There has been a huge drive towards co-working recently with tech start-ups around the country recognising the benefits of shared office space.
But as well as cost-savings, flexible hours and networking opportunities, there is another crucial benefit.
While some companies are in a position to offer employees beer on a Friday and team-building trips abroad, it can leave many without the time or the budget wondering how to create a culture of their own.
Mindspace, a premium co-working space hailing from Tel Aviv, has the answer. The company’s co-founder Dan Zakai says coming on board at a co-working space like his can give time-poor senior management the support and resources to create their company culture.
“In many cases companies are neglecting their culture – they don’t have the time or resources to put the level of attention required into today’s workforce and we do that because it’s our business,” he told BusinessCloud.
“We foster a lot of business and social activities and we’ve mastered how to create a better culture for companies over the years. We foster communities and want to create collaboration between those companies.
“We look at every member as if they are our end customer so we want to make the work environment much better and enriching.
“That way, when the CEO decides to move his team to a Mindspace location, it’s not just about the space it’s about the DNA that he’s going to create for his company and culture.”
The flexibility co-working offers also brings cost-savings, says Zakai, as it means not having to sign a long-term lease agreement. This gives companies significant flexibility to grow, shrink or move to another office.
“Flexibility in today’s world is extremely important,” he said. “Also co-working creates a hassle-free work environment so instead of them having to manage the space we take care of everything.
“‘Office as a Service’ is probably the phrase that companies are using nowadays, so it’s not just about co-working.”
Companies sharing office space will be the future of office work, believes Zakai, something which he is already beginning to see.
“There is research to show that by 2030 it’s expected that over 30 per cent of workspaces are going to become flexible one way or another,” he said.
“That’s where the office is heading. Obviously co-working won’t always be the solution but it’s going to be more significant than it is today.
“We’re already seeing blue chip companies altering their real estate strategy and considering co-working as one of their primary solutions nowadays.
“Mindspace is home to many blue chip companies, and dozens of those customers have grown with us and are now bringing more teams into our building so I have no doubt this is where the market is headed.”
Every company has its own needs says Zakai, but at the end of the day it needs to know that its teams are going to be taken care of at the highest level possible.
“Tech companies are working under enormous pressure in dynamic conditions so our goal and theirs should be to focus on their business while we take care of the rest,” he said.
“A high level of facilities and services should be what teams are looking for in a flexible office solution.”
Earlier this month Mindspace opened their Shoreditch office, which is the company’s second London space and 22nd global premises.