The Coworking Revolution – Is it for you?

The coworking revolution was led by startups, entrepreneurs, freelancers to better suit flexible working styles. Today, companies large and small are looking to get in on the shared space pie for the flexibility and possibilities of collaboration. The physical sharing of space with various parties, whether internally within an company or externally with other parties, can lead to knowledge sharing, innovation and new ways of looking at things.

4 Coworking Models

 

 

Source: JLL

 

Internal Collaboration – Internal Coworking Space for Employees Only

Internal collaboration occurs when the company dedicates creative, flexible space to encourage innovative thinking and company’s culture of openness.

Benefits of this model include internal teamwork and efficient space utilisation. It also includes flexibility, ease of implementation and security of both intellectual property and environment.

 

 

Coworking Memberships – External Coworking Memberships for Employees

Companies can purchase memberships from coworking providers. This way, their employees can work at a variety of locations to accommodate for work related travels. Likewise, companies can use the membership to accommodate for temporary increases of personnel. External memberships can lead help develop new relationships and networks. Plus, it can help provide insight into market developments.

Benefits include ease of implementation, flexibility, mobility and low initial costs.

Risks include limited control over the use of space, security and potential proximity to competitors.

 

External Coworking Space – Collaboration Space for Employees Shared with External Parties

Companies can offer up a dedicated area or space within their offices to be used by external parties to test out coworking. Specific areas of the business can be introduced into this space to interact with external parties.

The benefits of this model include innovation, proximity to talent, knowledge sharing and flexibility.

Risks include cultural dichotomy, security, disconnect between departments that work and the coworking space and those who don’t.

 

Internal Coworking Space – Internal Space Open to External Parties

Mature companies open up all internal working spaces to external parties (usually startups and entrepreneurs) who are selected through an application process. These companies may offer the space for free and offer mentoring. The purpose of this model is to gain access to breakthrough technology.

Benefits include full control over design and management of the space. As well as flexibility, innovation, collaboration, knowledge sharing and access to talent.

Risks include security, operational complexity and clash of corporate and entrepreneurial culture.

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