Everything you need to know about co-working spaces
Everything you need to know about co-working spaces
Everything you need to know about co-working spaces
Creation date: 5 May 2022
Last update: 1 week ago
Time to read: 8 minute
Creation date: 5 May 2022 Last update: 1 week ago Time to read: 8 minute
Creation date: 5 May 2022 Last update: 1 week ago Time to read: 8 minute
Titles Contents:
- what is a co-working space?
- The history of co-working space?
- Various types of Shared office spaces?
- Advantages of co-working spaces
- Tips on finding the best co-working space
- Location
- Amenities
- Flexibility
- Cost and budget
- iHiT’s Affordable shared working space prices in Nairobi
1. What is a co-working space?
As the name says, a co-working space is a collaborative work space that has an open plan set up and is conducive for industries like start-ups, solopreneurs and remote workers. These are industries that prefer using work space only when need arises instead of having their own private office space and have to incur excessive cost of it. Shared working spaces are designed to accommodate different people or industries and are identified by the fact that they have communal facilities, tools and services and the also have a strong social aspect to how they are set-up.
The emergence of new technologies changed the way we work too, these days people work from the comfort of their homes or while traveling around the world as well as in a coworking space instead of having their own physical private office space since that could appear more inconvenient due to the various nature of their jobs.In this article, we will learn more about setting up the best coworking spaces and the various option for you to choose from. The idea of a shared office space is to encourage collaborative environments where the members work together and join their resources to encourage saving cost.
2. The history of co-working space?
The history of coworking as a work space was first founded in Berlin, by a group of hackers and was called ‘’hackerspace’’. They came up with the idea to come together and share ideas and thoughts to complete tasks in turn they shared work space. As time went on they opened the space to accommodate more people who hold events, seminars and group projects. They have then been growing ever since.
For most companies nowadays, they are becoming accustomed to working remotely this allows them to experience freedom in how they work and increases productivity as well, in turn, industries like IT, Artistic and most freelancers or start- ups were limited and they had no option for working anywhere but at home. Most people starting a business or working for themselves had no option, but to work from their local coffee shop, (or from their parent’s garage home like Steve Jobs), which could prove isolating, distracting, unproductive, and finally result to shallow work.
The most important thing for a freelancer is to be in a great environment and network. The need for these types of things in the early 2000s led to emerging of co-working spaces or shared working spaces that were a solution to the plight of needs for freelancers.
3. Various types of Shared office spaces?
- Private serviced office space: Conventional or open shared office space is what usually comes to mind when people think of co-working spaces, therefore, these types of office space caters to those who have a preference of private dedicated office space but have the option of being around the co-work community.
- Industry specific: Some shared office spaces, are only tailored to a specific industry like the tech industry or arts, meaning they have specific set-ups or tools and resources. These co-working spaces only focus on creating a specific environment according to specific industries, like for instance a artsy based co-working space would have more of workshop stations as well as an artistic environment.
- Private Workspaces: These are ideal for small teams and teams that prefer to work together in privacy while using the shared spaces amenities. Such coworking spaces have the option to have a secluded set up dedicated to a team as per the company for instance a team of five people who would much rather seat together but within a co-working space.
- Meeting Space: As companies and freelancers, you can choose a meeting room for hire rather than sign an agreement for the office space they come to every day. Many coworking spaces offer hourly, daily or even weekly use for client meetings, collaboration sessions, planning meetings, and more.
- Incubator/Accelerator Spaces: For early stages in a company when they most need guidance and funding. There are some shared office spaces that provide funding services and programmes such as mentoring and networking opportunities. A blog by the Drop desk Spaces shares more about the venture workspaces and how they support and fund start-up companies and what it takes to be viable for funding since this coworking spaces are considered the most picky when it comes to the companies that set up office there.
- Virtual co-working space: Some co-working spaces are best suited for individuals in the remote work industries, virtual assistance jobs and those that only prefer virtual office These co-working spaces cater to the companies that value virtual presence more than physical office spaces. Such companies only use physical space when holding meetings that require physical presence therefore having a virtual space is most ideal.
4. Advantages of co-working spaces
The rise of coworking spaces in cities all across the world is driven by a bunch of different factors like economic factors. Co-working spaces in Nairobi also followed the world trend and today we see lots of shared office spaces in the city. Meanwhile, iHiT coworking space provides the best services for an excellent space at affordable prices. Coworking space, like everything else, has its advantages and disadvantages.
