Why Flexible Workspaces are Collaboration Hubs
With the rise of remote working in the past year and a half, the importance of collaboration within a business is clearer than ever. Employees working from home realised that they could rely on digital collaboration, however most people preferred to have face-to-face collaboration, as they once did pre-pandemic. Since Covid, many businesses have adopted flexible workspaces as they have a multitude of benefits, one key benefit being that they are hubs for collaboration.
Here are 3 key reasons why flexible workspaces promote collaboration.
1. MOVEMENT AND INTERACTION
Since the introduction of open-plan offices in the 1940s and the popularity for them increasing from 1960 onwards, they are essential elements of today’s contemporary flexible workspace. Flexible workspaces incorporate the open-plan design, as well as implementing other spaces designed to promote free-flowing collaboration and movement.
These spaces are usually more relaxing, inviting, and non-traditional. For example, a flexible workspace provider, Victory Offices, has a communal library with comfortable lounges, reading nooks, and a fireplace. Workers can float between their private office to this shared space to have casual meetings and brainstorm sessions, instead of feeling anchored to their desk. Other collaborative spaces include café-style spaces, larger meeting rooms, terraces, greenspaces, and scrum areas with unique furniture that encourages workers to move around.
The option to work in different environments as needed can help to relax people and make them interact better with their teammates. When workers develop close connections with their colleagues, it strengthens their engagement at work and makes it easier to achieve business objectives.
2. WELL-EQUIPPED COLLABORATION SPACES
Flexible workspace providers are experts in supporting businesses, therefore they provide all the best facilities, tools, gadgets, and equipment for collaboration. Generally, flexible workspace meeting rooms will be equipped with premium teleconferencing equipment, LCD TVs with screen-sharing capabilities, whiteboards, stationery, and more. When workers have access to high-quality collaborative tools at their disposal, they tend to make use of them. This leads to more innovative and dynamic ideas.
3. NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
Whether your business works in the coworking area or has a private office or hot desks, all flexible workspace members share the building’s amenities and common areas and receive access to social and professional networking events. This allows them to network with people from other companies and industries. It is essentially a melting pot of skills and knowledge which is a huge benefit to any business no matter how small or large. Being around entrepreneurs, enterprises, freelancers, and more will encourage you to be more productive and you will absorb creative and innovative ideas constantly that you may not usually get in your network.
Collaboration is at the forefront as businesses navigate new ways of working. Flexible workspaces stand out as collaboration hubs as they are thoughtfully designed, well-equipped for teams, and offer a wealth of networking opportunities. Versatile and agile spaces are the future of working and accessing these will become advantageous.