While a handful of companies implemented the hybrid work model decades ago, this concept really came into its own after the Covid-19 pandemic. People spent so much time working from home and reaping all of the rewards this has to offer, leaving them reluctant to go back to spending all their working hours in a traditional office.
With companies also experiencing a variety of benefits from having fewer employees in an office, the hybrid work model quickly started to become more popular. This flexible work arrangement gives employees the opportunity to choose where they work, be it at the company’s office, at home, at a coworking space, or anywhere else.
Now that a few years have gone by, the novelty of working from home is starting to wear off. Constantly working in isolation can take a toll. Sure, it has its advantages but it also means that employees miss out on social interaction, daily structure, and the surge in creativity that comes from collaborating with others, all of which have an impact on productivity as well as overall wellness.
The solution? Coworking spaces. By combining remote work with coworking, people are now able to embrace the hybrid work model like never before. They experience the best of both worlds – a professional space that they can use when needed, plus the option to work in isolation when they don’t want to be around other people. Keep reading as Circle Hub explores the many ways in which coworking can help to make the hybrid work model even more of a success.
Full Flexibility
One of the reasons why coworking perfectly suits the hybrid work model is because of the flexibility that coworking offers. With a coworking space, you can come and go as you please. You don’t need to commit to certain days or specific times. Instead, most coworking spaces offer shared workspaces (known as Hot Spots at Circle Hub), where people can drop in and out at any time of day. Some, including Circle Hub, take this flexibility to the next level by offering 24/7 access.
This flexibility also expands to the contract that you’ll sign when you join a coworking space. Many, like Circle Hub, don’t require a long-term commitment. Your membership will run on a month-to-month basis. This means that you can cancel it whenever you like, and restart it again if you change your mind!
A Professional Environment Without a Long Commute
One of the reasons why employees quickly become disenchanted with working in an office is because of the commute. Numerous studies confirm that a long commute can significantly hinder productivity, creativity, and innovation. This is something that companies are increasingly recognizing – another reason why they’re embracing the hybrid work model for their employees. Cutting back on that commute not only means that employees have more time each day but also leaves them feeling happier and more motivated.
While remote working from home means that employees won’t have to commute at all, coworking also helps to keep that commute time to a minimum. Coworking spaces are now popping up just about everywhere. This makes it easier than ever to find one that’s quick and convenient to get to. Circle Hub has two locations that you can work from – one in Northridge and another in Ventura. Both are easily accessible by car as well as public transport, with plenty of parking options too.
The fact that a coworking space will give you a much more professional environment to work from makes this small commute more than worthwhile. After all, in addition to having access to shared workspaces, many coworking spaces also give you access to everything from private offices to sleek conference rooms. Whether you’re meeting a new client for the first time, have an important video conference scheduled, or simply want to host a meeting with your team, the professional ambiance offered by a coworking space tends to be much more suitable for this than a home office!
Access to Resources and Amenities
One reason why working at your company’s office headquarters can be beneficial is that it gives you access to the various resources and amenities provided by that company. From high-speed WiFi to printing facilities to free coffee, things like these can all make working life run much more smoothly. It’s much harder, not to mention expensive, to create this sort of setup yourself at home.
Once again, this is where coworking spaces are able to fill a gap. While some don’t offer much more than the basics, others, like Circle Hub, go all out when it comes to the resources and amenities provided to their members. Take our kitchen area, for example, which is always stocked with complimentary refreshments. We also have an on-site gym, which will save you from yet another commute to whichever gym you were previously using! Many of our members also very much appreciate our gaming room. It’s the perfect space to kick back and relax for a while!
The Opportunity to Collaborate
Collaboration is often very underrated. When remote working first became popular, the lack of opportunities to collaborate was something that wasn’t really considered. However, it soon became apparent that this was more important than many realized. Nothing quite compares to the feeling of creativity and inspiration that can come from in-person collaboration. Missing out on this soon left remote workers feeling demotivated.
At a coworking space, collaboration happens all the time. Sure, you may be surrounded by strangers who aren’t your colleagues. However, even then, simply taking a few minutes to chat about what you’re working on and absorbing their perspective on things is often all that it takes to give your mind the boost that it needs.
Coworking spaces can be beneficial when collaborating with colleagues too. This is often difficult to organize when employees are working from home. However, it’s easy to arrange an in-person meeting when utilizing a coworking space. Plus, the way in which most coworking spaces are specifically designed to foster creativity and collaboration means that this environment can often be even more beneficial than a traditional office space.
Networking for the Win
There’s no denying that digital networking can have its advantages. It gives you the opportunity to network with a much wider range of people. They don’t even need to be in the same country as you, let alone the same town or city.
However, just like when it comes to collaboration, relationships that have been founded on a real-life connection can sometimes be much stronger. People also tend to be more responsive when meeting someone face-to-face, as opposed to receiving an online message from someone.
Remote working really limits your chances to network. This is another reason why coworking spaces fit in so well with the hybrid work model. At a coworking space, you’ll be surrounded by other professionals, most of whom will be more than happy to make new connections. Not only will this make it much easier to establish new contacts but, with research showing that 85% of jobs are filled through networking, it could have a huge impact on the progression of your career as well.
A Structured Routine and an Improved Work/Life Balance
While some people are disciplined enough to stick to a routine when remotely working from home, others really struggle with this. Working from home often means that you have more distractions to deal with. This can detract from the sense of structure that your working day needs. This can also blur the lines between your work/life balance. In the long run, this can be extremely detrimental to your mental health and well-being.
On the flip side, many find that traditional office spaces are a bit too structured. Again, this is where coworking spaces provide the perfect middle ground. They give you an opportunity to work away from your home environment but without having to stick to the rigid schedule set by a traditional office space. You can turn up when you want, work for however long you want to, and take as many breaks as you need. This will give your day that all-important structure without leaving you feeling stifled and constrained.
This is one of the reasons why coworking spaces have been found to significantly support work/life balance. The result of this is an improvement in mental well-being, which translates to a boost in productivity too!
Choosing a Coworking Space That Fits in With Your Hybrid Work Routine
Coworking spaces definitely have their place in a hybrid work model. However, not all coworking spaces will benefit you to the same extent. The key is to find a coworking space that offers the location, amenities, and types of workspaces that you need.
To make sure that you pick the right coworking space, start by defining your requirements. Then, do some research into the various coworking spaces around you. Make a shortlist of those that seem to meet the mark. After this, it’s time to visit them in person. Take a tour of each space that you’re considering. Pay attention to everything from noise levels to cleanliness to how friendly the staff are. This is also a great opportunity to speak to the other members who are currently using that space – they’ll be able to give you more of a real-life insight into how that space runs and works for them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions as picking the right coworking space is essential if you want to succeed with your hybrid work model.
Coworking at Circle Hub
The coworking spaces at Circle Hub lend themselves extremely well to hybrid work. With a variety of different workspaces to choose from, along with top-of-the-line facilities and amenities, it’s easy to see how our coworking spaces attract professionals from such a wide range of industries.