Are you planning to work in a co-working venue? Ask these questions before signing up.

As the UK slowly comes out of lockdown for 2021 and the pandemic rapidly declines with the vaccine programs' success, small businesses just like yours have either closed their office or soon will be. Either way, you will most likely be offering ongoing flexible working.

The last 18 months have proven to sceptical business owners that their teams can function, communicate, engage, and deliver clients' outcomes away from the office. While many team members have enjoyed and thrived working from home, some team members have not, and even those who have still sometimes want a break from working at home. 

We have been predicting that once lockdowns end, we will hit peak co-working, where employees who use to work daily in the office now work a mixture of home working and working in co-working locations. Businesses that no longer have to pay monthly rents will be able to reallocate a small portion of these funds to provide co-working subscriptions to their team members - who can drop in at their local co-working venue to work.

Ask the co-working venue these questions! 

There are typically two types of co-working venus: those built by big global corporates such as WeWork and Regus and then independents. This article will focus on independents, as most global corporates will provide the right tech level for your employees to work well.

Which technology are you allowed to use?

Depending on the type of subscription you have, you may have unlimited or limited use of certain tech items. For example, you may get charged by the page if you print (you shouldn't be printing anyway) or limited how much data you can download. 

How they separate your data from others?

You'd be surprised how many independent co-working venues use the free WiFi router their internet provider supplied, rather than having a professional WiFi network installed. You need to make sure that the WiFi you'll use separates your data from all the other people using the same venue.

How they control who has access to the venue?

It is essential to know who has access to the area you will be leaving your tech in, as you probably don't want to have to pack up your equipment every time you pop to the toilet. Do they provide door access control? Or a reception area for visitors and other co-workers to sign in before being granted access? What about CCTV?

Do they have an ongoing IT Support agreement?

Most global co-working places will have onsite support staff, for when tech does not go to plan, I know at least two popular co-working venues in Birmingham that have no IT support - so what do they do when the WiFi goes down? It is essential to know as this could ruin your day. And isn’t it a bit unfair that you’re paying a subscription, but the venue is not bothering to provide you with fast, reliable and secure tech?

Do you own an independent co-working venue?

There will be a massive uptake in subscriptions for co-working venus, as small businesses close their offices and provide places for people to work who want to get out of the house. Companies will check that your co-working venue has the IT needed for their employees to work reliably and securely before signing up. We don't want WeWork running the show; independents bring vibrance and variety with better intentions. If you own a co-working venue and know your IT is not spot on, book a video call below.