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Co-working pros and cons revealed
MEDIA RELEASE
23 February 2016
Co-working pros and cons revealed
Co-working is great for networking and creativity but not so good for privacy, a new survey by workspace provider Regus suggests.
Co-working is a style of work where employees from different organisations share a working environment, usually in an office setting.
The global Regus survey of more than 44,000 businesspeople found this type of workplace can work well for start-ups and entrepreneurs.
“Almost nine out of ten New Zealand respondents agreed co-working spaces offer ‘great networking opportunities’ and 72% believed co-working is an ideal environment for start-ups to thrive,” Regus New Zealand Area Director Pierre Ferrandon says.
Most respondents agreed co-working is more cost effective than fixed leasing arrangements (83%), offers inspiration through shared skills or experience (79%) and makes it easier to meet fellow entrepreneurs (73%).
The survey found co-working can also help workers
keep their skills up to date (through interaction with other
professionals) and keep tabs on industry news.
“However, there were concerns about prying eyes and ears in this work setting: 78% of New Zealand respondents said sensitive documents could be read by other businesses and 76% were concerned about a lack of privacy,” Ferrandon says.
Many were reluctant to hold client meetings in co-working spaces (68%), while two out of three respondents said they may have difficulty concentrating in this setting.
The more relaxed dress code in co-working spaces is a double-edged sword: although half of respondents saw it as a benefit, 54% were worried about workers from other firms looking scruffy to visiting clients.
Ferrandon says the survey shows co-working is a great option for certain types of businesses and activities.
“We believe co-working is the way of the future, particularly in New Zealand. Our geographic spread makes it even more beneficial for companies to provide workers with more accessible and diverse locations to work from,” he says.
“Regus offers a range of workspaces including co-working areas, meeting rooms and more traditional office space to cater for all type of activities and industries.”
| Factors driving businesses to use co-working spaces | Percentage of respondents who agree (NZ) |
| They offer the opportunity to meet professionals from different firms | 87% |
| They offer great networking opportunities | 87% |
| They are more cost effective than fixed leasing arrangements | 83% |
| They offer inspiration through shared skills or experience | 79% |
| They offer a more creative environment than the regular office | 73% |
| It is easier to meet other entrepreneurs | 73% |
| It is the ideal environment for start-ups to thrive | 72% |
| They offer new business and new project opportunities | 69% |
| They help keep skills/expertise up to date through interaction with other professionals | 63% |
| They are more casual about dress code | 51% |
| They help keep up to date with industry news | 49% |
| Problems with co-working spaces | Percentage of respondents who agree (NZ) |
| Sensitive documents can be read by other businesses | 78% |
| Lack of privacy | 76% |
| Client meetings need to be held in a more professional setting | 68% |
| Difficulties concentrating | 66% |
| Lack of meeting room space | 59% |
| Employees from other firms look scruffy to visiting clients | 54% |
| Shared internet connection results in lower bandwidth | 51% |
| Shared kitchen is often smelly or dirty | 45% |
| Internal business meetings need to be held in a more professional setting | 37% |
| Too much pressure to network | 26% |
Ends
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