How to Create Better Work Experiences
The pandemic has transformed how we work and our expectations about work. There is a new awareness of how we work best— individually and collectively. This awareness is shaping new expectations about the physical workplace and how we manage its spaces. In addition, the new post-pandemic workplace must provide better work experiences and this means options.
Create places to work, reflect, and socialize in your office.
Rethink breakrooms and lobbies as places where employees can go to collaborate and even take a break from the screen. Telling your staff that they can take a break when needed and having space to do that will make them feel better about taking breaks when needed.
Revamp the Work Schedule.
Working from home is not for everyone, and by now, you can probably identify the workers that thrive in this setting and who do not. By revamping the work schedule to fit the individual needs of your staff, you will keep productivity and mental health positive. Hybrid is here to stay as well, so find a coworking space that has an option that fits your budget and schedule so your employees can work on their schedule when needed.
Being with other people is now an amenity.
As will all amenities, not everyone needs them to be productive. Coffee stations are critical to some employees, but not all. The same can be said for being with other people for work. With hybrid schedules, work from home, or a shared office solution, you can offer options to your staff to provide a better work experience where they individually thrive.
Post-pandemic is an excellent opportunity to create a new people-focused work experience that builds relationships and trust, fosters well-being, and promotes inclusion and equity. So hold a meeting with your team to get honest feedback on improving the work experience.
Hybrid vs. Remote: Which is Better for You?
The work landscape has changed in the past two years and many employees are considering hybrid vs. remote work schedules. The 9-to-5 workday is so last century. In today’s 24/7 global economy, employers and employees enjoy the benefits of more flexible work arrangements. There are two primary types of flexible work arrangements: hybrid and remote. A hybrid schedule is a mix of in-office and at-home work, while a remote schedule is 100 percent at-home.
But how do you determine which is the right one for you? Here are some questions to ask if you are considering a hybrid vs. remote work schedule yourself to determine which will work for your individual needs.
Is an office required for your career?
This should be the first question you ask yourself, “Can I do my job the same from home, or do I have to go into an office to be productive.” Some industries, like manufacturing, where employees must be centrally located to get the job done. But what COIVD taught us is there are more industries than we imagined that could go remote or hybrid. So, for example, who would have thought telehealth would ever be a thing? Because how can you practice medicine without physically seeing the patient? Easily apparently with the assistance of technology but not for all health issues.
Doing some soul searching and researching to see if your career can go remote or hybrid for the long term will help you determine your best choice.
How do I work best?
Once you have determined if your industry can work remotely, you need to be honest with the type of worker you are at your job. Regarding a hybrid vs. remote work schedule, do you need watercooler banter to be happy and productive? Or can you work remotely without this type of in-person interaction? Again, COVID taught many of us that we are more social than we may have thought, and this social interaction with coworkers was an important part of our work life. This is why it is essential to ask this question when determining if a remote or hybrid schedule is right for you.
Am I disciplined enough to work remotely?
Remote workers need to stay focused and adhere to a schedule without coworkers, or supervisors, around to monitor them. Be honest with yourself on this question because with the flexibility of a remote schedule comes the responsibility of being self-motivating and productive. A hybrid schedule might be a better option if you fear you lack the dedication to work remotely 100% of the time.
Whether you choose a remote or hybrid work schedule, a shared office solution like Work Webb can assist when needed, no matter which schedule works for you. Whether it is a desk for a day, a conference room rental, or a work address for mail, we have options to meet most needs for both remote and hybrid workers. Visit our website to see what our happy clients say about our services and call us to schedule a tour.
Coworking Spaces Can Make Employees Happier
A 2019 survey by Gartner revealed that just 13% of employees are satisfied at work. Fortunately, a 2022 survey by Willis Towers Watson found that 90% of employers plan to put employee experience at the top of their agenda.
If you’re a business owner thinking about renting desks for your team, here are two reasons you should consider a coworking space membership without delay.
A sense of belonging
Our sense of belonging is vital for our well-being. These groups could be our peers, sports teams, religious groups, or coworkers. The latter is essential when it comes to the employee experience, and it’s something you don’t get proper when you work from home every day.
Belonging is about more than holding Zoom meetings.
A coworking space is where remote employees can visit to reconnect with colleagues after periods of working from home. It also allows employees to build relationships and social groups with other people who use the space.