These are some of the advantages of co-working spaces:
- pay-as-you-go terms: with coworking spaces, you don’t require to commit to a long-term contract for an office, which can help keep things affordable for young companies just starting. IHiT Coworking spaces provide you with day-to-day affordable packages.
- sense of community: you can imagine if you work at home or coffee shop alone without any sense of teamwork or belonging to a greater group. You could add to this condition the challenges of start-ups. it would be frustrating. The best coworking space connects you with a group of like-minded professionals. It creates a sense of belonging to a greater group.
- Affordable coworking spaces: the greatest benefit of a coworking space can be its cost-efficiency of it. you share lots of your costs with others an is a win-win situation for you and others in the shared office space. Sharing things like office facilities, reception services, and internet with employees from other companies, businesses, and freelancers on a budget can avoid service charges and cut out many of the costs that long-term leases have.
- Increased productivity: in the Bestseller book, Atomic Habits, James Clear said that: if you want to boost your good habits, join a group that has those habits as a group identity. Shared office spaces are like that group we want to join to boost our productivity, they have productivity in their gene. Sharing a coworking space with a bunch of driven and focused co-workers is a good way to enhance your productivity.
- Saving on office costs: It is of every company’s importance to save on costs as much as they can and choosing to take up a shared workspace definitely becomes advantageous since you do not incur costs equal to having a private office space, costs like, rental fees, cleaning costs, buying amenities like printers for the office since you only get to use a workstation when you are in need.
- Leasing flexibility: Sometimes when it comes to getting a shared office space for rent, you only use it once in a while therefore it would not make sense to only take up a coworking space when need arises. For some coworking spaces, you have the choice to take up a workspace just for a day, a week or monthly as need arises.
- Extra facilities: It is important to consider whether extra facilities that are offered in a coworking space. This will help you decided whether or not to take up a shared office space, iHiT coworking spaces come with complimentary facilities like, administration and reception services, printing services as well as mail delivery options. Some shared office spaces also have extra services like offering tea/coffee for their members within the day so keep your mind focused and warm.
- Networking and community building: It is very easy to feel alone when you work from home or when you do not have an office space to go to. It is important to find like minded people and individuals in a similar industry to give you a sense of belonging these networks become clients who turn into friends who could also be business partners. Shared work spaces allow you to build your network and get you through challenging business hurdles.
5. Tips on finding the best co-working space
It is important to find the best space that allows you to be more productive and creative at work. In this case it is advised that you do not rush in to the first coworking space for rent you see. You should do your due diligence when looking for a space to set up your work station. Since it is sort of a new space that is just now beginning to gain popularity, it can be a bit of a journey to getting the best type of shared office space as per your specifications however, it is important that you research according the types of coworking spaces, listed below are some of the factors to consider when looking for the best coworking spaces :
5.1. Location
Whether you’re a freelancer with a laptop or CEO of your start-up, the most important factor of a good coworking space is its demographic location and access to urban facilities. The best coworking space might not be the one closest to you, but it should be convenient to reach by car, bike, or public transportation.
5.2. Amenities
They might seem like a nice bonus, but top-level amenities can truly elevate a shared office space into something special. coffee shop, internet, green space, restaurant, and printing facilities could be an advantage of coworking spaces. Having outdoor spaces and conference rooms in one place, iHiT coworking spaces could provide you with a better coworking experience.
5.3. Flexibility
If you have a start-up and you need a coworking space, Ensure the coworking space you choose offers a flexible, short-term office lease or meeting rooms and conference rooms for hire to give your business the elbow room it needs to navigate the unexpected and to easily scale up to suit your changing priorities as the company expands.
5.4. Cost and budget
Coworking spaces can be a cheaper option for businesses looking to move or expand because of the cost of furniture, unexpected charges like repairs, and amenities covered by coworking spaces. Your budget will ultimately determine the space to take up for you and your team, but always have a clear path for your probable expansion and choose an affordable coworking space that’s will ultimately cater to that need.
6. iHiT’s Affordable shared working space prices in Nairobi
iHiT shared office spaces are the most affordable compared to other coworking spaces within Nairobi. Whether you’re a freelancer in need of a coworking space or a business searching for the perfect flexible shared office solution, iHiT provides beautifully designed, affordable co-working spaces that are flexible enough to meet the changing needs of your team.
