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Are you in your 30’s and thinking about changing careers? When you are in your 20’s it’s expected that you’re concluding your education, exploring your career option and figuring out what to do with the rest of your life. But once you hit 30, for some reason it’s expected that your goals should be set on advancing your chosen career path, not thinking of a different one.
The truth is, changing careers doesn’t have to be “frowned upon” if it’s what’s best for you and your future. You might be hesitant because of the common myths about changing careers. Don't let these myths hold you back!
In this post, we'll debunk five of the ugliest myths about changing careers in your 30's.
Myth #1: It's too late to start over
This very common myth is based solely on the fear of change, which can lead you to stick with a decision that ultimately isn't bringing you joy. When you were a kid and someone asked “what do you want to be when you grow up”, do you still want to be that? Chances are, probably not. It’s ok to change your mind. In fact, people change jobs an average of 12 times over the course of their life.
Some people think that if they haven't found their dream job by their 30's, it's too late to start over. This is simply not true! It's never too late to pursue a new career path. A lot of successful people didn't start their dream career until later in life. Ever heard of Henry Ford or Vera Wang? So, don't let your age stop you from pursuing your passion.
Myth #2: You'll have to take a massive pay cut
While it's true that some careers pay more than others, this myth is not always the case. You might even find that your new career pays better than your old one. Make sure that you take advantage of your alumni or LinkedIn network, if you have one, and have your connections vouch for you and your experience. Use your transferable skills to your advantage. Anything on your resume that classifies as a special skill can be used as leverage when negotiating your new salary if it pertains to your new career.
Myth #3: You'll have to go back to school for years
Depending on the career you want to pursue, you may only need a few months of training or certification courses to help you gain the necessary skills for a new career.
If you know you’ll need to go back to school full time, start making plans. There are also many flexible educational programs available for those working full time who want to expand their knowledge and marketability. You can look into programs offered online or on nights/weekends that are more likely to fit your schedule.
Myth #4: You'll be starting at the bottom
You may be able to leverage your current skills and experience to transition into a new role at a higher level. Plus, with your years of experience, you'll bring a unique perspective and skillset to your new career, which could give you a competitive advantage.
While it’s unlikely that you will jump right into a senior level position, don’t ever dismiss the amount of experience, skills and talents you have developed throughout your career so far.
Myth #5: You'll regret it
Some people worry that they'll regret changing careers and wish they had stayed in their old job. While it's normal to feel nervous about making a big change, it's important to remember that you won't know if it's the right decision until you try. You might find that your new career brings you more joy and satisfaction than your old one ever did.
Changing careers in your 30's may seem scary, but don't let these ugly myths hold you back from pursuing a new career. If you need a space to prepare or start your new career check out laplacenb.ca to see what options are available for you. It's never too late to make a change, and with the right mindset and preparation, you can successfully transition to a new career path. Remember, it's never too late to start over, take a leap and see where it takes you!
Co-working has become a buzzword in the business world, but what exactly is it? Are you tired of working from home in your pajamas? Do you want to break out of your lonely work bubble and meet other like-minded people? Then, a co-working space might just be the answer you’ve been looking for.
What is Co-Working?
Simply put, co-working spaces are designed to provide a flexible and collaborative work environment for individuals or small businesses. These spaces usually have all the essentials of a traditional office, but with a more laid-back atmosphere. It's like a coffee shop, but with better internet and more opportunities to make meaningful connections.
One of the great things about co-working is that it's not limited to a particular industry. You'll find freelancers, entrepreneurs, startups, and even remote workers from various fields sharing the same space. This creates an environment where people can network, collaborate, and learn from each other.
Co-working spaces, like La Place, are designed to be comfortable and flexible, with a variety of seating options, meeting rooms, and amenities like coffee, printing, and even lounge areas. Whether you need a quiet place to focus or a bustling atmosphere to stimulate your creativity, co-working spaces offer something for everyone.
La Place also offers different membership options, from a daily pass to a monthly or yearly membership. This makes it an affordable option for people who may not have the budget for a traditional office space.
More Than a Physical Space
Co-working is more than just a physical space. When you join a co-working space, you become part of a community of like-minded individuals who share your goals and challenges. You have the opportunity to network, learn from others, and even collaborate on projects.
