Month: October 2018

Archives for October 2018

What is the future of coworking?

Office work, these days, bears little resemblance to that of our predecessors. Millennials, reportedly, tend to stay in jobs an average of five years, and according to research, most would prefer to work at home or in coworking spaces rather than commuting to an office.

Office and workspace trends

Shared office space aside, remote working and virtual offices are a growing trend. As communications and cloud technology continues to improve, we should expect to see continued movement in this direction.

Coworking spaces allow companies to grow without investing in new office space and equipment. This delivers value straight back to the bottom line and supports teamwork, networking, and employee comfort. They provide an affordable way for freelancers and entrepreneurs to have access to professional office amenities without eating up their entire operating budget.

In general, coworking has revolutionized the way we work; this is something we can all generally agree on. But if we know what the advantages are – budget-friendly, space-saving, collaborative – what does the future hold?

What the experts say about the future of coworking

According to several experts, more of the same – but, with an increased focus on interdisciplinary interaction and increased flexibility.

Christa Freeland, one of the founders of Switch Cowork, offers that coworking is popping up in areas you wouldn’t expect, such as at the gym, in a restaurant or within office supply stores. This provides options for customers to work when they need to work. It also provides an opportunity for these businesses to make use of space they wouldn’t normally be using during slow times of the day.

Bjorn Rosinus, CEO and founder of Endeavour Innovative Workspaces, cites the ongoing need for collaboration and economy, spurring a shift away from long-term leases and the embrace of more flexible, shared solutions.

Najeeb Khan, innovation strategist and founder of 1For, cites the growing adoption of AI and automation as an arbiter of coworking need. When it is not required that an employee be present for repetitive daily tasks, employees will spend more time networking and collaborating – which is what a coworking space delivers. Khan also offers that coworking will be a preferred option to commuting and a viable alternative to telecommuting that puts teams in touch with each other in a way they simply can’t when working from home.

Matt Poepsel of The Predictive Index cites sociopsychological factors as a driving force in the future of coworking. Some of the indicators that contribute to this thought include the need for a flexible lifestyle, the proliferation of freelancers, and the isolation that is often felt by people who work at home. Poepsel points to the need that most people have to seek interaction as well as the rejuvenating aspects of connection. The role of technology also plays into his summation as advances in this direction, he says, will always run counter to our socially-driven human nature.

So, is coworking here to stay? We say yes! Through its many incarnations and missteps, its original intent remains the strongest: that of providing a place to work for those who would otherwise be stuck in solitary. Its other advantages are truly their own reward.

Lakeside Office Suites in Weston, FL, provides virtual office packages, on-demand meeting rooms, flexible office space, and—yes—coworking spaces that fit your needs and your budget. If you are still not sure about coworking but want to give it a try, contact us to book a free coworking day.

Top Tips for holding effective interviews

Interviews are important on many levels. No matter the reason and no matter which side of the desk you are sitting on, it’s crucial to keep in mind that an interview can make or break a relationship. It can begin one, or, it can end one before it even begins.

The success of the exchange lies as much with the interviewer as it does the interviewee, but let’s talk about you. You’ve got a full plate as it is, but you have several candidates to meet with. You don’t have the luxury of an HR department and you need the process to go as smoothly as possible so you can get the results you need and get back to what you do.

Here are our top 10 tips on how to get the most out of your interview:

Before the interview:

1.Know the job that you are offering

Familiarize yourself with every detail of the job and its requirements. That way, you will be in a better position to assess whether the candidate has the basic goods to do the job.

2.Get to know your candidate

Review your candidate’s CV and work history. Take a close look at everything he or she submitted during the application process – cover letter, references, and so on. Make careful note of any employment gaps, ambiguous job titles or personal information that may have a bearing on their future performance.

3.Create an interview agenda

There may be several areas you want to cover. Determine how much time you have for the interview and set time limits on certain aspects so you can get everything you need covered. Be sure you start on time as much as you can. This will demonstrate that you respect your interviewee’s time as well as your own.

4.Prepare interview questions in advance

As you go through the candidate’s CV and portfolio, make note of any specific questions you want to ask about their work. Think along the lines of what you need and prepare questions that help you determine whether or not they will meet those expectations.

On the day of the meeting:

5.Meet in a professional environment

First impressions are everything! Even if you are an entrepreneur or startup who doesn’t have a physical office space, it’s important to project a professional appearance. On-demand meeting rooms are an affordable way to host interviews – and it’s a great way to lay the groundwork for a working relationship.

6.Give your interviewee 100 percent of your attention

Make sure you have a quiet environment for the interview. Choose a location that is comfortable and has a minimum of distractions. Mute your phone, send calls to voicemail, ask to not be disturbed.

7.Ask behavioral questions

Ask for specific examples of how the candidate handled certain stressful situations and ask for both good and not-so-good scenarios. Asking behavioral questions will give you a good idea of how they will handle similar situations for you.

And finally, never forget the golden rule of interviewing: Listen first. Because you’ll never learn anything if you are the one doing all the talking.

Lakeside Executive Suites is a premier supplier of flexible office space and services as well as meeting rooms on-demand. Book your meeting room today or call to learn more.

 

 

 

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