Adopting coworking: a practical guide for companies in transition

A crucible of collective intelligence and the faithful embodiment and representation of a society in the throes of change, flexible workspaces are at the heart of the triptych Agility, Quest for Meaning and Desire for Balance for companies and employees alike. To all the companies that have embodied the face of this transition, and the renewal of the world of work over the last few years, and for those to come, say goodbye to the traditional office and hello to the flexible office. Here's a practical guide to the right reflexes for companies in transition.

Changing lifestyles: a move towards coworking spaces?

The desire for agility and flexibility is nothing new! The movement had emerged strongly with the expansion of entrepreneurship and freelancing in France, from 4 to 8.2 million new businesses in the space of a decade (2012 vs. 2022), according to BPI France estimates.We know what's coming next: a global pandemic, a major economic crisis and a host of environmental considerations are forcing companies to take a fresh look at their HR and real estate strategies. Le Bureau and the workspace are becoming a tool for retaining and attracting talent, but also for safeguarding employees' occupational health and the economic performance of companies.

This "right" to efficiency and work/life balance is even encouraged by the government, which promotes the use of the Digital HQ or Digital Workplace to ensure business continuity for employees favoring remote working. An Opinion Way study for Slack in January 2023 on " Working people and their flexible working conditions " highlights the fact that employees are demanding significant, concrete options from companies for a balanced professional life. Hybrid working arrangements are said to reduce fatigue and stress levels, while maximizing concentration and productivity. Here are just a few of the key figures from the study:

• Le71% of French employees work in a flexible working environment
• 86% of young employees would like more flexibility
• 46% would consider changing jobs in 2024 due to a lack of flexibility.

The study also illustrates that the pre-covid "return to normality" desired by more and more companies, and in particular the GAFAs, is experienced as a real step backwards. The Forester Institute even claims that companies who insist on a return to face-to-face working would see their resignations rise by 2.5% over the next few years.
So it's time to make our working methods evolve even further in 2024. Out with unsuitable ways of working in 2024! Long live coworking spaces!

Why coworking spaces for companies in transition?

In addition to the aforementioned arguments, there are two other major reasons why companies want to develop their use of coworking spaces and ready-to-use offices: improving the employee experience and controlling their performance indicators, particularly economic ones.

The employee experience is illustrated by multiple markers, but among these, access to digitalized work environments that foster social ties is a major one. The management style encouraged is that of hybrid management, based on the ability to build trust while responding to employees' immediate needs. As for these needs, they mainly call for reconsidering tomorrow's real estate projects by modernizing workspaces and taking into account the issues of robotization, dematerialization, individualization of work rhythms and rites, and consideration of new forms of collaboration.

These are all issues that have already been integrated and are at the very heart of coworking space policy. The industry has evolved in response to the new realities of the French workplace, as illustrated by the constant evolution of models, the regionalization of coworking spaces and the diversification of players. Coworking spaces therefore play, and will certainly continue to play, an essential role in driving the real estate market as a whole towards a renewal of working practices.

Need further advice? Here are a few other resources that might help: → Also read: Le Bureau / Coworking: how to work in 2024? → How to find offices for your employees? → Office search and tailor-made assistance

How to choose the right coworking space?

There are many criteria to consider, depending on your objectives, real estate strategy and corporate culture. This decision needs to be considered both in the short and medium term, as well as over the longer term. The number of employees and positions required, the desired locations...

As mentioned above, coworking spaces are constantly evolving, and coworking brands are enriching their models with new services or changing their positioning. To find your way around, there's nothing like being accompanied by a structure that can translate your needs and provide you with the best possible advice. That's what workin.space is all about!

Ultimately, we can't recommend enough that companies in the midst of a real-estate rethink and transition team up with third-party workspaces such as coworking spaces to encourage the development of new, more agile ways of working. We all have a role to play in the societal evolution of working practices, but it all starts with the right decision!