Shared office spaces are all the rage these days. They are popular not just with startups but even with bigger corporate houses. With industry giants like Amazon hopping on the coworking trend, it is clear that flexible work environments are shaping the future of business.
Conventional offices frequently lack the adaptability that contemporary employees require. Simultaneously, organisations encounter the difficulty of overseeing facilities while managing expenses. Coworking spaces and managed offices present a viable alternative by delivering affordable, versatile work environments that address both corporate requirements and employee satisfaction.
By now, most people have thoroughly understood the advantages of coworking and managed office spaces. However, only a few people completely understand the possible problems they pose. As the saying goes, every coin has two sides. This simply means that shared spaces have both good and bad sides. This discussion will explore possible ways to overcome the challenges linked to shared office spaces.
- Problem 1: Distraction and Noise Levels
Coworking or shared office spaces are environments where individuals from various organisations work under the same roof. Naturally, individuals who operate within the same area are likely to build connections with one another. However, developing these growing relationships is often a significant concern in such settings.
In contrast to managed offices, where workplace dynamics are specifically designed to meet the requirements of businesses, shared offices can occasionally blur the distinction. This leads to a mix of meaningful professional interactions and unwarranted distractions.
How do you manage this?
Below are a few methods that may prove useful:
- Making use of noise-cancelling headphones.
- Politely asking others to keep their voices down or move their discussions to designated seating areas, as conversations on the work floor can be disruptive.
- Incorporating partitions or dividers into the workspace.
- Problem 2: Privacy Issues
Being part of a shared workspace that is accessible to any employee willing to operate in coworking environments can understandably lead to a lack of privacy.
How can you address this?
Privacy is essential when maintaining focus and productivity. The constant involvement of chatty acquaintances or disruptive colleagues is far from ideal. Outlined below are some approaches you can consider:
- Setting up dividers and separators.
- A glass partition could be a more effective solution.
- Striking a balance between personal work zones and communal areas.
Alternatively, managed offices can provide a more secluded and personalised working environment. With bespoke designs and dedicated spaces, organisations can achieve a balance between teamwork and the confidentiality required for maximum efficiency.
- Problem 3: Lack of Space
A clutter-free workspace is extremely vital for sustaining both productivity and employee morale. Research indicates that 41% of the survey participants believe that an organised workspace boosts productivity. Also, 21% acknowledge that a messy desk adds to their workload.
Thus, maintaining cleanliness can be difficult due to shared responsibilities among users in coworking spaces. Contrastingly, managed offices often include dedicated cleaning and maintenance services. This ensures a consistently tidy and structured environment that promotes efficiency and employee well-being.
How to resolve it?
- Organise your surroundings. This helps create a more structured workspace.
- Consider managing cables using a cable organiser or similar tools to reduce tangles and clutter.
- Introduce partitions to create defined and orderly work zones.
- Always maintain a clutter-free desk. This enhances focus and efficiency.
- Problem 4: Lack of Adequate Equipment
31% of employees utilising coworking spaces identify the absence of suitable equipment as a concern. Coworking spaces typically include reliable internet access, ergonomic furniture, basic office supplies, scanning and printing facilities, etc. These are fundamental requirements. Any organisation is responsible for ensuring their workforce is provided with the same.
Managed offices, however, suit the particular requirements of each organisation since resources and equipment are customised here. Coworking spaces often rely on a universal approach. This results in shortcomings when addressing the specific needs of various businesses.
How to address this?
- Incorporate supply stations within the workspace, allowing coworkers easy access to essential office materials.
- Understand their requirements by conducting regular feedback surveys and acting on the results.
- Guarantee that all basic resources are readily available to support their daily tasks.
Experience the Convenience of Managed Offices for Your Business
Shared workspaces definitely offer flexibility and cost benefits. However, they are not complete with their challenges. Constant distractions, lack of privacy, and inadequate equipment may affect productivity and work satisfaction.
The solution lies in perfectly balancing between adaptability and practicality. This could involve enhancing the workspace design or ensuring that essential resources are always available. Moreover, creating a well-structured environment that minimises disruptions is crucial for organisations to improve their workplace experience.
DevX provides high-quality managed offices designed to meet specific organisational requirements for businesses seeking a workspace that surpasses the constraints of conventional shared offices. With adaptable work environments, efficient facility management, and superior amenities, DevX ensures that companies have an optimal setting in which to function effectively.
