When establishing an appropriate workplace, many freelances, small businesses and, in general, independent professionals, find a problem: prices of locals ands offices are unaffordable for many of these entrepreneurs that, especially at the beginning, can not make a large outlay in renting space and equipment. As a solution to this problem comes the coworking. Do you want to know what is it about?
The coworking concept was born in 1999, but it was in 2005 when Brad Neuberg created the first collaboration space in San Francisco: a loft where three freelances worked. Today, it is estimated that there are over 2,000 coworking centers worldwide.
These spaces are ready to welcome professionals from any sector as long as they carry out their activities in an habitual environment with regular office equipment. As a rule, local facilitates furniture -tables, chairs, cupboards, cabinets…-, internet, printer and meeting room. In exchange, professional disburse an amount depending on their needs of use of the coworking space: if its for a specified period of time or indefinitely. In any case, rates will always be much lower than for the traditional rental office.
Advantages of coworking
According to the Infojobs website, as stated in the Spanish newspaper El Economista, the main benefit is precisely the economic savings in rent, computer, internet, water consumption and electricity … Since expenses, distributed among several workers, are much minors.
But it is not the only advantage, as the relationships generated within these spaces may prove fruitful collaboration. Professionals from different sectors come into direct contact and may establish labor negotiations and share useful information for both parties.
It also has its downside
Logically, coworking also has a negative side. To Infojobs, the primary drawback is that times are sacred, as another user might be waiting for us to finish in order to begin his duty. So, unlike in an office, it is not possible to lengthen a little the day or finish that last project before the end of the day.
In addition, there is also a lack of privacy compared to workinn in your own office or telecommuting, not to mention the possibility of excessive noise -or silence-.