By Tian DuBelko
If you’re the CEO of a tech company, would you rather run your business out of dull, corporate cubicles or an energetic, shared office space?
For more and more leaders, shared offices have become the answer.
Known by a variety of names such as a coworking office, a shared workspace, or a tech campus, the collaborative model of entrepreneurship is the new sought-after model of working for tech.
All the big tech firms do it. Google. Apple. Amazon. You name it.
And if you’re a founder, you may want to consider the benefits of switching to a shared tech workspace. Benefits such as a like-minded community, networking opportunities, and access to professional services can help your company streamline its growth.
Shared office spaces have become incredibly popular in recent years. By 2020, there will be 3.8 million members within the shared workspace, according to SmallBusiness.com. And with the continued surge of the tech industry, that forecast could be underestimating the potential of shared tech workspaces.
For first-time members, it can be confusing getting situated in a shared office. That’s why we’ve put together a guide on what to expect in a shared tech workspace that will get you up-and-running with the basics.
Shared office spaces might still be a new concept to career cubicle dwellers, but it isn’t going away anytime soon.
Changing Faces of the Workplace
The traditional workplace has fallen out of favor with the millennial, 21st-century workforce. And shared office spaces has recognized that by bridging the simple and flexible leasing opportunity with the “big office” amenities and a social environment to satisfy the needs of the millennial workforce.
A third of the American workforce now identify as independent freelancers. And there are increasingly more remote working and self-starting enterprises. That’s good news for you dreamers and innovators out there. Now more than ever, you can run a successful business remotely and still attract top talent from all over the world.
Flexibility and Services
Commercial office spaces try to lock you down on a long-term contract. But you can be flexible as a member of a shared office space. The “one-price per seat” approach and a month-to-month term allow you to use and pay for only what you need. This makes it easy for you to scale your space use up or down as you see fit.
Some shared workspaces even provide services when it comes to things every business needs such as design, development, legal, and accounting. With access to premium services and training, you have the power to scale your operation up at your own rate. Since shared offices allow you to use and pay for only what you need, you can budget for other expenses.
Cheaper Than Traditional Options
Not only is sharing an office cheaper than a dedicated office, it can also be cheaper than working at a coffee shop all day. Even if you’re a freelancer and not a quite a CEO just yet, the benefits of a shared workspace could be what you need to expand your operation. The cost, along with flexibility, is one of the biggest reasons that the coworking model has seen steady growth.
And, membership perks are enticing more workers to the shared workspace. The access to insanely fast Internet, conference rooms, and professional printers and photocopiers are just some of the perks that members in a shared office space have at their fingertips 24/7.
Networking Opportunities
Shared workspaces offer a communal meeting hub for all kinds of people. People that wouldn’t be in the same office otherwise. In a shared office space, you’re encouraged to interact with people in different fields and make professional connections. There will also be plenty of events for you to meet talented job seekers and potential investors, so be on the lookout for social opportunities.
It’s likely that you’ll find a community of other ambitious people if you do decide to jump into the growing world of shared workspaces. These talented people often have unique contributions to the world that could not have come from working in a traditional corporate structure. And getting them together in one place means these they can freely exchange ideas to build tomorrow’s businesses.
Ready to Jump Right In?
Choosing the right shared tech workspace can jumpstart your tech business and accelerate your growth. In the right ecosystem, you’ll have an easier time hiring top talent, expanding your network, and even securing the next round of funding.
Think your Seattle tech company might be a good fit for ExtraSlice’s community of trendsetters and innovators? Visit our website to learn more about The Place for Tech or schedule a tour of our tech campus.
