Shared Office Space Versus Remote Working

The inevitable destination we as a society have always chased, is to be more connected – to be, essentially, global and always-on. And even before the various stages of lockdown, our working lives were moving towards a different phase – being more remote.

It was the pandemic that shoved us unceremoniously, into that new normal.

And so here we are – a largely remote working world. It can be said that we’ve taken to the change quite swimmingly. Businesses and entrepreneurs the world over, have adopted this new directive, shedding the hassle and cost of brick-and-mortar HQs.

There are two facets to this new way of life that have shimmered into being. Both fit into the remote working instruction, but both offer very different features.

Let’s talk here around shared office space versus remote working.

Remote Working 

Remote working is exactly what the label says – it’s working in isolation, mostly from home.

This state of play has risen to be the usual for many, both entrepreneurs, and those that are part of a larger business team. There are the obligatory shortfalls to working separated and in isolation, but it’s become apparent in our hyper-connected state that it’s infinitely possible.

So where remote working sometimes falters – problems with increased distractions causing dipping productivity, and the very largely absent notion of collaboration and colleague interaction – it has nevertheless established itself as a working way that saves time, saves costs, and adds flexibility.

How does Shared Office Space Work?

The shared office space, or coworking space, plugs some holes that remote working cannot.

It’s part of the remote working directive, yet slightly modified to include an element of interaction with colleagues. That interaction proves to be beneficial in that relationships can be maintained with other professionals, and the very real threat of cabin fever then won’t come into play.

With that level of interaction though, the threat of distraction can sometimes rear up.

Shared office spaces also have the advantage of being entirely kitted out – with furniture, meeting rooms, kitchen stocks and amenities provided. There is however still an overhead, as these areas are rental spaces.

 Which is a Better Option for Start-Ups, Remote Working or Shared Office Spaces?

So, that’s the gist of what remote working is, and how the shared office space may fit into this new normal.

But which option would be best for your start-up?

That would depend entirely on your productivity and your processes. For some, working in isolation means high productivity. While others need a modicum of interaction to find inspiration and to tap into creativity.

It’ll also depend on the type of business you’re in. Some need that face-to-face factor between clients and colleagues, even if it’s a quick session. Others can exist in entire solitariness, and experience just as much growth and success.

If you’re not sure what king of remote working would work best for you or your business, contact FutureSpace now. We have a suite of remote working spaces to suit your needs, and we can advise on a successful way forward for your start-up.