Should You Use a Shared Office or Coworking Space for Your Business Startup?
Shared Offices From Only £60 Per Person Per Month : Visit : https://iconoffices.co.uk/shared-office-space.php
Many offices in recent years have switched over to an open floor plan to allow for greater flexibility and movement among their staff. An offshoot of these changes has been the rise of shared office spaces.
Shared office spaces are often set up by a 3rd party that rents individual desks or a space to work, these setups are referred to as fixed desks and hot desks, respectively.
A startup can benefit from shared office spaces for many reasons including, cost-effectiveness, professionalism, and networking. However, there can be downsides of using shared office spaces as well, just like having a normal office.
In this article, we will explore what a shared office and coworking space is, its features, and its benefits to make a viable decision for your business.
What is a shared office?
A shared office is where two or more companies share the same workspace. Typically, one company manages the space but has unused workstations or smaller units that can be rented by smaller businesses.
Both parties will benefit by the owner subleasing the space, whereas, other businesses will have access to a professional working space without investing too much in an office rent.
What is a coworking space?
This is a physical space where businesses or individuals share. The space not only offers a functional office but also fosters a community and networking with like-minded people.
A coworking space has an open-concept design with dedicated or hot desks, offers meeting or conference rooms at a fee, and also offers opportunities for networking and collaboration.
Is there a difference between a shared office and coworking?
There are differences between a shared office and a coworking space in terms of;
Privacy
Shared offices offer more privacy than coworking space since companies subleasing the space have their own dedicated.
Flexibility
Coworking space is more flexible offering membership options, including monthly or daily payments. A shared office may require a longer commitment than a coworking space since a contract may be involved.
Amenities and services
A coworking space offers amenities such as meeting rooms, coffee areas, and networking events whereas in a shared office, amenities and services you need, you will have to provide for your company.
Users
Shared offices are ideal for businesses that need a private office setup without the need for a large space or a long-term lease while a coworking space is ideal for freelancers, startups, and remote workers.
What are the pros of a shared office and a coworking space?
Affordable for startups
Most coworking spaces are pay-per-head or desk and in shared offices, companies do not need to rent an entire office space.
Provides a professional business address.
Companies can avoid using their home as a mailing address. They can use the shared office or the coworking space’s address to register their company.
Ample networking opportunities
In both working spaces, businesses are surrounded by like-minded individuals making it possible to network and receive inspiration from fellow business owners.
Access to a meeting or conference room
Able to take a client directly to the meeting room
What are the cons of a shared office and a coworking space?
Can be a distracting atmosphere
There will always be side conversations and phone calls. The working spaces may not have a door that can be shut for important phone calls.
A lack of security
Any items that you bring are your responsibility. If you leave to use the restroom, you have to make sure that you have requested someone to watch over your belongings such as your laptop.
Social Distancing
There is no social distancing in a shared office and a coworking space. With this arrangement, you might be unsure if others are sick or of their cleanliness with the onset of COVID-19.
In conclusion, a fixed desk or a hot desk aims to solve a specific issue facing shared workspaces. A hot desk could be set up like a conference room and everyone would work around a big central table, but then no one would have any privacy.
A hot desk solution employs a first-come, first-serve mentality. You can use any desk that is currently available. This can benefit individuals who work nonstandard hours because there is a smaller chance of the best desks being occupied.
A fixed desk plan solves this issue by renting a specific desk to a specific individual or business. It is similar to assigned desks in school. This ensures that when an individual shows up to use the office that they are renting they will have a space or desk and know exactly where it is located.
Under the current health situations, a shared office or coworking space might not be ideal for everyone, but as more people get the vaccines and spaces focus more on being sanitary this will change. Shared offices allow new startups to have a designated space to work outside of their homes.
They allow people to have a place where they can just mentally flip the switch that it is now time to work. They are also much cheaper for small business owners in that it is paid per person instead of by square foot. All of these perks will cause shared office spaces to weather the pandemic storm.
Icon Offices has designed several shared offices and coworking packages that are tailored to all businesses' requirements.
Our cheapest package, the standard package, from only £60 per month including VAT lets you work from our beautifully designed business lounge offering luxury and comfort.
Our premium package gives you access to the business lounge and also direct access to a shared office with your dedicated workstation and storage for only £140 per month including VAT.
The last time we checked our shared office prices were the cheapest in London and Essex. We have several business centers to choose from which include East Ham in East London, Hainault in Ilford, Essex, and Chadwell Heath in Romford Essex.
Please see here for additional information and also to sign up https://www.iconoffices.co.uk/shared-office-space.php. For more information about shared offices or coworking space, contact us at [email protected].uk.