Coworking spaces can improve people’s well-being
Our work lives can significantly impact our sense of well-being, which is why it’s so crucial for employers to create workplace environments that prioritize well-being and work-life balance.
Employers need to be flexible to achieve a work-life balance, and coworking spaces can meet this need. For example, employers can pay for only the desks they need at any time accommodating a hybrid working schedule. Options tend to be super flexible, and companies can take on more or less space when needed.
Spacious breakout areas, adaptable desks, and areas that cater to different working styles can help maintain a high level of productivity.
If you are looking for a shared office solution for your coworking needs consider Work Webb. We have two locations and a variety of options to choose from. Call us to schedule a tour and read what our happy clients have to say about our services.
Hybrid Office Evolution
The Hybrid Office Started Before COVID
During the pandemic, employees worked from home. COVID did not start the work-from-home trend. In 2017, FlexJobs and Global Workplace Analytics reported that between 2005 and 2015, telecommuting half-time or more increased by 115%. The United States Census Bureau released this infographic in 2013. This graphic states that advances in technology contributed to the increase of remote workers and gave a breakdown of the industries of these home-based workers. Employers learned during the pandemic was remote workers performed as well as on-site employees. Staff now want to continue this work arrangement. Some employers are considering a hybrid work schedule to keep the employees happy.
Employees Have a New “Worth It” Equation
The Big Compromise
The Benefits of Having a Dedicated Desk
The co-working space phenomenon has grown into an industry fast becoming a staple of the business landscape in a post-COVID world. Shared office solutions stimulate this business because the setup is the best of two worlds – the traditional office and remote working. The shared office space also offers professionals who like the co-working vibe but do not want to sacrifice their privacy with other options, namely dedicated desks.
A dedicated desk is a physical space within an office reserved for a specific person to use as their workspace. The desk is usually assigned to an individual rather than being shared by multiple people. The dedicated desk allows professionals a permanent space to work while also giving them additional advantages.
Here are several benefits of having a dedicated desk:
Increased Productivity
A dedicated desk can help increase your productivity as it provides you with a space that is specifically for you to use. This can help reduce distractions and help you focus on your work. Often, people feel comfortable in areas with a touch of personalization. Dedicated desks allow you to personalize your workspace and make you feel at home while working. The more comfortable people are in their personalized space, the more productive they will be.
Cost-Effective Option
It can be costly for companies to set up a separate space in the office for each employee. If employees have to pay for the area themselves, this can get pricey. For example, dedicated desks allow employees to have their own space while at the same time not breaking the bank.
Provides adaptability
The flexibility of the lease of a co-working space ensures that you can opt for a bigger space when business needs demand it. For instance, if traveling is included more in your job portfolio, the dedicated desks are a great idea. You don’t need an ample working space if you travel often.
As the office landscape continues to transform, more and more companies are migrating to co-working spaces, which offer privacy and teamwork. However, it would be best to consider getting a dedicated desk—it provides more privacy, better work management, and high productivity, which can be very beneficial to you and your business.
If you are looking for a dedicated desk in the Daytona Beach or Melbourne, Florida area, consider Work Webb. We have many options that can adapt to most business needs. Visit our website to learn more and read what our Happy Clients say about our services.
Virtual Working Tips for the New Year
During the coronavirus outbreak, many organizations have asked employees to work remotely and for some companies, virtual working is now commonplace. So for those new to remote working, we want to share some tips on making it work.
Self-Care
Virtual working can be a big transition, so cut yourself some slack. You might have feelings of being lonely, isolated, stressed, frustrated, anxious, unmotivated, or relieved, relaxed, energized, or productive. However you feel is OK, so don’t beat yourself up.
Take scheduled breaks
Walk around while chatting on the phone and make sure to take a lunch break away from your email. Breaking up the day enables you to refresh and increase your productivity when you return to your work.
Protect your time
Many managers’ concern about their virtual employees is that they are just doing laundry and bingeing Netflix. When in reality – the opposite is usually true — people tend to work more virtually because it’s harder to “leave” work. Set “in office” hours and communicate these with both colleagues and family.
Protect your workspace
If you utilize your home for your office, talk to family members or roommates about the hours you work virtually and the ground rules during those hours. Of course, we also recommend finding a shared office solution near you to rent a desk for the days you need to focus. Having an alternative workspace is critical to being consistently productive.
Create a system for sharing documents
Consider Google Docs, Box, or Dropbox to share files. This will ensure the correct version of a document is worked on and shared.
