Hybrid Work is On the Rise and Coworking Will Help Accommodate the Shift
According to a recent article from MIT Sloan Management Review, “Coworking spaces will become even more important and more popular in the post-pandemic world, not just for entrepreneurs and freelancers (the stereotypical users of coworking spaces), but especially for large companies.”
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons that coworking makes sense for the future of work.
Hybrid Models Give Business Leaders and Employees an Advantage
Let’s face it: though plenty of people are returning to their pre-pandemic offices, there’s been an undeniable shift in work culture. This CNBC article quoted a LaSalle Network survey, stating that 70% of business leaders planned to have employees back in the office by Fall, yet overall, 77% of respondents believed their workforce would be using a hybrid model.
In support of those findings, a recent Work Design article shared that the coworking market is increasing because “the concept of the office is evolving, and a key component of that evolution is increased flexibility and agility.” In this post-pandemic climate, many professionals have figured out how to productively work from home—or at least close to home, and are opting to not return to the office full-time. People want to spend less time commuting to work, and with the rise of coworking, it looks like this will be a more attainable feat for many.
Closer to Home: Coworking Moves Into Suburbia
Work Design’s article also shared that the coworking space market is on track to reach 13 billion by 2025. This expansion is due to the fact that coworking offices are moving into suburbia to accommodate people’s desire to be closer to home. No longer is coworking a metropolitan area perk. These spaces are moving closer to the people to support the idea of a “15-minute city,” where more professionals can have access to a workspace that they can walk or bike to—just like many of our own coworkers do.
Though we’re not at a full return to office life a la pre-pandemic at BCL, we see plenty of members who come in regularly, especially those who live within walking distance. Members find it beneficial to have a space to host meetings, to print and shred documents, to chat with colleagues, and to also have a quiet space where they can put their head down and get some work done.
Don’t Get Overwhelmed During Your Coworking Search
We’ve identified that the landscape of work is shifting, and that coworking will continue to be more accessible, but do you know what kind of space you’d actually be interested in working out of? With the increasing presence of coworking offices, the amount of options might be overwhelming to some, so it’s important to have an idea of what you’re looking for when you’re searching because each office has their own culture.
Do you want a beer-keg and foozball table kind of space? Are you okay with cafeteria-style, open desk coworking, or do you want a private desk or office? Are you ready to fully commit or do you just want to try it out for a bit?
How to Choose a Coworking Space
Settling into a new office space is a big decision, and we’ve actually designed an e-book to help you think about the different consideration factors. Our free ebook, How to Choose a Coworking Space: The Ultimate Guide for Nonprofits has some specific information to help nonprofits think through ways they can reduce their costs by investing in a coworking space, but it’s also a helpful guide for any small business owner with a team or solo practitioner.
If you or someone you know is looking for a new office space, we recommend downloading the guide to gain some nuggets of information to help you in your journey. Coworking offers the benefits of working with a team while also providing the space to focus on your work. And if you’re lucky enough to find one in your neighborhood, it can be a great excuse to get out for a walk or bike and stretch those legs!
If you have any questions about coworking at Brooklyn Creative League, feel free to check out our virtual tour and get a glimpse for yourself.
