Coworking Spaces // 7 Key Advantages for Remote Workers

Here’s a list of the benefits of coworking spaces for remote workers, digital nomads and entrepreneurs that you won’t want to miss.

At the onset of the pandemic, we all well at least a big number of us became remote workers forced by the circumstances that surrounded the pandemic and the measures that were put in place to ensure we combated the diseases.

With most of the economies now opening most organizations have maintained their remote workers or even opted to hire remote workers given the advantages that come with having remote teams. While this was largely driven by the Work From Home concept, two years down the line, more people want to work outside the comfort of their homes.

This is where flexible workspaces come in. More employers are now seeking alternatives for their remote teams and taking a package at a flexible workspace like a coworking space is quite ideal.

Coworking spaces are now gaining popularity even in our region, with Coworker Statistics showing that there are more than 18500+ coworking spaces globally and over 5.5 million users globally. In Africa there are over 900 coworking spaces. 

Coworking spaces offer an alternative to the traditional ‘work-from-home’ model in that you no longer have to be lonely if you have a remote job. You can work remotely alongside others who do the same, in an inspirational office space with perks like networking, events and inspirational design.

Just like remote work and working from home, are super important in the future of work. Here’s a list of the benefits of coworking spaces for remote workers, digital nomads and entrepreneurs that you won’t want to miss.

You get to meet other inspiring professionals

Unlike a group of employees who work in an office, in the traditional sense, a coworking space is a professional home for people who have all sorts of jobs and talents.

Coworking spaces introduce you to so many types of professions you didn’t even know existed, and to the types of people who have these professions. 

Just being around the buzz of people coding websites, writing novels, and designing startups is far from the corporate talk and dry meetings people have perceived as an integral part of ‘professional life.’ 

Some coworking spaces give you 24/7 access 

While not all coworking spaces are open 24/7, you can usually find one that is, in some of the best cities for working remotely.

That makes it easy in case you need to work late, come in early or take a call on the weekend. You might not even be alone when working on an urgent deadline or packing in some work on a Sunday in order to get ahead for the week.

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At Nairobi Garage, for example, all our membership packages give you 24/7 access to our coworking space across all our four locations. Of course, there are a few terms and conditions here and there, however this allows you the flexibility you need to get work or projects done.

Coworking spaces usually host activities and networking events.

Nairobi Garage Kilimani for example started a member networking session called The Brown Bag. Held every fort night Thursday, the session allows the members of the community to share lunch and talk about societal issues. From topics surrounding  Black Tax to this being an election year; To Vote or Not .

I got to attend the Vote or not to Vote  session and  what an eye opener it was and it was really interesting listening to our members who are Dutch just share around their voting system in the Netherlands. It is one thing to read this in the books and another to listen to it firsthand

Not only was it fun, but I walked away with some knowledge and some new people to say hi to in the workspace.

Apart from this, Nairobi Garage also held #IWD2022 Event to just celebrate the Unstoppable women as well as the monthly #AfterOfficeHours sessions.

Events like these give a sense of community to places that are centered around “work,” and they’re great bonuses – and usually more interesting – than a typical post-work happy hour with coworkers at the same bar time after time.

Coworking spaces show that it’s not crazy to be a freelancer.

The digital revolution, the rise of remote work and all the factors that have made creative careers possible have given many people the opportunity to start their own businesses and begin freelancing.

This drift from the traditional full-time office job has naturally allowed for coworking spaces to be places where freelancers can feel like they fit in perfectly. In fact, there’s no better place to be a freelancer than at a coworking space – where else would you find community, while meeting individuals so similar as well?

The Community Managers also help you curate your experience.

A coworking space community manager is typically a person whose job is to make sure that your coworking experience is excellent.

This person will typically send-community newsletters that detail new members or new companies joining the space, upcoming events, and opportunities to give feedback about what you’d like to see.

They also carry check-in sessions that help you know your way around and make you comfortable in a space where you could rub shoulders with close to a hundred people in a day.

Coworking Tip: Typically it’s a great idea to become friendly with the community manager so that you can make sure you’ll be getting the most out of your coworking space membership.

The ‘desk’ has a new meaning.

No one will shame you for working from a hammock, cubby or outdoor space.

In a traditional office, if you’re not at your desk, your coworkers may wonder where you are. Or, their assumptions could jump to the fact that you are slacking off.

Worse yet, they could think you left for the day, if they don’t notice that you’re indeed online. There are so many misconceptions that can occur when people take ‘being at your desk’ very literally.

Your desk can be wherever you feel comfortable, whether it’s outside at an outdoor table under an umbrella or sitting at the bar in the social area near the cold brew coffee.

This is one of my favorite parts about a coworking space, personally.

Some coworking spaces offer multi-space memberships.

As coworking spaces rise in popularity along with the increase in professionals who work remotely, coworking spaces that have multiple locations bring a great benefit.

Spaces like Nairobi Garage and have locations across the city and with the crazy Nairobi Traffic, you don’t have to rush across the city for your next meeting. You can start your day at Nairobi Garage Karen, move your Lunch meeting at Nairobi Garage Kilimani, and after your catch-up with a friend in Westlands, check-in at Nairobi Garage Delta to finish up on your last meeting with your boss who is at a different time zone.

Other coworking spaces like WeWork give you multi-city membership coupled with traveler hostels, making for a type of co-living experience abroad.