By Karen Axelton
Do you run a small business from home, but sometimes crave getting out of the house and still getting your work done? Maybe you’re ready to move out of the house, but not quite ready to spring for a full-on office. If either of these situations sounds familiar, it might be time to take a look at the concept of shared office space.
USA Today recently wrote about the growing trend, in which small business owners, freelancers or independent contractors rent space in communal settings. In most cases, these spaces have business necessities like Internet connections, copiers and conference rooms.
Shared office space concept has been around for awhile. Companies like Regus have long offered business suites that typically include reception, shared office equipment, office or workspace and meeting rooms. But the new breed of shared office space differs in being less formal than the traditional “executive suite” concept.
Being elbow-to-elbow with other people is often part of the appeal in today’s shared office spaces, which focus as much on sharing ideas and energy as physical desks. For this reason, many of today’s shared office space solutions focus on a particular industry. Some are high-tech; others might focus on creative pursuits like freelance writing or editing. USA Today reports high-tech spaces are taking off in cities including San Francisco Austin, Boston, Chicago and New York.
Shared spaces appeal to small business owners and independents who might otherwise lug their laptops to Starbucks, but have grown tired of the din of espresso makers and the challenge of finding an empty chair or outlet at often-crowded cafes that offer free Wi-Fi.
If you’re considering signing on for a shared space, here are some factors to consider:
- Amenities. What is included at the space? Some may provide some type of reception as well as coffee and lounge areas.
- Price. Many shared spaces operate on a membership basis where different monthly fees give you certain levels of access.
- Availability. Will the amenities you need (say, a conference room for an important meeting) be open when you need them? How far ahead must you sign up?
- Vibe. Spaces generally provide quiet space for individual work as well as social areas. Still, it’s crucial to visit in person and get a feel for the arrangement. A shared workspace that’s always a hive of activity may not work for someone who needs thinking space.
- People. Are the other members a fit for you? A serious small business owner might not be happy in a shared space full of bohemian scriptwriters. Part of what you’re paying for is collaboration and connections, so look for kindred spirits who can inspire you and help your business grow.
Will shared workspaces continue to grow? Experts USA Today spoke to have various opinions, but with an increasingly mobile workforce, it seems safe to say this concept isn’t going anywhere.
Image by Flickr user Ollie Crafoord (Creative Commons)
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