Choosing the Right Workspace for Your Startup: Exploring the Benefits of Coworking Spaces

Starting your own company is an exhilarating time, and while you may be tempted to secure your own office space immediately, it may not be the wisest decision at the early stages of your startup. Financially and otherwise, opting for a coworking space could be a more advantageous choice. Not only are coworking spaces 10-30% cheaper than traditional offices, but they also offer a range of benefits such as lease flexibility, reduced setup costs, and the opportunity to be part of a vibrant entrepreneurial community. Remarkably, successful companies like Uber, Eatigo, Zalora, and Booky have utilized coworking spaces, providing a testament to their value and potential.

Already a strong trend for more than 10 years in South East Asia, flexible working spaces has increased tremendously since the pandemic. Even after the pandemic subsides, coworking is poised to remain a prevalent and enduring trend in the business world. The fundamental appeal of coworking spaces, such as flexibility, community, and cost-effectiveness, continues to resonate with entrepreneurs, startups, and now larger more established companies, whatever the industry you work in, tech industry or not. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of adaptability and the ability to work from anywhere, and coworking spaces provide the ideal solution, offering a range of workspace options to accommodate different needs. Additionally, the desire for collaboration, networking, and the exchange of ideas will persist, and coworking spaces foster these connections by bringing together diverse professionals under one roof. As businesses prioritize agility and seek more efficient and affordable office solutions, coworking spaces are poised to remain an integral part of the evolving work landscape, offering a supportive and dynamic environment that promotes innovation and growth.

The Concept of Coworking Spaces

Coworking spaces are shared office environments that provide tenants with numerous advantages over traditional offices. One key aspect that sets coworking spaces apart is their emphasis on fostering a social community and facilitating interactions among members through various events and introductions. These workspaces usually feature an open-plan layout with diverse seating options, ranging from classic tables and chairs to booths, benches, and even bean bags. The primary objective is to strike a balance between socializing with other members and focusing on work without unnecessary distractions. In fact, approximately 80% of coworking spaces offer private offices as part of their membership plans to cater to individual preferences.

Choosing the Right Option for Your Startup

Deciding between a hot desk, dedicated desk and a private office for your startup largely depends on your specific needs and goals. Let's examine the pros and cons of each option to help you make an informed choice.

Dedicated Desk

A dedicated desk, also known as a hot desk, is the more cost-effective option of the two. By choosing a dedicated desk, you will be situated within the open layout, sharing desks with other members. This option is particularly beneficial if you aim to expand your professional network, as you will be in close proximity to other entrepreneurs and freelancers. Moreover, a dedicated desk provides a significant improvement over working in coffee shops or makeshift home offices, offering a secure and stable Wi-Fi connection along with complimentary coffee. It is an ideal choice for freelancers or small teams consisting of approximately five members. However, it's important to note that a dedicated desk lacks privacy, making it unsuitable for projects that require confidentiality. While some coworking spaces may offer telephone booths for private calls, they are not intended for full-day use. Additionally, if rapid team expansion is anticipated, the open layout of a dedicated desk area may present challenges, as adding desks may lead to a scattered and less productive team.

Private Office

A private office, on the other hand, offers enhanced privacy and is generally located along the sides of coworking spaces. Although it is relatively more expensive than a dedicated desk, a private office still provides cost savings compared to a traditional office. Placed away from the common foot traffic areas, these offices grant you a dedicated space to work on tasks without worrying about prying eyes. Additionally, you have the freedom to decorate the office according to your brand's aesthetic. With increased control over noise and distractions, a private office allows for greater focus. However, access to the open layout is still available, should you desire to engage more actively in the social aspect of the coworking community. Renting a private office often grants 24/7 access to the coworking space, offering flexibility in choosing the hours that best suit your needs. Nevertheless, considering the higher cost, if privacy and having your own space are not top priorities, it may be more prudent to begin with a dedicated desk.

All major coworking operators now understand that while open-plan layouts and shared workspaces are valuable for collaboration and networking, there is also a growing demand for private offices. These offices provide businesses with a dedicated and secure space to conduct their operations, host meetings, and maintain confidentiality.

To meet this demand, coworking operators in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and all other major business hubs in South East Asia and Hong Kong have strategically incorporated private offices into their workspace layouts. These offices vary in size, accommodating different team sizes and requirements. They are designed to provide a professional environment with amenities that support productivity, including ergonomic furniture, high-speed internet, and access to shared facilities. These private offices within coworking space operators are also called serviced offices in some cases.