Visit our coworking spaces at iHiT and find a space suitable for you and your team to get set up, with our daily and monthly packages, you will get to experience affordable co-working spaces and get a chance to build networks through the exposure to individuals in every industry including the Tech and Arts industries. Also, Contact us now via our WhatsApp platforms or call us to arrange a tour also check out our coworking spaces packages to find a package that suits your needs
Titles Contents:
- what is a co-working space?
- The history of co-working space?
- Various types of Shared office spaces?
- Advantages of co-working spaces
- Tips on finding the best co-working space
- Location
- Amenities
- Flexibility
- Cost and budget
- iHiT’s Affordable shared working space prices in Nairobi
1. What is a co-working space?
As the name says, a co-working space is a collaborative work space that has an open plan set up and is conducive for industries like start-ups, solopreneurs and remote workers. These are industries that prefer using work space only when need arises instead of having their own private office space and have to incur excessive cost of it. Shared working spaces are designed to accommodate different people or industries and are identified by the fact that they have communal facilities, tools and services and the also have a strong social aspect to how they are set-up.
The emergence of new technologies changed the way we work too, these days people work from the comfort of their homes or while traveling around the world as well as in a coworking space instead of having their own physical private office space since that could appear more inconvenient due to the various nature of their jobs.In this article, we will learn more about setting up the best coworking spaces and the various option for you to choose from. The idea of a shared office space is to encourage collaborative environments where the members work together and join their resources to encourage saving cost.
2. The history of co-working space?
The history of coworking as a work space was first founded in Berlin, by a group of hackers and was called ‘’hackerspace’’. They came up with the idea to come together and share ideas and thoughts to complete tasks in turn they shared work space. As time went on they opened the space to accommodate more people who hold events, seminars and group projects. They have then been growing ever since.
For most companies nowadays, they are becoming accustomed to working remotely this allows them to experience freedom in how they work and increases productivity as well, in turn, industries like IT, Artistic and most freelancers or start- ups were limited and they had no option for working anywhere but at home. Most people starting a business or working for themselves had no option, but to work from their local coffee shop, (or from their parent’s garage home like Steve Jobs), which could prove isolating, distracting, unproductive, and finally result to shallow work.
The most important thing for a freelancer is to be in a great environment and network. The need for these types of things in the early 2000s led to emerging of co-working spaces or shared working spaces that were a solution to the plight of needs for freelancers.
3. Various types of Shared office spaces?
- Private serviced office space: Conventional or open shared office space is what usually comes to mind when people think of co-working spaces, therefore, these types of office space caters to those who have a preference of private dedicated office space but have the option of being around the co-work community.
- Industry specific: Some shared office spaces, are only tailored to a specific industry like the tech industry or arts, meaning they have specific set-ups or tools and resources. These co-working spaces only focus on creating a specific environment according to specific industries, like for instance a artsy based co-working space would have more of workshop stations as well as an artistic environment.
- Private Workspaces: These are ideal for small teams and teams that prefer to work together in privacy while using the shared spaces amenities. Such coworking spaces have the option to have a secluded set up dedicated to a team as per the company for instance a team of five people who would much rather seat together but within a co-working space.
- Meeting Space: As companies and freelancers, you can choose a meeting room for hire rather than sign an agreement for the office space they come to every day. Many coworking spaces offer hourly, daily or even weekly use for client meetings, collaboration sessions, planning meetings, and more.
- Incubator/Accelerator Spaces: For early stages in a company when they most need guidance and funding. There are some shared office spaces that provide funding services and programmes such as mentoring and networking opportunities. A blog by the Drop desk Spaces shares more about the venture workspaces and how they support and fund start-up companies and what it takes to be viable for funding since this coworking spaces are considered the most picky when it comes to the companies that set up office there.
- Virtual co-working space: Some co-working spaces are best suited for individuals in the remote work industries, virtual assistance jobs and those that only prefer virtual office presence. These co-working spaces cater to the companies that value virtual presence more than physical office spaces. Such companies only use physical space when holding meetings that require physical presence therefore having a virtual space is most ideal.
4. Advantages of co-working spaces
The rise of coworking spaces in cities all across the world is driven by a bunch of different factors like economic factors. Co-working spaces in Nairobi also followed the world trend and today we see lots of shared office spaces in the city. Meanwhile, iHiT coworking space provides the best services for an excellent space at affordable prices. Coworking space, like everything else, has its advantages and disadvantages.
These are some of the advantages of co-working spaces:
- pay-as-you-go terms: with coworking spaces, you don’t require to commit to a long-term contract for an office, which can help keep things affordable for young companies just starting. IHiT Coworking spaces provide you with day-to-day affordable packages.
