Co-what? The Dream Workspace
by Andrea Cook 
Coworking.
What is coworking?
Good question!
Wikipedia defines it as:
Coworking is a style of work which involves a shared working environment, sometimes an office, yet independent activity. Unlike in a typical office environment, those coworking are usually not employed by the same organization[1]. Typically it is attractive to work-at-home professionals, independent contractors, or people who travel frequently who end up working in relative isolation.[2] Coworking is the social gathering of a group of people, who are still working independently, but who share values,[3] and who are interested in the synergy that can happen from working with talented people in the same space.[4][5]
My consultancy, The Midas Center offers coworking as one of the solutions to help businesses grow. The TMC Cowork Space is located in a historical downtown building in north central Indiana. It is the first cowork space available in the area and one of the first cowork options in the state. Why is coworking emerging as the dream workspace?
As an independent professional for over ten years, I have experienced the joys of being one of the first to "telecommute" or "work from home." Working from home, once was glamorized. It grew from the detest or opposition of working in a cubical, wasting hours each week commuting and it promised professionals the possibility for flexibility. It was a win-win for both the employee and employer. A significant cost savings in overhead from the eyes of the employer and a means to hold onto working moms, "working from home" quickly became what all the cool professionals were doing.
However, after converting two of my Chicago homes with unfinished attics into my dream home office spaces, the cool component of working from home wasn't cutting it for me. The flexibility was a mere mirage. I learned that I needed structure. I longed for space, professional space, outside of my home sweet, messy, loud, pug-barking home. When the only days I forced myself to change out of my robe was when I knew a messenger or UPS guy might stop by, I realized that the isolation was a drag and far from cool.
Robert California isn't the only change to today's office. Coworking is the new ideal workspace for most professionals.
Today, Robert California isn't the only fresh new topic that has come to The Office. There is a paradigm shift for the ideal office. Consider your dream office and what exactly makes a great workspace for you. I've come up with a list of my wish list. Here are the items from my office dream:
My dream office wish list:
- Facinating and inspiring people that I don't have to work for or manage, but, who are available to talk to, learn from, and possibly share work together, on a contractor basis. People who bring community to a solo enterprise operation help balance the highs and lows of entreprenuerial speeds. Being social and in community with others is healthy and provides accountability to brush your hair and not wear sweat pants every day.
- Open, breathable space that I can pop open my laptop, spread out my bag and get to work without worrying about feeling guilty taking the entire 4-top while sharing wifi at a coffee shop.
On-demand coffee bar at The Midas Center has a new fall drink for co-work members to enjoy. - GOOD COFFEE is a must. Although, I still love the power I feel while holding a Venti Starbucks in my left hand, I have learned that the time and money it takes to keep my Starbucks addiction thriving can be replaced by a relaxed coffee bar of tasty coffee on demand. Sharing a coffee bar offers a new water cooler experience at the office.
- Whiteboards galore to brainstorm and share lists, messages, sketches, gigs, quotes, favorite tweets and more. Like the adage goes, (as someone once wrote, on a whiteboard), "The creative with the most whiteboards wins!"
- Full of natural light. Since realizing my own need for office space away from home, the best office space lease I have ever been able to find in my budget is usually a 200 square foot closet lit by either a very small alley window or one light bulb that dangels from a wire out of the corner of the styrofoam ceiling tile. I'd dream of feeling the warm sunshine during the 9 to 5 grind and include a lot of natural light as one of the virtues of the dream working environment.
- Walking distance to good eats, shopping, etc. One of the best attributes of working in the Loop in downtown Chicago for a number of years is that everything you needed was accessible by foot during your lunch hour. There's something freeing about walking to the post office, the bank, library, office supply store, deli, eateries, book store and more during lunch or when the need arises. That short walk allows you to pass others on the sidewalk, say hello, open doors for one another and smile. Suburbia has lost this art in the midst of Costcos and stripmalls. My dream office space would be cultivated within a downtown pedistrian space.
- Clean, tidy and organzied space. I like to keep my work junk mail separate from my personal home junk mail. Same things go for my junk and other home and work related items.
- Mobile work space, connected from anywhere. Some of us understand that the world is not flat anymore. We don't live in a linear space and our workspace doesn't have to rely on wires and clunky work stations. I like to be able to work from anywhere, from the airport to my bedside and all spots in between. By having an on-demand workspace that I can go to for that in between allows me to continue to be mobile and technically agile.
- Conference room for meetings. Whether I'm in need of a live meeting room for local professionals or a teleconference or video chat, a large private meeting space is needed from time to time. I'd like to have a large meeting space on-demand and my local coffee shop isn't large enough and the library isn't cool enough to conduct a meeting.
- Modern design. I'm an Apple girl, image and design driven and I have never understood why non-Apple products have historically been beige. I also don't understand why modular office design is navy, black and gray and covered with carpet. I am unable to be innovative and I tend to shut-down creatively speaking when I'm in the midst of that kind of workstation linolium hell. To be creative, I can't be stifled by carpet cubicles and flickering florecent lights.
What are some of YOUR IDEAL working conditions? Maybe a cowork space is right for you.
In a nutshell, I've just described the perfect setting for my dream office space. The way to make this dream come true for me was to open my mind and my doors to the world of coworking. Currently, we are seeking like-minded professionals who are looking for similar attributes for their ideal workspace. If you or someone you know would be interested in learning more about coworking, contact me, Andrea Cook or you may follow our facebook page Cowork Space.
TMC
Reader Comments (2)
This is amazing. You are miles ahead of the pack. Stay positive and be patient while waiting for them to catch up!
Thanks Kasse! You are so encouraging and I really appreciate all of the support you have shared with me!