It’s no longer just one-man-band entrepreneurs and tiny startups who are making use of coworking spaces in Victoria these days. It’s now quite common to see small- and medium-sized companies looking for an enterprise coworking space in Melbourne CBD and other prestigious locations.
If you’re thinking about making a move into the realm of coworking spaces for the first time, then it’s a good thing to get some advice on how to get the most out of that working space. Below are some great ideas to get you started.
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Discuss and Explore All Options
When you’re seeking out a space to use, make sure you take the time to discuss all the options and deals that are offered by that place. Most providers of coworking spaces have many different types of spaces and arrangements, as well as contract periods and access to added extras like meeting rooms, printing facilities and more.
It’s important therefore that you don’t simply settle for the first thing that comes along. Check out all the spaces you can, as well as understanding in detail just how much the provider can do for you in the longer term.
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Get Social and Network
When you’re settled into your new coworking space, don’t forget to take time to get to know the neighbours! Join in social events if they are advertised, or make some of your own and invite others in the coworking space to attend. Go to networking events, and make connections with your new office mates. What starts as a casual conversation by the water cooler or at a networking event can easily turn into real dollars-and-cents business in a short time.
Because you’re spending a lot of time in proximity with these fellow entrepreneurs, you can more quickly build a solid foundation of trust and understanding. That’s much harder to achieve when you’re either working from a remote private office, or working from home. That trust can form the basis of profitable partnerships in the near future.
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Get to Know the Facility Management
The coworking space you’re using doesn’t just run itself of course. You should make conscious efforts to get to know those who are running the community of workspaces day to day. They can prove to be an invaluable source of local knowledge, and may also be able to act as a bridge helping you make those kinds of connections that we mentioned earlier.
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Be a “Reactive” Helper
If you want to improve your standing in your new working community, a great way to do that is to become known as the “reactive” helper of the coworking space. That means you could become known as a team that others can turn to and ask for help, and you’ll give it. It’s different from other kinds of helping where people insert themselves into a community and declare unilaterally that they can make it better for everyone. This just creates resentment and friction.
Be the ones that help when people ask, and your positive reputation in the community will be sealed in the best way possible. If and when a time comes that you need help, you will also find willing and ready helpers.
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Take Advantage of All the Facilities
If you followed our first tip, then you should have a coworking space with the right kinds of additional amenities that your business needs to work productively and grow. If you’ve paid for a place that has meeting rooms, common spaces, recreation facilities and more, then ensure that you make good use of them. Otherwise, why did you spend the money to be there?
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