The story of co-working begins with Brad Neuberg, a software engineer who is credited with starting the movement back in 2005. His San Francisco collective space was built around the idea of community. Since then, co-working has grown to described shared office spaces used by multiple companies, with amenities like boardrooms, kitchens and lounges. Fast forward to the present, and the movement is continuing to grow. More and more companies are choosing co-working spaces over traditional office spaces—and it’s clear to see why. Read on to learn more in depth about what co-working spaces can offer you and your organization, and what sets iQ Offices apart.
Here, we’ll share our top ten reasons why your company should be using co-working spaces, including: flexibility, cost-effectiveness, all details taken care of, move-in ready spaces, central downtown locations, designed spaces optimized for productivity, access to amenities, access to services, privacy and safety.
Reason 1: Coworking spaces offer flexibility
Using a coworking space allows for much more flexibility than a traditional office space. It gives you the ability to be agile and respond to the competitive environment of your industry. Using a shared office space also gives your company the support it needs as it grows.
Whether your team is fast-growing or your organization’s needs change, a coworking space like iQ Offices will adapt alongside you with flexible lease terms and a variety of options for Members.
Reason 2: Coworking spaces are cost-effective
For entrepreneurs, small business and start-ups, the cost-effectiveness of shared offices spaces can be especially invaluable. Using a coworking space can help you access an office space in an ideal location without the stress and cost of negotiating major lease terms.
Using a shared office space also means you can pay for what you need, when you need it. Keep office expenditure low, while still having access to the essentials to keep your business running. For example, instead of having to invest in furniture and source multiple suppliers for critical business infrastructure, such as desks, chairs, printers and kitchen appliances, that’s all built into the cost.
Operational costs can also add up quickly: think air conditioning, Internet, facility maintenance, and more. With a coworking space, that’s already built into your office rental fee.
Reason 3: All the details are taken care of
All those operational and infrastructure needs mentioned above not only mean mounting costs for your organization, but also require you and your team’s time and energy to manage and monitor. Choosing to use a coworking space means you’ll focus less on administrative duties that come with traditional office spaces and more on your business. Less time worrying about administrative details equals more time focusing on what you do best!
At iQ Offices, we offer concierge, administration and technical support, from handling mail to maintaining other day-to-day office needs, which will go a long way to helping you keep your business moving forward.
Reason 4: Coworking space are move-in ready
Coworking spaces offer you a variety of options for your workspace, whether you need a private office, a meeting space or dedicated desks. You’ll be able to get started with working right away, without having to worry about the time and logistics involved in setting up an office space from scratch.
At iQ Offices, we offer high-touch and personalized services, whether you’re a single independent professional, a growing team, a satellite office or a start-up. We provide first-class knowledge and business support to get your company up-and-running in its new space and ensure smooth operation. Everything you need for your business is ready for you: all you need to do is show up and work.
Reason 5: You’ll have easy access to a central downtown location
Coworking spaces are typically in central, prime downtown areas of cities. This gives your business an official, professional address, creating a great first impression for employees, potential employees and clients.
Having a downtown address also puts you closer to your clients, who likely also have central downtown offices. Whether you want to meet at their office, your office, or at a downtown location, that flexibility is there. Beyond that, you and your team will have quick, easy access to all your city offers, whether that’s transportation and commuting options, restaurants, or shopping areas.
iQ Offices has coworking spaces in Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal. Find out more about our office locations here.
Reason 6: You can work in spaces designed for productivity
The way your office is designed can actually have a big impact on your workplace performance and the well-being of your team. When you choose a coworking space for your business, you’re choosing a space that has been expertly designed with your team’s productivity and well-being in mind. In other words: you’ll create more than an office space. A well-designed office is a place your team will look forward to come to and working in, and that you’ll be proud to have clients and stakeholders visit.
At iQ Offices, our spaces were designed by workplace strategists and world-renowned architects with the mission to create aesthetically pleasing, inspiring spaces where your best work can happen. Our office spaces include features like:
Air filtration systems and greenery: By keeping air quality top-of-mind in our spaces, we create healthier environments for people to work in.
Natural light: Our spaces take advantage of natural light to maximize it wherever possible, which is shown to contribute to a decrease in eye strain, headaches and blurred vision.
Filtered water: Adequate water consumption improves sleep quality, energy levels and our ability to focus. Our Members have access to filtered still and sparkling water on demand.
Ergonomics: Our spaces are ergonomically crafted, which helps lessen muscle fatigue, increase productivity and boost energy.
Reason 7: Amenities
Coworking spaces include amenities like kitchens, lounge areas meeting rooms and phone booths for you and your team to use. You’ll get all the benefits of a premium office space, without having to do any of the legwork to set it up. Many shared office spaces also offer their users access to extra amenities such as snacks, coffee and filtered water.
At iQ Offices, we offer every Member unlimited gourmet coffee, organic loose-leaf tea, still/sparkling filtered water taps, and a trail mix snack bar.
Reason 8: Get access to services to engage your team and build community
A shared office space gives you the chance to meet and network with other companies. Many also include extras like networking events or other community-building initiatives.
Our membership plans include perks designed to enhance your team’s work and support their productivity as well as engaging them and building community outside office doors—from happy hours, to professional development and networking events.
Reason 9: Get the privacy you need
Not all workspaces are built alike. Many people’s impression of coworking spaces are of large, communal public spaces, but that’s not always the case. In fact, many coworking spaces give you the option of renting a private office, or have other measures in place to ensure a quiet, productive work environment.
Here, your privacy comes first. From eliminating distractions to ensuring informational privacy, our commitment to your privacy, productivity and security sets us apart from traditional coworking spaces. Our offices include features like ultra-quiet spaces, confidentiality measures, and controlled access workspaces.
Reason 10: Safety is top of mind
In today’s world, keeping you and your team safe and healthy is more important than ever. Coworking spaces have this in mind too, which means it’s one less thing for you to worry about. At iQ Offices, we have five foundations of safety around COVID-19:
Screening: Anyone entering an iQ Offices location must complete a self-screening questionnaire and pass through a touchless temperature screening station. We also have a rapid antigen testing program.
Sanitation: All shared spaces and high-contact zones are cleaned by trained professionals every two hours. Hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and other precautions are available throughout all spaces.
Social Distancing: We’ve added directional decals and capacity markers to all common areas. Our Private Offices have measures added where needed such as adjusting desk orientation, distanced seating and adding plexiglass shields.
Adaptation: From replacing shared snack containers with individually packaged portions, to encouraging personal reusable mugs and water bottles and replacing onsite mugs and glasses with recyclable ones, we’ve adapted many of our shared amenities to help keep our Members safe.
Consultation: Our Members can ask iQ Offices Location Staff for a no-charge workplace consultation: a personalized back-to-work safety plan for your business. We’re also an exclusive member of the Poppy Pathogen Monitoring System: industry-leading technology that tests the air and surfaces for COVID-19 and other pathogens.