Hot Desk

Another option worth considering is the hot desk, which offers a flexible and dynamic workspace within a coworking environment. A hot desk refers to an unassigned seating arrangement where members can choose any available desk on a first-come, first-served basis. This option is particularly suitable for entrepreneurs and freelancers who value variety and adaptability in their work environment.

Flexibilty

One of the key advantages of hot desking is the flexibility it provides. With a hot desk, there is no assigned seating, allowing you to choose any available desk within the coworking space. This flexibility enables you to adapt your workspace according to your preferences, mood, or work requirements on a daily basis. You have the freedom to change your seating location, explore different areas of the coworking space, and interact with a diverse range of professionals.

Collaboration and Networking

Hot desking encourages collaboration and networking opportunities. By working in close proximity to other individuals from various industries and backgrounds, you have the chance to engage in spontaneous conversations, share ideas, and collaborate on projects. The dynamic environment fosters a sense of community, allowing you to tap into the expertise and experiences of fellow coworkers. Networking in a hot desk setup can lead to valuable connections, partnerships, and even potential business opportunities.

Cost Savings

Hot desking can be a cost-effective solution for startups, entrepreneurs, and freelancers. Instead of committing to a dedicated desk or private office, which may come with higher monthly fees, a hot desk option typically offers more affordable pricing plans. This affordability makes it an attractive choice for individuals or small teams with budget constraints or those who prefer to minimize their overhead costs in the early stages of their business.

Access to Amenities

Hot desks often come with access to a wide range of amenities and facilities offered by the coworking space. These amenities may include high-speed internet, meeting rooms, conference rooms, printing and scanning services, communal areas, and shared kitchen spaces. Having these resources readily available enhances your productivity and provides a professional working environment without the need to invest in additional infrastructure or equipment.

This is also true of other members using dedicated desks or private offices within the coworking space.

Professional Environment

Working in a hot desk setup within a coworking space offers a professional atmosphere that surpasses the distractions of coffee shops or home offices. The dedicated workspace, equipped with ergonomic furniture and essential amenities, helps create a productive environment that fosters concentration and focus. Additionally, being surrounded by like-minded professionals and entrepreneurs can inspire motivation and a sense of accountability.

Scalability

Hot desking provides scalability for growing teams. As your startup expands, you can easily accommodate new team members by securing additional hot desks within the coworking space. This scalability allows for a seamless transition as your business evolves, avoiding the need for immediate relocation or the challenges of finding a larger office space.

HOT DESK SUBSCRIPTIONS PLANS

Since the pandemic subsided, there are now some subscription plans that provides access to hot desks across multiple coworking spaces. One such example is Passport by FlySpaces, a subscription model that allows individuals and businesses to enjoy the benefits of flexible working and the vibrant coworking community without the commitment of a long-term contract or the hassle of managing multiple memberships.

With the Passport subscription, users gain access to a network of partner coworking spaces, granting them the freedom to choose from various locations that suit their needs. This flexibility is particularly advantageous for professionals who frequently travel or require workspace options in different areas.

The benefits of the Passport subscription are numerous:

1. Wide Network: The Passport subscription expands the reach of users by providing access to multiple coworking spaces within Flyspaces' network. This diverse selection ensures that there is always a convenient and suitable workspace available, whether in their local city or during their travels.

2. Cost Savings: The Passport subscription offers a cost-effective solution for those who require occasional or flexible workspace access. Instead of individually purchasing day passes or separate memberships for different coworking spaces, users can save money by paying a single subscription fee that covers access to various locations.

3. Seamless Booking: Flyspaces' Passport subscription simplifies the booking process. Users can easily search for and reserve hot desks in their desired coworking spaces through Flyspaces' online platform or mobile app. This streamlined experience saves time and effort, allowing users to focus on their work rather than administrative tasks.

So what is the best choice of space?

Whether you decide to use hot desks, dedicated desks or a private office for your team, coworking spaces offer flexibility, collaboration opportunities, cost savings, access to amenities, a professional environment, and scalability for startups and freelancers. It provides a dynamic and engaging workspace where you can maximize your productivity, network with professionals from various fields, and adapt your workspace to suit your changing needs.

