How To Increase Coworking Space Productivity

Some businesses and solopreneurs opted to eliminate permanent office space during the pandemic and simply do not want to return to the pre-pandemic status quo.  With so many working hybrid now post-pandemic, it is essential for workers to remain productive wherever they work.

Hybrid Work Is Here To Stay

Contrary to what some businesses and managers believed would happen, professional worker productivity and engagement actually increased during the pandemic. At the same time, workers concluded that hours spent commuting and sitting in an assigned workspace every day is not somethign they want to go back to. Many let their feet do the walking and actually moved out of congested metropolitan areas to less populated locations based on the premise that they can work remotely just as effectively as those working on premise. The “genie is out of the bottle” and getting them to return to an assigned workspace in a permanent corporate office simply isn’t going to happen. Even for workers who didn’t relocate during the pandemic, a return to a permanent workspace five days a week isn’t in the cards.

Coworking Spaces Play Critical Role in Hybrid Work

Coworking spaces, such as those from Davinci Meeting Rooms, are certain to facilitate businesses transitioning to hybrid work environments. Businesses and solopreneurs without permanent workspaces will turn to coworking spaces so that workers can get in-person time with other team members and leverage rented meeting spaces for meetings with colleagues, partners, and customers. 

For organizations that retain some permanent office space, coworking space will serve as an overflow for meetings and locations for workers who live a significant distance from corporate office space. For others, coworking space may become their primary office space. Of course, all of these dynamics increase the complexity of managing office policies and logistics—and ultimately coworking space productivity. 

Tips to Improve coworking Space Productivity

The following are strategies and tactics that businesses and solopreneurs can leverage to achieve higher coworking space productivity:

Use Coworking Space for Flex Office

Typically, permanent business office space is near capacity on most workdays. As a result, businesses have limited ability to accommodate fluctuations in the number of workers who show up to an office. Coworking space provides significant flexibility and scale. For example, businesses with 30 employees who work from the office can accommodate a surge to 10 workers overnight. Booking coworking space is easy using booking technology such as that found on Davinci Meeting Rooms. 

Build a Consistent Coworking Brand

For businesses that plan to rely exclusively on coworking space, as well as those that leverage coworking space for supplemental workspace, building an engaging coworking brand experience is important. Consistency is a pivotal starting point; multiple coworking spaces need to have the same booking methods, amenities and administrative services, and look and feel. This also includes consistent cleaning standards that are well-documented. 

Additionally, businesses need to think outside the box to build coworking brand experiences such as team luncheons, coffee hours, and other fun activities. “By focusing on clearly defining your company culture, you set the expectations of behaviors,” said Raven Beria, founder of brand consultancy firm Brandalaxy. “Efficiency starts with mindset, communication, and alignment of culture.”

Engage and Network With Other Coworking Members

One aspect of coworking spaces that does not exist in a permanent office location is the opportunity to engage with other coworking members. The ideation and networking with other businesses creates new business opportunities and innovation. Interactions may even lead to business relationships that drive revenue.

Avoid Lugging Everything to the Coworking Space

Workers who spend time in a coworking space may be tempted to lug all of their devices and work materials. But the weight of carrying all of them can impact health and certainly impedes convenience and efficiency. Health issues resulting from the extra weight that accumulates from these different devices and materials can be substantial according to the American Chiropractic Association. Here, businesses need to invest in lightweight business laptops and online digital services for storing files. They also need to seek out coworking space that comes with business services that eliminate the need for some of the devices and materials a professional may be tempted to bring to the space. 

Create Work-Life Balance Choices

Healthy foods, onsite gyms, and scheduled workouts with other coworking space members at the beginning or end of the day—or even middle of the day—enable workers in coworking spaces to maintain healthy work-life balances. Vetting coworking spaces for work-life balance issues is something every business should undertake. 

Schedule Professional Ideation and Networking

One of the big plusses of coworking space is the chance to engage with other professionals. In addition to informal interactions, scheduled information-sharing sessions for coworking spaces afford professionals with opportunities to learn from each other in formal settings. 

Keep Coworking Spaces Clean

Cleaning coworking space takes on new meaning in a post-pandemic new normal. But keeping coworking space clean to prevent virus reoccurrence is just one reason. Research shows that cleaning and organizing coworking space also contributes to worker productivity. Ownership for doing so lies with both the coworking provider and individual workers. “Take a few minutes every day to tidy up your workspace,” said Jamie Fertsch, director and co-founder of Xdesk, a U.S.-based company that creates customized, ergonomic desks out of environmentally friendly materials. “You can do this by throwing out unnecessary items and maintaining whatever organization system suits your style, so those extra distractions and clutter don’t bog.”

Coworking Space Creates Win-Win Scenario for Businesses and Workers

There are a lot of exciting business transformations taking place as the pandemic recedes and economies and offices reopen. The rise of the hybrid workplace and flexibility of remote work are among those at the top of the list for many. Businesses benefit by slashing real estate costs while finding and retaining top talent at higher rates. Workers see better work-life balances and relocate to areas with cheaper living costs. Coworking space gives businesses the means to scale to more locations faster and the ability to provide workers with temporary workspace for team meetings and collaboration. Find a coworking space new you with Davinci today.

About Patrick Spencer

Patrick Spencer (Ph.D.) is the President and Founder of TIRO Communications that helps companies develop, build, and manage content, customer, advocacy, and demand-gen programs. Included in its offerings is TIRO Cognition Insights, a data analytics tool that enables B2C and B2B businesses to pinpoint what their customers and competitors’ customers are saying and to identify corresponding actionable product, services, competitive, sales, and marketing intelligence. LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn Website: www.tirocommunications.com