Digitization 101: 08/01/2024

Laptop and other work items in a coworking space

This post has been in the works for several months. I realized that I wanted to think out loud about coworking (which I now do) and share some information. The result is this.

I have been intrigued by the idea of coworking spaces for a LONG time. The Bond Collective defines coworking as:

The use of an office space or other working environment by people who are self-employed or working for different employers, typically so as to share equipment, ideas, and knowledge.

They note that is it not a new concept and that the modern iteration of it seems to have occurred in 2005. Entrepreneurs, digital nomads, freelancers, those engaged in remote work, and those who are tired of working from home are turning to coworking spaces. In early 2023, I decided that finding a coworking space would be good for me and now I've been in one for over a year.

While I had the WeWork model (for lack of a better description) of coworking in mind, I have learned from Steve Sawyer - who is studying them - that there are different kinds. For example, a coworking space might be organized around a shared passion (like rock climbing), geographic region (a specific neighborhood), or for specific demographics (female). And they can be large or small. In other words, that idea you have in your head about what a coworking space looks like and how it functions is just one way that they exist.

The space I'm in is part of a historic building which was known as the Gere Block. The British meaning of the word "block" is:

a large single building subdivided into separate rooms, apartments, or offices. Built in 1874, the Gere Block sat on the Erie Canal and contained a warehouse for goods, as well as other spaces. The building has been many things over the years, including th

e Sanford Motor Truck Co. (1913-1937) and Strathmore Paints (1942-2018). In fact, the building still has "Strathmore Paints" emblazoned on it and also "Gere Block" above the main door. And as it was over 100 years ago, it is becoming the home to many spaces including private offices, coworking space, a jewelry studio, a photography studio, a community market, and more. So I'm in a historic building that is going through a radical change that has it recapturing its roots!

Being in GereBlock (note the elimination of the space between the words) and part of the coworking space has had me thinking about coworking more generally. As I often do, I started diving into videos and other content about them and seeing how different they could be. I also began reading about the need for flexible workspace, like this 2024 report from WeWork.

Working in the same location as other people dates back to when organized work began. There is nothing new about it. What is "new" is having people work together in the same space while working for different entities. I'm doing anti-racism work while others are in different industries including software engineering, health justice, construction, financial services, coaching, real estate, and more. What we have in common is the need for space and a willingness to share that space with other people.

Image of three people from Humaaans by Pablo Stanley

Knowing that "coworking" isn't new, I think there are still things people should know when determining if it is right for them. So from my perspective - and with a lot of research and 1+ years of coworking experience - here are some things I want you to know.

Finding a Coworking Space: There is not a comprehensive directory of coworking spaces, so you need to do some investigation to find possible coworking spaces in your region. (At the moment, any site that claims to be comprehensive it not.) With that in mind:

Ask friends and colleagues if they have heard of a coworking space. They might surprise you!
Use a search engine and search for your city/town and the word "coworking" or "cowork." Some places describe themselves as "flexible office space", "flexible workspace", or "on demand" office space, so be willing to try different words/phrases then sort through the results.

Keep track of those that you find, so you can then check them out (online or in-person).

Selecting a Coworking Space: If you're looking for a coworking space with unique amenities (e.g., it has a rock climbing wall), then selecting a space may go quickly. However, it could be that several seem to meet your needs, so you will want to do a bit more research. Yes, check out their website. Look for reviews. See if anyone has posted images or video of them on Instagram or YouTube. Remember that those coworking videos on YouTube likely show the space at its best and with lots of activity. However, that may not be the norm and may not be your experience depending on what time of day you are going to use the space (e.g., some people use the space more in the evening for meetings, while others work more normal office hours, and others might spend time on weekend).

Coworking spaces will have different work spaces available, so understand what you need. Do you need an enclosed office (or suite for your team), dedicated workspace, or flexible workspace where you sit down at whatever space is available? What do they have in terms of conference space or "telephone booths" for private phone calls, video meetings, or in-person events? And what amenities do they have (e.g., secure entry system, high-speed Internet, endless coffee, copier, fax machine, shredder, snacks, happy hour) and what do you need (e.g., portable computer monitors)? Make sure you know what is included in your membership fee and when you may need to pay for a specific amenity (e.g., more conference room time).

