How Do You Choose A Coworking Space?

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT COWORKING SPACE

There are thousands of coworking spaces found in big cities such as London and Washington, D.C. In remote places such as Siem Reap, Cambodia, and Fiji, there are few places to find. The challenge is not finding a coworking place but rather a location that give you the ambiance that works for you is the hard part. Here are four things you should think about when choosing a coworking space.

1. Location

Not only do you want a room that does not require a terrible commute, but you also want to be in or near to a physical environment that meets your needs and desires. Think about what you mean by a good location. Perhaps that means it's close to your kid's school, close to parks to take a walk or close to public transit. Do not underestimate the importance of a good location-either you will feel stuck in your coworking space or it will be too difficult to use.

2. Amenities

Facilities for coworking go beyond WiFi and meeting spaces. Offers such as free beer, standing desks, and a podcasting studio / green screen is cool, but other items need to be prioritized too.

Within your coworking spaces, you can also look for training opportunities, member/networking events, seminars, and lunch-n-learns. Such facilities will help you grow both as an adult and as an entrepreneur.

3. Meeting Your (Professional) Needs

Until they are fulfilled we often don't care about our personal needs. Successful professional needs set you up for success. Apply these questions to yourself:

• Do I get distracted easily?
• Will I feel out of place if I don’t have a designated place to sit?
• Do I need natural light?
• Can I accomplish my goals if there is noise?
• Do I like to walk around while on the phone?
• Do I need an area to have confidential conversations?
• Do I need access to a printer?

These are just a few questions that can help you assess your professional needs. Take the time to reflect honestly on your ideal work environment and be truthful about your needs.

4. Community

The most important thing to consider when choosing the best place for coworking is the Group. For that very reason, each coworking space ought to have at least one designated Community Manager.

The role of the Community Manager is to support you in whatever way you need: a suggestion for lunch, an introduction to another member who can help (e.g., graphic designer, app developer, virtual assistant, etc.), setting up your payment, adjusting the lightbulb in your office, etc. Coworking spaces are designed to help you meet people, make friends, build your pipeline and expand your business. Make sure to ask the Group Director who are the remaining tenants.

A few "standards" exist in the coworking world as well. When visiting coworking spaces, remember that you should expect 24/7 access, protection, fast internet and a free day to check out the space. That is not a perk; it is a standard.

That is your business and your life. Do not settle for a space that is not going to work for you. Take a few spaces for your time to "date." There's the ideal coworking space for you, ready to help you stay productive and become the best boss that you can be.