Coworking: spazi di lavoro e di innovazione

Gli spazi di coworking si connotano come strumenti di innovazione che stimolano la collaborazione e creano nuove opportunità di lavoro

In this era of change, coworking spaces emerge as innovation tools that stimulate collaboration and create job opportunities

Health emergency, climate emergency, economic emergency. Never before have we experienced a time when society and the planet need change. We need transformation, more organized and sustainable social and economic infrastructures, also in terms of employability. And in this context, innovation is leading the way through the creation of new content, products, and services using equally innovative and new methods and mindsets. It’s not just about technological progress, although necessary and fundamental, but about a sense of innovation that must involve people, both as individuals and as professionals and entrepreneurs. This evolution is already partly underway and has the flavor of relationships, co-creation, sharing, and collaboration. Indeed, shared spaces like coworking spaces are increasingly widespread in Italy and around the world: more and more entrepreneurs embracing the concept of smart working choose them as an integral part of their assets, just as more and more professionals are choosing to adopt this way of working. Yes, because coworking is not just a workspace, it is above all a way of working and understanding work that relates to the human and social dimension of people. In a coworking space, people open up to others, create relationships and share spaces, hours, stories, and ideas; they become part of a community where people and their needs for connection and collaboration are at the center.

New opportunities for collaboration

In such a collaborative environment, opportunities for growth and work can only multiply: new collaboration opportunities can arise during a coffee break, while printing documents, or chatting with desk mates. That’s why coworking is much more than a workspace and rental services: it’s the place where people with different professional backgrounds, talents, and work needs come together, compare notes, create synergies, and integrate their skills in a virtuous circle that leads to the development of new ideas, growth, or even the birth of new businesses. Coworking spaces have taken on the role of gathering places and hubs of activity for creatives and innovators who talk, exchange ideas, and realize collaborative projects. The common denominator among coworkers is the shared dynamic and innovative approach to the world of work and professional life: a way of working and interacting that is more accessible, free, and sustainable both psychologically and ecologically.

The practical advantages of coworking

Okay, we’ve described a fabulous work environment, almost a magical place that every worker dreams of. But there’s no need to dream because this isn’t a fairy tale, even though it certainly has a happy ending. Coworking spaces indeed have countless practical advantages that many freelancers, entrepreneurs, and startup founders have already discovered. 1. Working in a coworking space undeniably reduces the time and costs of managing an office: no ten-year lease contracts or deposits to pay. Rental agreements in coworking spaces are perfectly aligned with the flexibility required by those who have embraced a smart working lifestyle: therefore, daily, weekly, monthly, or annual rentals, often with the possibility of enjoying a few free trial days of the space. 2. Another important aspect is the ease of connecting with companies and professionals of all kinds and backgrounds without even having to leave your desk. No need to take a plane, train, or ship to meet the manager of a large multinational or a talented videomaker on the other side of the world: your desk neighbor is probably their employee, collaborator, or friend who can help you set up an online meeting, much to the delight of our planet! 3. As we mentioned, coworking is a place where the human and social dimension is very present and important. The keyword here is sharing, not just of spaces, but of moments and professional milestones, passions, and dreams; that’s why alongside the word coworking, we often also mention community, because these are two dimensions that sing in unison to the tune of collaboration. Collaborative communities are real teams, heterogeneous, international, and powerful work groups born thanks to networking. And companies know well the benefits of networking and teams of focused, competent, and productive people. Therefore, it’s increasingly common to see companies choosing to reshape their work structure in favor of shared work environments that staff can use at their discretion according to individual needs, following a methodology based on flexibility and productivity. 4. There are also two even more pragmatic aspects that influence this choice by companies: on one hand, working in inspiring, creative, and stimulating contexts where there’s no competition or isolation from colleagues, nor the loneliness of working from home, creates happier people and therefore more productive and engaged professionals; on the other hand, using a coworking space also means taking advantage of certain services, including technological ones, included in the rent price, which significantly reduce some fixed costs for the company. Adopting a work model focused on flexibility, collaboration, and people creates a new, innovative, and smart way of doing business. It’s clear, then, that this is a system that benefits not only entrepreneurship but also the local, national, and international economy. So many professionals and different personalities gravitate around coworking spaces that the business they generate benefits both people and the cities where they’re located. This explains the continuously growing trend of this sector: in 2019, there were 660 coworking spaces in Italy, one for every 90,000 inhabitants; today there are 779, or 1 coworking space for every 76,000 inhabitants, and about 40 of these started operations in 2020. With the pandemic and the emergence of the need for a more flexible work system, according to a CBRE report, an increase of over 38% in interest from companies in shared workspaces is expected. In America, some data indicate that by 2027, self-employment will increase by over 50%, consequently generating an increase in the demand for coworking spaces, especially among those working in the technology sector. On the other hand, startups like Uber and Instagram were born precisely from a coworking context; how can you not be inspired by success stories like these! You can find other success stories, professional experiences, tips, and collaboration opportunities in our network of professionals on Facebook: if you’d like, join our group BeetCommunity | Connected Professionals to share your work, find new ideas, or realize your project.