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• Dressed for success - coworking compels you to have a more
structured routine to be more productive. The process of dressing
in business attire as opposed to what you would wear at home
can make you feel more dynamic, positive and creative.
• Lower overheads - allowing your employees to work from a
coworking space will result in lower overhead costs. Whilst not a
significant saving, it can help retain skilled workers while
offering minor savings.
• Access to IT support and specialists - most organisations which
offer coworking have their own infrastructure in place which
workers will be more than likely to tap into. Even simple things
like a laptop clinic are often offered which can help keep costs
down.
Work will never be the same again
The coworking space needs many factors in ensuring that things run
smoothly, productively and efficiently. Good transport links,
appropriate facilities and event organisation. The North East BIC UK
feels that adopting the coworking approach adds real value to its centre.
The BIC is like any other business in that respect; it must move with the
needs of the market place and engage with clients on their terms and
requirements. The BIC holds many networking events on site and
adding coworking groups to this can only increase and improve
collaboration opportunities.
Support
Homeworking is not just about the lone business owner. Many people
working from home are employers themselves, however this does not
mean that all employees are working in the same home. This is a
growing area and funds like the Home Working Fund are helping these
business to grow. The Home Working Fund is aimed at enabling
companies to create new jobs for home workers in the North East of
England. The innovative £1.1 million Fund will help organisations
overcome the initial cost barrier of implanting a home working
operation.
Coming together
Coworking spaces have many similar attributes as incubators, but with
more infinite possibilities. Instead of a place where they "make you"
what you want to be, it becomes a place for you to make yourself.
Possible additional costs may occur, but when compared to renting a
dedicated office or the numerous coffees bought just to keep your seat it
appears to be worth it. Don't wish to commute far? The distance of
travel required is really up to the individual, coworking spaces are
becoming more and more popular and it is highly likely to find one
close by.
Working alone can be incredibly lonely but in these changing and
exciting times it need not be and coworking may well be how all of us
end up working in the not-too-distant future.
theFeature
Simply just being around others
can stop you feeling isolated. It is
having that community of support
which gives you a social boost
Emma Harle, Elrah Consulting:
"When I first attended a
coworking day I wasn't sure what
to expect. I thought that I would
benefit from the networking
opportunities but it is actually so
much more of a support network.
It provides access to new
contacts all of whom are happy to
share information and support
each other."
Susan Lang, Consultancy &
Training:
"I regularly attend coworking
events and I find them to be most
beneficial. After an introduction to
my colleagues for the day I am
then able to utilize the wi fi
network and concentrate on my
work. I feel like coworking days
encourage me to structure my
own work more efficiently and I
can tackle my to do list. They give
me the opportunity to work with
other people who are in a similar
situation to myself whilst getting
me away from the home office for
the day."
David Howell is the Director of Operations at the North East BIC UK. David specialises in property
management, incubator strategies, marketing, business planning and new idea development.
David works with organisations throughout Europe championing the EBN BIC model. Born and
bred in the North East of England, David has a passion for the local area and is committed to
developing an innovative and enterprising culture throughout the region.
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