La Place tries to offer opportunities for workshops, lunches & specialty events ranging from skill-building seminars to happy hours and game nights. These are offered to our members to make our space that much more enjoyable. These events are not only a fun way to break up your workday but also provide opportunities to learn new skills and connect with other members.
Why Is Co-Working for You?
Co-working is a great way to break out of your comfort zone. If you're a freelancer or remote worker, you know how lonely and isolating it can be to work from home all day, and traditional offices can be rigid and inflexible. Heading into your co-working space promotes work-life balance, allowing people to work independently while still being part of a community.
Co-working is also a more affordable alternative to renting your own office space. Instead of paying for an entire office by yourself, you can split the cost with other members and still have access to all the amenities and perks of a traditional office.
So there you have it, co-working in a nutshell. It's a fun, flexible, and affordable way to work that also provides a sense of community and belonging. So why not give it a try and see for yourself if La Place is right for you?
Feel free to reach out to us about our membership options at info@laplacenb.ca, or come in for a Hotdesk free trial! Who knows, you might just find your new favorite place to work!
It’s no news that a clean desk is a productive one and can be a key element to getting your work done. You might think you’ve got it figured out with your stacks of papers, but FYI, piles do not necessarily = organization! When you are working in a co-working or shared space, it can be risky and sometimes even embarrassing to see your workspace looking like a tornado just stormed through!
A disaster desk leaves no room for creativity and can feel overwhelming, but we’ve got you covered with these 5 tips to get you back on the organization train:
1. Designate a physical inbox
We have all gotten pretty good at organizing our email inboxes, but for some reason when it comes to our desk, we leave papers and files scattered everywhere. Creating yourself a physical inbox on your desk - ONE place for incoming papers - will allow you one location to put incoming physical files so that they aren’t scattered all over the place.This will make things easier for processing later on.
2. Have a trash can within reach
If you have to get out of your office chair to throw away trash, your trash can is too far away. Now, we are all for exercise and getting up from your desk from time to time, but if you are struggling with “messy desk” syndrome, then this might help!
Get in the habit of never putting your trash down. It should never end up on your desk in the first place. Whether it’s a piece of paper you don’t need or a food wrapper, once it is set down on your desk, it will end up living there. Not to mention that half empty pop can is just a disaster waiting to happen! Get into the habit of putting these things into the trash can immediately. Having it close to you makes it quick and easy.
3. Minimize incoming paper
You will probably never need 99% of the paper you are saving. And the good news is you can “save” it in another format. Minimizing incoming paper will not only save the planet, but also potentially your sanity.
If there is a way to take things online, do it! Paper reports, memos, and contracts can all be emailed and easily stored in your electronic files. Take a picture or scan items for reference. Most smartphones have a scan app now, and we also have a scanner at La Place available to our members! If you don’t need it in a hard copy, stop it from coming to your desk!
4. Get rid of unnecessary clutter
Look at your desk right now. What do you see on your desk that is taking up space, but that you don’t need to do your job? Unless it's serving a direct purpose in doing your work, move it off your desk.
Instead of leaving these items on your desk, take a picture or write it down in your phone notes for reference, then throw it out. You are way more likely to have your phone with you, and you can use that photo or note for reference when you actually need it.
5. Schedule regular cleaning time
If you haven’t cleaned your desk in a month, it might feel daunting and take a while to organize when you finally get around to it.
Clean it before you leave it. Take five minutes at the end of your work day to tidy up and organize your work space (maybe even using the 4 tips above!). Making this the last thing you do everyday before you leave brings closure to your work and sets you up for a clean start tomorrow. An organized work area will help you get more done!
Job Opportunity: Customer Service and Accounting Assistant
Are you looking to kickstart your career in a fast-paced and dynamic environment? Look no further! Our coworking space and real estate development company is seeking an ambitious and motivated Customer Service and Accounting Assistant to join our team.
Adelin Properties, based in New Brunswick, has built a solid reputation in the commercial real estate development and management industry. Its approach allows for close collaboration and tangible results for its clients. La Place, a division of Adelin, is a coworking office space aimed at small businesses, remote workers and entrepreneurs looking for office space, meeting rooms or a table to work once in a while.