Work Webb can help virtual workers in Daytona Beach and Melbourne, Florida, stay focused, productive, and happy. Both locations are near restaurants for breaks and have a wide selection of options to fit most needs. Visit our website to read what our happy clients say and call us to schedule a tour.
Three Ways Work Webb Can Help Your Business Grow
No matter how large your team, Work Webb offers customizable office space that scales to meet your needs. With locations in Daytona Beach and Melbourne, Florida, Work Webb has flexible options to meet most business needs as they grow. Here are some examples of how using Work Webb can help your business grow:
Quickly Expand Your Office Space
As you hire more staff, there inevitably comes a time where you need more office space to fit everyone. Work Webb’s options are a way to expand your company’s footprint rapidly without extending your existing commercial premises, which can be disruptive and cost time and money.
Interviewing
If your company travels to the Daytona Beach or Melbourne area to interview candidates, using Work Webb’s conference room or a private office is a perfect solution. Both locations are centrally located near restaurants for a quick lunch break and have plenty of parking to accommodate your needs.
Expanding to Daytona Beach or Melbourne
Using a temporary office space is a fast and budget-friendly way Work Webb can help your business grow. This option can test the waters to understand better whether your business can thrive in this area. Market research can guide your expectations of success to a degree, but a flexible, short-term temp office space can help your business navigate the unexpected. That’s true whether you decide to put the brakes on your expansion or take your plans to the next level.
If your business is looking for services to assist your business to grow, Visit our website to see what our clients have to say, follow us on Facebook, and call us today to schedule a tour. We look forward to hearing from you.
Location is Critical When Choosing an Office
The old saying, “It’s all about location, location, location,” is true and applies when looking for a flexible office space for your business needs. As we have discussed in previous blog posts, the options provided by the shared office solution need to fit your needs, but the location of the space is just as critical. We recommend taking the time to write down your “must-have” list of location requirements, then research to see what office space fits both your location requirements and your “must-have” office options.
Here are some helpful tips to get you started on your “Must Have List.”
Convenient
Your office location needs to close to what you need to conduct business. For example, if you need to be near the courthouse, it doesn’t’ make sense to rent a space across town away from the courts. On the other hand, you want to be located in an area convenient for your clients. But it is not all about your clients; consider the commute from your home and determine the maximum time you want to drive to work.
Dedicated Parking
Nothing is more frustrating than a client arriving at an office building for a meeting and then not finding parking. After the client drives around finding parking, they are frustrated and possibly late for the meeting setting a negative tone. Avoid this by choosing a shared office solution with plenty of decided parking, so this is not a problem.
Close to Restaurants
Grabbing a quick lunch is not possible if your office space is not near any restaurants, so make sure you consider this when choosing a office space.
Safe Area
Choosing a safe area seems obvious that it should not have to be listed, but what is safe for one person may not be the same for your clients. Visit the areas you are considering leasing space at various times of the day to ensure it is a safe area. Early morning meetings might happen, and if your office is a little sketchy before the sun comes up, clients will not feel comfortable or safe.
Nice view
This one is a little unfair because not every office is lucky enough to be in sunny Florida, but hey, we are, and it’s a plus that we can advertise gorgeous views from some of our office options. Nothing beats a great view from your desk and if this is important to you (like it is for us), add it to the list.
The location of your office needs to meet your professional and personal requirements. Create your list using these tips and take a tour of the facilities you are considering to see how many check off your requirements. If you are looking for flexible office space in the Daytona Beach or Melbourne, Florida area, visit our website to see our options and location. Then call us to schedule a tour, and remember to bring your list.
What to Look for in a Shared Office Solution
It’s been over a year since the massive wave of employees working from home. Are you losing your focus and mind yet? The answer to this question from lots of individuals is a resounding YES! People miss the socialization of talking to coworkers in person; the ritual of driving to work, listening to music, and working from home does not meet these needs. Your home may not have the space to provide a productive environment away from distractions, but fear not, there is an answer. That answer is a shared office solution like Work Webb.
A shared office solution can be the answer to your lonely working from home heart. But before you go and get yourself a membership, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to make sure you find a shared office solution to meet your individual needs:
Location
As they say, it all about location, location, location, and this pertains to choosing the right shared office solution for your needs. Your temp office space should be centrally located around restaurants and public parking. If you need to be around restaurants, courthouses, or close to home, make sure you consider this before you select your shared office solution.
