COVID RESCUES COWORKING START-UPS AS FIRMS LOOK AT HOT-DESKING, ‘FLEXIBLE OFFICES’
By: Amit Sharma
Tags: Virtual Office, Flexible Workspace, Coworking, Remote Working, Shared Office Space

COVID-19 has hit every economy of the world. In India, a stringent lockdown was announced in March. Although some relaxations have been announced since then, even in October the country hasn’t fully opened up. Right from big multi-national companies to start-ups, everyone has been impacted because of Covid. Several have lost jobs and are now are struggling to recover. The government has not allowed all companies to operate at their 100% capacity. Insights and prediction say that rotational shifts are going to be an integral part of the new normal. In such a scenario, it would a smart move for any organization to look for flexible infrastructure. Thanks to coworking spaces, availing flexible shared office space has become simpler than ever.

All through these months, coworking spaces were shut and thus, their business also suffered a hit. However, this is their chance to recover. The current normal favours shared office space industry because of the flexibility and ready safe work environment. For those companies, whose employees are majorly working from home, but meet only for meetings or certain projects, shared office space is the best solution. The hot desk co-working offering helps companies save money and maintenance/sanitisation effort.

Working from home can be challenging. Desk to an internet connection, there are a lot of things that need to be taken care of to ensure no interruptions. Therefore, several small businesses, start-ups used to work from cafes and restaurants. For months, everyone has been at home. Some believe that working from home has been unproductive for them. They seek a work-friendly environment and therefore, now it’s time for them to look elsewhere. For these people as well as co-working space becomes an ideal solution.

Flexible plans:

Looking at the current circumstances, coworking spaces have started offering flexible hot desk options, meeting room bookings, and so on. This flexibility draws more customers as it is cost-effective and also helps shared office spaces recover.

In fact, this model is being appreciated by organizations across the country and looking at the growing demand, leading shared office space has opened two new locations during the pandemic. This shows that a well-thought-through strategy can rescue coworking spaces.

Customization:

Every business has a different requirement. Some may just require the meeting room, while others may require a hot desk on alternate days and some may require all of it, every day. Coworking spaces need to be accommodative and understanding. Those coworking spaces that have operations across cities have an added advantage as they can offer higher flexibility and customization. Looking at the current landscape and increasing uncertainty, several shared office spaces are offering properties, desks across the country at the same flat price. This is a lucrative opportunity for both — start-ups and multinational companies.

What 2021 holds for coworking and its clients?

As mentioned earlier, uncertainty is all we have for now. We have to adapt as well as evolve as per the post-Covid era and move on with the right safety measures. The only way business can recover from the Covid loss is by supporting each other.