Optimizing your Co-working space: Five things you should be doing

The number of small enterprises and start-ups is rapidly growing. With this, the demand

for workspace and for creative work environments is rising quickly. A majority of the

companies started recently are highly innovative technological start-ups or creative

works like media agencies, social media marketing or advertising agencies. As real estate

is increasingly becoming a commodity, and with start-ups focusing on better utilizing

capital, the need for shared workspaces is high.

Here are five things you should be doing to optimize your co-working space.

Furnish and Supply:

Structure is a vital part of any office. The way an office is structured can affect

everything from productivity, to workflow and creativity. Your office sets the tone of

your workspace. These are just a few of the things to keep in mind when furnishing your

workspace. Make sure you have absolutely everything you need to keep your office

running. Choose your furniture depending on the type of work atmosphere you need. As

an example, if your office is meant to be a creative, energetic and happy workplace,

choose bright colors and warm lighting, with comfortable chairs that one can sink into

while working.

Another important facet is resources. Resources matter, especially in a shared

workspace. Your workspace will need enough office supplies and anything else that is

required in a modern office in ample supply. Essentials like charging points, internet

access, and access to stationery are all necessary.

The Nerve Center:

A shared office is meant to boost creativity and, what better way to do it than with a

brainstorming session? Having a dedicated space where you can gather your team and

brainstorm is essential to success. In co-working spaces, the need for a “nerve centre”

or a place meant for brainstorming is immensely important. For one, it gives you and

your team a place to think and discuss in peace. As a second point, it allows you to carry

out your meetings without disturbing the people you share your office with. On

occasion, you can even invite them to join in your discussions!

Scrum Mastery:

The secret behind the success of most creative teams is the scrum; a regularly held

meeting meant to discuss the things of importance happening in your business. Holding

a regular scrum, whether daily or weekly serves as a reminder of goals, allows you to

establish objectives for you and your team and, on top of it all and lets you know where

you stand in your business.

Open The Floor:

Contrary to most office spaces that are divided by cubicles, co-working spaces flourish

better when they have more room, or at least the appearance of more. Cubicles are

generally considered stifling, cramped spaces. So, open up the floor of your co-working

space with interspersed furniture. This helps create a feeling of togetherness and

removes the feeling of separation that working from a cubicle causes. Having an open

office floor boosts creativity, team spirit and allows for more open communication with

the people you are working with.

Grub and Glug or Food values: In any office, break time is valued highly. It allows people to wind down from a day’s hard work, catch up on other concerns or just spend the time getting in touch with friends. One of the most important things for any break is food. Having a well-stocked and equipped break room is vital. Here, your employees can interact with their co-workers during the break over a small bite to eat. This helps boost camaraderie in the office as well as providing a small energy boost to keep the productivity going. Stocking up on healthy snacks and beverages also helps keep energy levels, productivity and an overall healthy, positive attitude in the office.