Coworking spaces are growing in number all around the world. According to Statista, the number of coworking spaces worldwide will increase to around 42,000 by the end of 2024. This growth in the establishment of coworking spaces is directly attributed to the rising number of companies opting for coworking spaces for operating their businesses.

Many leading companies are already adopting the coworking model for the benefits these spaces offer employees, such as a comfortable yet professional workspace, excellent networking, and collaboration opportunities, cost-effective pricing models, and more. However, transitioning to working in coworking spaces can be challenging for both employers and employees.

In this article, we’ll look at a few tips and tricks to ensure that moving from working from home (WFH) to coworking is a smooth transition for businesses.

#1. Choose the Right Coworking Space

Coworking spaces provide different workplace solutions offering extensive benefits to business owners. Hence, choosing a coworking space that suits your business requirements is a must when transitioning from WFH to coworking.

Here are a few factors to consider when choosing a coworking space for your company.

  • Location
  • Pricing
  • Overall office environment
  • Amenities and other member perks
  • Security
  • Transportation facilities
  • Community events
  • Cafeteria and gym access

Search for a coworking space by keeping these factors in mind. Prospective members should carefully weigh the pros and cons offered by each of the coworking spaces in question before making a decision.

#2. Communicate the Transition Plan with Your Team

Sharing the plan for transitioning to the coworking space is essential to inform employees about the upcoming change. The transition plan should be crafted thoughtfully by considering the employees’ work commitments and well-being. 

The first step toward creating a successful transition plan is to notify the team of the reason why it’s happening as your team would be interested in learning more about the change. Share a detailed plan about the new workspace location, layouts, and infrastructure to prepare them for the change.

You can also share pictures of the selected coworking space to give them insights into their new workstations. Some coworking spaces will even allow a tour of their offices, so employees can get a real feel of what it would be like to utilize the space prior to booking.

#3. Create a Comprehensive SOP for Your Team

Creating standard operating procedure (SOP) documentation is important because it helps companies in streamlining their processes and keeps all employees and stakeholders on the same page. An SOP will thereby help teams to ensure that their work continues cohesively during the transition.

Create an internal documentation with a set of step-by-step instructions that help employees complete their tasks according to the company’s expectations. A comprehensive SOP should cover all aspects of the business, such as operations, legal, accounts, HR, and more. It can be compiled in various formats, such as checklists or charts. 

SOPs are essential because they will promote a smooth transition to working primarily from a coworking space. It imparts the right organizational knowledge and ensures employees adhere to best work practices.

#4. Don’t Lose Focus on Maintaining Company Culture

Company culture plays a crucial role in employee happiness and retention. However, building company culture in shared spaces can be challenging. Some coworking spaces are closely aligned with the needs of corporate companies while some are focused on digital nomads and freelancers.

Identify the type of environment the coworking space offers and understand if it aligns with your company culture. For instance, a team that has always worked in a corporate-looking environment wouldn’t like a space built for millennials. Once the coworking space is decided, you can find out ways to inculcate your company culture into it. 

Here are a few tips to help you:

  • Place subtle artifacts, wall art, illustrations, and more to showcase your brand identity.
  • Emphasize the company’s mission and goals via the office decor.
  • Share stories about the company, its history, and achievements to build motivation among the employees
  • Make your employees feel like a part of the company by organizing fun events, festival celebrations, and more.

#5. Invest in the Right Tools

Coworking spaces take away the hassle of capital investments, office maintenance, and other operational expenses freeing up your budget for other things. Hence, invest this additional budget in the right tools to boost employee productivity.

For example, calculating the salaries of employees manually is difficult. So, investing in payroll software to calculate the salaries will help the HR and accounting team calculate salaries without any hurdles.

Invest in software that can help you automate your manual tasks. Choose the ones that can be easily integrated into your existing workflows. You can also connect with other business owners or other professionals working in the coworking space for software recommendations.

#6. Be Open to Employee Feedback and Concerns

The transition from work from home to a coworking space can be overwhelming for employees. Hence, talking to them and understanding their thoughts about this new working style is necessary.

Send out a short survey to capture employees’ feedback about the transition. Ensure to address their issues and concerns to make them feel comfortable about the shift. 

Besides, you can ask your team to give suggestions for workplace design and layout. Brainstorm new ideas to choose a layout that can empower the team to work efficiently in the new space. For example, the team members of the creative department can be placed together for better workplace collaboration.

Other important things to consider for making a smooth transition to coworking space include:

  • Socialize with freelancers and other companies working from the coworking space. Make an effort to introduce yourself and your team to the other members. Be an active participant in various networking and community events held at the coworking space. 
  • Set up a work routine for the employees as soon as possible. Although coworking spaces offer flexibility, it is wise to stick to the schedules so that your employees do not lose the work-life balance.
  • Allow the employees to organize the workstations and decorate them with the things they love. Ask them to explore various areas of the coworking spaces like quiet pods, outdoor desks, and more to see which setup works the best for them.
  • Avoid distractions by providing noise cancellation devices to the employees as coworking spaces can at times be noisy. Also, ensure that your employees do not cause any distractions to others.

Conclusion

Transitioning to coworking spaces can be overwhelming especially if you previously worked only from home. By following the tips and tricks mentioned in this article, you can manage this transition seamlessly and without any stress.