The rapid pace of change in society over the last few decades has been mind-blowing. From the digital information superhighway to the pervasiveness of smart technology, workplaces tend to look a lot different to the way they did in the 80s, when the idea of a ‘coworking space’ would have been as ridiculous as an iPhone.

Flash forward to 2019 and coworking spaces are firmly established as progressive hubs where both small to medium businesses and freelancers can co-exist for the greater good.

Often based in sought-after locations within the CBDs of our capital cities – or cool inner-city districts with popular cafés and bars – these spaces combine important elements which help increase both employer and employee satisfaction levels.

Could this be the perfect work/life balance?

The recent rise of ‘the digital nomad’ has also been well-documented, with cloud computing allowing people to work from home or from off the beaten track. However, many employees and businesses still want the structure of a daily workplace, without the tightly-wound rules of the corporate culture.

With more choices than ever available in the way we live, the balance that coworking spaces offer gives them a definite edge when it comes to juggle professional and personal lifestyles.

While coworking spaces’ flexible work hours and laid back atmosphere allow employees a level of freedom, they still have access to socialisation and a relaxed structure which helps them manage their time.

Human interaction helps businesses thrive!

Many studies show that professionals work best with a balance of freedom and structure, as well as opportunities to bond with their fellow humans. Daniel Pink, author of Drive, says that “command-and-control” management methods which use money as a reward are not the best motivators.

Employees want to feel connected to a larger goal and to each other. They want to feel that they are valued and trusted rather than a controlled commodity. They don’t want a boss with their eye on the clock and no rapport during the day. They want a collaborative work environment that allows them structured freedom and access to the tools they need to thrive on a physical and mental level.

Humans also have a fundamental, primal need to bond with our species. Working in a culture based on trust and collaboration fulfils employees’ emotional needs and makes them look forward to getting into work.

Coworking spaces like United Co. in Melbourne’s cool café district of Fitzroy have been created to foster this need for interaction and leverage it for greater work productivity. It was developed with the intention of creating a highly collaborative and supportive approach to business, with different tenants working with each other, rather than in competition.

Sometimes that’s best done over a beer or two. To encourage the light-hearted exchange of ideas and a comfortable working environment, United Co... hold regular networking events where people from different disciplines can come together.

Although, with a popular in-house café – Mr Huxley – in tow, often this networking takes place on a very informal level over the first brew of the day.

A happy co-existence

For small businesses looking to rent space, business hubs like United Co. offer an advantage over a traditional office lease in that they give tenants access to a range of ‘lifestyle facilities’, at a lower overhead cost.

For instance, United Co. offers an in-house Wellness Program, with a Yoga Studio that runs regular classes and can also be booked for other purposes.

A ‘Quiet Room’ offers a retreat from a busy work day and gives people the opportunity to build a meditation habit. Studies on the positives of daily meditation abound; it has been scientifically proven to reduce inflammation and stress if practiced regularly.

Work/life balance: as rewarding for employers as it is for employees

The value of a work/life balance and an environment that fosters physical and mental health is one which is felt by both employers and employees. Happy people are more productive. Fact.

In 2019, employees are coming to expect a level of lifestyle facilities onsite, with companies such as Google, famous for pioneering a work environment where you can get a massage as well as a meal.

For small to medium businesses who don’t have the resources of a megalith like Google, coworking spaces offer the ideal balance. Tapping into their “cool” cache can make employees proud of where they work, plus give them access to desirable perks.

Interested in helping your employees find the perfect work/life balance? Explore United Co. in Fitzroy today and book your free tour.