So you have decided to look for a flexible workspace, but if you have never shopped at the coworking bazaar you may not know how to get the best deals.
There are several factors you need to consider when choosing the right workspace for you. As a consumer, it makes sense that you know what you are looking for before you make a purchase. Think of it like this, you have decided you want to buy a pair of pants, but before you pick one you have to know, the store you want to shop at, the average price of pants that store sells, the sizes you will be comfortable in, and small details like color, number of pockets, etc.
The best professionals need the best workspaces, but even the most amazing workspace is wasted if it’s not the right fit for you.
Ask yourself the following questions to make sure that you are making the right choice.
Does the location work for me?
When considering the location of your coworking space you may want to check the distance to the nearest metro station or bus stop. Is the locality commercial? Or if there are similar businesses in the area. Also, here’s an interesting fact, some co-working spaces are selective about the type of business they want to onboard, does your business fall out of that selective sphere?
What type of workspace am I looking for?
Coworking spaces have multiple workspace options.
Private cabins work great for teams. It gives your team a collaborative space that is just yours while being part of the co-working community. This is also well suited for any professionals that enjoy peace and solitude when working.
Dedicated desks are for the one-man army. If you are a freelancer, a student preparing for competitive exams, a fresh entrepreneur, or just a remote employee simply done with working from home.
Hot Desks are your best friend if you want to be bougie on a budget. Coworking spaces sell their recreational seats on per day or per hour rates. This means no commitment, and you pay only for what you use. Granted, these seats may come without some complimentary amenities that most centers offer but the flexibility and savings more than makeup for it.
Starting Out?
Congratulations🎉 on your new venture!
If you have decided to move your young business to a coworking space, you may have some unique needs. Some coworking spaces are especially suited to startups. Not only would it be a great community fit to work around other go-getters like you, but you also get to benefit from the specialized services offered. Incubator programs, company registrations, vendor procurement, and growth-centered events. Sounds good, right?
Do I commit?
As flexible as they might be, coworking spaces are still rental spaces and come with commitment terms. Although they might not be strict about an eleven-month lease, you should know what you are getting into. Depending on the space you choose you may have flexibility in choosing the term of the leasing contract. Their minimum term may be:
Monthly
Quarterly
Half-yearly
Or Yearly
Here are a few tips on how to choose the best plan for you:
Check the contract for other terms such as security deposit, or what happens if you chose to break the contract.
Make longer commitments when you are sure that the space is a good fit for you.
If you can see yourself working out of the center for a while, commit to longer contracts to get some additional discounts.
What about the amenities?
Your co-working membership should give you access to amenities such as wi-fi, tea-coffee, cafeteria, printing, and meeting rooms. Some of these may be complimentary some won’t be. Make sure you find out if your space of choice fits well with these requirements. Caffeine buff? Find a space that offers complimentary coffee services. Can’t be bothered with bringing your lunch to work? Find a space with a great cafeteria. Do your clients love dropping by to say hi? Find out if you get complimentary meeting room hours at your coworking hub.
Budget?
I’m sure you know how to take care of that $$$. ;)
To summarize:
Find a workspace that is situated in a great locality, figure out the plan that suits you best, for a workspace that benefits your style of work most efficiently, make sure it all fits in your budget and ensure that the icing on the cake (amenities you will receive) are the flavor you prefer.
Sounds like too much work? Let us do it for you! For no charge!
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