We are seeking an engaging and responsible Customer Service and Accounting Assistant to join our team. As the first contact with our clients, you will be responsible for providing exceptional customer service to our clients and visitors. You will have the autonomy to manage the office, greet guests, answer phone calls, and grow our coworking space. Your role will be crucial in creating a welcoming and professional environment for all.
Are you a person who is:
- Benevolent? You are friendly and find joy in helping others.
- Positive, eager, and able to adapt to rapidly changing situations?
- Vigilant, nothing gets by you, but you are discreet and can keep the trust of our members?
- Accountable? You own your mistakes and move on.
- An excellent communicator with great interpersonal skills?
- Happy to take ownership of a situation and come up with positive outcomes?
- Autonomous? You take initiative and are willing to move projects forward.
- Detail oriented?
- Organized?
We are seeking a responsible individual who takes initiative and is eager to learn. You will be given the opportunity to grow and develop your skills while working alongside our talented team. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the real estate industry while showcasing your exceptional customer service skills.
Responsibilities of the role:
- Encourage the culture of La Place, by engaging members and potential members and helping to create a dynamic and collaborative environment.
- Assist in the growth of La Place, through marketing, event planning and by selling our services.
- Prepare, coordinate, and distribute communications to clients.
- Greet clients and visitors in a professional and friendly manner.
- Assist the accounting team with invoicing and data entry.
- Answer and direct phone calls to the appropriate person or department.
- Provide administrative support to the team, including data entry, filing, and scheduling appointments.
- Resolve technical issues as needed, including the ability to resolve minor issues with printer, devices, and wireless networks.
- Handle and distribute incoming and outgoing mail and packages.
- Communicate with vendors and service providers as needed.
- Assist with special projects as needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Keep the office, reception area, kitchen, and conference rooms tidy and organized.
Ideal background:
- College degree in a related field or 2 years experience in a reception or customer service role.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
- Bilingual (French and English) and have very good communication skills, both oral and written
- Have good computer skills and be comfortable with MS Office and other office software; Proficient with internet searches, using Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages. Experience with a variety of software and platforms such as WordPress, Mailchimp and SurveyMonkey.
- Have excellent organizational skills and great at multi-tasking.
We offer a competitive compensation package (including PTO, health benefits, RESP contributions) and a friendly and supportive work environment. If you are a self-motivated and organized individual with exceptional customer service skills, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.
All responses to this posting will be treated as confidential and only successful applications will be contacted. You can submit your application to jocelyne@adelinproperties.com, application deadline is April 21st, 2023.
With business growth comes costs; something we are all very aware of. But why should growing your business mean spending more money?
Open up cash flow
Using a co-working space can open up a ton of cash flow. By placing new employees in a co-working space it allows you and your business more flexibility. Co-working spaces cost much less than a traditional lease or existing building fit ups. With a co-working membership you can grow at your own pace by avoiding expansion costs and having the freeform to scale up and down as needed at any time.
They also allow you the opportunity to save on day-to-day office costs like coffee, utilities, desks, cubicles, office chairs, meeting rooms, printer maintenance, internet and even a receptionist, which all really add up!
A collaborative space to grow
Co-working spaces attract like-minded entrepreneurs, so it is a place where collaboration thrives and networking connections are made daily. Having your workers in a shared co-working space allows them the ability to connect with members of other businesses for brainstorming and/or client roster growth. Think of it as a “business incubator” at your fingertips.
There is something for all workstyles & budgets
Co-working spaces like La Place offer several different types of membership options to suit your needs and your budget. From shared part-time co-working to dedicated desks and private offices, you have the option of multiple different levels of membership for any budget.
On top of that, the shared spaces like meeting rooms, utility room, kitchen and lounges offer a welcoming, airy, but cozy feel that make your employees feel comfortable and at home in their space.
Keep your workers happy
Having your workers in a shared co-working space not only allows them the flexibility and freedom to work in a style that is best for them, it also displays trust from your end.
When a worker is able to do their tasks in a non-micromanged environment, surrounded by like-minded people, they are more likely to turn out higher quality work. This limits burnout, and causes overall happiness in their work, keeping them around longer with your company.
