If you’ve never stepped foot in a coworking space, and feel unsure about whether it will work for you, you’re not alone. These simple steps will help you immerse yourself in the community, and reap the rewards of working in a collaborative and friendly environment:
Introduce Yourself (And Your Business)
It’s always polite to say hello, however for some this is a slightly daunting prospect, and the stress of the unknown might stop you putting yourself out there (‘Will they say Hi back? Am I interrupting?’). However, you have to remember that other people are probably feeling the exact same, and the original members, who might look right at home, will know all too well how it feels to be the new kid on the block. The nature of flexible office space is to encourage collaboration. So keep this in mind the next time you feel nervous to speak to others first.
As much as people want to get to know you, they will be just as interested to learn about your business. You never know if you can provide a solution to a problem that another business has. So without showing off (a bit) of what you do, how will you be able to collaborate?
So in order to get stuck in and seize the opportunity, use being a new member to your advantage.
Make The Most Of The Space
Sometimes one of the most overlooked benefits of a coworking environment is the option to move about throughout the day. It’s tempting to pick one seat and sit in it for the rest of time. However, this might stifle your creativity and ability to meet new people. So why not start the day in the kitchen with a cup of coffee, set up your station on a new hot-desk seat and then in the afternoon move to the sofa.
Not everyone works best sitting at a desk, and we don’t believe that you have to. Moving regularly around is not only good for health, but also for energy. So if you hit that afternoon slump, moving to a new space can enhance productivity and make sure you’re making the most of your day.
Getting out of the workplace is just as important too, so why not arrange a walking meeting so you can stretch your legs and get those creative juices flowing?
Find Out About The Other Businesses In The Space
Once you’re a member, and want to do a bit more research about the other businesses in the building, it will help to speak to the Community Team to learn more about who you’re keeping company with. While you can do your own research, the Community Team will be able to advise on who might be the perfect partner to you and your business (and take some of the hard work off your hands!).
Also, it’s not just members – a whole range of companies could be using the space for events and meetings, so you never know what opportunity awaits you.
Attend Events
Sometimes it can be tempting to skip over lunch or leave the office at 5, but making an effort to attend one or two events every month could improve your coworking experience in all areas. From simply being able to get to know other members outside the working day, to learning about interesting specialist topics that may be beneficial to your business, even though it might take away time from Netflix, it could make the world of difference to your work life.
Ask For Help
Ultimately, if you’re still struggling to settle in or not sure on the best way to approach people, there’s no shame in asking for help. It’s what the Community Team is there for. Sitting in silence would go against the reason you joined a flexible, workspace community in the first place, so it’s better to voice issues sooner rather than later.