Creating Success Through Collaboration: The Art of Co-working

Collaboration is a word used frequently today, but everyone has a different definition of what this means. Co-working spaces unite diverse people, offering an excellent way for people to collaborate. Each person has their perspective, background, and experience to draw from when working with others. Sharing these ideas fosters innovation and creativity. However, these individuals must interact to collaborate, and the co-working space provider can encourage this interaction.

Understanding Collaboration

Collaboration doesn’t mean forcing people to work together on a project. It means bringing people together to achieve a desired goal. Collaborating individuals pool their resources, share their expertise, and bring their perspectives to the partnership. When they do so, they can solve problems, increase efficiency and productivity, and learn from one another. How can a co-working space provider encourage them to do so?

A Welcoming Environment

When a person or organizations goes to rent a meeting space, they want somewhere they feel comfortable. While this won’t be a permanent work location, they get more work done if they are at ease. They also want their clients to feel welcomed when they enter the space.

A welcoming environment encourages people to stay longer. They are more likely to interact, which may lead to collaborations. Offering amenities and comfortable seating go a long way toward creating this environment, and co-working spaces should have common areas where users can mingle.

Plan Events and Activities

One of the benefits of using a co-working space is users get access to events and activities that will allow them to connect with others. Workshops and seminars are two events that may be widely attended. These extra activities give users the opportunity to meet people they might otherwise miss because they have different work hours. These events help develop a sense of community while allowing users of the space to learn and advance their careers.

Networking

Many entrepreneurs today use co-working spaces for several reasons, one of which is the opportunity to network. A growing network means more opportunities for people to connect and collaborate. To promote networking, the co-working space owner may offer online forums, bulletin boards, and other communication options where users can leave their business cards or share ideas for potential partnerships.

Shared Spaces

The easiest way a co-working space can bring people together is to include multiple common areas. These might consist of a break room where coffee and snacks are offered free of charge, a central room where people can sit and take a break from working, or an outside courtyard where workers can eat lunch and enjoy fresh air.

Fostering Effective Collaboration

A co-working space must have clear goals and rules to encourage effective collaboration. Users who feel they are being taken advantage of may take their business elsewhere. The space needs to be diverse, inclusive, and safe. Open communication should be encouraged so problems can be addressed before they escalate. Workers who feel they can speak up are happier. They think their opinion is valued and will provide positive and negative feedback as needed.

Initially, people might find projects take longer when they collaborate with others. However, people must be committed to acting on the partnership. When they are, the results are often excellent. With practice and experience, every person using a co-working space will know when collaborating is a good idea and who to partner with.