Cubicles or Coworking? How Business Is Changing

Today, more freelancers, independent contractors and businesses of every size are drawn toward the modern style of shared-space offices found in incubators like SpringBoard. In 2016, the number of freelance workers, startups, and other forms of independent contractors hit 53 million, including 2.8 million independent business owners and entrepreneurs.

The new generation of workers in the digital age are changing the way businesses operate; but, they need a place to work. Starbucks isn’t always the most favorable choice, and cramped cubicles surrounded by strangers are rarely – if ever – anyone’s first choice. 

Less than a decade ago, the term “coworking” was completely unknown. Now, there are more than one million people across every industry occupying coworking spaces like SpringBoard around the world.

CUBICLES

Few words express the frustrations of corporate workplaces better than those describing working in a “cube farm,” “cubicle inferno” or “faceless cubicle.” The work week is elongated with the drag of days in one of these “prisons.” Most people can offer a sympathetic nod of understanding at these complaints – even those who haven’t worked in an office. 

The cubicle became a symbol of an oppressive workplace when mergers, buyouts and layoffs took over the headlines in the ’80s and ’90s. These were the years when the cubicle became less of a space for efficiency and autonomy and more for workplace insecurities. In summation, cubicles got a bad rep.

COWORKING

Businesses have overwhelmingly switched from the traditional hum-drum office space to a fairly new concept: coworking. The social aspect of coworking spaces is alluring for many reasons, just one of which being the ability to network. Making connections and establishing long-lasting relationships with potential business partners and collaborators is what coworking is really about.

In the conventional workspace of a cubicle, it’s tough to chat about your next great venture with a colleague. But, these more flexible work environments allow modern entrepreneurs to thrive and connect. It’s possible to meet new people with plenty of ideas or resources to share. In an office with independent activity, people get a sense of community from like-minded professionals while allowing for fewer distractions than working from home.

SpringBoard is a place in which the nightmares of cubicles are a thing of the past with affordable prices on plenty of desk space, a conference room, internet and a kitchenette among its amenities shared among tenants. If a job can be done from home, it can be done even more efficiently and professionally at SpringBoard. The facilities offered mean new businesses no longer have to choose between reasonable overhead or a professional setup.

Will you be SpringBoard's next member?

Author: Alexandria Mansfield, Hello Social Co.