Maybe you already ditched the office, or maybe you are one of the many people who stayed too long at home during the pandemic and can’t adapt to commuting again.
But now you’re facing some other challenges. You have to admit that it can get a bit lonely when you’re working from home all the time. Or maybe you are escaping house guests, or perhaps coffee shops are too crowded for that meeting.
Sometimes you simply need a comfortable, quiet space that isn’t your home in order to get some work done.
So, you’re wondering—is there something in the middle? Like going to the office, but not really? Well, the good news is, there is West Quay Offices and we’re probably closer than you think. Coworking spaces are emerging worldwide nowadays, but what does it really look like to work from one?
What Is Coworking?
Coworking refers to using our flexible workspaces to complete your work-related tasks rather than going to your office or working from home.
In West Quay Offices, you will typically find:
- Startups
- Self-employed people
- Small business owners and their team members
- Entrepreneurs
- Digital nomads
- Freelancers
We offer both private offices, shared/single desks & booths, dedicated desks and a variety of packages to suit everyone’s needs: daily, weekly, monthly, and even annual passes. These include desks, equipment such as scanners or copy machines, unlimited drinks a day, your own phone line, your website, etc.
Coworking vs. Hot Desking
Today’s remote work comes in different forms: classic coworking, hoteling, hot desks, satellite offices, and more. Some people use all these terms interchangeably, but there are slight differences between all of them.
Our Coworking spaces also offer designated desks (or private offices) that you pay for over a certain period and consider “yours.” That means if you’ve booked a desk to work at for a month, no one else can occupy it during that period.
Hot desking is actually the opposite. You can’t book a table and call it yours because it runs on a first-come, first-served basis. You arrive at West Quay Offices and simply choose whichever desk is available at the moment.
Coworking vs. Satellite Offices
Also known as regional offices, satellite offices are workspaces that aren’t located in the same city or country as the company’s headquarters. In some cases, they may be found in the same town but are usually far apart.
Although they’re separated, they’re connected and function as one business. Satellite offices are usually smaller than the headquarters, and the number of employees using them isn’t limited.
Coworking Facts and Figures
- In 2007, there were less than 20 coworking spaces in the US. Today, that number is predicted to reach 40,000 by 2024. The US is also one of the world’s leaders regarding the number of coworking spaces, followed by India and the UK.
- The first coworking space, C Base, was founded by hackers in Berlin in 1995 and was called “Hackerspace”. The idea was to share both space and knowledge in order to work on coding projects together. After that, some hackerspaces started adding seminars and social events, which made it more mainstream and led to the opening of more coworking spaces. At the end of 1995, there were “Hackerspaces” in San Francisco, Santa Clara, and Brooklyn, and the trend kept growing.
- Despite the pandemic, this industry’s future looks pretty bright. Many companies around the globe are looking to adopt remote-first or hybrid work models, which may increase the need for coworking and flexible workspaces.
- The number of coworking space users is expected to hit 5 million within three years. For 42.6% of people who participated in a survey, coworking is the second-best choice after working from home.
- By 2030, coworking spaces will cover 30% of the commercial real estate market.
Types of Coworking Spaces
There’s a variety of coworking spaces out there, and their services range from desk-only offers to full office experiences.
Open Coworking Spaces
These are what first comes to mind when you hear the words coworking space. Open coworking spaces resemble coffee shops in many ways but provide office desks, are quieter, etc. They typically promote collaboration and don’t offer much privacy, but they have a motivating environment and relaxed atmosphere that encourages networking. West Quay Offices offer this to all our members under lounge access, and we have a big lounge area.
Corporate Coworking Spaces
Unlike the open coworking spaces, these nurture a more formal atmosphere and elegant interior design. They’re usually quieter and offer more privacy than open spaces. Professional coworking spaces are ideal for small teams that meet for a brainstorming or planning session. West Quay Offices offer many meeting spaces for this.
Full-Service Coworking Spaces
Our spaces offer a complete service. The list of amenities may include the kitchen, food and beverages, use of copy machines and scanners, private offices for making phone calls or holding meetings, and our big lounge area for you to take a break. In West Quay Offices, we provide an authentic and comfortable office experience.