- sense of community: you can imagine if you work at home or coffee shop alone without any sense of teamwork or belonging to a greater group. You could add to this condition the challenges of start-ups. it would be frustrating. The best coworking space connects you with a group of like-minded professionals. It creates a sense of belonging to a greater group.
- Affordable coworking spaces: the greatest benefit of a coworking space can be its cost-efficiency of it. you share lots of your costs with others an is a win-win situation for you and others in the shared office space. Sharing things like office facilities, reception services, and internet with employees from other companies, businesses, and freelancers on a budget can avoid service charges and cut out many of the costs that long-term leases have.
- Increased productivity: in the Bestseller book, Atomic Habits, James Clear said that: if you want to boost your good habits, join a group that has those habits as a group identity. Shared office spaces are like that group we want to join to boost our productivity, they have productivity in their gene. Sharing a coworking space with a bunch of driven and focused co-workers is a good way to enhance your productivity.
- Saving on office costs: It is of every company’s importance to save on costs as much as they can and choosing to take up a shared workspace definitely becomes advantageous since you do not incur costs equal to having a private office space, costs like, rental fees, cleaning costs, buying amenities like printers for the office since you only get to use a workstation when you are in need.
- Leasing flexibility: Sometimes when it comes to getting a shared office space for rent, you only use it once in a while therefore it would not make sense to only take up a coworking space when need arises. For some coworking spaces, you have the choice to take up a workspace just for a day, a week or monthly as need arises.
- Extra facilities: It is important to consider whether extra facilities that are offered in a coworking space. This will help you decided whether or not to take up a shared office space, iHiT coworking spaces come with complimentary facilities like, administration and reception services, printing services as well as mail delivery options. Some shared office spaces also have extra services like offering tea/coffee for their members within the day so keep your mind focused and warm.
- Networking and community building: It is very easy to feel alone when you work from home or when you do not have an office space to go to. It is important to find like minded people and individuals in a similar industry to give you a sense of belonging these networks become clients who turn into friends who could also be business partners. Shared work spaces allow you to build your network and get you through challenging business hurdles.
5. Tips on finding the best co-working space
It is important to find the best space that allows you to be more productive and creative at work. In this case it is advised that you do not rush in to the first coworking space for rent you see. You should do your due diligence when looking for a space to set up your work station. Since it is sort of a new space that is just now beginning to gain popularity, it can be a bit of a journey to getting the best type of shared office space as per your specifications however, it is important that you research according the types of coworking spaces, listed below are some of the factors to consider when looking for the best coworking spaces :
5.1. Location
Whether you’re a freelancer with a laptop or CEO of your start-up, the most important factor of a good coworking space is its demographic location and access to urban facilities. The best coworking space might not be the one closest to you, but it should be convenient to reach by car, bike, or public transportation.
5.2. Amenities
They might seem like a nice bonus, but top-level amenities can truly elevate a shared office space into something special. coffee shop, internet, green space, restaurant, and printing facilities could be an advantage of coworking spaces. Having outdoor spaces and conference rooms in one place, iHiT coworking spaces could provide you with a better coworking experience.
5.3. Flexibility
If you have a start-up and you need a coworking space, Ensure the coworking space you choose offers a flexible, short-term office lease or meeting rooms and conference rooms for hire to give your business the elbow room it needs to navigate the unexpected and to easily scale up to suit your changing priorities as the company expands.
5.4. Cost and budget
Coworking spaces can be a cheaper option for businesses looking to move or expand because of the cost of furniture, unexpected charges like repairs, and amenities covered by coworking spaces. Your budget will ultimately determine the space to take up for you and your team, but always have a clear path for your probable expansion and choose an affordable coworking space that’s will ultimately cater to that need.
6. iHiT’s Affordable shared working space prices in Nairobi
iHiT shared office spaces are the most affordable compared to other coworking spaces within Nairobi. Whether you’re a freelancer in need of a coworking space or a business searching for the perfect flexible shared office solution, iHiT provides beautifully designed, affordable co-working spaces that are flexible enough to meet the changing needs of your team.
Visit our coworking spaces at iHiT and find a space suitable for you and your team to get set up, with our daily and monthly packages, you will get to experience affordable co-working spaces and get a chance to build networks through the exposure to individuals in every industry including the Tech and Arts industries. Also, Contact us now via our WhatsApp platforms or call us to arrange a tour also check out our coworking spaces packages to find a package that suits your needs