Care to share? Now, if you think the only thing you can share is food, you’re absolutely mistaken! Companies and businesses sharing workplaces are a trend right now. It has grown from a once small-scale enterprise to one of today’s global phenomena. With a projected annual growth rate of 13% globally, it is no doubt that shared workplaces will eventually take over the business world.
So, suppose you are a freelancer in need of a cheaper workspace or an owner of a start-up company looking for a space where your employees can collaborate without you spending too much. That being so, you might want to think of sharing workplaces. From when and where it all began to where it will be in the next few decades, we will give you everything you need to know about shared workplaces.
1. Shared workplaces started way before 2005.
The concept of individuals working in a shared space began with seventeen German computer engineers. They created a “hackerspace” in 1995, where computer enthusiasts and other professionals could efficiently work and share their knowledge. The phrase ‘coworking’ originated from a game designer named Bernard DeKoven when he aspired to improve collaboration among workers. However, it was only in 2005 when the first-ever official shared workplace was established by Brad Neuberg to save his company from financial bankruptcy. With the remarkable rise and domination of technology in the corporate world today, the concept of shared workplaces has eased its way up the charts. Who would have thought, right?
2. It can benefit every type of business.
If you are wondering if knowing about this trend is even worth your effort and time, you probably would want to give that a second and third thought. Shared workspaces can benefit all types of businesses and corporations – big and small alike. Although it is more commonly used by freelancers, entrepreneurs, and start-up companies, more large companies are now taking advantage of its benefits.
Did you know that Instagram was created in a shared workplace in San Francisco, California? Its founders, Kevin Systrom and Mike Friger, even admitted that the coworking communities within the shared space had helped launch the app. So, as long as you maximize its benefits, your business is off to a great start!
3. It is more than just businesses sharing their workplaces with others!
The purpose of businesses and corporations adapting shared workplaces usually relies on what they need and what they want to achieve. Keep in mind that sharing is different from collaborating. Do you just share a space with other businesses, or are you open to sharing your ideas too? Here are the four types of shared workspaces you might want to adopt in the future.
Physical Shared Workspaces in San Francisco
This is good for you if you merely want to use the amenities of your chosen shared workplace for a certain period. No more, no less! It is a type of shared workplace where an individual or a business, per se, shares a space among multiple individuals on different timeslots, much like rentals. You don’t get to interact with other individuals, and you just mind your own business.
Physical Collaborative Workspaces in San Francisco
Now, if you own a start-up company where you want to provide a space where your small team of employees can grow and work through collaboration, then this is the type of shared workspace for you. You don’t have to think about building your own office space anymore, so you can focus more on growing your company, which is what you want to do.
Virtual Shared Workspaces
Shared workspaces also exist in the virtual world! This type of shared workspace is where colleagues share the information they manage and use as individuals. No collaboration happens within the team, so employees still do their tasks independently and at their own pace. This type of shared workplace often utilizes software tools like Google Drive, Google Suite, or Microsoft Teams.
Virtual Collaborative Workspaces
When the COVID – 19 pandemic came, most employees and employers were forced to stay home. Hence, the beginning of work-from-home. So, this type of shared workplace is not unfamiliar territory to most of you. Companies conduct real-time video conferences and meetings to check everyone’s work progress and to work together on their projects. Freelancers and entrepreneurs also meet with their clients online.
Still not convinced? If not, then we advise you to keep on reading. You might want to know what it is about shared workplaces that changed the course of the corporate world. Scroll down to know what’s good and bad about shared workplaces.
4. Shared workplaces are holistically beneficial.
Statistically speaking, sharing workplaces produces significant benefits not only to the profit of businesses and companies but also to the work efficiency of individuals and employees.
Cost-effective
If you have up to 30 employees in your team, switching to shared workplaces will save you about 60-70% of your expenses. But what if you are a large-scale multinational company? Well, you can add 25% more to your profit. You don’t have to spend thousands, or millions, of your money to own or rent an office space for your business. You also get to choose which among the different shared workplaces around you fit your business’ capability and needs.
Flexible
Shared workplaces give you endless options, and you can decide which will benefit your business the most. You won’t have to worry about annual lease requirements because shared workspaces often offer monthly memberships. You can also choose which amenities you like to use, so you don’t have to be bothered with maintaining unused spaces. Plus! You can grow your team as long as you want because you can switch from one shared workplace to another without fuss!
More opportunities
What’s not to like about shared workplaces if it will give you access to a lot (when we say a lot, we mean it!) of opportunities that can take your business to the next level? You can connect and partner with other business owners or even get investments if you are lucky enough. The time when employees could only work within the four corners of their company’s building is now in the past. Shared workplaces will help you expand your business in many ways you cannot imagine.
Higher productivity and work efficiency
Shared workspaces not only open doors of opportunities but also open floors for collaboration. Also, more than 80% of employees admitted they felt more motivated and engaged in a space where they could collaborate and share their ideas with other teams. Shared workplaces are also conducive environments for freelancers or start-up companies who need project collaborators. Imagine being on the same floor as other professionals who might be open to working with you. What more can you ask for, right?
5. Of course, shared workplaces are not all hearts and flowers.
Although shared workplaces have come a long way from how they started, they also have a fair share of drawbacks as the traditional offices.
Prone to distractions
If you are a freelancer who prefers to work alone because you do not want to get distracted, then maybe shared workplaces are not for you. If you own a business or company that makes and receives many calls daily, you might want to reconsider sharing your workspace with others because you can cause distractions. Shared workplaces are like students sharing dormitories. You don’t always get the choice of who your roommates will be.
Close to Competitors
“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” Can you imagine being in the same space as your competitors? Bumping into each other in the elevators or crossing each other’s paths in the hallway? No way! Well, this is not impossible if you are in a shared workplace. Good thing you can quickly move from one shared workplace to another! So make sure you check everything first before weighing out your options.
Challenging to Build Company’s Identity
Every business and every company has its own branding. As the team grows, they also form a unique work culture. However, this can be pretty difficult in a shared workplace. There are a lot of aspects in a shared workplace that you have no control over, from making simple decisions such as the wall paintings to more complex ones like the values and beliefs the workplace is upholding.
Care to share?
It is undoubtedly hard to shift from the traditional offices we have known ever since to a more non-conventional and modern take on workplaces. But, we are humans, after all. We adapt and survive. When the COVID – 19 pandemic hit the world, we had no choice but to look for ways to continue our lives. No wonder the concept of shared workplaces is now overtaking the corporate world.
So, whether you are into this trend or not, you should always consider two things:
1. Your top two goals must be your business’ success and your team’s growth.
2. If you feel lost in the sea of distractions, always go back to number 1.
Need a Convenient, Cost-Effective, Reliable Space?
Finding a good office space in San Francisco allows you to enjoy a lot of perks, whatever that office space may be — physical collaborative workspaces or virtual workspace setup. And here at Dynamico Space, we’re ready to offer the most comprehensive range of options just for you. We have private executive suites, coworking spaces, and dedicated desks all available in flexible terms.
So, if you’re interested to know more about our services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our project managers. You can call us on 415-483-6050 or send us an email at [email protected] to get a free quote. Discuss your needs and book a tour of your potential startup office space in San Francisco today!