Born in 2005 out of a desire to combine independent work with a community atmosphere, coworking has become a global phenomenon. Thirty-five thousand flexible workspaces can be found around the world today, and statistics show a continued shift away from traditional office environments among businesses of all sizes. Has coworking gone from the next big thing to the new normal?
Where is all the demand for this space coming from? Surprisingly, large companies and corporate entities account for 40% of the demand forecast. Demand from corporations increased 21% in 2018, and around 14% of employees from large companies currently use coworking spaces.
Choosing coworking instead of traditional offices keeps costs down, but companies are seeing benefits beyond savings. When staff members spend time around people who aren’t their immediate coworkers, it can spark creative discussions, open doors for new collaborative endeavors and lead to unexpected opportunities.
As more enterprise businesses continue to take an interest in coworking environments, memberships are likely to see exponential growth. In fact, coworking memberships are estimated to reach 5.1 million by 2022.
What does a typical member look like? The breakdown is a telling picture of the future of flexible offices:
• 50% of members are individual workers
• 40% are employees
• 38% have been in business for three to five years
These numbers don’t just represent people who use coworking occasionally or who rely on it for a short period before moving on. In 2018, 76% of those who had coworking memberships expressed an interest in continuing to use the flexible spaces.
Lower costs, more flexibility and access to state-of-the-art equipment aren’t the only perks driving the increase in coworking memberships. Many people using flexible offices report better quality of life, as well. Eighty-nine percent say they’re happier, 83% are less lonely and 71% feel more creative. Whether this is the result of being around diverse groups or the unique design of coworking spaces is unclear, but companies can’t deny the advantage of having a more contented workforce.
As numerous statistics show, coworking has become much more than a trendy alternative to working from home. Freelancers, startups and established businesses can benefit from using flexible office spaces and the amenities included with memberships to collaborate with other business people and pursue growth in innovative environments.
CEO Centers FLEX is a modern, collaborative workspace in Duluth, Georgia curated around a community of entrepreneurs and creative early-stage companies. We offer a variety of coworking spaces – from hot desks to private, executive offices – all at an affordable price.
If you are looking for a coworking space, contact CEO Centers FLEX. We offer several membership levels that all include high-speed internet, access to the kitchen and lounge with a free coffee and tea bar, use of our business center and concierge services. Contact us today to learn more about the FLEX community.