Prime location
On top of saving you costs on a high end lease, co-working spaces are usually in high traffic prime locations. This makes things easy for your workers to access, with amenities around that may be needed and also provide you and your workers with on-site or nearby parking. Just another added bonus!
If you are looking to see how co-working can contribute to the success of your business with your next hire, contact La Place to schedule a free trial day and find out more about the membership option that works best for you!
Co-working spaces are becoming ever more popular, and we obviously understand why!
When given the option, more and more professionals are turning to co-working spaces or the shared office concept. It’s a great alternative to the barren cubicles, distracting office spaces, or hearing the constant yell of “Mommmmmmmmm!” from your home office.
But how do you convince your employer that it is in their best interest to PAY for you to work there? Let’s break it down, by giving you some talking points to pitch your boss on paying your way to a better work experience.
First things first. Business people want business facts. You are going to have to come prepared with the details ready and worked out on why a co-working space is right for you. How is the membership going to increase your productivity? We love a good pros and cons list of the drawbacks of working where you are now vs. the benefits of working in a shared space. Depending on your situation, things can look a little different, but these are some of the most common that we see:
You are part of a Virtual team with no office space.
There is a real benefit of working side by side a few days a week with your teammates to be face to face for problem solving and collaboration. It’s proven that teams will work through challenges more quickly in real time.
Not only will you get face to face time with other coworkers, you will also have the opportunity for networking and connections with other coworkers in the space.
Using a co-working space can also provide you with a dedicated business address/ phone line and a professional space to meet future clients, vendors or new talent for your team. You shouldn’t have to hold a meeting or interview in your kitchen… common now!
Overall, a dedicated co-working space allows you as a virtual worker to avoid the distractions of home or coffee shops & never stress that you will have a reliable high speed wi-fi connection, leaving you more focused = more efficient.
Desk Mag says that the biggest benefits experienced by employees transitioning to a co-working space is increased productivity (23% more than office workers) and an increase in income generation (32% more).
Top talking points for you:
- Face to face real time interaction with coworkers
- Work through challenges more quickly
- Dedicated space to avoid distractions
- Professional space to meet new clients/talent
- Reliable high-speed internet
- Increased productivity = increased income generation
You are a remote worker for a company with a headquarters in a different Province/State/Country.
Many firms are unlikely to want to commit time and resources to an office space or office manager to set up something brick and mortar for a short period of time, or a test project. At the same time, corporate companies are still not super on board with the idea of you taking calls from your couch in your nightgown.
Co-working spaces are the perfect fit for these situations, allowing a short term solution that is both professional and practical. They allow the flexibility and freedom for companies to test out new markets and avoid the staggering costs associated with setting up an office space right now. Co-working spaces allow you to take advantage of a no commitment, lease free co-working option until you figure out the market's sustainability. You can always transition to traditional office space later on… but we know you won't want to!
Some co-working spaces also offer a 24 hour service with their memberships, making time zones differences or late night projects possible.
Top talking points for you:
- Budget friendly professional space with no commitment costs
- Professional & practical space
- Flexibility to test out new markets
- 24hr access = timezone friendly
You are a consultant or freelancer who has a large corporate client on your roster.
When you are not considered an “employee” for a company, it is unlikely that you have your own space/ dedicated desk in your clients office building. If you are in and out of their offices on consulting sessions or meetings, sometimes you can find yourself working from the lunch room, or taking calls in the hallway. Getting yourself a proper desk at a co-working space nearby is the perfect solution to still be able to easily get to meetings but having a secure/private space to do your day to day work. You’ll do better work, and your client will be happier all around.
Top talking points for you:
- Dedicated space near by
- Distraction free area to get projects done more efficiently
- Professional setting for conference calls / group meetings off site
No matter what kind of mobile/remote worker you are, you have some pretty convincing reasons to ask your employer to pay for your co-working space! Just make sure you are prepared with the right information to show value and benefit to the one writing the check!
Co-working isn’t a trend anymore, it’s the future of remote work. Check out laplacenb.ca to see what options are available for you. Hello, new office!
The pandemic changed the way we work and it seems like a lot of these new trends are sticking around so it’s time to get used to them and use them to our advantage. We happen to think they are pretty awesome!
These are our top predictions for how the 2023 working year will play out.
