Coworking Spaces: The solution for entrepreneurs
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Working from home. Businesses and employees alike are ditching the office for the comfort of their own homes. In 2022, 13% of the UK workforce operated exclusively from home and 22% worked from home at least one day per week. Employees are saving time and money by cutting out the commute and benefit from increased flexibility and autonomy, whilst businesses are saving on overhead costs and can reach a wider pool of potential employees by removing the constraints of working in a specific location. Read on to find out the impact of the migration away from the office, and how new solutions such as coworking spaces are changing the game.
For small businesses and start-ups, working from home is often the only option and not a new phenomenon. Some of the most successful businesses which have now become household names had humble beginnings. Tech giants Microsoft and Google were both born out of garages in the US suburbs. The founder of Spanx hustled out of her apartment alongside her 9-5 selling fax machines.
A new set of challenges
Whilst there perks of working from home are numerous, adopters of the lifestyle are reporting new difficulties which are impacting their productivity, focus and well-being.
A parcel at the door, family members dropping in for a chat, constant reminders of a lengthy list of chores. All these can pull us away from the task at hand, and often 20-minute breaks can turn into 2 hours as we attempt to balance work and personal responsibilities. A study from the Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) found that over half of those working from home find it ‘harder to switch off’ than when working from an office. It comes as no shock that of the 1 in 4 remote workers spending their days sitting on the sofa or bed, nearly half have developed musculoskeletal problems.
Loss of community and lack of face-to-face interactions can leave us feeling isolated and impact our morale. The RSPH also reported that 67% of at-home workers felt less connected to their colleagues. For those just starting out in business, connections with other entrepreneurs can be a vital resource to growing a company, whether that be sharing solutions to common problems, or forming partnerships that can be mutually beneficial.
The simple solution: coworking
For many people, especially start-ups and small businesses, the answer to these problems is coworking spaces. Coworking spaces are redefining the traditional office space, drawing workers from diverse backgrounds, encouraging them to collaborate, communicate and innovate.
The flexibility of these spaces is one of the biggest attractions. Often available are personal pods for blocking out distractions and prioritising focus, facilities for in-person meetings, and breakout areas to reenergise and meet like minded peers. All of these can be tailored to meet specific needs of individuals and businesses. Many spaces host networking events to expand professional circles, generate new business opportunities, and act as platforms for sharing ideas.
Having a dedicated space to work from limits distractions, making work more efficient and productive, and can improve time management. Re-establishing the boundary between work and personal life prevents overworking and allows for better quality time with family or pursuing hobbies.
Generator Workspace: for the entrepreneurs
The Generator is the perfect affordable coworking space for start-ups, small businesses, and individuals with a great idea and the drive to make it a reality. Soon expanding to 4 locations across Greater Manchester, we provide everything needed to get your business off the ground. Joining a video call with a client in between shopping for supplies and picking up groceries? Book out one of our soundproof Soho booths. Looking for somewhere to meet with a group of colleagues and brainstorm ideas for your next product? Make use of our multi-person meeting booths or large desks, grab a whiteboard and let your creativity flow!
Included in use of the space is access to facilities such as a lightbox for taking pictures of your product that convey quality to customers. Additionally, we have a greenscreen for content creation or taking a professional headshot, perfect for your LinkedIn profile!
Alongside our coworking space, we also offer support and information for start-ups and small businesses. Users can have a free 1-2-1 business support meeting with a dedicated Enterprise Officer. These can signpost you to resources such as free workshops and drop-in clinics. Offering information on a range of topics from marketing to accountancy and tax, these are perfect for taking your business to the next level.
Oh, and we have unlimited tea and coffee. What are you waiting for? Drop by and find out how we can help you.
Resources Used (external websites):
Our Work-from-Anywhere Future (hbr.org)
5 Common Problems Plaguing Remote Workers And What To Do About Them (forbes.com)
12 challenges of working remotely how to overcome them (betterup.com)
The impact of remote and hybrid working on workers and organisations – POST (parliament.uk)
RSPH | Survey reveals the mental and physical health impacts of home working during Covid-19
