Approximately 80,000 people worldwide are currently working in coworking spaces; working with other companies and freelancers in a shared office space. Coworking is similar to renting your own office space, giving you an address and a facility to house your company, however instead of being alone; you gain membership into a community of like-minded people who profit from the collaboration of a shared space. A coworking facility may include a variety of amenities such as conference rooms, a print/copy station, internet connections, a kitchen, lockers, a library and more, depending on the size and location of the office.
How can you know if it’s a good fit for you?
There’s actually a lot of information out there about coworking, and I’ve included links to several helpful sites if you want more information. However for this article, I’ve condensed some of the pros and cons into simple talking points.
Pros
Cons
The large variety of coworking spaces around the world are relatively young (in business under two years) and it’s a concept that’s still gaining steam in the business community. However if this model continues to show success, it could dramatically change the way many companies are launched and succeed.
Have you had any experience with coworking, whether positive or negative? Leave us a comment letting us know your experience.
*Updated: If you want to see a coworking space in action, check out this video created by Oficio in Boston, MA.
A Day in the Life of a Coworking Space
Global Coworking Blog:
http://blog.coworking.com/23-ways-coworking-will-change-your-career-and-your-life-for-the-better/
Cohere LLC:
http://coherecommunity.com/blog/where-and-why-do-communities-happen
Lifehacker Article:
http://lifehacker.com/5191974/the-pros-and-cons-of-coworking
The 2nd Global Coworking Survey by Deskmag:
http://www.deskmag.com/en/the-birth-of-coworking-spaces-global-survey-176