Flexible Work Schedule/Environment
It's time to rethink the standard 9-5. It’s a way of the past, and maybe for good reason.This might not be the right option for every organization, but we are seeing more and more employers move to a flexible work schedule/environment. And it’s working!
A recent study by Forbes speaks of more than two dozen companies that tested a four-day work week reported increased sales, lower burnout and improved absenteeism.
Are your employees working a 40 hour work week because you NEED them too, or because that is what has become expected?
Experts suggest that allowing your employees a more “flexible” work environment allows them more mental capacity to be efficient. In 2023, more employers will work with the idea that output is more important than input.
Mixing Generations
According to the Pew Research Center, Gen Z consists of people born between 1997 and 2012. The oldest of this generation are reaching 25 years of age, with many now out of college and entering the workforce. This generation has been raised on the internet and social media and is the youngest, most ethnically-diverse, and largest generation in Canada.
This population is not shy about sharing their opinions, they are looking to be challenged in their work environment and want flexibility and respect most importantly. They embrace technology and are very tech-savvy. They developed an early facility with powerful digital tools that allowed them to be self-reliant as well as collaborative.
Have all generations team up so that skill sets can be shared. Make ongoing education and training a top priority so your workforce is able to be challenged while learning and developing new skills.
Higher Rate of Job Hopping
People don’t stick with one job for 25 years anymore. Those days are gone.
The underlying loyalty to a company that we might have experienced with the Boomer generation is not as important as happiness or job satisfaction to the newer generations. They need something new, and they need to be challenged. Experts predict that the average employee entering the workforce today will have over 15 jobs during their career.
So how do you prevent this? Offer great benefits, competitive wages & continuous training opportunities. Your employees have to feel like they are continuing to grow and expand their knowledge so the job doesn't get stagnant. Another great idea is to promote from within.
Employees these days are not necessarily trying to make a name for themselves, but rather, make a life for themselves. The job is a means to an end.
Mental Well-Being Gains Importance
The demand for mental healthcare will rise in 2023. With burnout being one of the top reasons employees leave their jobs, employers are putting a priority on mental health.
Ensuring that your employees have the resources at their disposal, and most importantly, the confidence that if they need help, they will be heard, are simple ways to ensure your workforce is happy & healthy.
Offering a “wellness” room, budgeting for exercise, or allowing flexible work hours and environment as mentioned above are all things today's workforce are looking for.
Hybrid work
Not that hybrid work is new, but it is way more prominent. This is where co-working spaces come into play.
With remote work comes hiring outside our immediate service area. This is primarily why the traditional office space has fallen out of favour.
In McKinsey’s American Opportunity Survey a massive 87% of employees offered at least some flexible work options take advantage of the opportunity and spend an average of three days a week working remotely.
If Covid taught us anything, it is that people can work on their own schedule and in their own environment and the work will still get done. Now that employees have gotten a taste, they are enjoying having a hybrid work lifestyle and they aren't willing to let it go.
Trends are ever-changing, but the best way to stay on top of them is to stay in front of them!
If you are looking to see how co-working can contribute to the success of your business in 2023, contact La Place to schedule a free trial day and find out more about the membership option that works best for you!
What is important to your work environment?
We may not be able to return to our previous office set-up, but we can reflect on the parts that made our office space so important.
Our teammates
We can all admit that when we switched our teammates out for your housemates, it took time to adjust.
The biggest problem with housemates is that no one is connected to your work. Teammates give you the opportunity to discuss complicated situations, motivate you to accomplish tasks, and possibly even deliver coffee to your desk.
Our collection of sticky notes
Yes, sticky notes. The life saving colourful pieces of paper that often keep us in line on top priority tasks. Whether you sticky notes are part of your productivity system or not, it is almost guaranteed that you have a sticky note or two somewhere on your desk.
Our routines
What was the first thing that you would do when arriving in the office in the morning. Make a trip to the coffee station? Plan your day? Answer a couple emails?
Having a consistent workspace is a tool to help divide between normal busy life, and the focused work time.
Collaboration
When it comes to productivity, nothing can beat collaboration. Office features and tools like breakout spaces or whiteboards can never be replaced by every day team zoom call.
