Is a Coworking Space the Right Fit for Your Business?

If you are an employee who works from home, you know how difficult it can be to separate home life from your job under the same roof. For those who are currently working from home and searching for a new way to productively get work done from outside the office, a coworking space might be a good place to start.

According to Harvard Business Review, researchers have discovered that employees who join coworking spaces report levels of thriving at “an average of 6 on a 7-point scale.”

Coworking spaces allow employees to rent a space of their choice where they can individually work from while maintaining freedom and flexibility. Depending on price, this could range from a rotating desk space to a personal office, conference room, or other luxuries. Some coworking spaces even offer a private gym or kitchen for employees to use at their leisure.

The benefits that come out of a coworking space vary for each employee, depending on one’s nature of work, habits, and ideal environment. Before deciding on joining a coworking space, there are some thoughts you should consider:

What are you looking for?

Different coworking spaces cater to different work environments. Figure out what you want from a coworking space and then filter your options to fit your needs. Are you looking for a space where creativity from different occupations flows freely, or a space where you work amongst those who are on the same boat as you? Does the way the space is decorated affect your motivation, or are you just looking for a place to sit? Once you determine what kind of environment you’re looking for, be sure to ask the following basic questions when contacting the business owner:

1. Will there be access to copiers/scanners/fax machines?
2. How much desk space is available per person?
3. What are the office hours? Is the space open on weekends?

How far are you willing to commute?

Coworking spaces are becoming more and more abundant as time goes on. Luckily, this means that the travel distance for those looking to join a coworking space has gotten much shorter. Depending on how far you are willing to commute, the perfect space will be a compromise between distance, price, and accommodations.

Will this fit with your budget?

The nice perk about coworking spaces is that many businesses allow employees to choose how much they are willing to spend. Prices start around $200 a month for the basic “floating-desk” coworking space experience. Because it is a shared environment, the costs will be far less than a private office. Looking for more of an personal space? At a higher price, there is commonly an option to upgrade to a single office room. For those who work more efficiently alone but have a low budget and can only afford a shared office, then a coworking space may not be beneficial. And that’s okay - coworking spaces aren't for everyone, but they are a good fit for those who are looking to work amongst creative, human inspiration and motivation in a constructive environment.

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