From a humble desk to a spacious private office, there are so many different types of coworking spaces out there. In some ways, this is great! It makes it easy for people to find a coworking space that perfectly matches their needs.
However, if you’re new to the world of coworking, then some of the lingo that’s used to describe these varied spaces may seem confusing. One phrase in particular that many aren’t familiar with is ‘hot spots’. What exactly are they and would they be a good match for your working style? Keep reading – Circle Hub is about to explain!
What is a Hot Spot?
Some call them hot desks, we call them hot spots. Either way, both refer to the same concept – common areas that are kitted out with desks for people to drop in and work at.
The beauty of hot spots is that no advanced booking is required. You can simply turn up whenever you need to, choose an available desk, and get to work. They’re super flexible, which is ideal for those who don’t need to adhere to a rigid work schedule.
The Benefits of Working at Hot Spots
Wondering whether or not hot spots would work for you? Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits that you can expect to experience:
Affordability
Keeping costs to a minimum is now more important than ever, especially for smaller businesses and freelancers. With the cost of living steadily on the rise, it can be difficult to turn a profit if you’re shelling out on expensive office rentals and soaring overheads.
That’s one of the reasons why hot spots are becoming increasingly popular. When it comes to the various types of coworking spaces available, hot spots are among the most affordable, making them ideal for individuals and startups.
At Circle Hub, we offer a monthly rate for the use of our hot spots. Sure, if you only plan on turning up once or twice a month, then a hot spot wouldn’t be a very cost-effective solution for you. However, if you intend on using a coworking space regularly, then our hot spots would be a great money saver.
Even better, there’s no long-term commitment involved. Simply book yourself in for the months that you need us.
A Productive Atmosphere
If you’ve been finding yourself stuck in a rut with your work and struggling with productivity, then working at hot spots could be just what you need. You’ll be surrounded by such a huge variety of people from a diverse array of industries, meaning that the atmosphere in these common areas is always buzzing and full of energy.
In fact, research shows that working spaces like our hot spots help to improve communication and increase collaboration. You’ll be sitting next to different people each time you turn up, meaning that you never know who you may end up meeting. Working at a hot spot is a fantastic way to informally network, enabling you to organically grow your business.
24/7 Access
This benefit doesn’t apply to all hot spots – some have set opening hours. However, at Circle Hub, our hot spots have 24/7 access. This gives you full control over when your day starts and ends.
This can be important for a number of different reasons. Maybe you’re working with international clients in other time zones. Or perhaps you’re simply a night owl and you do your best work after dark.
Either way, 24/7 access gives you complete flexibility over when you work.
High-Speed WiFi & Other Office Amenities
While some hot spots are known for their shaky internet connection, you can generally expect to have use of high-speed WiFi at your chosen hot spot. After all, this is a must in the digital age. People need a bandwidth that’s high enough to cope with video meetings, the sharing of large files, and so much more.
At Circle Hub, we’re proud of how fast and stable our WiFi is. No matter how many people are connected to it, it provides a stable connection that you can depend on.
Of course, WiFi isn’t the only office amenity that you might need. At Circle Hub, we also provide access to our state-of-the-art printing facilities, ensuring that you have all of the tech that you need to get your job done perfectly.
Access to Even More Amenities
Office amenities aren’t the only thing that you’ll be able to enjoy if you choose to work at Circle Hub’s hot spots. You’ll also have access to all of the wider amenities at our coworking space.
Take our indoor fitness center, for example. While you’re working at Circle Hub, you’ll be able to put a pause on your monthly gym membership (another way to save some money!), as we have our very own on-site gym. Whether you want to de-stress with a workout in the middle of your day or unwind at the gym after you’re done working, our fitness center makes this so much easier.
We also have a few chill zones that you’ll be able to use too. Not only are these perfect for providing some distractions whenever you need a break, but they also make it so easy to meet new people and do some networking, as well as general socializing.
Even better, you’ll have access to our on-site kitchen as well. You’ll be able to whip up a couple of midday snacks to keep you going while enjoying our complimentary beverages.
Convenient Locations
In order to be as widely accessible as possible, most hot spots are located in central spots that are easy to get to. This is certainly true of the Circle Hub hot spots, with two prime locations to choose from.
The first is in Ventura, California. To make your commute even easier, there is plenty of parking right in front of our building. Our Ventura location is also located just ten minutes from the beach – ideal for when you need some downtime after work!
If Ventura doesn’t work for you, our Northridge location is another option. Situated near several sleek bars and restaurants, this spot provides easy access to three different freeways (the 118, the 101, and the 405).
Are There Any Downsides to Working at Hot Spots?
We’ve mentioned several benefits that come from working at hot spots. However, hot spots aren’t for everyone, and there are a few different reasons for this:
Unwanted Distractions
Firstly, some find hot spots to be distracting, simply due to the number of people that surround you. Whether the person next to you is having a loud phone conversation or a team of people at a nearby table are getting over-enthusiastic about their work, there’s no denying that hot spots can sometimes be quite a distracting environment.
However, this largely depends on the hot spot that you choose. Or, to be more specific, on the community manager that runs that hot spot. At Circle Hub, our community managers ensure that everyone working at our hot spots adheres to a set of rules to keep the atmosphere calm and conducive to productivity. We encourage people to be respectful of others, which is why productivity usually soars when people choose to work at Circle Hub.
Health and Safety
The Covid pandemic may have slowed down, but there are still plenty of cases popping up all over the place. So, is it really wise to pick a workplace that involves you sharing a space with a number of different strangers each day?
We say yes, but only if you choose a hot spot that offers a high-quality and reliable cleaning service. That’s something that we pride ourselves on at Circle Hub. Our regular cleaning service ensures that all workspaces are kept in a hygienic way. We’re also able to set things up to maintain social distancing if needed.
A Lack of Privacy
With so many people around you, a hot spot isn’t necessarily the best place to be if you’re working on something confidential. After all, it’ll seem pretty unprofessional if you have to whisper down the phone to a client about a private matter. Likewise, it can be frustrating if you have to cover up your screen to hide any confidential documents each time someone walks past you.
However, that’s where Circle Hub’s other coworking spaces come in. Even if you regularly work at a hot spot, you’ll still have the option of booking yourself a private office for a day, or even a conference room if you need to hold a sensitive meeting.
This way, you can make the most of the benefits offered by a hot spot while still enjoying a sense of privacy whenever you need it.
Just like our hot spots, our private offices and conference rooms can be booked on an as-needed basis. With no long-term contracts or commitments, they’re absolutely perfect for people who need some flexibility when it comes to their workspace.
Missing Out on Your Favorite Seat
When using a hot spot, you need to be flexible about which desk you end up working at. After all, with several people sharing the same space, chances are that you won’t always end up with your preferred area unless you turn up in the early hours of the morning.
If you’re someone who likes regularity and stability when it comes to your work desk, then a hot spot may not be right for you. Instead, our Designated Desk system may be more suitable. With this, you can book a specific desk just for you for however long you need it. Be it a couple of days, a week, or even a few months, you’ll be able to pick your perfect working space and it will be kept empty, just for you, for the time period that you choose.
Want to Give Circle Hub’s Hot Spots a Try?
Still unsure about whether or not hot spots would work for you? Well, there’s only one way to find out! Simply book yourself in for a tour of Circle Hub’s coworking spaces, including our hot spots, to find out more about whether or not this environment would be conducive to the work that you do.