Although office spaces have been around for dozens of years, the idea of “coworking” has only
really become a commonly used term over the past 10 years or so. It’s crazy to think of a time
where offices weren’t shared spaces designed to promote creativity, collaboration and
community – but there was such a time!
Over recent years, as coworking has become a movement in and of itself, we have noticed
a number of emerging trends. Inevitably some have turned out to be short-lived fads that
come part and parcel with any new concept. However, as coworking continues to blow up,
there have been a number of substantial trends that seem to be here for the long haul!
From the changes in those who use a coworking and collaborative space, to what people
are looking for from their place of work and how the future is looking brighter than ever for
community workspaces in London and the world as a whole; let’s delve into what really
keeps coworking at the heart of business in 2018!
Top Coworking Trends
for 2018
Both 2017 and 2018 have been huge years for the coworking industry, with more users
than ever before clocking in and out of the office. Could it be that traditional workspaces
are becoming a thing of the past?
We are lucky enough to be at the heart of one of the biggest business movements of the
21stCentury, with London being described as the global capital for coworking spaces,
ahead of New York! So what does this mean for the future of coworking and what are
the today’s trends indicating for the industry?
Technology
One of the major trends amongst coworking spaces is technology, which is advancing at
a lightning speed rate, but it seems as though coworking joints are managing to keep up!
Gone are your tired fax machines and slow internet; coworking offices offer top of the range
technology from equipment that is fast, and reliable to internal management systems to ensure
everything runs smoothly. In an age where digital nomads rule the scene, the need for an
environment that lends itself to the millennials that account for almost half the coworking
population is paramount.
The rise in coworking tech means that members can benefit from booking rooms, checking
stats and keeping up to date with the latest community news and events on the go. It is a way
to stay connected with work 24/7 (if that is what you wish), that can be accessed as and when suits you.
Sustainability
According to Deskmag’s 2018 Global Coworking Survey, this year will see an
even bigger effort to produce sustainable community building! What this means for those
benefiting from our desk sharing environment is more opportunities, better contacts and lifelong
relationships at the centre of it all.
Times have changed, coworking spaces aren’t just for your freelance writers and business start-ups
anymore, but instead are hubs of intermingling industries working together. Usually situated at the
centre of the community, with strong connections with other local independent businesses and
organisations, coworking is the step in the right direction towards a sustainable community
environment both internally and externally.
With the members at the heart of it, creating amazing places to work as well as offering a place
to build entrepreneurial and sustainable communities is at the forefront of what coworking should
all be about.
Raising Awareness of Coworking as a Concept
For those who work for themselves, or even as part of forward-thinking companies, coworking
will be a familiar concept. However, for the vast majority of those working in more traditional
workplaces, the idea of coworking is alien.
You’d be surprised how many of our members had never heard of coworking before entering into
self-employment, and this is something set to change in the upcoming years!
With coworking spaces in London having grown by 73% over the
past three years, and more jobs becoming remote than ever, it seems things are on course for
even bigger numbers in the coming years, which means we get an opportunity to share our
amazing spaces with even more people!
We like to think of this as a productive circle; the more awareness there is out there on the types
of communities’ places like Areaworks build, the more diverse and unique our community will become,
and the more partnerships that can take place within our walls as a result!
The Coming Together of Coworkers and Corporations
As the coworking world has adapted and changed over the years, we have seen many big
collaborative office spaces taking a more corporate approach to business. Whilst those not in the
know consider desk coworking as just for freelancers or creatives, those within the community
know it to be a crucial step towards sustainable business.
Whilst your average coworking spot may have the odd office dog roaming, and on-site foosball,
there is still a strong element of professionalism that is largely borrowed from the corporate world.
Similarly, corporations have begun adopting many of the main selling points of coworking offices,
namely a more flexible approach to working, doing away with strict assigned seating, and offering
a more laid back dynamic.
Over the past five years or so, we have seen a rise in huge corporations making use of coworking
and collaborative spaces, namely the likes of IBM, Microsoft and Barclays who have all set up
shop in a collaborative workspace!
So Why are Coworking and
Collaborative Spaces Here
to Stay in 2018 & the
Years to Come
The trends highlight some huge agendas for change in the future, but what about for the here
and now? Here is why community workspaces are here to stay!
No More Lone-Worker Blues
In 2018, there are more of us than ever working non-traditional hours, whether it’s through
freelancing or working for a big corporation, and the need for engagement can be crucial
to one’s motivation and wellbeing.
To be frank, working from a coworking office is less lonely! In fact 83% of coworkers had
admitted that they felt less lonely after joining a coworking space! A further 90% felt more
confident as a result of the collaborative environment, proving that these places are vital for the
future of successful business.
With surveys revealing that 80% of coworkers report that they turn to other coworkers for help or
guidance, it appears that one of the core drivers for an increase in coworking population revolves
around the community within!
There is no other environment in the world to offer a professional drive towards community, with
community workspaces adding a whole new meaning to “work family”. We envision that this sense
of belonging will be a key selling point for future entrepreneurs looking for a great place to work from.
Feeling Part of Something Bigger!
With the aforementioned statistics revealing the rapid growth in the coworking industry, there seems
no better time to be a part of it – and it is this realisation that will keep coworking
communities up and coming for the years to come.
In this day and age, everyone wants to be a part of the newest and most exciting social changes.
And with the digital world ever-changing and evolving, shared offices such as ours will remain at the
forefront of technology and availability, offering something unique and unmatched elsewhere.
We are now entering into a phase where coworking is more than just kick-starters, but a varied mix
of industry professionals, big and small companies; and this unique environment will continue to
draw attention from new and interested parties.
Round the Clock Support
As the business world develops to keep up with the times, the need to clock in and out is slowly
being phased out. In fact, now more than ever we want to be able to access our business at any
time of the day, and luckily technology allows this!
For the future growth of business, the ability to work at any time of day from a fully functioning office
space will become paramount. For us, this means the spaces like ours will thrive as business
continues to develop.
With the current political changes, there is a level of uncertainty present for many business people,
and a stable and secure place of work can offer relief and certainty in an otherwise unstable time.
As things continue to change, the world of coworking and short-term contracts will only serve as a
more popular option for those looking to continue working securely.
Coworking for the Future of Your Business
The growth of collaborative office spaces are testament to their huge potential to create incredible
businesses and assist those stuck in a rut to thrive and become inspired. There is arguably a level
of commitment to becoming part of a coworking space community, but given the varied benefits
we’ve covered, it seems like a worthy investment!
Whether you want one or two hours every day, or 24/7 access to your business needs, a coworking
and collaborative space such as Areaworks provide unique and more importantly FUN places that
will help you meet like-minded folk, enjoy a coffee over business proposals and get things done!
If you are still not sure why coworking could be the future of your business, why not get in touch
and we can take you on a whistle-stop tour of one of our incredible offices – you will be surprised at
how quickly the creativity bug sets in!
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