The good news is, that this will not last forever. There are systems that you can put in place to improve the home office, or there are places (such as our facility) where you can take advantage of days passes, and part-time office rentals.
6 Benefits of Coworking Spaces for Your Business
Coworking spaces provide small businesses, independent contractors and other workers a space to get work done, network and participate in their local business community.
Benefits of a coworking space
From meeting other business professionals to collaborating on independent projects, coworking spaces can be a shared location where people with varying business ideas can get together and learn from one another. Joining a coworking space means pursuing a new opportunity and participating in a community of business professionalism.
More networking opportunity
One of the biggest benefits of a coworking space is the opportunity to connect with other individuals. If you’re working in a home office or independent office, you could be robbing yourself of the important connections needed to drive your business forward. Sometimes, the only thing a small business is missing is the spark that proximity to other successful business owners can bring.
Increased productivity
This is especially true for small business owners working out of a home office. When we’re at home, it can be easy to get distracted. Kids need attention, the house needs to be cleaned or maintained and special projects can constantly crop up in our minds. By going to another space, you can solidify a “work mode” that can increase productivity. Many coworking spaces are accessible 24/7, so you don’t have to worry about when you need to get something done.
Boost in creativity
By working with other individuals and exposing yourself to new perspectives, coworking spaces can provide bursts of creativity. Sometimes, switching spaces and heading to a new office can allow you to refresh your mind and consider alternative solutions to business problems.
Collaboration opportunities
This benefit goes hand-in-hand with networking. Coworking spaces expose you to chance and opportunity. Who knows where a casual conversation may lead? Working in proximity to others allows quick collaboration to occur. Next thing you know, you could be hiring someone new.
Cost-efficiency
If you’re renting an office, there are a host of extra costs you may have to deal with — especially if your employees are looking for perks like free coffee, snacks and (occasionally) alcohol. Coworking spaces come equipped with perks like these all at one monthly rate. They also come with many built-in business services, like business mail, that can save you money in the long run. It’s important to consider what features you need before choosing the right space for your business. Cost-efficiency could be a crucial benefit to small businesses locked into leases that are too expensive.
Greater flexibility
Many coworking spaces offer very flexible agreements. If, for some reason, you need to cancel your membership, there are usually flexible options to do so. This makes it an ideal business service to try out and see how you like it. If you have a good experience, you’re set. If not, there’s no harm in canceling your membership.
Coworking spaces allow you to get out of your own bubble: By exposing you and your employees to new perspectives, you can build a better business. A comfortable and efficient workspace is essential to any business’s success. While there are many benefits, choosing the right coworking space can be difficult.
***
Source: https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/strategy/benefits-of-coworking-spaces
This is an excerpt of an article written by https://www.instantoffices.com/blog/featured/benefits-of-shared-office-space/
What is a Coworking Space?
Also known as a shared office, a coworking space gives SMEs, entrepreneurs and freelancers access to all the facilities and perks of conventional office space, without a traditional lease and all the hidden costs that go with it.
Coworking spaces are traditionally open plan environments; tenants pay for the space they need via a membership fee, giving them access to a mix of private and communal areas. This way of working offers superior flexibility in that it allows a business to grow or downsize as needed, with contracts lasting as little as a month.
Coworking Space Benefits
1. Save Money
Eliminate the hidden costs and risks of owning your own office and simply pay for the space you need. With a coworking office, there is no traditional lease or any of the hidden costs that go with it.
2. Improve Networking
The collaborative nature of coworking spaces is ideal to improve networking opportunities and start new conversations with everyone from potential clients to business partners.
3. Increase Creativity
Design-inspired office space settings, creative community cultures, regular educational events and perks like indoor gyms or game areas all work to foster greater creativity and productivity in a coworking environment.
4. Impress Clients
Hold important meetings and conferences from a fully-kitted out office space at a desirable business address.
5. Increase Flexibility
Contracts are available for as little as one month.
6. Speed to Market
Move in on the day you sign and begin working immediately with plug and play facilities.
7. Scale Your Business
Occupy as little as one desk, with the flexibility to expand as needed. This gives you the opportunity to grow your team at your own pace.
8. Use State-of-the-Art Equipment and Facilities
Coworking spaces are furnished, pre-cabled and full of different amenities, from coffee shops and restaurants to conference rooms, breakaway areas, exercise areas and more.
