The new generation of workers has a different set of ideals and expectations. Generation Y, raised with advanced computer technology, is changing the way businesses view office space. The most popular trend is CoWorking which involves space shared among individuals from a variety of businesses.
Generation Y vs. Traditional Corporate America
As opposed to previous generations who remained in a single job their entire career, young professionals today are more likely to change jobs every few years or work several jobs simultaneously. This is due to several factors:
- The Ability to Work Remotely Any Time: Mobile technology provides instant access to information related to new opportunities and allows applications to be sent practically as soon as they’re posted. This results in young workers frequently “job hopping” when an attractive new option appears.
- Unemployment Rates: In today’s economy, young professionals often have to find non-traditional work options including working more than one job making it impossible to travel to multiple offices daily.
- New Expectations: Young professionals seek characteristics that haven’t traditionally been incorporated into the work culture.
New Work Space Preferences
Generation Y grew up operating computers. They’re used to communicating and searching for information anywhere anytime and are able to transition from social interaction to professional responsibilities seamlessly without lowered productivity. This leads to a different preference for work space.
- Mobile technology creates a sense of flexibility and freedom in how they accomplish daily tasks. Sitting in an office during defined hours is foreign to them and trying to force them into complying results in unhappy employees.
- Members of this new workforce are focused on goal achievement instead of punching a time clock. They’re willing to work extra hours when necessary but when they’ve completed their assignment they don’t want be given busy work just to fill an hourly requirement.
- This generation’s most important belief is that their work environment should be about more than just work. Due to their high usage of mobile technology and social media for interaction and to obtain answers to queries, they expect work to include a social component as well as the opportunity for group learning. Enter CoWorking.
The Rise of CoWorking Designs
Business leaders will tell you that the best way to ensure career success is to surround yourself with ambitious people who form a creative community. Based on sharing ideas and collaboration, CoWorking provides this business culture.
CoWorking motivates young professionals, stimulates their imagination and enhances productivity through the diversity of ideas to which they’re exposed. This atmosphere also generates new ideas related to their jobs and business providing benefit to the entire company.
Additional Benefits
There are several other benefits of CoWorking spaces:
- You don’t have to commit to a long term contract-Most CoWorking spaces offer a variety of rental options including prices for daily, weekly and monthly rentals.
- This non-traditional working environment provides for flexibility. They are also designed to have a comfortable atmosphere when compared to traditional offices or cubicles.
- CoWorking spaces offer a variety of works areas. Most have private offices that can be rented monthly, high end work stations with storage, common areas, small meeting rooms, large conference rooms, private phone areas ideal for telemarketers, and coffee bars and/or cafés.
- There are secured internet connections, voice mail options, standard office equipment such as copiers, and fax machines and many offer the services of receptionists for an additional fee.
- Co- working spaces are less expensive than renting or buying facilities, with associated costs.
If you’re looking for a more economical approach to work space and want to experience the benefits of happier and more productive employees co-working Space may be your answer.
