In these times, it can almost be hard to think back to a time where we weren’t all working or running corporations from home. After months and months of adjustment, we seem to have finally reached our new normal.
At the beginning of this big transition, we were all relishing in working from our couches in our favorite pair of sweatpants, but as time wore on we realized this wasn’t just a two-week endeavor, this was the foreseeable future. Many people were finding that their couches and dining room tables weren’t cutting it as a suitable workspace. A lot of those people have looked to coworking spaces to help them get back to that office feeling.
Coworking spaces are nothing new, of course. They were introduced to the business realm back in 2005 in San Francisco and have seen a large growth in the following years. However, they have seen an even larger spike this year due to COVID-19.
Coworking spaces first started out as a safe haven for freelancers and those who were office-less and just needed a decent space to be productive and get their work done efficiently. After popularity grew, it was more than just freelancers filling up the spots in their local coworking spaces. It was consultants, journalists, accountants and just about anyone else who worked in an office thanks to the developments in the coworking landscape. Going from a simple library-style room to multiple offices and private desks, now nearly anyone can work in a coworking space confidently and securely.
All this time at home has really forced companies to change their mindsets about what they actually need to thrive in the business world. The ability to work from home is something that might have been a pipe dream for some organizations as recent as a year ago, but now many are learning just how feasible and affordable it really is.
These two details have managed to change the perception of executives in numerous fields. By spending less on overhead, a company could potentially pay their employees more, increase benefits, offer more products, etc. It really could be a competitive advantage for everyone involved.
Even after the pandemic ends and some companies do want to return to traditional office life, coworking spaces can still help anyone focus on their other projects. Whether it’s a side hustle or schoolwork if they happen to be in college, a coworking space can help people fight distractions and achieve their goals.
There’s no denying that COVID-19 has changed the world in many ways. Every industry has been affected by the current circumstances and has had to learn to adapt and thrive despite everything going on in the world.
This is exactly why many organizations have chosen to implement coworking spaces to save loads on overhead by making a change that most employees prefer. It’s been said that over half of Americans would prefer to continue working from home even after the pandemic. If businesses change their mindsets and perceptions and move full speed ahead with working from home year-
round, employees may find themselves exploring the world of coworking spaces as the new normal.
