Companies nationwide are returning to the workplace. Is hybrid coworking the solution for your business?
According to a Labor Department report released in March, 72.5 percent of business establishments said their employees teleworked rarely or not at all last year, with 21 million more workers on-site full-time in 2022 nationwide.
The shift is unsurprising, given that most states have removed most if not all pandemic-era restrictions, but now as leadership looks to trim the fat in a cooling economy, bosses are taking aim at working from home allowances alongside travel and catering budgets as they assert that in-person work is better at driving business. Many Silicon Valley investors feel the same. CANOPY Member Ullas Naik, Founder and General Partner of Streamlined Ventures, says there’s no replacement for the serendipitous interactions that happen when you meet with people.
“When we consider new investment decisions, it’s something I think about very actively–if a company is fully hybrid, I want to invest in it. I’ve gone that far. We want people to come into work at least three days a week because there’s so much value in that.”
For companies looking to bridge the gap between fully remote and in-office work without the expense of leasing an entire office, adopting a hybrid work policy and signing up for a coworking membership at CANOPY can be an ideal solution.
Enhanced productivity
As Gallup asserts in its report on the advantages and challenges of hybrid work, the pandemic exposed how, in a corporate environment, productivity was traditionally measured by presenteeism–looking busy at a desk was equated with being productive. Unsurprisingly, when pandemic-era restrictions forced many staffers to decamp to their home offices and basements, many firms found that their staff was more productive when working from home. Calls and meetings held via Zoom were more intentional; fewer interruptions from colleagues stopping by other teammates’ desks meant that workers could focus intensively on tasks. Adopting a hybrid model allows a company to make room for different types of work: team members can do deep work at home and collaborate on tasks in person.
Improved work-life balance
As Inc. reported, workers who adopted a hybrid model reported better mental health and were less likely to feel exhausted at the end of the week. Avoiding a two-way commute enables workers to devote more time to being with family, visiting the gym, enjoying a lie-in, or other wellness-boosting activities. They also have more control over their hours–being able to schedule personal tasks around meetings and work early or later in the day feels empowering and is conducive to individual performance.
Hire and retain skilled remote talent
Removing a mandate that staff must show up to the office five days a week creates opportunities to hire teams far beyond the catchment area of a reasonable daily commute. A radically expanded talent pool enables managers to choose the people they think are suitable for their team; hiring in this way also allows workers to benefit from a more diverse range of experiences and perspectives. For Bay Area-based companies, hiring team members in places where the cost of living is lower can help reduce their monthly payroll. By leveraging coworking spaces in different hubs, remote teams can also work in person while staying connected to their colleagues in other locations–CANOPY memberships include access to conference rooms so that teams can collaborate live in real-time from wherever they’re based.
Feel better connected
Human beings are social animals, and there’s no substitute for interactions in physical space. In a work environment, bringing teams together to ideate in person will enhance the ability of workers to conduct deep work, communicate using non-verbal cues, and elevate energy and engagement across the board. Bringing staff together strengthens relationships between teammates and their sense of belonging and connection to the company and its mission, as does celebrating birthdays and other milestones. Coworking spaces also offer an additional benefit underpinned by interconnection: the ability to network with potential investors and collaborators from various adjacent sectors. An incidental conversation with like-minded entrepreneurs and firebrands at CANOPY’s coffee machine or barista-staffed bar might inspire new products or partnerships.
Cultural and educational programming
Many coworking spaces also employ event staff that plans regular cultural programming and happenings. Recent CANOPY events have included a brand builder workshop, wine tastings, an evening with five women Nat Geo explorers, and a panel discussion by leaders in fashion about the sustainability and direction of their industry. Coworking spaces also invite their members to take the floor and lead public or members-only events–another great way to share your company’s important work with your community and perhaps leverage the PR potential of presenting to a broad audience.
Plug-and-play amenities
Coworking spaces like CANOPY offer turnkey memberships with concierge-style amenities where all peripheral staffing needs are taken care of, from reception and mail room staff to janitorial services and lighting and heating expenses. Because coworking spaces manage furnishings and amenities, there’s also no need to plan for renovations or to upgrade your furnishings. CANOPY is furnished with Herman Miller desks equipped with Sayl chairs to ensure members are always comfortable and benefit from the best functional and ergonomic space, whether hot-desking or working from a private office.
Only pay for what you need
Every company’s hybrid working preferences are different. Individuals might occasionally want to escape the home office to be around others. Small or early companies comprising a couple of founders or a small team might want to bring individuals together two or three afternoons a week. Larger firms may sign up for a dedicated office without the hassle of managing an entire building or floor. CANOPY membership options include access to conference rooms, lounge areas, and shared kitchens and coffee bars and are designed so that individuals and companies pay only for what they need:
- Nomad is geared toward the traveling professional who’s always on the move. Nomad Members have access to a range of shared workspaces for 60 days per year, including conference rooms, outdoor terraces, phone booths, and more.
- Hybrid empowers members to choose which ten days per month they’d like to bring their laptops and work in the communal area of the location of their choice.
- Community Table is ideal for more constant community members–this level provides freedom to work in all communal workspaces without time constraints.
- As your workflow evolves and you’d like to work from your preferred CANOPY location more frequently, it makes sense to consider a dedicated desk or office. A Personal Desk membership includes lockable August storage, a shelving unit, and wired internet.
- CANOPY’s various Private Offices, enclosed by a sound-proof glass partition and furnished with a Herman Miller desk system, can accommodate a single person or a team.
Book a tour at a CANOPY location to discover how hybrid work can benefit your business.