Flexible workspaces are designed to allow employees to alternate how they work. They can choose where, when, and even how long they work. These workspaces are designed to be adaptive to your company’s business objectives and give you the freedom to scale up or down to meet your goals.
Unlike traditional workspaces, these flexible workspaces offer many benefits and have become more popular in recent years. Their appeal has become vital for companies looking to create healthier, happier work environments for their employees and help cater to the demands of your evolving business. These workspaces have gradually replaced the traditional office and are becoming more popular.
Whether you’re a startup business or a long-fledged company, here’s why you should consider flexible workspaces as a viable investment.
A Brief History of The Office Workspace
Most people view the office space as the traditional cubicle, where each employee is assigned their spot, and they have strict office hours to adhere to, working within schedules and timelines to meet specific goals.
Traditional workspaces have been around since the 1950s, as they were inspired by factory production lines to improve efficiency at work. While the layouts were tightly packed and allowed for better supervision, new technologies such as computers and mobile phones gradually changed the nature of the office space over the course of multiple decades.
It wasn’t until the early 2000s that there was a massive shift in ideology from corporate culture and utilitarian production to effective coworking, internet integration, and casual, open-floor plans. This time was the birthplace of flexible working, and during that decade, it was often treated with pessimism and was seen as a temporary fad.
However, Covid-19 changed everything about today’s workforce, forcing millions to shift from office workspaces to remote, at-home work. The increased demand for telework forced companies to alter their business models to integrate their services into an interconnective, online space. It also altered how coworkers cooperated and socialized with one another. It opened up flexible working as a viable opportunity for cost-effective growth in many business areas, such as flexible warehouse rentals and executive suites.
What Are Flexible Workspaces?
Flexible workspaces offer a full-service space for employees and teams to cooperate with one another in various ways. They allow employees to work in environments that are more adaptive and adjustable. Flexible workspace is a broad term used to describe multiple types of workspaces, each designed to offer employees the necessities to work more efficiently.
In today’s world of digitally savvy companies, flexible workspaces now move beyond offices and are integrated into every facet of the business, including flexible warehouse rentals, reception areas, and even webinar rooms. When it comes to flexible office spaces, several different types of workspaces can be used, including:
- Serviced Offices: Serviced offices are office spaces containing all the utilities your teams need to work. Another company manages the bills and maintenance of the space, and the overall costs are included in the monthly fee. These spaces are prepped with desks, computers, kitchens, lighting, and office supplies to keep your employees comfortable while they work.
- Shared Offices: Shared offices have offices where multiple businesses work within the same space. These offices often include quality facilities and monthly rolling contracts, but instead of having the space full-time, the space is used part-time during certain hours or days per week.
- Coworking Spaces: Coworking spaces offer the same benefits as shared office spaces but include additional features such as cafes and community events to encourage networking. They’re highly useful for small startup companies looking to expand. They can be included in either a monthly rolling contract or booked for the day you apply for the space, meaning you only pay for the utilities you use.
- Hot Desks: Hot desking is a coworking space that provides a unique alternative to the usual office setup. Instead of having assigned seats, it allows employees to show up and pick the desk they wish to work at that day. This feature is usually in coworking spaces, but it can also be included as an additional feature in shared and serviced offices.
Most importantly, the nature of these workspaces promotes less commitment to the workspace itself. While traditional office spaces tend to work on long-term leases, flexible office spaces revolve around monthly rolling contracts, meaning companies can pay a certain monthly amount to use a workspace in any nearby location. The concept has expanded into almost every facet of business, such as flexible warehouse rentals, conference rooms, reception areas, and more.
What Makes Flexible Workspaces So Popular?
These workspaces have been on the rise over the last decade, and according to Stratview Research, the workspace market is predicted to grow to $73.04 billion by 2026. This trend is predicted to rise because flexible workspaces offer unique designs and approaches to the traditional work environment, moving away from fixed cubicles and centralized locations to take advantage of the space for the demands of your business. If you’re still not convinced, then here are some of the viable benefits that flexible workspaces can bring to your company:
- Open-Plan Designs: Flexible workspaces offer open-plan designs, decentralizing the space to allow for more adaptable workstations that are adjustable to the needs of your projects. Open-plan designs reduce the physical barriers between people, allowing team members to easily interact and share ideas with one another for improved efficiency.
- Quiet/Focus Zones: Open-plan designs in flexible workspaces have also led to the development of quiet areas or focus zones. These specific areas allow employees to focus on tasks without interruption.
- Diverse Locations: Many serviced, shared, and coworking spaces can be found anywhere nearby, and due to the diverse location options, remote work can be done when needed. This aspect can also increase the range of
- Cutting-Edge Technology: Today’s economy demands technology, and flexible workspaces often work to embrace cutting-edge technology and remote tools to assist your employees and improve your company’s production.
- Better Cost Savings: Instead of signing up for long-term leases that last five to ten years, flexible offices often rotate around monthly rolling contracts to help improve financial output and save costs.
- Happier Employees: These open spaces offer more amenities, dynamic environments, and faster responses to change, and with the rise of remote work, your employees can find ways to work that suit their needs and lifestyles, giving them more control over their work and allowing them to thrive in a space that works for them.
Find Your Flexible Workspace with CoFlex
Overall, flexible workspaces have altered how companies approach their business model, even integrating them into flexible warehouse rentals and meeting rooms for a more inclusive approach to cooperation. At CoFlex, we provide innovative companies with flexible venue spaces so you can have a workspace environment that’s accessible, secure, and cost-effective for your business.
Give your company the competitive edge and improve your professional experience through us. For more information about our monthly rates and booking options, call us at (587) 327-7797 or fill out our contact form to find the perfect workspace for you.