Community
Each shared work-space is unique, and so is its community. Are you a good fit for the community? Can you see yourself working around the people there? You should tour the space and even try it for a day before committing to a membership.
Budget
Find a space that has plans to fit your budget and individual needs. Will you go to the office every day or on an as-needed basis? If this is what you are looking for, make sure you find a place with this option.
Internet
Although we all think fast-internet is a given, it might not be, so you need to think about the service provider to make sure it will be enough to fit your needs.
Amenities
Do they offer coffee, tea, printing, meeting room usage, etc. Look at the perks they offer and decide whether it’s something you value.
Conference rooms
If you need to have access to a conference room, make sure your shared office solution has enough rooms.
Membership options
Your needs might change as time moves forward, so ensure the space is flexible enough to upgrade or downgrade your membership accordingly.
On-site manager
Is there someone in charge making sure that things run smoothly in the space? Having a staff member on-site may sound like a small thing, but it is critical if you run into problems.
Health & Safety Protocols
A work-space should make you feel healthier, not unhealthier. Make sure you ask about the health and safety protocols to make sure they fit your expectations.
Work Webb has two locations (Daytona Beach and Melbourne, Florida) with many options to choose from and meet most individuals’ needs looking for a shared office solution. Visit our website to see what our clients have to say, follow us on Facebook, and call us today to schedule a tour. We look forward to hearing from you and having you join the directory at one of our locations.
Working with Distractions From Home
Working from home is interesting. The distractions can be overwhelming, and while some people just are not cut out to work remotely because of the COVID pandemic, that option may have been taken away from you. But how can you maintain your best productivity?
If you’re used to working in an office full of that noisy buzz working from home may feel a little quiet — too quiet, and if we are honest…a little depressing! Music and Podcasts to stay focused when you work may be an answer. If you are working at home with a significant other in the same situation or children who are remote learning, you may need a pair of headphones to ensure your concentration stays on your work.
To get a little scientific, studies have concluded that people who listen to music while working on repetitive tasks can perform the task faster while making fewer mistakes. This is because listening to music triggers the release of certain neurotransmitters that make you feel relaxed and happy: dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. This may be the answer to keep your spirits up and your attention focused because the feel-good neurotransmitters improve your overall mood and give you more patience making for a better workday. This is also true when these tasks are challenging. If you are comfortable in motion, but the stakes are high, then music can help relieve additional pressures that might compromise the performance at hand. (Think, surgeons in surgery.)
One of the great things of controlling your at-home environment is that you have the power to put in place of what makes you happy in your space. So light that candle or turn on the diffuser, put on your favorite Pandora station in your headphones, and see your work life from home improve, maybe even thrive! The small things can make a big difference.
When Loved Ones Join You in Working from Home
When working from home or in a co-working space, there is a fair amount of adjustment to this new lifestyle. No time clocks to punch, no pants to necessarily wear, etc.. but what happens amid COVID19 when you now have a new coworker also known to you as your partner or spouse? Here are some tips to succeed at working from home with your spouse or partner:
1. Arrange separate workspaces, preferably on different levels or areas of your home.
If you work for different companies and you don’t rely on each other’s work, prepare individual home offices in various areas of your home. This separation will ensure that you each have defined areas to concentrate on work.
2. Create individual office hours and respect them.
Decide what your joint workday/hours are and stick to them. The fewer interruptions you both have, the more likely you are to finish your workday on time. Should you both be juggling home, work, and children, consider interchanging your work hours, so there’s more coverage for chores and child care.
3. Avoid disturbing each other with non-work issues.
Just like you wouldn’t call your partner for every little thing during a workday, consider separating or discussing personal matters at only an established portion of the day. This habit will allow each of you to make the essential time for giving the other their devoted attention to any personal or non-work discussion without taking too much time out of the workday.
4. Focus on the upsides
Probably a weird thing to say, especially in this climate, but once you get into this new groove, there a couple of positive you can focus on. This new schedule is a unique opportunity to spend time with your partner or kids in a way you don’t usually get to do. It can also be quite fascinating to see your partner work, which is a side of them you probably don’t get to see.
More from Work Webb: Instagram – Twitter – Facebook – The Water Cooler
Office Supplies Typically Provided to Remote Workers
If you’re curious about remote work, or ready to start a new remote job very soon, you may wonder about your office supplies. When you work in a traditional office space, your computer and all your supplies are typically provided to you right from the start. When you work from home, it can vary from employer to employer how your office equipment is supplied.