The Door Guy Matters: Insights On Building Community Through Spaces

“None shall pass” scene from Monty Python and The Holy Grail

As I write this message, I am hanging out in the lounge of an incubator after 43 minutes trying to break through the building — regardless the lack of interest from the door guy in helping me out .

I’ve been to over 100 “entrepreneuship centerish” spaces.

Now I’m hanging out in one in Brazil, which made me conclude the importance of a player generally neglected by such places — be it an accelerator, public entrepreneurship center, a corporate incubator or a coworking space.

The doorguy.

Unless the building’s architecture is one of those without a main entrance, you need a door guy which expresses the culture you want in your space.

Cohesively.

Choices are simple: have the right door guy (read below to understand what “right” stands for) or have none.

The harm of having the wrong Door Guy can be as huge as causing someone who’d be a great mix in your space to turn his back and leave your building even before entering it.

TL;DR. A community center aims to allow connections which may result in exchange of information, learning and resources, read: collaboration.

For such exchange, some things matter — and the Door Guy impacts in but one, but very fundamental: who’s in. And who’s in will define how they interact — and then, other factors play in. Let’s take a look.

1. Who’s in: curation & openness

Before anything: of course you want a high potential, talented and curated crowd to join your community — but curation doesn’t contradict openness.

You “select” your crowd by the invisible filters which attract people to your building — not by making it harder to get in once they are at your door. I know you’re talking about a culture of hustlers — you want that guy who hacks the system to get in — regardless of the grumpy door guy.

But dude.

If you are a centre of entrepreneurship, most likely the dudes who are willing to walk in are not the typical guy who’d break in a “free pizza party”.

Weirdos trying to “invade” entrepreneurship hubs are generally connectors, investors, media, other founders, potential hires… People who could add value if you give them the chance to introduce themselves.

Having the wrong door guy is just like opening up a landing page with a big promise in the headline, but no call to action.

Not even a box where to leave your email, not a contact form. Like: people want your product — but you make sure there is no way they click through. Now make it worse. Imagine there constantly pop-up message jumping in the screen to say: “you’re not allowed to use this page”.

That’s the wrong door guy. It all boils down to loving your user.

Some people don’t. So if you don’t… Maybe managing a building filled with people isn’t your game.

You better leave your doors open for anyone who’s into creation and entrepreneurship and very likely, 1 out of 10 will be a worthless dude — but most of them will may be relevant to what the entrepreneurs need.

Trust serendipity. ;)

2. How they interact. “Floors don’t lie”.

When you aim to become a lighthouse — specially when your building isn’t a “pass through” Starbucks location, but rather a destination, it is important that your entrance is inviting.

Architecture matters. But your door guy can spoil the scene.

The entrance should be inviting and contain hanging out areas, like a lobby which allow random people to collide as they arrive in the space.

If you promote a culture of sharing, you should start promoting that from the entrance of the building, making it easy to access and navigate in.

If your floor plan doesn’t deliver what is expected from the community you are trying to build, specially from the entrance, you’re starting by educating people against the actions you expect them to follow.

Yes, you must have private offices where people focus and get shit done, but here’s the thing: any office building does.

A community space should allow users to navigate easily and follow one more call to action: interact. But they won’t , unless 1) they get in and 2) there are areas where they can freely meet people: an open space, square, cafe, lounge, lobby, etc.

From this — magic can happen.

Proactivity, openness, collaboration. If I’m received by a dude who says I’m not worth their wifi (like he’s talking about Thor’s Hammer), I’ll get inside and behave like an underdog who “doesn’t belong”.

Instead — if I am free to just walk in OR if I am received by this dude who welcomes me in, asks me where I’m from and demonstrates interest in what I do and how he can help me — I immediately turn the “hey, let’s go make friends and help each other mode”.

3. Final thoughts. Give > Take.

First impression matters, and that’s about the importance of the Door Guy.

Overall, the idea is: how welcoming is your space to visitors, from a digital nomad who’s trying to get into the local scene to a local student who wants to learn more about startups? As a community builder, your role is to attract the right people — and give them space to do stuff, making sure they understand how they can use it to everyone’s benefit.

Start from building a culture of trust by believing that people are good, if you just let them be. If I can add an element of giving trust and offering a very welcoming environment, here’s a final tip to add on the Door Guy:

3) Give free wifi for guests. We’re hosting geeks.

But that’s a topic for another text. ;)