It’s safe to say we can finally demote “coworking” from buzzword status. It is an established means of maximizing the potential of a workforce or running a startup economically.

COVID-19 forced businesses to seriously consider the benefits of permanent offices where everyone has their own desk. Some concluded that it still works for them, while others opt for hybrid working solutions.

Coworking spaces have proved a viable choice for many businesses, especially those with mainly digital work practices.

It’s one thing to have flexible workspace needs thrust upon you by COVID lockdowns. However, it’s another to choose it as a means to empower your team by. You can use coworking as a blend of shared office space, traditional workplaces, and working from home.

It’s worth noting that, all around the world, many business are opting for the latter. Rather than asking “should we bring coworking spaces into the mix?” companies are now considering “what do we need in our coworking space?”.

Some businesses or worker may only have experience in traditional offices. Where everyone is allocated a desk and lease contracts are measured in years. That’s why those aforementioned questions are important to ask.

To help answer these questions for you and your business, we’ll explore the qualities of a great coworking space and elaborate on why these are important, below.

1. Centrality

Although hybrid working enables employees to access the workspace anywhere, most businesses have a center of gravity.

The ideal coworking location is often in a city or large town. That’s because it’s more likely to be connected by multiple means of transportation and be close to beneficial amenities.

A central office can act as the location to bring the workforce together in-person. Better yet, it’ll often be supported by a network of office spaces outside of the main business districts. This helps hybrid workers to work closer to home, whether they live outside the city or simply closer to public transportation.

2. Convenience

When choosing a specific location in your chosen town or city, make sure the location offers you convenience. This could mean being in close proximity to transport hubs, or being located to other similar businesses in your industry for networking.

Not all city center locations can claim those factors. Some places are less connected or are tied up by traffic problems. This can be important if clients need to visit, so it’s worth considering if that’s important for you.

3. Accessibility for all

Your coworking space needs to be fully accessible for both staff and visitors alike. In which case, accessible entrances, wheelchair access, ease of access for the visually impaired are essentially.

This goes beyond being simply accessible to anyone, it also needs to be comfortable, such as offering plenty of places for people to sit down in shared areas.

Other helpful facilities are also worth utilising, if they’re available. For example, secure bike storage, and on-site showers are always beneficial.

4. In-house and local amenities

Many coworking spaces have vending machines, coffee shops, or canteens under their roofs. While these may come at an extra cost, these are all welcome additions for both visitors and staff.

As a minimum, there’s almost always the use of a kitchen for preparing food, with equipment such as kettles and microwaves. The space may also be located close to shops, cafes, takeaways, parks, or bars.

5. Connectivity

No digital business should consider a workspace without ensuring its broadband is up to scratch.

You’ll need to know how many people you’re sharing your space with. This helps ensure a guaranteed, dependable level of connectivity.

While WiFi is convenient for phones, tablets, and laptops, look for Ethernet connectivity. That’s because, if the WiFi goes down, you’ll need a reliable backup. Ethernet connections will also often be more reliable.

6. Calm, productive atmosphere

There will always be those who thrive in a busy, bustling office. However, for most people, a sense of tranquillity and calm is much more conducive to high productivity. It’s also more likely to help maintain good mental health.

Places with an organic feel, with plenty of space, large windows, and lighting helps facilitate this feeling. Plenty of well-kept plants are often viewed as more open, friendly places to be productive and creative.

7. Seating choices

One of the benefits of coworking is that people can form different-sized groups. This applies or internal meetings, liaising with clients, and simply working alongside other team members on projects.

Rigid seating layouts often don’t help with that. The flexibility to move around furniture to accommodate different-sized groups often provides more benefits than static seating positions. Naturally, each these locations should maintain access to shared screens and Ethernet sockets.

You should also consider different types of seating and desks to accommodate your workers. For example, consider making use of a mix of sofas, ergonomic office chairs, breakfast bars, stools, armchairs, and even standing benches.

Give people the option to work where they’re most comfortable.

8. Great management

Knowledgeable, efficient, and supportive space management is essential for office-based success. First impressions can be key indicators for well-organized office management.

This can include well-stocked vending machines, clean working areas free of litter, and facilities in working order. These are signs of well-managed office space and anything less can detract both from your ability to work effectively and to appear wholly professional.

9. Flexibility and rules

Coworking staff work different hours and have a range of work practices, and the means of doing work changes constantly.

Consider the following. How flexible is a space when it comes to opening and access hours? Are there large screens you can use? How many guests can you sign in? Are there rules on bringing dogs or children that could impact certain staff members?

If you, your staff, or potential visitors have specific flexible workspace needs, address these while researching your potential coworking space.

10. Optional private spaces

Coworking spaces aren’t always private, usually consisting of large rooms with seating and desks scattered around. In many cases, you can’t guarantee that your neighboring worker will be one of your colleagues.

If this doesn’t sound like the right fit for your business, you may benefit from alternative private offices and breakout areas.

These might be included in your contract or paid for additionally by the hour. These can be great for meetings, interviews, training, briefing, and one-on-ones, making them really handy to have access to.

Similarly, connected conference rooms, event spaces, or meeting rooms can make for a successful coworking space if you're a highly connected business.

11. Inspiring architecture

While not essential, rather its “nice to have”, some coworking buildings stand out from the competition. Having an impressively built or beautifully presented building to work from can be inspirational to your team as well as a confidence builder for would-be clients.

It could be something cutting-edge and modern, or a tasteful conversion of one of the city’s classic old buildings. If it makes a positive emotional connection with people, that’s always a good thing.

12. Networking potential

If you like going to team-building and networking events, you should consider an office that naturally invites networking opportunities.

That’s the case with many coworking spaces. In these spaces, there’s an ever-changing mix of your employees, freelancers, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and service providers. It’s not just sharing desks either, but a coworking spaces’s breakout areas and communal areas.

It’s amazing how often a chance conversation with a like-minded coworker leads to long-term collaboration on projects. If you or your business is the kind that’s always ready with an elevator pitch, look for coworking spaces that have a range of shared space areas.

13. Competitive pricing

The cost of office space will likely be a determining factor in terms of choice. Any business space, whether it’s a traditional office space or some sort of hybrid space, it needs to be cost-effective.

Luckily, Regus offers great deals in the coworking area, with ample options all across the world.

What do you need in a coworking space?

What’s exciting about many coworking spaces is that they are so diverse. This means there is sure to be a coworking space that adheres to the needs for every kind of business.

With Regus coworking spaces, our centers come ready-to-use with furniture, payment options to accommodate many different budgets, and wealths of productivity-increasing amenities on-site and nearby. These centers are found across every major town and city around the world.

As a business owner, it’s up to you to decide which features would best benefit you, your employees, and your bottom line.

If you’re expanding, exploring new territories, or wanting to inject some new energy into your business, the change of scene and ethos you get from flexible coworking spaces can work wonders.

***

Regus offers office spaces all across America. Businesses can find centers with coworking spaces in the most popular locations in the country, including New York, Florida, and Illinois. Wherever you need to find your new office space, make sure you work your way with Regus.