To help you out, we’re going over four of the most common office supplies typically provided to remote workers.
Allowance
Providing an allowance for technology is one option for remote worker office supplies. They allow employees a certain amount of money per quarter or per year to spend on whatever technology and equipment they may need to work remotely (think computers, wireless keyboards, and mice, computer chargers, printers, laptop stands, office chairs, monitors, etc.). Employees typically purchase the items themselves and submit receipts to their company for reimbursement.
BYOD
BYOD stands for Bring Your Own Device. In this situation, employees do just that—they use their own computers and supplies for work. The benefit of this option is also that employees can use whatever devices they are most comfortable with, eliminating any learning curve if they’re familiar with PC, but the company wants them to use a Mac, for example.
Computer Only
Some employers supply just a computer to remote employees. In this situation, the computer is typically company property and has to be returned when an employee leaves the company. Sometimes companies have specific software programs that employees need to use, and having everyone on the same computer operating system can help. If employees need to access a company Intranet, it can be easier for the IT department to set this up on a company computer. Or perhaps the employer wants to have time tracking software installed on the computer as well.
A Complete Office
Some companies will provide everything a remote employee needs. They may send a computer, smartphone, printer, and more, depending on the needs of the job. This option usually helps companies feel secure knowing their remote worker has everything they need in their home office to perform the duties of their job successfully. Just like the previous scenario, this allows companies to install any required software on employee computers as well, ensuring employees are set up correctly from day one.
If you’re beginning your remote work journey, be sure you know the requirements of your employer. The interview process is a great time to ask how your potential company handles remote worker office supplies. That way, you’ll be ready and prepared to be a star employee from the start.
More from Work Webb: Instagram – Twitter – Facebook – The Water Cooler
Staying Motivated and Sane while being Self-Employed
Being self-employed sounds like The American Dream, but believe it or not, it isn’t for everyone! When you are responsible for your accountability, it takes the right amount of focus, dedication, and adhering to schedule to keep your attention span in check. While the benefits of YOU being the man (or the woman) is plentiful, here are some tips to keep you productive and on track.
Use Cloud Services
If you lose your backpack, or your computer dies on you, you need to reboot from another device and still access all of your work. There are so many cloud-based tools that let you access your documents, images, project management platforms, CRM, invoices, and more. Some of the most commonly-used cloud-based tools are Google Suite, which includes Gmail, Drive for documents and spreadsheets, Slides, and more; Dropbox for storing and sharing images and materials; and Evernote. It is crucial to find which tools work for you, use them, and rest easy knowing you can access your work from wherever you are and whatever device you’re on.
Use a Timer and a System that works for you
One of our favorite productivity systems includes the Pomodoro Technique, where you work in 25-minute bursts. This popular time-management method can help you power through distractions, hyper-focus, and get things done in short bursts while taking frequent breaks to come up for air and relax.
Find a Coworking Space
One of the best productivity tips we can give is to find a coworking space as your “home office.” You are prone to discover that you’re more productive in this environment than a coffee shop because you can put your head down and get some dedicated work done.
What is Emotional Culture?
Whether you work together with your staff at the same location, have multiple offices across the country or have the ability to work solo from a remote location, creating the culture that enables your team to perform at its highest may not be as easy as just hiring good quality employees.
Emotional Culture is a lesser known piece of today’s work culture, and it is getting more attention these days. Emotional Culture is defined as the culture centered around the effective values of an organization—i.e., feelings, moods, and attitudes—in contrast to the intellectual values that typically make up the traditional corporate culture.
Although technology may be able to cross physical and time-based gaps, the cultural and social gaps — differences in social habits and communication styles — are problems that have yet to be solved. If not addressed, these gaps open can pose significant performance issues for teams.
When working virtually, ways to be a communicative team member is an even harder nut to crack. Teams must make a point not only to be clear about how they will interact with one another and shift modes when needed but also address the role that their desired mode(s) of communication with each player as this will play in facilitating their way of working.
When working remotely, you aren’t at the luxury of popping in to your coworkers office, or having the insight as to whether “now is a good time”…keeping your status or schedule on your shared calendar (and messaging platform) updated is an easy way to let people easily see when it is OK to break in and “say hello”. We should make space for these moments, because if we were in an office, we would likely be spending 8 percent of our time socializing, according to a workplace study by Gensler (pdf).
