There are many advantages about working in a coworking space. There are also some implications you need to be aware of whenever you share space, but we will concentrate here on how you can get the best of a coworking space considering this tips.
This suggestions that we make here is the result of feedback from our members during the last 10 years, and we will concentrate on the most important ones, the ones that everyone who gets a great experience in our space share with us.
Get the best of a coworking space
1. Meet you coworkers.
Coworking means working together. You’ll be sharing a workspace with these people, so why not get to know them? As it turns out, there are many interesting people working in all kinds of fields at betahaus. Introduce yourself to your coworkers – you never know just what kind of connections you will make!
2. Keep an open mind.
Be honest, ask questions, and give feedback and suggestions. Avoid anything that isn’t constructive, and learn to let go of any grudges you may have. Remember to be confidential. As exciting as someone’s project may sound, always ask them before spreading word of their work to others – you may unintentionally hurt their business.
Talk openly about your work, and don’t hesitate to ask questions about the work of others. Great ideas are often the result of bouncing knowledge, insights, and opinions.
3. Play nice, consider the others.
A good coworking space rests on a strong community spirit, where everyone can trust and respect each other. Be civilised and mature when dealing with your coworkers in any situation. Stop tension by resolving any conflict or dispute in a calm and cooperative manner.
4. Work, and let work.
This isn’t a library – you don’t need to work in complete silence. However, please remember that this is, after all, a work space. Please try to keep your conversations, phone calls and overall noise level, down or in the right space (we have 20 cabins to solve this problem).
Brainstorming in a group can be a great way to develop an idea for your team. However, too many different ideas in a room can have the exact opposite effect – confusion, distraction and resulting in less productivity. If you decide to brainstorm in a group of over two people, please use one of the available meeting rooms.
Sometimes, all we need is to block out our surroundings in order to focus properly on any task. If someone is wearing headphones, chances are that not only would they be unable to hear whatever you may have to say, but they also may not wish to hear it anyway. Please respect this, and leave anyone alone with headphones on or indicating that they do not wish to be disturbed in any other way.
Feel free to listen to your favourite music, watch funny cat videos, or catch up on the news – whatever gives you a break and takes the edge off of your work day. Just make sure to use your headphones when doing so: others may not share your taste in music, or may simply prefer to work in silence.
5. Respect and care for the space.
Above all, keep your work area clean!
This applies especially if you’re using a Flex Desk – nobody wants to work on a desk covered in crumpled post-it notes or the remnants of your lunch.
Even if you have your own Fix Desk or teamroom, keep it neat and tidy, as this will give our cleaning boy the possibility to clean it regularly.
When using a meeting room, please remember that unless you reserve it through the betahaus staff, the room is free for anyone to use. Please don’t occupy
a room if you haven’t reserved it – all it will do is make you and your team look rude.
6. Be active in the community.
betahaus offers a wide variety of fun and interesting activities and events during and outside of work hours.
Not only can you have fun at these events, you can meet even more interesting coworkers you may not normally meet during your work day. Besides, after-hours networking means you’ll have more time to talk, in a more relaxed setting, without fear of holding anyone up.
7. Ask for help, and help others.
One of the great things about coworking is being able to work with people from all kinds of backgrounds, with all kinds of skills. If you need any kind of help or advice, don’t hesitate to ask whoever you think could help you – they will most likely be happy to share their knowledge with you!
Of course, this also means that you should be prepared to return the favour, and to share your skills and knowledge in a similar way.