Looking for a cost-effective workspace that offers flexibility and convenience? This is what hot desking is all about – a concept that has seen a huge surge in popularity in recent years. If you’ve been wondering how hot desking works and whether or not it would be suitable for you, read on as Circle Hub explains everything you need to know!
What Exactly is Hot Desking?
Hot desking is a workspace system that allows people to pick and choose which desk they use each day. It is believed that the term has been derived from ‘hot racking’ – a system utilized by the US Navy, where sailors on different shifts would use the same bunk.
With hot desking, a worker can decide where to sit and how long they want to sit/work there for. It’s a popular concept in the coworking world but is also one that private offices are making use of. Both employees, as well as self-employed professionals, have witnessed a rise in everything from innovation to productivity after switching to a hot desking working model.
How Does Hot Desking Work?
Hot desking, known as Hot Spots at Circle Hub, is a very simple concept – you just turn up, grab an available desk, and get to work. With that said, there are usually a few extras that you’ll be able to enjoy too:
WiFi and Power Sockets
In this day and age, the need for WiFi is a given. This is something that’s included at just about every hot desking space. At Circle Hub, our members have access to a secure, stable, and super-fast connection, enabling you to download files and upload documents in no time at all.
Power sockets are also usually available for workers to use. You’ll be able to plug your devices in and work away for hours!
Printing Facilities
Access to printing facilities is also often included in a hot desking space, including the ones at Circle Hub. These are usually accessible from your own devices, although you may need to first log in online or download an app to connect to the printer.
Common Areas
For some people, a desk and a chair may be all that’s needed. However, others require a little more. Bathroom breaks, coffee and snacks, and areas where you can kick back and relax for a while can all be of huge benefit to professionals.
While these extra amenities aren’t offered by all coworking spaces, you can certainly expect to find them at the good ones! At Circle Hub, we offer all of that plus more, such as an on-site gym and a gaming room. Having a couple of recreational spaces like these to turn to can be a great way to relieve stress and refresh the mind.
Bookable Private Spaces
Does hot desking mean that you’ll never be able to work in privacy? Not necessarily…
Many hot desking facilities offer private spaces that can be booked by the hour/day, depending on how long you’ll need them. At Circle Hub, we have a few options that you can choose from. Our private office suites are available in a variety of sizes and give you the opportunity to work within four enclosed walls for a length of time. If you need a bigger space to hold a meeting, we also have conference rooms that can be hired by the hour.
Another option, if you simply want a quiet corner of a communal workspace rather than a fully enclosed office or meeting room, is our Designated Desk service. This allows you to book your chosen desk in advance for however long you’re going to need it. Once booked, it will be reserved for you. No one else will be able to use it during the specified times.
Why Has Hot Desking Become So Popular?
Now that you know what hot desking is and how it works, let’s take a look at why this workspace model has become so popular:
It’s Cost-Effective
One of the biggest advantages of hot desking is that it’s extremely cost-effective. This is especially the case when compared to leasing a traditional office space. With hot desking, all you need to pay for is your monthly membership fee. This is usually very affordable. All of the facilities and amenities that we discussed above tend to be included in this fee.
On the other hand, if you were to find yourself a private office to lease, you’d end up shelling out a lot more. Not only will you have your monthly lease to consider but you’d also need to pay for all of those ‘extras’ yourself. From utilities and WiFi to office furniture and equipment, all of this can really eat away at your finances.
The fact that hot desking doesn’t require a long commitment is another bonus. Usually, the contract is on a monthly basis and you can start and stop it as you please. With a traditional leased office space, you’ll be tied into a much longer contract. Usually, this will require you to commit for at least a couple of years. Again, not only does this work out to be more expensive but it can also restrict you in terms of expansion.
It Helps to Boost Creativity and Productivity
Sitting at the same desk and staring at the same view, day in and day out, can really sap away at a person’s motivation. On the other hand, being able to sit at a different desk each day, with a different view in front of you, can have an inspiring effect.
Research also shows that having access to plenty of natural light can also improve productivity. Most good hot desking spaces are designed to offer this. Rather than each desk being enclosed in a cubicle, the open-plan layout allows the entire workspace to be flooded with light. At Circle Hub, we also have many window-side desks that our members can work at, which has also been found to help with efficiency.
It Encourages Networking
Networking can be a game-changer, for both employees as well as self-employed individuals. It can help with everything from job opportunities and referrals to business reputation and growth, making it something worth doing as much as possible.
At a hot desking workspace, networking becomes so much easier. You’ll be surrounded by people from all walks of life, enabling you to meet a huge diversity of professionals. While you shouldn’t use a communal working area to have a lengthy chat with another professional, it’s a great place for initial introductions. After this, you can then move on to one of the common areas to further your discussions.
It Reduces Clutter in the Workspace
While some people are happy to work in a cluttered environment, others find this to be distracting. In fact, studies have found that a cluttered workspace can have a seriously negative impact on performance and productivity. It can also add to a person’s workload while wasting valuable time.
At a hot desking space, clutter is something that you’ll never have to worry about. Members leave the desks as they find them, meaning clean, tidy, and with no personal belongings scattered around.
If you’re someone who struggles to stay neat and organized while working, hot desking could help to change this. You’ll have no choice but to keep your desk tidy. This will help to set good habits and you will likely see a boost in your productivity levels too!
It Provides Flexibility and Autonomy
As we discussed above, hot desking gives a person the ability to choose where they work and when they work. This autonomy and flexibility can really help with motivation and, therefore, performance.
It means that individuals can choose a desk that best suits their tasks for the day. This will enable them to work to their full potential. Say, for example, you have a busy day with tight deadlines ahead of you. A desk in a quiet corner would be ideal. On the other hand, if your projects for the day involve lots of brainstorming and creativity, sitting at a desk in the center of a workspace, where you’re surrounded by the vibrant buzz created through hot desking, would be perfect. Having this flexibility not only improves productivity but also helps with mental health.
It Flattens the Traditional Hierarchy
In a traditional office setting, the senior staff usually has their own private offices, isolating them from other employees. Over time, this can foster a great deal of resentment.
Hot desking flattens that hierarchy straight away. It enables people from different levels of an organization to mingle and interact. This allows for better communication between teams, plus networking at all levels.
Is Hot Desking Right For You?
While hot desking offers some undeniable benefits, it’s not a solution for everyone. If you deal with highly confidential information on a day-to-day basis, you may struggle with the communal aspect of hot desking. Sure, you could hire a private office within a hot desking facility for your working hours. However, if you spend all of your time there, this means that you won’t be experiencing all of the other perks that hot desking has to offer.
On the other hand, if you don’t work with sensitive information, hot desking is definitely worth considering. It’s a great option for both individuals and businesses, providing the opportunity to thrive in a way that other workspace models can’t compete with. Most people who give it a try absolutely love it. Plus, the fact that you only need to commit for a month means that even if it doesn’t work for you, you’ve not lost much!
If you’re interested in finding out more about what hot desking is all about and whether or not it would work for you, click here to book a tour of Circle Hub’s hot desking spaces today!