With many companies now getting into the Hybrid Work Model which is an integration of Work From Home (WFH) and Working from the Office, Managers are trying to get their teams into flexible workspaces, like coworking spaces.
This has largely contributed to the growing demand in number of coworking spaces all around the world.
Many leading companies are already adopting the flexible workspaces like the coworking model for the benefits these spaces offer employees, such as a comfortable yet professional workspace, excellent networking, and collaboration opportunities, cost-effective pricing models, and more.
According to Statista, the number of coworking spaces worldwide will increase to around 42,000 by the end of 2024. This growth in the establishment of coworking spaces is directly attributed to the rising number of companies opting for coworking spaces for operating their businesses.
However, transitioning to working in coworking spaces can be challenging for both employers and employees.
In this article, we’ll look at a few tips and tricks to ensure that moving from working from home (WFH) to a coworking space is a smooth transition for businesses.
We have shared a number of times, what one should look out for in coworking spaces. Coworking spaces provide different workplace solutions offering extensive benefits to business owners.
Hence, choosing a coworking space that suits your business requirements is a must when transitioning from WFH to coworking.
Search for a coworking space by keeping factors like flexibility, location, pricing, amenities, community etc. in mind.
Prospective members should carefully weigh the pros and cons offered by each of the coworking spaces in question before making a decision.
Company culture plays a crucial role in employee happiness and retention. However, building company culture in shared spaces can be challenging. Some coworking spaces are closely aligned with the needs of corporate companies while some are focused on digital nomads and freelancers.
Identify the type of environment the coworking space offers and understand if it aligns with your company culture.
For instance, a team that has always worked in a corporate-looking environment wouldn’t like a space built for millennials. Once the coworking space is decided, you can find out ways to inculcate your company culture into it.
You can achieve this by placing subtle artifacts, wall art, illustrations, and more to showcase your brand identity or even emphasize on the company’s mission and goals via the office décor.
Coworking spaces take away the hassle of capital investments, office maintenance, and other operational expenses freeing up your budget for other things. Hence, invest this additional budget in the right tools to boost employee productivity.
For example, calculating the salaries of employees manually is difficult. So, investing in payroll software to calculate the salaries will help the HR and accounting team calculate salaries without any hurdles.
Invest in software that can help you automate your manual tasks. Choose the ones that can be easily integrated into your existing workflows. You can also connect with other business owners or other professionals working in the coworking space for software recommendations.
The transition from work from home to a coworking space can be overwhelming for employees. Hence, talking to them and understanding their thoughts about this new working style is necessary.
One way to do this is by sharing a survey with your team to capture employees’ feedback about the transition. Ensure to address their issues and concerns to make them feel comfortable about the shift.
Besides, you can ask your team to give suggestions for workplace design and layout. Brainstorm new ideas to choose a layout that can empower the team to work efficiently in the new space.
Creating standard operating procedure (SOP) documentation is important because it helps companies in streamlining their processes and keeps all employees and stakeholders on the same page. An SOP will thereby help teams to ensure that their work continues cohesively during the transition.
Create an internal documentation with a set of step-by-step instructions that help employees complete their tasks according to the company’s expectations.
A comprehensive SOP should cover all aspects of the business, such as operations, legal, accounts, HR, and more. It can be compiled in various formats, such as checklists or charts.
SOPs are essential because they will promote a smooth transition to working primarily from a coworking space. It imparts the right organizational knowledge and ensures employees adhere to best work practices.
In conclusion, by following the tips and tricks mentioned in this article, you can manage this transition seamlessly and without any stress. You can also sign up for a tour in our coworking space to just get a better understanding of how coworking works.