Coworking Space // 5 Key Elements To Consider

Coworking has become a popular topic in recent years. It has gained even more popularity with the wake of the global pandemic that took the world by storm in December 2019.

“Coworking spaces are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. But it’s not just digital nomads and entrepreneurs taking advantage of those facilities: Major corporations are also getting involved.”- Uptin Saiidi, CNBC

The interest in working in a coworking space increased for some individuals and organizations due to remote working being reinforced. Organizations have intently looked for ways to cut down costs so as to ensure that they are sustainable, renting office space has been one of the items on the list.

A number of organizations have completely shifted their whole team to working remotely while others have facilitated some of their employees to work in coworking spaces that are convenient for them. Coworking spaces are desirable for newly growing startups as they have the opportunity to work in a professional environment and build a community while doing so. Due to the prevailing global pandemic, working from home is a good option for some however the motivation can decrease as time passes. In a coworking space, you are constantly motivated by your coworkers, even if you are not directly working with them.

According to Deskmag, the first “official” coworking space was formed in 2005 in San Francisco on August 9 by the programmer Brad Neuberg. It was formed as a reaction to “unsocial” business centres and the unproductive work life at a home office. The organization offered five to eight desks two days a week, free wifi, along with shared lunches, meditation breaks and lounges. These are some of the elements that enable coworking spaces to stand out. 

In today’s article we share with you 5 key elements of a coworking space in Nairobi:

Convenient Location

Market research is a key step to take before setting up your coworking space. As the business owner, you need to understand and clearly map out your ideal buyer persona so as to understand the need that they are trying to meet. Understanding your target market will help you make an informed decision when it comes to the location of the coworking space. One common factor is to ensure that it is in close proximity to multiple business hubs such as the Central Business District( CBD).

Coworking spaces that are near malls, retail shops or those accessible from residential areas are a plus. Thinking of the convenience of your members is paramount, for example, will they have a good selection of food places during lunchtime?

Excellent Client Service

‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel’ a famous quote by Maya Angelou. Excellent client service should be one of the core values that your coworking space takes pride in. Customers will easily become loyal to people who are welcoming and to those who give them a sense of belonging. Endeavour to make your office be a home away from home, a place that they long to be in. 

Coworking space managers who listen to the concerns and complaints of their clients develop good customer relations. It is an indication that they are willing to improve the space to ensure that workers in the space are able to work in comfort and convenience.

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Ambience

Providing a good working environment is an element that is a top priority for most people shopping around for office space. People often want to be in a space that is inspiring creativity, relaxation and innovation. This begins with choosing colours that inspire great moods and productivity. Choosing the best office colours is seen to boost creativity, happiness and productivity. Proper sanitation, lighting and circulation of air are key elements to consider so as to ensure that your members are working in a conducive space. 

Community Engagement

Human beings are naturally made as social beings. People are concerned about building relationships that nurture and lead to growth. When you spend at least 8 hours a day with the same people, you should be able to consider them a second family, and the coworking space a second home. As the community manager, getting your members to meet and interact is a great way to elevate the coworking experience. Through this people are able to build their networks and to share ideas that will enable them to grow in their respective fields. 

A space that is located near the business district is highly likely to be better connected to industry leaders, movers and sectors that can contribute to a startup’s growth. On the other hand, it has an edge when it comes to emerging trends and practices that are quickly gaining ground in any given niche. 

Affordability

Providing good quality at an affordable price will make it easier for you to stand out. Startups are often looking for coworking spaces that are reasonably priced. The current global recession has made people operate on tight budgets with little opportunity to stretch out.  Freelancers on the other hand might prefer co-working spaces with a weekly or daily rate option. Providing day passes will make it easier for you to attract more people to your coworking space and these will be quality sales & marketing leads for future campaigns. 

Companies that are in their transitioning phase highly consider the affordability of the space. A co-working space can be a temporary refuge before settling into a larger, solely-owned private office. Such companies often look for reasonable prices and an open contract option.  

Everyone is different, and so is every business. At Nairobi Garage we understand that, and so we have created customized office space packages to suit all types of ventures and budgets. These include Coworking, Private Office and Club Space. Whether you’re growing at lightning speed, going steady or keeping it lean – we’ve got office space packages to suit your needs.