Many freelancers and start-up launchers do not want to spend money on an office, though they do not want to work from home either. Enter coworking: a practical and cheap solution to this problem. Apart from being an inexpensive area, these offices can also develop your socialisation and networking skills. This might, in turn, become very beneficial to your business.
However, shared offices do not always equal to peaceful harmony. They might sometimes also be a bit restrictive. Indeed, various rules have be respected in order to integrate easily and to get along well with fellow co-workers.
Here are some tips and good practices for maintaining a pleasant and productive environment at a coworking space:
Check for volume and noise restrictions
One of the first things to consider before joining a coworking space is the level of noise tolerance. This is especially the case if your activity requires you to be on your phone and have Skype conversations all day. You should make sure that your co-workers are not bothered by the noise. Otherwise, you can check to see if there is a designated area where you can talk freely.
While shared offices are not libraries that require complete silence, it is good to take the entourage in mind. You should therefore make a decision according to your needs and habits.
Get to know your co-workers
While this may seem obvious, it remains nonetheless a crucial step in enhancing your coworking experience.
Do not limit yourself to courteous greetings. Go ahead and mingle with your co-workers. Try to know more about their job and their experience. You will undoubtedly learn a lot from these interactions!
Be friendly and lend a helping hand whenever possible
A coworking space is a friendly place which brings together entrepreneurs, freelancers or teleworkers from various fields. Do not miss the opportunity to interact with as many people as you can. Get interested in others and if you can, try to give them a little push in the right direction.
It does not have to be something big. You can, for example, just share the Facebook page of the young entrepreneur sitting across from you. In time, that same person will no doubt return the favour. Small things build friendship and trust and will no doubt contribute to the growth of your business.
Respect the shared equipment
Be it the coffee machine, the microwave or the couches, a coworking space requires you to be extra careful with the equipment. After all, everyone is and/or will be using these facilities. It would be best for them to remain clean and in good condition.
Also, if you have a habit of monopolising the printer or the photocopier, you should stop immediately. Coworking is all about sharing, so not maintaining this spirit will probably result in you having an unpleasant experience.
Participate in joint events
Some coworking spaces organise events on a regular basis. These include workshops, in which each co-worker can share their expertise with others, conferences as well as informal food events.
These are an opportunity to get closer to your neighbours. You will then be contributing to increasing the harmony and pleasant atmosphere in the shared office. You can also use these events to build your network.
Keep the schedule in mind
Shared offices most of the time function according to specific schedules. It is important to adhere to them so as not to spark conflicts with the owner. In addition, many coworking spaces allow you to book a meeting room. The allotted time can be anything between a whole day and half an hour. Out of respect for the other members who booked the room after you, you should not exceed the given time.
By following the above tips, you will easily be able to join and thrive in a coworking space.