I suspect every coworking space has some sort of trial period (perhaps a day pass or a free day program), so consider trying several if you are unsure which one will fit your needs.

What was important to me? Good work space, space for meetings (in-person or virtual), proximity to home, free parking, a good supply of coffee, and a kitchen/kitchenette. My coworking space is amazingly close to downtown, which is a plus. In addition, the neighborhood has more eateries than I realized and is a wonderful place for lunchtime walks; both are definite pluses.

How to be a Good Coworker

In the resource list below are a few articles about coworking etiquette. What I've listed below is broader than that. So read my advice as well as the advice in the Resource list.

See coworking as an investment in yourself and in the work you are doing. If your employer will pay for the coworking space, great! If it something you need as an entrepreneur, small business, or consultant (i.e., the benefit is worth the cost), make the investment. Know in advance how to determine if the cost-benefit has changed and what that means to you.
Go often. You have paid for a membership, so use it. If you go several times per week, you will get into the habit of using the coworking space. In addition, since not everyone uses the space at the same time, you'll meet more people. And as important, you'll learn how you want to use the coworking space (e.g., time of day, types of work, etc.).

One of the things I decided was that there would be certain video meetings that I would do from home, because of the time of day they were scheduled (early morning or evening). I know that I focus better in the coworking space, so I really do try to use it every day.

Introduce yourself to others (and do it more than once). You are sharing the space with them, so you should know their (first) names and eventually something about what they do. Perhaps they could be a future collaborator or client?

Be aware of how loud you are in conversations, on phone calls, or in video meetings. Check with your coworkers on whether you are too loud and making it difficult for them to do work. Be willing to move your conversation to a phone booth, meeting room, or someplace else if best.

Ask questions. Yes, you received an overview of the space and its community guidelines when you joined, but likely there are other things you might want to know. Ask. And likely you might be curious about your coworkers and what they do, so ask. In other words, being curious is good.

Create a routine (or rhythm). This goes along with Tip #2. My use of my coworking space varies from day to day, depending on in-person meetings and other things. Still my day has a rhythm to it in terms of when I get to the office, what I take with me (see Tip #7), where I sit (I have a couple of favorite spots), etc.

Create an everyday carry (EDC) bag. If you have commuted to work, traveled extensively, or have a lifestyle where you need to have specific things with you all the time, then you have an EDC. Your EDC should contain the things that help you have a productive day. My EDC is my backpack, which contains my laptop, laptop and phone charging cords, bullet journal, a pouch with the things I want to have handy on my workspace (like lotion, microfiber cloth, and other small items), personal care items, money, and several other things. The EDC become part of the routine of going to the coworking space.

There are many, many videos on YouTube about everyday carry (EDC) bags and pouches, with many of them created by survivalists or people who want to carry lots of things "just in case." Some - for me, those are the non-survivalists - can be useful to watch, if you have never thought about this. There is a Flickr group called "What's in Your Bag?" which might also be helpful. Your EDC does not need to be hyper efficient or contain everything you'll need to survive the apocalypse. It does need to contain those things that make sense to you and that are useful to you.
Learn how to make coffee (or tea). I know this seems trivial, however, this is a useful skill, if you drink coffee and the community manager (or whomever makes the coffee) is not around. It is also a great way of making friends - or interacting with others - in the coworking space.

By the way, while this type is focused on coffee, you might find something else you want to learn how to do for yourself rather than relying on the coworking space community manager.

If you are a coworker and have tips to share, please share the in a comment on this post.

Final Thoughts

A question that is posed often is, "What is the future of work?" I don't know the answer to that. What I do believe is that the type of workspace people will need will become even more varied. I think coworking spaces will become more normal. I also think it will be normal for people to move between different types of spaces as their work changes. The coffee shop may work for now, but then maybe the work requires more privacy (an enclosed office). Maybe home is great until your sharing that workspace with another family member who is working from home (and maybe there are also children and pets in the home), and now a coworking space makes sense. Maybe you really need to be with other startup businesses for now and hope to move to another space later.

All of those above are good scenarios and none of them is better than the rest. Do what works for you.