As more and more people start to turn to coworking spaces, you may be curious to learn more about them.
So… what is coworking?
According to Google, coworking is “the use of an office or other working environment by people who are self-employed or working for different employers, typically so as to share equipment, ideas, and knowledge.”
Wikipedia defines coworking as “an arrangement in which several workers from different companies share an office space, allowing cost savings and convenience through the use of common infrastructure, such as equipment, utilities, and receptionist and custodial services.”
Gio Aguirre, the founder of GrupDesk Inc, defines coworking as a place to “help you and your business succeed. Our workspace brings people together, from many different industries and with unique skills. This concept creates a [collaborative] environment where these unique skills can be shared to other community members. Community, collaboration, learning, and sustainability are core values at GrupDesk.”
There really is not one answer to the question of what is coworking. Coworking can be whatever you need it to be at the time. Fundamentally, coworking is a gathering of like-minded individuals who have a common goal of getting work done and succeeding in business. Today, coworking is an opportunity to share ideas, grow your knowledge base, increase your network, and transform a space into whatever you need in order to succeed and grow your business. This means that coworking means something different to everyone.
Why do people like coworking?
Coworking has become increasingly popular over the last decade. More and more coworking spaces are appearing in cities all over the world. In fact, one source predicts that more than 5.1 million people will become coworking members world-wide by 2022. It’s evident by the sheer number of working spaces available that coworking is popular, but not everyone is familiar with how they can benefit from them.
Like the previous question, the answer to this will vary depending on the person. Coworking provides different benefits to workers from different industries and business sizes.
For most, coworking is appealing because of the level of flexibility it offers. Coworking spaces grow along with your business and adapt to your needs. There are different levels of coworking paces available to suit your workload, as well as different sizes of desks and tables depending on the size of your business and workforce.
If you are just starting a new business venture, a coworking space is the perfect option because it gives you a level of freedom that traditional offices do not. You can scale up or scale down in team numbers as needed, there are low overhead costs, you can network with other community members with different expertise, and you have the flexibility to work whatever hours you need to.
While working from home may seem like a good option to some, it can become very lonely and foster unproductivity. To create an efficient at-home work environment, the costs can start to pile up between utilities, insurance, and comfortable office furniture.
Coworking spaces offer a professional environment that promote productivity and networking. Coworking isn’t just for start-ups, though. If you are interested in learning about who can benefit from a coworking space, we suggest reading this article.
How successful can coworking be?
Not convinced that coworking really works? Some of the most successful companies today got their start in coworking spaces. These companies include:
• Uber, which is now represented in 80 countries across the globe
• Spotify, who serves 159 million active users
• Instagram, which was sold to Facebook for $1 billion
Want to give coworking a try?
If you are interested in learning more about how a coworking space is right for you and your business, come by GrupDesk today! Our open concept fosters collaborations with like-minded individuals from a variety of industries in one great, convenient location in downtown Red Deer.
Do you have other questions that weren’t answered here? Give us a call at 587-272-4787.
Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are ready to answer all your coworking questions.
