Although it began as a trend, coworking spaces are now ruling the roost. These shared workspaces are used by millions of people all around the world, from part-time freelancers to corporate executives. They’ve revolutionized the way in which people view the traditional workspace, offering up benefits that provide a win-win all around.
If you’ve been wondering whether or not shared workspaces are right for you, keep reading. Circle Hub is about to share some of the biggest perks that you can expect to experience when you join a coworking space.
A Boost in Productivity
For many, one of the biggest benefits that come from using shared workspaces is the boost in productivity that they give you.
How does this work?
For starters, you’ll be surrounded by other productive people. This will immediately improve your mindset, enabling you to focus on the task at hand in the best way possible. It’s so much easier to be productive when you have like-minded people all around you, as opposed to disgruntled colleagues who don’t really want to be there.
Of course, coworking spaces also offer up a variety of different working environments. Sure, many shared workspaces consist of desks, but some, such as Circle Hub, provide a few different workspaces for members to choose from. Whether you prefer curling up on a sofa, kicking back on a beanbag, or working while you eat in a kitchen environment, you’ll be able to pick a working area that you feel truly comfortable in. This will allow you to be your most productive self.
Networking Opportunities
One study concluded that 82% of individuals who use a coworking space end up expanding their professional network. It’s easy to see why. Shared workspaces expose you to people from all walks of life, from a diverse array of industries. Whether you need someone to take over your accounts, build you a website, or manage your social media, there’s a good chance that the right fit for the task is sharing your workspace.
The open-plan nature of shared workspaces makes it easy to strike up a conversation with the people around you. At Circle Hub, we also have lounge and kitchen areas where you can enjoy some downtime while once again meeting more professionals.
We also try to go the extra mile when it comes to encouraging networking among our members. A solid professional network is something that can really help a business to succeed, and we want our members to take full advantage of that. That’s why we also offer organized networking events. These are informal gatherings, such as free breakfasts and yoga sessions, where you can meet some of the other professionals that use Circle Hub’s workspaces. If you don’t want to strike up a conversation during your working day, then these events are a good alternative.
Shared Workspaces Are All About Flexibility
Shared workspaces are designed to be as flexible as possible. You don’t have to follow set working hours in the way that you would at a traditional office. Instead, you can turn up when you want and stay for as long as you need to.
Some coworking spaces, including Circle Hub, even provide 24/7 access. Not only is this useful when you have an important deadline looming, but it also gives you somewhere professional to go to when you have a late-night Zoom meeting with a client that lives across the world.
Of course, coworking spaces provide flexibility in other ways too. If you want to work on your own the majority of the time but then need a private larger space in which you can host a team meeting every once in a while, a coworking space will have your back. At Circle Hub, our conference rooms are perfect for when you need to host a gathering of any kind. We also have private office suites that our members can make the most of.
We’re flexible when it comes to using all of these spaces too – they don’t require any sort of long-term commitment. Instead, you can book your office space or conference room by the hour.
Reduced Costs
As we’ve just mentioned, our conference rooms and office spaces can be booked by the hour. This in itself is a big cost saver – look elsewhere and you could end up paying daily, or even weekly, fees.
However, shared workspaces can help professionals to cut back on costs in many other ways too. The monthly membership fee that’s paid is much cheaper than the cost of leasing a private office space, and you also receive so much more for your money.
For example, you won’t need to worry about overheads. These can really add up! From electricity to WiFi to cleaning services, shared workspaces provide all of this at no extra cost. Not only will this save you some money, but it will also give you less admin and paperwork to deal with!
Scalability
While you may be on your own when you first start your business, success leads to expansion. This means that your workspace could potentially need to accommodate more than just you.
Working at a coworking space makes this easy. Any new team members can simply sign up with the same space if you need to work together. As we mentioned, you’ll also have access to private offices and conference rooms when you need to hold confidential meetings.
Even better, the Circle Hub Northridge location also provides access to a warehouse space. In fact, we’re the first coworking space to offer both warehouse and office facilities under one roof. This is a game-changer if you’re dealing with physical goods. With 24/7 access and the use of a forklift, you won’t have to worry about storing your stock when you’re a Circle Hub member.
A Sense of Community
Statistics show that more and more professionals are experiencing loneliness in the workplace. This is largely due to how people don’t feel any sort of connection with their colleagues. They struggle to find people that they want to interact with at work, causing them to then feel isolated.
Shared workspaces change all of that. As we discussed earlier, they’re utilized by such a diverse group of people that you’ll no doubt be able to find some who you’re able to develop a connection with. Unlike at a traditional office, people aren’t using a coworking space because they have to be there – instead, they’re there because they want to be, which will already make it so much easier to engage with them.
Improved Wellness
Professionals often neglect wellness. After all, why spend that time on themselves when they could instead be working and advancing their career?
Well, as it turns out, focusing on your own wellness can do wonders for your professional success too. Take exercise, for example. It’s something that’s easy to dismiss when you’re working long hours, yet research shows that it improves cognitive function and boosts productivity. That’s why, at Circle Hub, we have an on-site gym. Whether you want to start your day with a workout or release some stress in the afternoon, it’s the perfect way to squeeze some exercise into your day without having to take too much time away from your busy schedule.
It’s not just exercise that benefits both wellness and productivity – video games can do this too! They’re a fantastic way to take a mental break and relax for a while. They’ll take your mind off the task at hand, which can often give you a more refreshed outlook when you return to it. However, in addition to doing that, research shows that playing 45 minutes of video games could potentially boost productivity by 20%. That’s a big jump, which is why Circle Hub also offers an on-site gaming room for our members to use.
A Healthier Work-Life Balance
For many professionals, the alternative to working from a coworking space is working from home. However, this can really interfere with a person’s work-life balance, something that many underestimate.
Maintaining a good work-life balance helps to reduce stress and burnout. On the other end of the scale, a poor work-life balance affects productivity, motivation, and efficiency.
How do shared workspaces help?
By adding structure to a person’s day. It forces you to separate your work and play. You’ll have somewhere to go when you need to work, after which your brain can then turn off when it’s time to relax.
Working from home blurs this boundary. It may seem beneficial to your productivity at first, but it soon takes its toll, making shared workspaces a great way to overcome this.
A Convenient Commute
For many professionals, the commute to and from work each day is something that they seriously dread. Everyone is expected to turn up to the same building when working from a traditional office space, meaning that those who don’t live nearby end up spending a large chunk of their time traveling. Not only does this feel like a waste of time, but it isn’t doing the environment any favors either!
Coworking spaces have been changing that. Thanks to how they’ve been growing in popularity, you’ll find coworking spaces popping up all over the world. Chances are that you’ll have several to pick from if you’re seeking a coworking space near you, making it easy to find one that offers a quick and convenient commute.
If you’re intrigued by Circle Hub’s expansive offerings, you’ll be happy to know that we have two Californian locations for you to choose from. The first is in Northridge. It’s situated in a community that’s buzzing with shops, bars, and restaurants. We also have a location in Ventura, which is just a short drive away from the beach. Both locations offer convenient access to various public transport options too – ideal for those trying to reduce their environmental impact!
Summary
When it comes down to it, coworking spaces have so much to offer to the average professional. They give you a credibility that you would have lacked if you were working from home, while also helping to boost your productivity, creativity, professional network, and wellbeing. It’s easy to see why more and more professionals have been embracing shared workspaces, and with the rapid rate at which new coworking spaces have been appearing around the globe, the coworking phenomenon shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon!
Want to find out more about the coworking spaces offered at Circle Hub? Click here to book a tour today!