There are over 2000 co working office spaces operating in the world now and every day, new ones are being setup. Hence it is vital that community managers and owners adhere to high standards. This is necessary for various reasons like achieving the objectives of the co working office space, endowing a positive co working experience, and achieving the long term success of the businesses.
How To Have A Great Co Working Space?
Here a few tips for operating a highly successful co working office space like a co working office in Bangalore:
Everything you do is defined by your market. Your website, logo, name, location, are all determined by this.
You must deliver a marketing message that is consistent. For this, you need to define your niche market. Do not address the whole market but only your target segment. Identify your niche based on business maturity, industry, and location, size of business, values, and culture.
Members will gravitate to that co working space which has a common market.
A co working space can either have an open door policy or admit only those who are consistent with the community. For instance businesses in same stage of operation can benefit in sharing a co working space by sharing business wisdom.
If your co working space loses focus on target market, you may lose your identity. If you don’t define your brand or market, there exists risk that you become just another shared office. You cannot become a community based on consistent philosophies and values.
2. Location is important:
Once you have understood your market, you should have a good sense about where it is located. Do you want to be at the centre of action, right in the middle of the commercial district or a quiet location to nurture creative minds?
Location must be decided on the basis of work styles and needs of the business. Assess whether the location can nurture a co working space. For instance, it can benefit from being close to public transport which can help both employees and customers. Is it near to other hot facilities like shopping malls, restaurants, coffee shops, and snack bars?
Does the building have good physical qualities like adequate ventilation, bright lighting, and abundant windows which enhance the comfort of the workplace?
3. Interior décor:
Potential users decide on the space based on the first impression they have about its décor and appearance like furnishings and design. Is the décor dull and drab or vibrant and energetic? In fact, the art work decorating the place speaks volumes about the culture of the community. Acoustics is also important because noise must not disturb the work process.
4. Culture and community:
The difference between a shared office and a co working space is the community and culture. There is more to an office than furniture and net connection. People like to be part of a community built on common cultural traits, values and commonly agreed upon house rules.
The sense of community can be enhanced in various ways. One way is to engage with all members in social media. Photo boards featuring all members of the co working space can be put up and regular news letters can be circulated which contain news of latest developments in the work space. One can even appoint a community manager who can build up the community.
These are some important tips for running a successful co working space.