Would a Coworking Space Suit You?
What started as an attractive solution for freelancers and individuals feeling isolated working from home, has since become a global trend among businesses of all sizes. The types of people accessing coworking space include:
- Remote workers who want an office away from the home environment.
- Travellers who need a space to work on a business trip.
- Freelancers looking to collaborate, network and benefit from a shared space.
- Small business owners looking to reduce costs and remain flexible.
- Entrepreneurs who want a space that can grow with them.
- Workers more used to conventional office space, looking for a space that inspires them.
- Large organisations who need space for travelling employees.
- Corporates looking for additional short-term space for project-based teams.
“No one would have asked us to do this, if it wasn’t important” – The temporary transition to a home office
Our team has had to adjust. AGAIN. And by team, I mean our community. And when I say adjust, I mean they have gone from home office, to shared office, and NOW, have reverted back to the good ole’ trusty home office.
We are choosing to self-isolate.
Self-isolation is about protecting others.
Self-isolation is about slowing down the spread of Covid-19.
And we know that our efforts are an effective way of preventing the coronavirus from spreading.
Self-isolation may seem tricky at first, but similar to our current members, it is (or used to be) the norm for many people.
The first question you may want to consider is, why am I finding self-isolation so hard?
We understand that for some people, self-isolation can be boring or lonely. You may find your mood and feelings being affected, and you could be questioning whether you were really an introvert in the first place with all this silence. BUT no one would have asked us to do this, if it wasn’t IMPORTANT.
So, to help anyone that we possibly can in this temporary adjustment, we have put together some tips:
- Take you necessary breaks, and schedule your lunch, away from the sanctioned home office.
- I recommend, eating your lunch as quick as your can, and then stepping outside for the remainder of your lunch.
- Eat chocolate, and drink tea.
- Okay, your treat may not be chocolate, and your hot beverage may not be tea. BUT, tea works well in killing virus’s extracellularly and suppressing its intracellular proliferation (complicated science words, can someone simplify?).
- Social distancing, or physical distancing?
- More than ever we have ways to be socially connected. Use those to our advantage.
- Video call someone who is also feeling isolated. (Calling my grandfather was the highlight of my day, and it only took 10 minutes).
This is a difficult change for us all, and I hope that you all find ways to adjust in a timely manner.
Managing day to day, I think the most important point to reflect on is that no one would have asked us to do this, if it wasn’t important.
Stay strong my beautiful community ♥
~OS
One of the (many) struggles that businesses are facing is that their teams have been pushed to work differently. To find a company that has not been affected by this would be nearly impossible.
We’ve all had to quickly adjust to the new normal, with all teams working towards the same objective: TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD!
For our team, it took us about a week to finally get reconnected.
The beautiful thing with our team is that in our normal work lives, our team is incredibly dynamic. When all this happened, it was like we were shocked into a scramble to get back to our prize level of connection.
BUT IN THE SCRAMBLE, WE LEARNED A LOT.
- Figuring out technology.
Yes, it was hard.
We started with Zoom, and then once we were comfortable with it, a millennial (me) came along and suggested that we used Microsoft Teams.
A week, and some “how to” tutorials later, and we were ready to go.
Tips:
- Find a software that contributes to productive virtual meetings. With teams we are able to upload files, integrate planner to help manage tasks, and keep up to date on larger projects more easily.
- If you’re team Microsoft, I totally recommend teams.
- If you’re team Google... Google hangouts? I’m a hardcore Microsoft advocate, sorry.
- Keeping connected
Thiss was the big one for us. We went from working together every day, to trying to build home offices.
The solution? A 30-minute team call every day starting at 9.
Tips:
- Ask teammates what they’re working on that day. Accountability is the most beneficial part of this new habit.
- Support them: ask questions such as “is there anything you need help with?”
- Follow-up with their progress. This will help in motivating your team to keep moving forward.
- Forward thinking
It is easy to get stuck in the now, and even more difficult to see life beyond Covid-19.
Tips:
- Keep your team educated. Know the numbers, be realistic, and move forward.
- Take action on those projects that will help further down the road! This will not last forever. You will thank yourself then, for the work you did today.
~OS
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