Setting up and maintaining an office takes the biggest bite out of a company’s operational budget. It’s no surprise to note the growing popularity of co-working spaces. Co-working spaces grew by over 1000% from 2010 to 2020.
Co-working spaces are fully furnished shared office spaces that are centrally managed by co-working space providers. Companies using these spaces do not have to worry about dealing with housekeeping, IS, admin and security or worry about dealing with 10-12 vendors. It’s the ideal plug-and-play solution. That said, to have the best experience, you must know how to choose a co-working space.
Here are 5 common mistakes to avoid while choosing a co-working space.
- Choosing A Workplace-Based Solely On Price
Given that one of the most common reasons companies choose a coworking space over traditional offices is to reduce costs, the importance of budgeting cannot be underplayed. That said, the price cannot be the deciding factor if you want the best coworking space. Per desk rental costs vary by location, amenities as well as many other factors.
When you choose a co-working space, make sure it is located in an area that has good connectivity through multiple modes of transport. The co-working space should be furnished to be comfortable, and you’re assured of reliable service (check online reviews of the space). These factors have a direct effect on productivity as well as the team’s working experience and the company’s chances of success.
2. Underestimating The Importance Of Common Areas
One of the common co-working mistakes you could make is ignoring the common areas. The impression the space creates for employees and clients is related to your brand’s reputation.
Hence, pay equal attention to the outside and the inside. Does the co-working space have security outside? Do they have a receptionist? Is there a conference room where you can meet with clients? Are the toilets maintained properly?
Apart from desks and chairs for your team to work from, the co-working space must have common areas such as a reception, meeting rooms, a cafeteria or kitchenette, etc.
Your team needs these spaces to be able to take a break from time to time and blow off steam. They also play an important role in networking and collaboration.
3. Ignoring The Team’s Workstyle
Some teams may prefer dividing tasks and working on responsibilities individually while others may prefer a more collaborative approach. Your workspace must be tuned to match these preferences.
Some employees may want to work from home for 3 days and come to the office twice a week while others want to come in every day.
Finding a co-working space that matches your team’s way of working is one of the most important co-working space commandments. You need to find a space where employees can choose to work collaboratively in a joint space or at individual desks as per their needs.
For some teams, a regular monthly plan may be cost-effective while for others, a flexible plan may be a better choice.
4. Not Talking About Internet and Power Backup
Electricity and the internet are seen as essentials in the co-working industry. They’re as important as desks and chairs. When you visit the co-working space, 99% of the time all the lights, the internet, etc. will be working fine. But blackouts can happen.
And, you need to know how the co-working space is prepared to deal with them. It would be quite frustrating for your team to have to pause their work because of it. Some co-working spaces like The Office Pass (TOP) maintain a primary and a stand-by or backup internet connection so you are never without internet.
Make sure you talk about the type of power backup being offered. Some co-working spaces will offer only UPS backup for laptops and the internet while others may also include power backup for air conditioning.
A good way of assessing this is by reading online reviews of the space operator.
5. Picking A Poor Location
When you’re looking at how to choose a co-working workplace, location plays an important role. One of the key reasons for shifting from traditional independent offices to shared co-working spaces is that the latter should let you afford an address in the heart of the city rather than the outskirts. The office location says a lot about your brand positioning. When you choose a co-working office, you need to make sure it is on the main road and easily accessible. The office should be located in an area that is well lit even during night time.
Offices near metro and bus stops are preferable. This makes it convenient for employees. In addition, it should have sufficient parking for employees and clients who drive their own vehicles.
Finding The Right Co-working Space For You
Apart from avoiding the above mistakes, you should also make sure the co-working space provider has a good reputation.
The space should be furnished with ergonomic desks and chairs and equipped with the latest equipment. Be assured of reliable, high-speed Wi-Fi, power backup in case of emergencies, and a range of other facilities to boost productivity and ensure your employees enjoy a work-life balance.