Blogpost #2: Private Office Perks
Per my last blog, I touched on something that frequently comes up in conversations with members and prospective members: “Isn’t coworking just sitting at community tables and sharing desks?”
My answer to that has layers. For some, yes—coworking means utilizing shared spaces like the lounge area, hot desks, and community tables. This setup often works well for remote professionals who just need a place to land throughout the month so they don’t go stir-crazy working from home.
However, many people don’t immediately see the benefits of renting private offices in coworking spaces. These days, most coworking hubs offer dedicated spaces, such as private offices. In some cases, these might be small pods or cubicles that provide a bit more privacy and personal space. But in other cases—like at QCowork—full-sized private offices are available, just like those in any traditional office building or business park. These spaces often serve small businesses, startups, or companies looking to establish themselves in a new area and needing an official office to call home. Many business service professionals also benefit from having a space to host clients while working alongside a diverse group of professionals. In our space alone, we have members from tech companies, architecture firms, real estate, and even a notary (talk about a super skill)!
I’ve sometimes encountered resistance to the idea of renting an office in a coworking space while still sharing certain resources, such as bookable meeting rooms, copiers, and lounge areas. While this ultimately comes down to personal preference, I’d offer that these shared spaces create opportunities to connect with the community. I’ve worked in plenty of places where I never saw or met my neighbors. Life gets busy, and we don’t always have time to engage with everyone, but there’s something comforting about being able to say hello in passing, exchange a “good morning,” or form organic professional relationships that lead to valuable connections.
And if we’re getting down to brass tacks, renting office space in a coworking environment comes with some pretty great surface-level perks:
Renting space at a fraction of the cost
No need to arrange for cleaning services
Utilities and WiFi included
Coffee is made… and you don’t have to make it!
Supplies are stocked
A community manager is there to engage with members and facilitate programming and events
Hopefully, I’ve made my case—coworking spaces are one of the most underrated options for private office space! Know anyone who’s looking? Send them our way!