Growing numbers of freelancers, entrepreneurs and organisations are opting for flexible workspace, but these days many are looking for more than just co-working space: they want to collaborate with others.
The traditional co-working sector is wilting, according to an article by EGi, with firms of all sizes expecting more from their flexible office space.
“Today’s businesses require more than just office space,” said James Layfield, chief executive of Central Working. “They need a nurturing environment, surrounded by people that understand their business and care about their success — an environment in which they are helped to grow. This support is absent from 90% of co-working spaces that rely instead on gimmicks like beer and ping-pong tables to make their environment work.”
Responding to the demand for collaborative work environments, the next generation of workspaces provide tailored support and allow occupants to make valuable connections.
“This goes far beyond ‘co-working’ but doesn’t mean ‘incubator’ either,” Layfield explained. “It is a new type of workspace, one which many are paying lip service to, but very few actually deliver.”
Glasgow-based Collabor8te is one shared workspace provider whose success illustrates the growing appeal of collaborative environments.
Teresa Jackson, who opened her first shared workspace in Glasgow more than three years ago, is now looking for properties in Edinburgh, Inverness and Dundee, Scottish Business Insider reports.
First launched three and a half years ago, Collabor8te has developed a reputation for the success of its co-workers, who are often invited onto projects to complement the skills of their hot-desking neighbours.
“Whilst many of our earlier members joined for the convenience of a city centre base, there’s no doubt that businesses are now realising that being based in a co-working office gives them access to a wider network and a lot more opportunities,” Jackson said.
Tags: collaboration, Future Living, Future of work, Smart City, workspace