including dust, radon, mold, asbestos, VOCs, etc.
Personal safety is another vital aspect of the coworking space. Some top ways to improve personal safety include setting policies to discourage sexual assault and harassment. Additionally, you should invest in privacy solutions to protect coworkers’ personal information.
Invest In Security Features
According to a report by PR Newswire, 23% of individuals working from shared offices are concerned about their safety and security. Security issues are especially rampant due to the transient nature of the employees. Unfortunately, this tends to have a detrimental effect on coworkers’ creativity, productivity, and cohesiveness. Therefore, creating a coworking space free from security problems is crucial so everyone feels safe and welcome.
One of the top ways to improve security in your coworking space is by controlling access to your premises to only authorized individuals. You can do this by hiring local contractors to install access control systems at various entry points in your office. You should also invest in security systems like CCTV cameras, and if possible, hire physical security staff to keep the premises safe.
Data security is another area to invest in for a coworking office. Nowadays, most employees use technology for work, meaning they may pass vast amounts of confidential data over your premises’ network. Therefore, you must secure your tech infrastructure to protect your coworkers’ information.
Lastly, you can improve security in a coworking space by making it a shared responsibility. This way, everyone will have a duty to protect their security and that of other coworkers. Consequently, this will create a safe, cohesive, and friendly workspace environment.
Install Quality Amenities and Facilities
Amenities are another vital feature of coworking space; without enough facilities, the employees’ comfort, productivity, creativity, and satisfaction will be significantly hampered. And like with office equipment, inadequate amenities can lead to coworker conflicts. Therefore, you should stock your premises with enough resources to create a coworking space free from problems.
Office furniture is one of the most essential amenities for a shared office. And for the best results, you should invest in hybrid furniture, which will ensure that you cater to the needs of every person. Some excellent furniture ideas you can invest in include traditional workstations, ergonomic chairs, beanbags, couches, coffee tables, collaborative furniture, etc.
Apart from furniture, relaxation spaces are other vital amenities in a coworking space. Some top ideas include break rooms, coffee bars, hammocks, and nap rooms. These areas can offer individuals a place to rest when taking breaks from work. In addition, they can be excellent areas for socializing and networking, which can lead to improved cohesiveness in the shared office.
Wellness spaces are another excellent amenities idea for coworking spaces. For example, you can equip your office with a gym and fitness trainer services. Other cool ideas include massage rooms, spas, yoga rooms, etc. Again, these spaces can offer coworkers a place to take a much-needed break from work, relax, and care for their physical and mental well-being.
Offer Attractive Membership Benefits
One of the top challenges of coworking spaces is retaining members. That’s because, unlike traditional employees, coworkers are transient. Therefore, they’ll only be in a shared office for a short time, sometimes even one day. As a result, you need to offer attractive benefits if you want to create a coworking space free from occupancy problems.
Incentives are among the top benefits you can offer to attract more coworkers to your office space. This can include discounts, referral commissions, and ‘free trial’ days. You can also provide incentive pay plans for long-term members or even free coworking space access in exchange for vital services you need.
A strong community is another top benefit you can offer to coworkers to encourage them to stay on for longer. According to Harvard Business Review, the community is why most people prefer working in shared office spaces instead of working from home or in coffee shops. Therefore, you need to target the right audience for your coworking space, then work hard to create a safe, friendly, and welcoming community for other like-minded individuals.
Lastly, you can improve your coworking office retention rates by offering members simple things. For example, free coffee, drinks, snacks, and office services can go a long way in keeping them satisfied. Consequently, they will likely return and refer your space to other individuals, leading to more business.
Running a shared office space can be a challenging experience. Unlike a traditional office, you have to cater to the unique needs of every member visiting the premises and keep them happy so that they can return. On top of that, the transient nature of coworkers poses several challenges, like conflicts, safety and security concerns, and poor retention rates. Fortunately, with the above tips, you can create a coworking space free from many problems, thus offering members a conducive space where they flourish.