Ahh, co-working space. The bread and butter that is the foundation of many entrepreneurial journeys. You need a place that makes you feel motivated, inspired, and ready to get to work. But what exactly should you look for?
1. Location, location, location
As an entrepreneur, you have to make the most of every first impression. Holding meetings in the early stages of your startup is essential. After all, networking is the name of the game. However, as an entrepreneur, you might also be pressed as for where to take a potential new client or business partner. That’s why co-working spaces are a good idea. When you’re picking one, consider the surrounding neighborhood or area. You want to be located in a nice part of town so that you have a place where you can proudly bring back guests! First impressions are one reason why you would want to select a co-working space in a respectable part of town. Other things you should consider are your proximity to food, public transportation, convenience stores, gyms, and the like. You will, after all, be working here! Make sure the space you pick is in an area with lots of nearby amenities to make the most of your dollar spent.
2. Wifi accessibility in a co-working space
This might be the most important factor on this list. In today’s business world, a reliable and high speed Internet connection is an absolute must have. There are only a few things more frustrating than frequent interruptions to your work flow. A lack of wifi connectivity can hurt you when it comes to streaming, video chatting, or even saving progress on online activity. Give yourself the ability to be as productive as humanely possible. Be sure to ask the co-working space manager about their wifi connection and speeds, or ask a current member of the space. If it’s not reliable, you may find yourself frequently working from home! Remember, a co-working space is only as good as its wifi.
3. Co-Working space and Noise
Are you someone who can’t work with the presence of even the smallest background noise? Or do you find it hard to concentrate on tasks when the room is painstakingly quiet? Different co-working spaces have different levels of noise in the community. If you’re someone who gets energized off the buzz in a room, you may want to look into booking a space where frequent chatting is acceptable behavior. This might be the best setting for collaborative teams who like to spend a good chunk of time exchanging ideas and reworking them out loud as a group. If you’re the type who prefers to work silently, you don’t want to waste money on booking a space like this. Try looking elsewhere, where commotion is not the norm, so you can find spaces where people are more likely to converse quietly or irregularly.
4. Working hours
Again, the times during which you are the most productive might be better suited for different work spaces. Some hours of operation are stricter than others – there may be a strict 8 o’clock pm closing time for a specific site whereas another location could offer a little more flexibility. If you’re in a field where 24/7 accessibility is expected, consider booking a spot with late nights to get the best bang for your buck. Don’t forget to look at the weekend hours as well!
5. Hosts in a co-working space
The best co-working spaces have a designated manager, or host, to make sure that the daily operations of the site are running smoothly. If any issues arise, you want to know that there is someone who you can reach out to for help. Issues include any number of things, from wifi connectivity and espresso machine breakdowns to interpersonal conflicts. Another perk of having an office host? Networking! The host could also be responsible for setting up events in the space or for introducing you to other members with similar interests. The bottom line – you stand to benefit greatly from having a go-to person in the office.
There are a number of co-working spaces here in Singapore. Try reading this ultimate guide to all of the co-working spaces in Singapore to find the one that best suits you! Don’t forget to ask for free trials or for member testimonials. You can also look at review posts for office spaces here. Become a member and book through our website to save 5% to 20% off your purchase! When you’re browsing, remember that the most important thing is to look for a space that aligns with your values, work ethic, and future endeavors. Happy hunting!