If an effort is made to develop empathy among team members, experience random moments of connection, this will build the discipline that is necessary to a successful team.
New Location – Historic Downtown Melbourne Florida
If you are following us on social media, you may have seen some posts about our new location in Historic Downtown Melbourne, Florida. This location officially opens this Friday, February 1st, and we are incredibly excited about this new venture for several reasons.
We are a Family Business.
One of our own will be running the day to day of Work Webb Melbourne. Our eldest daughter, Kady Webb is moving to Melbourne and joining the Work Webb team as the office manager of the Melbourne location. She recently graduated from college and is very excited about being a part of the family business, and so are we!
Another Historic Downtown
We love the historic feel of our Daytona Beach office, and that environment continues to our new location. Historic Downtown Melbourne is a charming part of the city with a history that dates to the 1800s. In recent years it has become the destination for locals and travelers, alike, who are looking for a quaint and historic town for shopping, dining, and entertainment. The downtown has a packed event calendar, and we are excited to feature them in our What’s Happening Around Work Webb blog series. Sign up to learn about these events hosted in Melbourne on our website blog.
A Great Building
We love our Kress Building, and our new location is just as charming. Work Webb Melbourne is located in a fully renovated 120-year-old former hardware and farm supply store. The office décor has an industrial feel and is very welcoming. Here are some photos:
Surrounded by Great Food
There are some fantastic restaurants new our Melbourne office. Hell n Blazes is a place that we have frequently visited. They are a family-and-friends microbrewery known for traditional brews as well as the adventurous spirit that defines craft beer. Their website boasts, “Consistently pouring 12-18 unique house beers, with a 25-bottle wine list, the taproom pairs the old Florida lifestyle with the comfort of your own living room!”
There is also a wine and art gallery, The Living Room and Pan-Asian eatery called Mangetsu located in Historic Downtown Melbourne. As we try out more of the restaurants, we will post about them on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest) as well as our blog. The Facebook page for Melbourne Main Street is a good source of information too, follow them here to learn more.
2019 has started with a bang of excitement!
The Pros and Cons of Standing Office Desks
Have you heard of standing office desks? You may be surprised that this is a not a new trend! Popular Science, a magazine with roots much older than the Paris Review, first began writing about the virtues of standing desks for writers back in 1883. Once used only by eccentrics like Hemingway, Dickens, and Kierkegaard, this new way to work is now a once again trendy and office setting. Whether you choose to do it the Hemmingway way with and throw your writing machine on the nearest bookcase and get going or buy an actual standing desk, there are a few things to consider.
Did you know that the average office worker spends 5 hours and 41 minutes sitting each day at his or her desk? According to an article in The Smithsonian, the solution, experts say, is not to sit for six hours at work and then head to the gym afterward, because evidence suggests that the adverse effects of extended sitting cannot be countered by brief bouts of strenuous exercise. The answer is to incorporate standing, pacing and other forms of activity into your typical day—and standing at your desk for part of it may be the easiest way of doing so.
It doesn’t matter if you go running every morning, or you’re a regular at the gym. If you spend most of the rest of the day sitting — in your car, your office chair, on your sofa at home — you are putting yourself at increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, a variety of cancers and early death. In other words, irrespective of whether you exercise vigorously, sitting for long periods is bad for you.
But could you do it? Switching from sitting all day to standing all day is a radical physical transition! Check out this article for more pros and cons of standing office desks!
More from Work Webb: Instagram – Twitter – Facebook – The Water Cooler
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Co-Working Space
If you work from home, you are aware of the lonely feelings that can overcome the home office employee. The coffee shop may seem a great way to get out of the house, but there is another option that can offer you more than just a different view. Co-working spaces usually charge a daily, weekly, or monthly fee for workspaces and amenities and finding the right one for you and your business can be a challenge.
To make sure you choose the right one, ask yourself these questions while shopping for a co-working space to suit your needs:
- Can I Visit? – Just like any office environment, each has their own vibe, and you need to make sure you find the right one for you and your business. Visit the space before you commit to it, and if they do not allow visits – cross them off your list.
- Who are the current tenants? – If you are looking for a space that has tenants that can help you in your business and career you need to see the tenant list to pick the right place.
- Is there a Trial period? – Ask if you can work in the space for a day to see if it fits your needs. If you need quiet time to work, you want to make sure the area you choose can accommodate your needs.
