Coworking used to be the exclusive domain for tech geeks and startup owners, while large organizations preferred working from traditional offices. But in recent times, coworking has gained traction across all strata of working professionals. The low rates and flexible options attract several people who want to work in a professional and collaborative environment. However, before opting for a coworking space, you need to ask them these questions. This will help you understand exactly what you are paying for and if the shared space is the best option for you.
What is the cost?
The first factor that you must consider while selecting a flexible workspace is if it fits within your budget. There are multiple coworking options in every city. If you are looking for a coworking space in Bangalore, you will come across both high-end and low-end choices. So, to make sense out of all these choices, you need to prioritize what you want and how much you’re willing to pay for that. Considering the seating option, time duration, number of team members, etc, the pricing will change. Finally, remember that for the amount you are paying, you are not only getting an office but also several amenities and services. Take all these factors into consideration while analyzing your budget and ROI.
What are the seating options?
Professionals, especially freelancers, go to coworking spaces so that they can work more efficiently. While selecting a space, you need to pay careful attention to the seating options. Most shared workspaces offer multiple seating options, like dedicated open desks, private cabins, and common hot seats. Some shared office spaces even offer an option of a virtual office, where you can just pay for a mailing address. Here, many professionals make the mistake of opting for the lowest-priced option. While selecting your seat, you need to consider your requirements and convenience. Opting for a hot seat when you work with multiple pieces of equipment will just hamper your productivity and disturb the people around you. Think about everything that you need while you are working, and then select your seat.
What are the amenities?
One of the major attractions of a coworking space is the multiple amenities they provide. When you opt to cowork, you not only pay for a workspace but also the various value-added services. Amenities offered varies from workspace to workspace. While some coworking spaces offer basic amenities by providing all those things that are essential for work, others go all out by providing every service that you can think about. Here, many clients make the mistake of opting for spaces with flashy and quirky amenities. Always remember that the point of value-added amenities is to offset your costs. As such, you should choose a space where you are getting some absolutely essential things for free. For instance, if you are in a business where you regularly need to meet clients, especially to close deals, opt for a flexible workspace where you get unlimited free beverages. This will keep your customers happy without increasing your costs.
Whom will I be working with?
This might not seem like an important question but it is quite vital. One of the perks of shared office space is that you get to interact with professionals from different companies and industries. When you opt for a coworking space in Bangalore, you get the opportunity to meet IT and other professionals. Why is this important? As a professional, it is crucial that you build connections with people from different industries. This is especially true if you are a startup owner, as you would need heavyweight business connections and investors to grow. It is best to work in an office space occupied by people from different industries, as this will help you obtain knowledge on multiple domains and build professional relationships across industries.
How is the culture?
Finally, your productivity can be influenced to a large extent by the atmosphere and culture around you. Coworking spaces are of various types. Some have a fun and social atmosphere, with interactive events and games. Others have a more professional ambiance, where work is the focus. You need to decide which type of business environment will help you work more efficiently. For instance, a graphic designer might find an informal and creative environment more conducive to their work. On the other hand, an accountant might prefer more professional and calm surroundings. It all comes down to your needs and how well you and your team can fit into a particular community and culture.
With brand new workspaces cropping up every day, it might seem difficult for you to select the one that aligns with your personal and organizational goals. Pricing variations, multiple options, value-added services, etc can all get quite confusing after some time. The questions we have listed above have been compiled by experts at our coworking space in MG Road Bangalore. These questions will help you find your dream workspace where you can boost your efficiency.
Are you looking for a coworking space in MG Road Bangalore? Rainmakers Workspace comes with multiple seating options and state-of-the-art amenities, all priced very competitively. Get in touch with us to know more.