What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of your co-working space or a smart office? Do you picture rows upon rows of desks, home to various startup projects and businesses? If you’re like most people, that might not be quite what you envisioned.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make the most of your time in a co-working space – here are three tips to help get you started!
1. Research your options.
If you’re looking to start a co-working business, finding an affordable space for your clients and employees is likely your main concern. Fortunately, many of today’s startups are deciding to use co-working spaces rather than renting expensive office spaces of their own. Because of that, demand for spaces like these has grown rapidly over recent years and there are now many different options out there if you want to make one part of your business plan.
Before you sign on any dotted lines, however, it’s important that you do some research into what kind of co-working space would be best for your clients and employees—and then how much it might cost. For example, will you need conference rooms and desk booking? Will they come with a projector? What about Wi-Fi access? Knowing exactly what each space offers will help you figure out which option works best for your company.
2. Try it out before you commit.
If you’re thinking about using a co-working space, there are plenty of things to consider before you sign on that dotted line. Can you get in? What time is it open? Is it close to where you live or work? Do they have space available at all times, or just during certain times of day? Check out what one of these spaces is like in person first (you can even ask for a tour!) so that when you’re ready to commit, you can feel confident that it will fit your needs. You never know if your favorite workspace has been taken by someone else already!
3. Balance socializing with productivity.
Try to keep a balance between getting your work done and socializing. You don’t have to be antisocial—in fact, it can be productive to network with others in your industry. Just limit time spent on small talk and aim for quality conversations over quantity ones.
Remember, when working out of a co-working space you have access to other professionals — take advantage of them! Don’t feel like you need to get everything done at once: With all of these great amenities, sometimes people feel pressured to get as much done as possible during their office hours. However, that isn’t always necessary or realistic.
If you find yourself without an internet connection or stuck on a problem that requires more focus than usual, take a break from your desk and do something else instead (if possible). It will help keep you sane while still allowing you to make progress toward finishing projects.
Be respectful. No one wants to sit next to someone who is constantly talking on their phone or yelling across the room at coworkers. Respect everyone else around you by keeping noise levels down so everyone can get their work done efficiently.
