In recent years, the global attitude towards work as a general concept has shifted greatly. While a global pandemic made it clear to millions that the traditional office culture might not be as much of a necessity as once thought, workplace stress was found to have increased majorly upon the return to the office. But what if there was a way for things to meet in the middle? That’s where WeWork and their flexible workspaces come into the picture.
First thing’s first; what is a flexible workspace? Put simply, it’s an office space for the modern age, with workers given access to a shared communal space (be it physical or virtual) in order to achieve their professional goals.
Having been sort of inspired by the likes of hackerspaces in the ‘90s, which saw like-minded, tech-savvy individuals coming together to pool their collective resources. The modern idea is essentially the same, with individuals and companies from all walks of life given the opportunity to embrace hybrid and flexible work environments, no matter where they are.
The leading name at the heart of the flexible workspaces movement is WeWork, a leading global flexible workspace provider who embraces their tagline; “for all the ways you work, we’re here”. Recognising a shift in attitudes towards the traditional office culture, WeWork offers spaces which individuals and large companies alike can utilise casually, instead of undertaking a major financial outlay for a traditional lease.
The result is an approach which feels much more dynamic, providing meeting rooms for teams, private offices for the individual, and more. In simplistic terms, WeWork provides whatever space you may need wherever and whenever you may need it.
Of course, this isn’t to say the traditional office, or the home office, is a thing of the past, but rather, it’s a new way of thinking that goes in line with shifting societal attitudes towards labour and office culture.
These days, workers and companies of all scales find themselves looking for maximum profits with as little expenditure as possible. When it comes to renting or purchasing an office space in the current economy, this initial financial outlay can be a prohibitive aspect of success for many. Add in a desire for flexibility, for ease of access, and more, and WeWork has been able to become the preferred choice for those seeking a collaborative environment to meaningfully connect with other people.
So how exactly does WeWork, well, work? In basic terms, it’s the same as using a traditional office space, only with greater flexibility, accessibility, options and without the long term commitment..
WeWork boasts numerous locations around the four major cities around the country which offer workers and companies various workspace solutions to support new ways of working. Whether it’s a private office, a dedicated desk, or a full floor suite, WeWork offers numerous membership types which aim to make the workday easier to manage and thrive within.
More recently, WeWork has also introduced pay-as-you-go options, including day passes for hot desks, or pay by-the-hour meeting rooms for clients and co-workers. No more do you need to fight technology as you grapple with fitting numerous co-workers onto one lone Zoom meeting when those same co-workers can experience the diminishing sense of human connection as they congregate in a physical location.
WeWork also offers a vast amount of amenities as well, including cleaning services in all spaces so as to protect the well-being of all who use the spaces, wellbeing and yoga rooms, complimentary barista services, and events programming. Likewise, many may be dog-friendly, feature outdoor terraces, bicycle storage, parents’ room, and showers. Add in on-site staff, common areas, stocked kitchens, and printers, and it provides everything the modern worker will need to achieve everything on their schedule.
In short, WeWork has managed to not only foster the community and increase productivity in the hybrid-working world, but they’ve also cemented themselves as the highest-value workspace solution in the market. Alongside their dedication to providing an ideal work environment, and giving both companies and workers the freedom of choice, in addition to work when, where, and how they want, WeWork has become the leading name in flexible workspaces, helping to unequivocally prove flexible workspaces aren’t just here to stay, but they’re the way of the future.
For more information about WeWork and the spaces they offer, be sure to check out their website.
