Coworking has become an increasingly popular alternative for entrepreneurs, freelancers and companies looking for flexible workspaces. However, there are many preconceived ideas about coworking, often based on prejudice or misinformation. It’s time to take stock and demystify the 10 preconceived ideas about coworking that you need to forget in order to better understand this new way of working.
Preconceived ideas about coworking
High cost of coworking
Preconceived ideas about coworking: Here are 10 preconceived ideas about shared workspaces.
High cost of coworking: Contrary to popular belief, coworking can be a cost-effective solution for growing businesses. In fact, coworking spaces offer flexible rates tailored to companies’ needs. What’s more, property-related charges (electricity, internet, maintenance, etc.) are included in the price, which means significant savings.
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- According to a study by Xerfi, the coworking market in France is expected to generate sales of over €1 billion by 2022(source).
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- Coworking also reduces the cost of fitting out traditional offices, which can represent several thousand euros per workstation(source).
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- Stimulates collaboration and idea sharing
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- Break down silos and foster creativity
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- Expand your professional network
In short, the prejudices associated with coworking spaces are numerous, but they don’t stand up to analysis. These places offer much more than just a shared workspace; they are true catalysts for collaboration, innovation and growth for businesses and freelancers alike.
FAQ
Q: Coworking is just for freelancers and independent workers, isn’t it?
A: No, coworking is open to everyone and allows you to work in a shared space with professionals from all walks of life.Q: Is coworking only for start-ups looking for funding?
A: No, many established companies opt for coworking to benefit from a dynamic and flexible environment.Q: Is coworking more expensive than a traditional office?
A: In fact, coworking often offers lower rates than renting a traditional office, and includes many services.Q: Doesn’t coworking offer privacy for working in peace?
A: There are coworking spaces that offer individual offices or meeting rooms for those times when concentration and confidentiality are required.Q: Is coworking only useful for social interaction?
A: Coworking does indeed encourage exchange and collaboration, but it also allows you to benefit from a professional infrastructure and complementary services.Q: Is coworking reserved for big cities and trendy neighborhoods?
A: Many coworking spaces are also springing up in outlying areas, offering a pleasant and inspiring working environment.Q: Isn’t coworking suitable for professionals with specific needs in terms of equipment?
A: Coworking spaces adapt to users’ needs and often offer state-of-the-art technological equipment.Q: Isn’t coworking suitable for activities requiring discretion?
A: It is possible to find coworking spaces offering quiet areas and private offices for working discreetly.Q: Is coworking reserved for young people and start-ups?
A: Coworking welcomes professionals of all ages and sectors, enabling rich and varied exchanges.Q: Isn’t coworking suitable for long-term projects?
A: Many coworking spaces offer flexible formulas and contracts that can be adapted to users’ needs, even for long-term projects.
Lack of privacy: Coworking spaces offer a variety of workspaces to suit everyone’s needs, from open offices to closed rooms for confidential meetings.
Noise and distractions: Coworking spaces set up common living rules to ensure a productive working environment that respects other users.
Lack of security: Coworking spaces are secure and offer storage solutions for personal equipment.
Lack of professionalism: coworking spaces offer professional services and equipment such as printers, meeting rooms, high-speed internet access, etc.
Difficulty in creating a corporate culture: Coworking spaces encourage exchanges between different users, helping to create a professional network and develop a strong corporate culture.
Difficulty managing schedules: coworking spaces offer great flexibility in terms of working hours, so they can be adapted to the specific needs of each company.
Lack of stability: coworking spaces offer flexible contracts tailored to the needs of growing companies, with no long-term commitment.
Difficulty recruiting: Coworking spaces offer a dynamic and attractive working environment, which can be an asset when recruiting new talent.
Lack of credibility with customers: Coworking spaces offer prestigious addresses and domiciliation services to boost business credibility.
Concentration problems when coworking
Preconceived ideas about coworking: focus on the difficulty of concentrating
Coworking is a concept that is winning over more and more companies and freelancers. However, certain preconceived ideas persist, notably that it’s difficult to concentrate in a coworking space.
For the manager of a fast-growing fintech start-up, this is a legitimate concern. However, it’s important to emphasize that the work environment can be a factor in productivity and well-being.
In fact, coworking is a way of breaking down isolation and encouraging exchanges between professionals from different backgrounds. This diversity can be a source of inspiration and creativity, as this Obs survey shows.
What’s more, coworking spaces often offer solutions tailored to every need, with closed offices for work requiring high concentration, or meeting rooms for team brainstorming.
Contrary to popular belief, coworking can be an environment conducive to productivity and well-being.
According to a study by Finyear, 93% of employees want to work outside the company. Coworking therefore appears to be the ideal response to the new expectations of workers, offering a flexible and stimulating working environment.
