It can be said that by the end of 2017, Coworking has become a well-known and accepted concept in the mainstream office market. But not only in the United States, in the markets of Europe and Asia too. In Poland, the pace is so dynamic it’s hard to keep up with. The Coworking business model – different companies sharing office space by renting dedicated micro offices, desks and shared workplaces – drew a lot of attention. In this way, a new move on the real estate market has become a forerunner in addressing the growing demand for startups, SMEs and corporations.
Six years ago, there were only 1,000 such places in the world; by the end of 2018, 37,000 Coworkings will be open. Poland is no different, by the end of 2018 it is expected to increase the area of coworking spaces by 300%. Once only recognized as a cheaper alternative to the office, Coworking now also educates the concept of “working environment” through the following 5 new trends.
Cooperation Through the Community
One of the most appreciated advantages of working in a Coworking space is the environment that fosters and opens up for collaboration. With this in mind, spaces are designed in the premise of a high coefficient of common areas. Outside the physical space, online collaboration is becoming increasingly common through community functions in coworking management platforms. Increasing demand for creativity and innovation in business has led to increased demand for shared spaces and effective co-workers (coworkers).
“Space as a Service” – generation and retention of revenue
With the development of technology and changes in the market, changes to how offices earn money has shifted too. The perspective of the landlord, which has not changed, is a fundamental need to receive rent and retention from customers for as long as possible. At the beginning of 2016, we were able to observe how Coworking owners develod new models for better sales of their services and, consequently, retention of permanent tenants. Some of these solutions include specialized services for niche communities in Coworking (such as For example a Hardware Laboratory in Gdańsk O4), cooperation with local businesses nearby (eg Regular Brain Embassy breakfasts in co-operation with local cafes) but also opening up to corporate customers offering greater flexibility than traditional office space.
New technologies that enhance the members experience
Integrated technology and implementation of state-of-the-art solutions are the heart and soul of Coworking. One study shows that 41% of millennial workers are more likely to communicate electronically than face to face or by phone. It’s not just about data transparency and fast internet, but also about managing your space and what’s happening around it. One of the factors that improves the Coworking experience is the user’s convenience for members, allowing them to book and pay for services via their phone. Facilitating members tasks is beneficial for both the member and the operator. Thanks to the ShareSpace platform, the user will definitely save valuable time by choosing the perfect space and billing online.
Availability / Arrivals
Often the problem with Coworking is the lack of sufficient parking space for its users. The current GUS survey shows that the average journey to work is 15 minutes. To accommodate this fact, Coworking spaces secure adequate parking spaces and bicycle stands in their area, which are often offered free of charge. For the same reason, Coworking Entrepreneurs often open new facilities nearby to dining and leisure facilities so these amenities are available in the area. The idea is to have a more homely atmosphere at a Coworking space, especially for those who have a hard time going to and from the workspace.
Corporations Buy Coworking
Coworking grew in strength by meeting the needs of small and medium-sized businesses by sharing costs and networking. However, large companies quickly saw the benefits of working in a common space. Working in Coworking offers not only a more economical alternative to the fast deployment of new teams but also access to the test environment of new ideas and the most important; Access to small businesses and freelancers – giving large companies access to new solutions and talent that they could not find anywhere else.
As demand for coworking continues to grow, operators will continue to find new practices to improve both the experience and the development of their coworkers. Six years ago no one predicted that these trends would become what is today known as Coworking. It is interesting what will set the new standard in 4-6 years. Following the trend of digitizing shared services, ShareSpace gives Coworking the right transparency and simplicity of rental.
