Want to know what coworking is? Check out this post to learn about the concept behind this growing trend.

1. WHY COWORKING WORKS
COWORKING 101: THE BASICS

2. WHY COWORKING WORKS
COWORKING 101: THE BASICS
PART 1COWORKING 101:
THE BASICS

3. WHY COWORKING WORKS
COWORKING 101: THE BASICS
The evolution and development of technology
has led to changes in the way people work. In
more recent years, companies and workers
have discovered -- and have benefited from
-- the convenience of more accommodating
work arrangements, such as telecommuting.
Working from one’s own living room, kitchen, or
bedroom (or from a fjord, a mountaintop or on
the beach, for that matter) is now not just doable,
but sometimes encouraged. Big corporations
and small family shops alike that have embraced
the concept have found pay-offs in terms of both
greater productivity and profitability. This has
given more people the courage to pursue their
entrepreneurial dreams and establish startups.
Some, if not most of these small- and medium-
enterprises have set up office in their own homes
to benefit from the savings of lower overhead costs
while enjoying more freedom of time to pursue
equally important aspirations on the personal
front. The isolation, however, can be a bit of a
drawback to telecommuters. Thus, a newer form
of telecommuting is being embraced by workers
and small business owners: coworking. In this
three-part series, we shed more light on this trend
for you to understand more about what it is, and
see if it might be a suitable set-up for your own
business.

4. WHY COWORKING WORKS
COWORKING 101: THE BASICS
WHAT IS COWORKING?
The idea behind coworking and its meaning is
pretty basic: it is a working style that involves
the sharing of a working environment which
is often set in a space that offers the facilities
and amenities often found in a traditional office.
However, unlike in the latter, the collaborators in a
coworking space are usually not employed by the
same company or organization.
Coworking has become an attractive option for
work-at-home professionals and independent
contractors, or those who travel frequently for their
jobs. It offers a solution to the issue of isolation
that some of these individuals experience when
working solely from their own homes. Working in
an office-like environment also helps one escape
the distractions of home.
Furthermore, coworking can also be considered
as a social gathering of people who, while working
independently, still share similar interests and
values and lend new ideas and knowledge to
each other.

5. WHY COWORKING WORKS
COWORKING 101: THE BASICS
A BRIEF LOOK AT COWORKING’S HISTORY
Coworking is not a new concept, by any means.
The first official and recorded coworking setup
was organized by Brad Neuberg in 2005. He used
the term coworking to describe the site which he
originally called the 9 to 5 group. The coworking
space was called the Hat Factory, a live-work
loft where three technology workers lived, but
was open to others during the day. Neuberg is
also among the founders of Citizen Space, the
first work-only coworking space. Over the years,
more coworking spaces, projects, and groups
have sprung up, all with the objective of not
only providing a collaborative working area but
also to encourage professional networking and
interaction.
At this point, you should have a pretty
good idea of what coworking is. In the
next post, we will discuss the top
advantages of this working setup, so
stay tuned!

6. WHY COWORKING WORKS
COWORKING 101: THE BASICS
PART 2ADVANTAGES OF COWORKING:
WHY PEOPLE THRIVE IN A
COWORKING SETUP

7. WHY COWORKING WORKS
ADVANTAGES OF COWORKING: WHY PEOPLE THRIVE IN A COWORKING SETUP
Not so long ago, small businesses, consultants,
freelancers, and work-at-home professionals were
confined to their home offices or at some point,
fought for space at nearby coffee shops. Thankfully,
we are given the option to break the monotony and
escape from the isolation often felt when staying at
home for days on end.You can now mingle with other
people who, like you, also have work to do and thus,
understand and respect your need for company,
but without meddling with your affairs. This option is
known as coworking, and in this post, we take a look
at its advantages.
COWORKING FOR INDIVIDUALS
Different people have different working styles. Some
are more productive when left alone while others
work better when there are other individuals around
-- and most appreciate the balance of both. For those
who choose to cowork, here are some of the known
benefits.
• It can increase self-confidence. Because of
the flexibility that coworking spaces provide, the
majority of coworkers report an increase in self-
confidence. This may also be attributed to the
fact that they are surrounded by a supportive and
encouraging community, with whom they share
professional relationships and even friendships
with.