- What Amenities are offered? Most spaces provide Wi-Fi, kitchens, snacks, etc. Ask what the office offers and be honest with yourself if paying for your own coffee will eventually drive you nuts.
- What are the working hours? This is an essential question to ask, if not the most important. If you do not hold regular 8 – 5 hours, you need to know what type of access you will have to this space. If it does not fit your needs, the area is not for you.
- How Long Is the Commute? You are used to working from home and let’s face it the commute from the kitchen to your office is a short one. Before you commit to a co-working space, make sure the drive from your home to the office is not one you will come to despise.
- How long is the contract? Find out how flexible this contract is for the space you are considering. Most co-working spaces offer lots of options. Make sure they have an option to fit your needs.
- How much space do you need? Depending on how long you have worked from home, alone, being right next to someone might be a bit much for you to be productive. Be honest with yourself about the type of space you need to stay productive and make sure the co-working space you choose has an option to fit this need.
Work Webb is a co-working or shared office solution located in Historic Downtown Daytona Beach, Florida and has lots of options to choose from for its tenants. If you live in the area and are considering utilizing a shared office solution, call us for a tour and feel free to ask all the questions you need. We like our tenants happy.
What’s Happening Around Work Webb
School may be back in full swing, but there is still summer fun to be had around Work Webb. This weekend is the 8th Annual Surf Social put on by the Halifax Historical Society. With a Hawaiian theme again this year, the evening will feature the incredible Stylemasters 2 surfing film along with the best raffle in town. The 8th Annual Surf Social Fundraiser is open to members and the public. Reservations are recommended by calling the museum at 386-255-6976 or emailing your reservations to mail@halifaxhistorical.org. Please leave your name, phone number and whether you are an HHS member or not.
Admission at the door on Saturday, August 19th is $20 each for non-members. HHS members’ tickets and ticket sales in advance to non-members are $18 each. Tickets include wine, beer, cold drinks, good food, and door prizes. This year’s awesome raffle is going to be the best yet. Attire: Your Best Hawaiian Style.
The Halifax Historical Society Museum is located at 252 South Beach Street, Daytona Beach, Florida, between Magnolia and Orange Avenues. Plenty of parking is available in the Palmetto Avenue parking lot behind the businesses on Beach Street, with walk ways through to Beach Street and the museum.
Revolution of the Traditional Office
The traditional office is in the middle of a revolution. I have read several articles lately questioning the conventional office environment, its hours and work performance. It seems that society is asking questions like, “is it really necessary to sit in an office from 9 to 5 to do my job?” This traditional 9 to 5 environment sometimes creates less productive, unhealthy and unhappy employees. Employees that are unhappy are not optimal for any business. Some businesses are re-evaluating the traditional office environment and researching if remote working can fit their particular industry. The traditional office seems to be going through a revolution and may go the way of the pager, fax machine & home phone. Here are three reasons I think society will ditch the traditional office environment and a combination of shared office solutions and collaborative work spaces will be the next big thing.
- Technology. Technology is the reason the work world is very different today. It has created jobs that did not exist a few years back. Technology along with the internet has connected the home office to the traditional office. The restrictive and dated definition of going to the same office every day from 9 to 5 does not work for every industry in today’s world. Technology has made this change and it is the reason collaborative work space and shared office solutions are a growing trend.
- Reduced Overhead Costs. Businesses using collaborative work spaces do not have to pay to maintain a typical office which significantly reduces overhead costs. No building to own or rent, maintain, insure, clean, furnish add up to huge savings for businesses. Employers can have the best of both words by renting office space just for the time a traditional office setting is needed. These types of shared office solution companies are becoming more commonplace.
- Improved Attendance and Retention. Remote employees have more control of their schedules freeing them up for other important activities. Having more freedom can make individuals happier in their employment. Happy employees get sick and call in less often. Honestly, who has not called in just because they didn’t want to get out of their PJs? Working remotely provides employees the option of staying in their PJS and still getting the job done. Employers will save money on sick days and have a lower turnover rate in their company. Happy employees do not leave. Everyone wins.
There is no downside to revolutionizing the traditional office. Quite frankly, it’s about time. Having control of your schedule reduces stress and starts the process of being a happier worker. Work Webb may be the local missing piece to finding a better working environment. Work Webb provides big city shared office solutions in historic downtown Daytona Beach. Call today to schedule and tour and visit our web site here for pricing.
