There are many reasons why people might choose to co-work. Perhaps you’re an independent contractor who needs a place to work outside of the home. Maybe you’re a small business owner who wants to reduce overhead costs. Or maybe you’re simply tired of working in a noisy coffee shop.
No matter what your reason, there are plenty of benefits to be had from co-working. Here are eight of the top advantages that co-working has to offer!
1. Working From Home Isn’t Working!
Working from home sounds ideal, but it actually can have a negative effect on your productivity and communication skills. Sometimes peace and quiet work against you when you’re trying to get the most out of your day, so finding an alternative can be helpful in some cases.
Co-working spaces provide that alternative atmosphere that encourages social engagement while also providing the privacy of your own personal space. When you mix these two opposing forces together, what do you get? A high functioning work environment where individuals are able to complete their tasks more successfully than they would at home or in a traditional office setting.
2. Collaboration With Like-Minded Professionals
Collaboration between individuals who share similar interests is one of the primary benefits of co-working. Coworkers are able to discuss their shared goals and work together on various projects, which often leads to mutual success as a result.
Collaboration isn’t just for business either — coworkers can exchange ideas about all sorts of topics, including parenting techniques, home renovations, hiking trails around the area, etc. This type of collaboration is especially helpful when you have a difficult problem that needs solving!
3. Increased Productivity
Ok, so this benefit kind of ties into working from home being ineffective… but there’s a big difference between being distracted by housework and being distracted by your neighbor who always drops by unannounced with an armful of Costco-sized packages of paper towels.
Public spaces are distracting by their very nature, so when you’re able to work in a private space that isn’t attached to your living quarters, your productivity shoots through the roof! Working in isolation has its advantages.
4. Boost Your Creativity
Creative juices can really start flowing when you’ve got an environment designed for optimizing creativity. Creative entrepreneurs especially will benefit greatly from this factor since most of their time is spent brainstorming and coming up with new ideas for projects.
5. Good Option for Start-Ups
Natural light, clean design, and different sized meeting rooms are just a few of the perks that co-working spaces have to offer. These perks alone make it an ideal location for start-ups because they need every penny they can save on overhead costs. Co-working is also a great space for entrepreneurs who want to connect with other like-minded business owners!
6. No More Overspending on Office Supplies!
Whether you’re running your own business out of the home or working as an independent contractor, one thing that never goes down in cost is paper products. But instead of letting your office supplies take over your living room coffee table, why not head down to your local co-working facility? There you can find an abundance of office supplies, including pens, notepads, staplers, hole punches, etc., at a fraction of the cost. Level39 is one such co-working space that will surely inspire entrepreneurs to launch their businesses!
7. Meet New People
You know you’re not the only person who was stuck working from home all winter long while everyone else seemed to be enjoying their daily trip to Starbucks. Co-working provides an opportunity for you to meet new people and break out of your comfort zone so that maybe next time you see your friend, you won’t have melted into a puddle because it’s seven degrees outside!
8. Improve Your Social Skills
People don’t often leave their comfort zones, which means socializing with colleagues you don’t already know becomes less likely. Co-working spaces are great places because everyone is there for the same reason — to work! So it only makes sense that coworkers chat with one another instead of sitting in silence while they wait for their next deadline. Plus, many co-working facilities offer free coffee and snacks so meetings can easily transition into lighthearted chats over a bottle of water or a hot cup of tea!
Co-working spaces are great because they offer many benefits. These include increased productivity, better communication between coworkers, and the ability to meet new people. Coworkers can also benefit from an environment that is designed for creative thinking or start-ups looking to save on overhead costs.