Coworking Spaces for a Workation
If you’re a digital nomad, your lines between working and leisure hours are probably blurry. The same goes for workdays and vacation time. But if you’re purposely looking for a coworking space that can offer both relaxation and working conditions which you will find in West Quay Offices.
Pros of Using Coworking Spaces
So, what are the upsides to spending your day in a coworking space instead of staying at home or going to the office?
They Can Prevent Loneliness
Working from home is all fun and games until you catch yourself talking to your dog more often than you’d like to admit. Missing your colleagues is normal – we’re social beings that like the water cooler chats! To prevent feeling lonely and isolated, many people visit West Quay Offices to work with their colleagues who live nearby or meet new people.
We’re More Cost-Effective Than Coffee Shops
If you’re determined to leave the house, you may need to choose between working from a coffee shop or a coworking space. Coworking may end up being cheaper, especially if you opt for a monthly pass where your coffee and other amenities are included.
Moreover, 57% of workers wish they had an office closer to where they live – so they can avoid commuting and save money. So if you are in North Vancouver, West Vancouver or even in Downtown, West Quay Offices offer best of both worlds. We have bicycle storage room and 24/7 gated secure car parking for you.
Coworking Spaces Enable Networking
Connecting with people from your and other industries may be critical for your career development. You never know who you’ll meet and who you’ll be able to learn from. Using a hot desk in a coworking space may lead to new friendships and collaborations – over 80% of participants in a survey said coworking has grown their professional network.
Coworking Provide Flexibility
It’s like having an office on the go. West Quay Offices are open all day and only members on the weekends, so if your job allows it, you can enjoy flexible working hours. When you’re in the office, you can’t really come and go, but when working from a coworking space, you can go for a longer walk, take a break whenever you want, etc.
We’re Accessible Wherever You Live
If you are in north shore, you do not need to go to downtown to do some business and live terror of bridge traffic. You will still be in hearth of North Vancouver where business thrive more than ever.
Coworking Offer Amenities
Are you reconsidering working from home because you don’t have a printer or another piece of equipment? No worries. We offer professional commercial printers, scanners, fax, etc…
Employees Are Happier
Our coworking spaces offer a pleasant atmosphere and a stimulative environment where people feel motivated to work. Employees can even enjoy ergonomic chairs, sit-stand desks and other equipment and other amenities that support their wellness. And the fact that they can use a coworking space instead of going to an office has made almost 90% of employees happier than they were before joining.
How to Make the Most out of Coworking Spaces: Best Practices
Looking to introduce coworking spaces to your team? In that case, we have a few tips you and your employees can follow to make the most out of coworking spaces and be their most productive selves.
Get Noise-Canceling Headphones (in case)
Some people like to work while listening to music, but others may feel distracted by the noise. After all, you’re not equally focused every day either. To prevent music and other people’s chit-chat from messing with your productivity, get some noise-cancelling headphones so you can focus in any type of environment.
Plan Your Use of Amenities Ahead
You’re not the only one using the amenities at your chosen coworking space. Be mindful of others and make sure you plan ahead. What do you need to print? When will you need it? Will you need a scanner at some point? Or do you need to use the coffee machine several times a day? When you arrive at your desk in the morning, ensure you have everything you may need to avoid unpleasant surprises later.
Schedule Your Working Hours
If your whole team uses a coworking space, you should create a schedule and align your working hours. Of course, there should be some flexibility to it, but having a plan will help you make sure you have everyone on site when they’re needed. If you need to work on a project with your colleague, it won’t help if they’re working 7-3, and you arrive at 2.
Keep Your Desk Clean
Putting away the things you use and cleaning up when you’re done for the day should go without saying. However, everyone needs a little reminder from time to time. Keeping your desk clean and being careful with the equipment you use benefits you as much as everyone else you share the workspace with.
Participate in Your Community
Don’t forget the “co” in coworking. Yes, you’re there to work, but you’re also there to build your community, meet new people, and learn new things. Participate in events, conversations, and the everyday life of your coworking space. A brief chat with another person can be inspiring or result in a long-term friendship or collaboration. You never know!
