I’M a freelancer and I love it.” I’ve overheard this line from young professionals so many times that I have actually lost count. More and more millennial workers have been going the freelance route in recent time, which is not totally surprising, considering the acknowledged independent spirit of our Generation Y.
The appeal of freelance work has always been in the freedom that it gives workers in terms of movement, time management and workplace choices. As such, more people are breaking away from the confines of a traditional office and forging their own career path anchored on a personal business model.
A different kind of community
While freelancers value their autonomy, many of them also feel the need to belong to a bigger group that can provide a semblance of structure in their professional lives. This sense of community is the exact reason coworking spaces are becoming increasingly popular not only abroad, but here in the Philippines, as well.
In a recent survey conducted by the Harvard Business Review, it was found out that connecting with others is a big reason people pay to work in coworking spaces rather than working from home for free or renting a cheap, yet nondescript, room to serve as an office. Paradoxical as it may seem, freelancers who value their independence often want to do their work amid other individuals who work for different ventures, projects, or even companies. The purposeful lack of competition and internal politics among coworkers results in less pressure to perform in the space and creates a more relaxed and casual vibe.
The coworking space boom
A coworking space is a shared working environment that’s designed to enhance the productivity of its members and encourage interaction and collaboration among workers from different professional fields.
Although coworking spaces have been around for quite a while, the concept of coworking has recently been experiencing a boom with the apparent exponential increase in demand for such spaces.
Freelancers used to do their work in coffee shops while ordering coffee every hour for appearance’s sake. Now, they can rent a coworking space for one whole day for the price of three medium-sized lattes. Some coworking spaces even offer unlimited free tea and coffee and even Wi-Fi.
In fact, the more popular coworking spaces here in the country right now—like Regus, Acceler8, O2, co.lab and A Space Manila—all offer their own line of add-on services that include free liquids, pastries and sometimes even a gym for that sudden need to get those endorphins out for creative inspiration.
Start-ups chime in on the coworking-space phenomenon
Originally meant for freelancers and solo entrepreneurs, coworking spaces have begun accommodating start-ups, particularly those involved in creative ventures, like art, fashion, music and visual production. Start-ups often have limited budgets for office spaces and, as such, renting out coworking spaces makes a lot of sense.
Not only does it free them from the serious commitment of a long-term lease, it allows them to feel how it is to be in a real office. And, mind you, coworking spaces look and feel like real offices—complete with conference rooms and pantries. Some coworking memberships even include the privilege of having a real address to use for your start-up.
A new option for property developers
The advent of coworking spaces here and abroad has given property owners and developers a new and fresh option for their developments. In Singapore, for instance, the cooling residential-property market has moved property companies to turn to developing coworking spaces. Right now, the Lion City has over 40 coworking locations and more are still being developed. The same is happening in many other Asian countries, including the Philippines, where property developers have begun investing in coworking companies and office developments specifically meant for coworking spaces.
The coworking ecosystem is definitely an idea whose time has come. Not only does the ecosystem provide a sense of belongingness through a relaxed communal setting; even more important, it provides a dynamic that allows members the opportunities to solve each other’s problems, collaborate and inspire. Coworking also manifests how “power of place” can be a strong force in encouraging productive endeavors and driving innovation.
Image credits: https://www.artconnect.com