A crisis… How you handle it makes a huge difference to your business and the longevity of it. An article stated that you instinctively react, remain reserved or are absent in the face of a crisis. Neither of these is solutions, but rather surrounding yourself with the right people, planning, communicating openly and acting decisively is the best method to respond in challenging times.
Ed Goodman of Co-Founder of Freelance Heroes feels that the 2020 pandemic is giving coworking space an unique opportunity to build back better. Ed is based in the UK, is a passionate advocate for the freelance industry both in his country and abroad and thus has co-founded this platform for peer support, skill sharing and networking.
It is an exciting time, Ed feels, as the recent global events have hit the reset button on our work and personal lives. Whether it is deciding to cut back on the demands of friends and family or the draining daily commute to work across town, we have a chance to make sustainable changes to our lives.
A change in the way we cowork
Ed sees massive potential for coworking spaces going forward… the opportunity for local governments to partner with these hubs to encourage small business and economic growth are one of those positives.
Likewise for freelancers, start-ups, entrepreneurs and now even employees, the act commuting long distances on a daily basis is no longer needed. Studies as recent as May this year have revealed that the involuntary shift to remote work only negatively impacted productivity by 1%. That is pretty impressive and would see a large influx of remote workers looking for that office away from home.
The time for coworking spaces to capitalize on new members is now!
Ed noted how critical it is for coworking spaces to put the time in to reach out to freelancers, start-ups, entrepreneurs and all potential members to find out what is at the core of their needs. People won’t be working and living like they used to, so we cannot assume that the old way of life as we knew it is going to suit the ‘new next.’ Measures also need to be taken to bust the myth that coworking is an elitist practice.
Coworking spaces need to tell a story of what it is that they can offer their community and how this ecosystem is thriving thanks to the inhabitants that exist within them. Building a 15-minute City – a working and living community, within your own neighbourhood positively impacts health and wellbeing through regular exercise, it stimulates local businesses and strengthens the power of the community through openness and collaboration.
Ed suggests that coworking spaces make use of this golden opportunity to embrace the future of work, but also to ask those detailed questions to their stakeholders in order to forge a new way forward.
Join the #EFWeek2020
A valuable opportunity is coming up in the form of #EFWeek 2020, taking place from October 16th to 25th, where freelancers, coworking spaces and organisations will be gathering to solve issues, share learnings and networking. Anyone can arrange an event under a united theme and branding which can be hosted digitally, reaching and uniting freelancers and communities around the world.
Find out more about joining the #EFWeek movement here.