Start-ups and small businesses are increasingly abandoning the traditional concept of workspaces and work time frames and are embracing 100% remote workforces or using coworking spaces based on the needs of their businesses.
Coffee shops or coworking spaces? Pros and cons:
Some form of workspace and meeting space is needed to keep work life and home life separate. One of the options is to leverage the local coffee shop. Nearly every coffee shop won’t mind if you take up a space for a couple hours, and they all have some form of internet for customers. There is almost always plenty of electrical outlets and comfortable chairs or sofas to sit on. The same can be said about in-person meetings. There is nothing better to get a meeting off to a great start than a cappuccino.
Yet, there are disadvantages that come with coffee shops—for both individuals trying to get work done and for professionals meeting with others in-person. Coffee shops can fill up at certain times of the day, and the congregation of people and noise can be a big distraction. Confidentiality is a problem as well—from those looking at your laptop over your shoulder or eaves dropping on private conversations.
And at a certain point, the amount of time you spend sitting in the coffee shop can become a problem. Either you need to purchase drinks and food regularly to justify the time spent there, or employees at the coffee shop may begin to give you or your group glares. Finally, for individuals working by themselves, getting up to use the restroom can be an issue as you cannot leave your laptop and other belongings on the table because you risk having them stolen.
Coworking space is a great alternative to coffee shops. They are no longer only used by digital nomads but by actual businesses, small to large. Coworking spaces, such as @Work Coworking office space have meeting rooms and workspaces that can be booked hourly, daily and monthly They also offer printers, presentation tools, office supplies, and more. Additionally, most have receptionists for all the help and support you need.
The opportunity for networking is not only stimulating, but such can lead to beneficial collaborations and business activities. Meeting rooms allow for a professional setting for you and your colleagues which influences other thoughts and perceptions of your business. When it comes to cost, coworking space is certainly may be more expensive than paying a few drinks at the local coffee shop, although at @work coworking space your rate includes unlimited coffee and light snacks and it is way more productive than a coffee shop would be.
While privacy in a coworking space is much better than a coffee shop, it can still be problematic for those who are on the phone frequently, which is why a quiet workspace is implemented and loud phone calls are directed to meeting rooms or the outside sitting area at @Work Coworking office space.
Greater workspace and workhour flexibility will result in better work-life balances. Businesses’ benefit, too. They have a much larger pool of workers from which to recruit, and it becomes easier to maintain their top ability.
