If you work from home you are no longer in a minority. In fact according to official figures by the Trade Union Congress (TUC), you’re one of more than four million people who now regularly work from home in the UK.
Working from the confines of your own home has its obvious advantages – no lengthy commutes, no time or money wasted on travel, no concern about suits and other fancy work outfits. The list goes on and on. Despite the obvious benefits, homeworking is not all fun and glory. In fact it can be decidedly un-fun!
Richard Branson started his entrepreneurial career running his first business from a friend’s basement. Branson spent many hours in a lonely, damp and dark basement working on a student magazine called Student.
“While not all budding entrepreneurs start out in such unglamorous conditions, most are familiar with the strains of working from home or in less than desirable circumstances….”
“…The number one complaint from many who work from home is loneliness, with many people unprepared for the isolated working environment.”
The good news is, that unlike when Richard Branson was starting out back in the 60s, there is now a glamorous, well-facilitated and ‘buzzing’ option for independent homeworkers to work in – co-working centres.
If you lack the banter, companionship and professional surroundings as you battle each day on your own working from home, you may want to consider communal working.
The rise of the co-working offices
Shared workspace is becoming an increasingly popular way for creatives and freelancers to work. Co-working centres provide office space and facilities for freelancers, start-ups and small businesses to work in a unique environment in which they can collaborate and grow.
Co-working centres provide members with all the benefits of a ‘proper’ office but without the hefty price-tag. They encourage collaboration between members of diverse backgrounds and industries, which can prove instrumental to business growth.
OK so we’ve sold co-working to you. Like the world’s most famous and successful entrepreneur himself, you’re determined to give up the dark and isolated confines of your home office – if you can call it an office – in favour for a desk at a glam co-working office.
But before you do so, you may want to read the following tips on co-working etiquette and ultimately ask yourself the question: Are you polite enough to co-work?!
Essential co-working etiquette
Collaborate and network by all means, but don’t hard sell to others
The very essence of co-working is to help independent workers and small business owners network and develop their business ventures. With this in mind, introducing yourself to a fellow co-worker at the coffee machine and talking about what you do is great and almost expected.
Disturbing fellow co-workers by over-zealously shaking everyone’s hand the minute you walk in the office, won’t do you any favours. In fact it might even cause other co-workers to make a mental note, not to visit the centre when you are there!
“Co-working is built on trust”, says Michael Clingan, author of ‘Close That Sale!’ “Using the co-working space to sell violated that trust.”
Refrain from constantly talking loudly on your phone
So running a small business and working for yourself does require some verbal communication via the telephone. Consequently, many co-working centres are equipped with phone lines so workers can have their own landline number.
Whilst the very nature of working under the same roof as other freelancers and creatives demands a lively, buzzing and atmospheric environment - the type many homeworkers both lack and crave – nobody wants to be drowned out or unable to think due to an exceptionally loud fellow co-worker who seems unable to prize their phone from the side of their face.
Respect the fact that people are members of co-working centres to work. If they wanted to work alongside the constant whir of exceptionally loud salespeople on the phone, they would have chosen to work in a call centre!
Be friendly
One of the best parts of giving up your six years of working in a 9 – 5 job in a corporation that got you nowhere is that you no longer have to smile at people you don’t like. However, having the freedom to not be forced to communicate with colleagues you couldn’t give the time of day, shouldn’t mean you have a ticket out sourly scour at everyone you meet.
Your year or two working from home in isolation may have turned you into a tad of a socialising sceptic, but now’s your chance to meet new, like-minded people and even potentially friends, providing of course, you’re friendly. What’s more, your friendliness can soon transpire into networking and ultimate business growth.
As Forbes writes:
“The best part about this is that being friendly is actually a covert networking manoeuvre. Co-working communities are excellent sources of information, knowledge, leads and skills, and as you get to know your neighbours, you’ll find ways to help each other out. ”
A rather dishy freelance web designer holds the door open for you as you walk into the office, you smile politely, say thank you spend the rest of the day trying to muse up the courage to ask him to go for a drink. OK so that’s one perk of co-working we’ll refrain from elaborating and jokes aside, every member of a co-working office should be well-mannered and respectful of other members.
As well as being well-mannered and polite throughout the whole of your co-working duration, you should also mind your meal manners.
“If there would be only one rule for all co-working spaces, it would be this: The kitchen is sacred – don’t mess it up,” advises The Muse.
Make good use of the free tea, coffee, water and even beer and wine in some centres, but don’t take the mickey, always tidy up after you and keep your mitts off other people’s goodies!
If you’re freelancing or starting your own business in Yorkshire and miss the banter and facilities of office life, you may want to think of joining Carrwood Park and our flexible, professional, state-of-the-art and friendly co-working in Leeds.
If you would like to know more about co-working check out our FAQs.