Continue reading: Coworking still has a bright future ahead of it
Benefits of coworking
Stimulating creativity
Coworking is an increasingly common practice in the professional world. However, there are still many preconceived ideas about coworking. Here are 10 misconceptions to get over.
Coworking offers many advantages for companies and the self-employed. In addition to reducing real-estate costs, it also stimulates creativity and networking.
Contrary to popular belief, coworking doesn’t impair concentration. On the contrary, it stimulates creativity by enabling workers to inspire each other. According to a study conducted by the University of California, people who work in a coworking space are more creative than those who work from home or in a traditional office.
Indeed, coworking spaces are designed to encourage exchange and collaboration. Workers find a source of inspiration and motivation, which can help them overcome difficulties and broaden their horizons.
Coworking is also a great way to develop your professional network. By working alongside other entrepreneurs and freelancers, you can exchange ideas, get advice and even find new opportunities for collaboration.
What’s more, coworking spaces often organize events and conferences, which can help you connect with other professionals in your field.
Prejudices about coworking are often linked to its flexibility. Yet it is precisely this flexibility that makes it an asset for growing companies.
By choosing a coworking space, you can rent offices tailored to the size of your team and your needs. You can also benefit from tailor-made services, such as meeting room rental, access to printers and office equipment, etc.
What’s more, coworking allows workers to adapt to their own work rhythm. Some prefer to work early in the morning, while others are more productive at the end of the day. In a coworking space, everyone can find their own balance and work efficiently.
Coworking can also help improve quality of life at work. Coworking spaces are often designed to be pleasant and welcoming. They feature relaxation areas, fully-equipped kitchens and green spaces.
What’s more, coworking enables workers to break their isolation and meet other professionals. This can help improve their well-being and motivation.
Coworking is the solution of the future for companies looking for flexibility, creativity and networking. Put these 10 preconceived ideas to rest, and you’ll be able to take full advantage of the benefits coworking has to offer.
Discover how some companies have taken advantage of coworking to grow, like Quick & Flick, a Fintech startup that has adapted to this new way of working to attract talent and boost its growth.
Spotify and International Workplace Group are other examples of companies that have seized the opportunities offered by coworking to boost their performance.
Facilitating networking
There are a lot of preconceived ideas about coworking, and these can hold companies back in their choice of workspace. Yet coworking offers many advantages that are worth considering. Here are 10 preconceived ideas about coworking that you should forget.
Coworking is just for freelancers
Contrary to popular belief, coworking is not just for freelancers. More and more companies, especially start-ups, are opting for this type of workspace to benefit from low rates and a stimulating environment.
Coworking is noisy and not conducive to productivity
Coworking spaces are generally set up to offer quiet areas conducive to concentration, as well as livelier spaces for exchanges and networking. So you can find the working environment that best suits your needs.
Coworking is expensive
Coworking is actually cheaper than renting a traditional office. Indeed, coworking space rates generally include access to equipment such as internet connection, printers and meeting rooms. What’s more, flexible contracts make it easy to adapt to changing needs.
Coworking doesn’t help build a corporate culture
On the contrary, coworking offers unique opportunities for collaboration and exchange with other companies, enabling you to nurture and evolve your own corporate culture.
Benefits of coworking
Coworking offers many advantages for businesses, particularly in terms of networking, flexibility and innovation.
Facilitating networking
Working in a coworking space makes it easy to meet other entrepreneurs and professionals, and forge business links. Numerous events are also organized in coworking spaces to encourage networking and the exchange of skills.
Gain flexibility
Coworking contracts are generally flexible and adaptable to the needs of the company. Space can be rented for a fixed period or on an ad hoc basis, making it easy to adapt to changing needs.
Encouraging innovation
Coworking fosters innovation by encouraging exchange and collaboration between companies. Coworking spaces are also often equipped with cutting-edge technology, enabling companies to keep up with the times when it comes to innovation.
In conclusion, coworking offers many advantages for companies, whether they are start-ups or more established structures. So it’s important to look beyond preconceived ideas and consider coworking as a serious option for your workspace. To find out more about coworking, consult our guide [Guide du coworking](https://www.toolyon.com/professionnels/coworking).
Sources :Encouraging collaboration
Encouraging collaboration: Coworking spaces are often associated with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. But they offer much more than that. In fact, these places stimulate collaboration between different members. They encourage exchanges and the sharing of ideas, creating an environment conducive to innovation.
Contrary to popular belief, coworking spaces are not just for freelancers or start-ups. More and more traditional companies see them as a way of breaking down silos and fostering employee creativity. In this environment, workers can interact with professionals from diverse backgrounds, enriching their network and skills.
For example, the coworking space La Maison du Coworking in Rennes focuses on collaboration, offering regular events and workshops to encourage exchanges between its members. Similarly, Corpoworking enables large companies to integrate coworking spaces into their real estate strategy, offering their employees a stimulating and collaborative environment.
