Office design has experienced nothing short of a revolution in the last 20 years. Cubicle farms are becoming a thing of the past, and while not every idea has worked according to plan—think open offices with workstations crammed in close proximity, or poorly executed hot desking—one thing is increasingly clear: people-centric office spaces do more to help a company’s culture, creative spirit, and bottom line than anything else. But how can coworking help?
The act of going somewhere specific to work can help workers mentally. This can help them step into being the professional that gets the work done and done well.
But you might not think a coworking space, such as WeWork or Impact Hub, would be so people-focused. You’d be wrong. In fact, major corporations are taking their cues from coworking spaces. This helps reverse engineer what it is about coworking facilities that bring to the table what traditional offices cannot. Some, such as Salesforce, Starbucks, and Bank of America, are outright joining the ranks of entrepreneurs taking the most advantage of coworking space. Why? It gives employees a sense of identity that doesn’t interfere with their sense of belonging to the organization.
More Than a Money-Saver
Yes, coworking spaces offer businesses and sole proprietors an office they may not otherwise be able to afford, networking opportunities, and a business base more professional than the coffee shop down the street. But that’s not all they offer, and as such, large corporations are taking notice.
Legitimacy, Professionalism, and Credibility
For a new business owner or a freelancer working to build a client base, parking themselves on the living room couch with a laptop and a phone may be the easiest, cheapest (read: free), and most convenient, but it may not always be the most conducive to work, creativity, or day-to-day operations. The act of going somewhere specific to work can help workers mentally step into being the professional that gets the work done and done well.
Read the full article on Inc.com.
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