8. WHY COWORKING WORKS
ADVANTAGES OF COWORKING: WHY PEOPLE THRIVE IN A COWORKING SETUP
• It can help enhance one’s productivity and
eventually, income.The daily commute and drive
that an office worker experience can greatly affect
their productivity -- add to that office politics and
peer pressure.Those who work at home also enjoy
ridding themselves of these challenges; however,
they may also face a number of distractions
that may hinder productivity. With the option of
coworking, they can benefit from the occasional
change of surroundings. The flexibility can help
them become more productive, finish more tasks,
and gain more income.
• It can enhance once’s sense of belongingness.
Coworking allows you to work by yourself, not
alone.In a coworking space, you can perform your
tasks while enjoying the company of a community
that will respect your space and time, but is also
there when you might need help.
COWORKING FOR BUSINESSES
Business owners can also find coworking
advantageous, whether you let your employees
telecommute and cowork, or you also adopt the
practice yourself. Here are some of the benefits:
• It can help you find the right people. Looking
for a designer? Or maybe an accountant? You
may find these professionals and consultants
in a coworking space without having to call for
interviews. By spending time with them, you can
already get an idea of how they work and see their
skills and expertise.

9. WHY COWORKING WORKS
ADVANTAGES OF COWORKING: WHY PEOPLE THRIVE IN A COWORKING SETUP
• It can save you (a lot of) time. As an
entrepreneur, your time is precious and thus,
it must be organized and used as wisely as
possible. In a coworking community, you can
find the people and resources you need --
in an instant! You can also learn about new
practices, programs, applications, and trends
without having to take separate courses.
• It allows you to help build a community
that can also impact the local economy. By
patronizing coworking, you help strengthen a
community which, in time, will also create an
economy that can impact the local scene.
You might already want to consider
coworking at this point, but wait until
we get to the last part of this e-book.
We will discuss why coworking is said to
be here to stay and give you some tips
on how you can get started.

10. WHY COWORKING WORKS
COWORKING 101: THE BASICS
PART 3COWORKING SPACES ARE
HERE TO STAY: HOW DO YOU
KEEP UP?
Coworking can be considered as one of
the effects of the evolution of technology.
It combines new technology and people
who are able to work smarter and use
technology and space to their advantage.
Today, a worker can be mobile and on-the-
go, but he or she will also need a facility or
space that offers typical office amenities.
Coworking fills this need, which is the
reason why it is predicted to stay on trend
for a long time.

11. WHY COWORKING WORKS
COWORKING SPACES ARE HERE TO STAY: HOW DO YOU KEEP UP?
Another aspect that makes coworking a growing
solution is the rise of startups and small businesses.
Many business-minded individuals now pursue their
goals of establishing their own companies. However,
as most of them do not have huge capitals, they
cannot afford expensive, fully-equipped office space
rentals just yet. Coworking
spaces are more cost-
effective. Additionally, as
many of these startup
entrepreneurs come from
the younger age groups, it
is natural for them to enjoy
this contemporary setup
that promises flexibility
and time freedom.
Furthermore, there are now bigger companies that
also allow their employees to telecommute. These
employees can choose to work from their own
homes, but may also enjoy the ambiance at a shared
office space.
With all these scenarios, we can already see the
future of coworking: it’s here to stay and it’s bound to
get better as years go by and technology becomes
more advanced.
KEEPING UP WITH THE TIMES: GETTING
STARTED WITH COWORKING
Coworking is indeed beneficial and it’s high time you
consider it for yourself or your business. However,
remember that not all coworking spaces are created
equal. You must also find one that suits your needs,
from the equipment that you may require to the
general look or vibe of the working space itself.
Thankfully, finding a coworking space is not that
difficult.Most of the better coworking space providers
hold events that allow you to learn more about them.
Some also offer free trials, letting you get accustomed
with the place and the people that you are likely to
share the working space with.

12. WHY COWORKING WORKS
COWORKING 101: THE BASICS
METRO OFFICES
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Suite 2000
Reston, VA 20190
877-697-7005www.metroffice.com