Let’s go back in time, just a little, to understand the correlation between co-working and productivity! The power of cooperation started to draw researchers’ attention in the 1920s and ’30s through the so-called Hawthorne studies. A group of scientists separated six workers at the Western Electrics Hawthorne factory in order to study how lighting affects performance (electric lighting had only recently been introduced but it was expensive to install). They conducted a series of experiments where the amount of light was diminished in increments and assessed the workers’ performance.
Productivity, measured in a number of finished items, increased by improving lighting. But the real surprise followed after they set the lights back to their dim starting level: the productivity increased again. The Hawthorne effect has two main explanations. First, when anybody knows that they are being observed, it has a psychological effect. Regardless of the lighting, it seems, the workers were productive if not only because they were aware they were being studied. But more importantly, the study pointed to what is now a truism, that social conditions play a role in work life.
Researchers have earmarked three key elements of successful communication: exploration (interacting with people in many other social groups), engagement (interacting with people within your social group, in equal doses), and energy (interacting with more people overall).
Co-working spaces are successful today because they very efficiently integrate good workspace design that enhances exploration with the digital work habits of individuals and small teams
Lets look at the top four ways to boost your productivity in a shared workspace:
1. DISCIPLINE IN SELF
Irrespective of where we work or what we work on unless we conform to the basic tenets of discipline we can’t accomplish much. A sense of discipline automatically brings about productivity – as soon as you step into your workspace. The same applies to shared/co-working work spaces too. Stick to a schedule of coming into your workspace and maintain silence so others can work in peace and be more productive.
2. ‘MAKERSPACES’
Almost all, shared workspaces provide access to; certain essential services that the average start-up entrepreneur can’t easily have access to. These are maker spaces; where one can get their hands dirty with 3D printers, laser cutters, and hardware. These are spaces like a Huddle Area, Meeting Rooms, Video Conferencing and secretarial services.
The ethos of their communities bears a strong resemblance to that of co-working: members share values, involve themselves in contemporary work culture, and produce new things in the company of other people doing the same. Members should leverage these offerings to save their time and resources, and increase productivity.
The rise of co-working spaces is tied to members’ twofold situation (a desire for community and a changing economy), while maker spaces’ reason for existence is to make sure you get easy access to these spaces and make sure the community gets the best of their relationships.
3. KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOR – BOTH, YOUR CO-WORKER AND THE WHOLE CO-WORKING COMMUNITY
The very essence of a shared workspace is a community that co-exists and collaborates. We have said this in our previous articles that the person working alongside you may be your next legal advisor or your next investor! And given the very nature of a co-working space, you are bound to find people ahead of you in the learning curve in their respective business. Learn from them and increase your productivity!
Most co-working establishments, offer high-end networking and knowledge sharing sessions! Make sure to be a part of these to know the community and benefit from a member.
4. MAKE THE WORKSPACE YOUR OWN
Last, but not the least, personalise your workspace. It could be something as small as bringing in a set of potted plants to add some greenery or a picture frame of your dog! A small change in the configuration of your space can add a personal touch, disconnect from your surrounding and help you focus!
CONCLUSION
Enforcing the above tips will allow you to draw a balance between the ‘social‘ aspects that coworking spaces offer and the ‘private’ workspace that allows you to increase productivity and work efficiently. In India, the concept of Shared workspaces is here to stay.
As per statistics, with the current growth rate of start-ups in India, it is predicted that by 2020 the number of start-ups will reach up to 12000. The co-working industry should continue to grow in line with this growth trajectory.
– Authored by Meghna Agarwal, Co Founder, Indiqube
