The work lives of Indians have made considerable progress from small work areas and long working hours. Millennials are going to make up for the 50 per cent of the global workforce by the year 2020, states a recent survey by PwC.
GenX and millennials together have accelerated a positive change which has led to a disruption of conventional workspace.
For these people, office is not only a place to sit and snarl but rather a place where they could accomplish imagination and profitability. Here are some of the reasons why co-working is apt for GenX and millennials.
The cost cutting factor: Today’s workforce is high on the concept of shared economy. New age freelancers and startups prefer saving the high costs that go into committing to realty and maintenance.
Opting for co-working spaces saves 15 to 30 per cent of the costs that go into realty and technological backup. Modern co-working spaces are providing good quality infrastructure equipped with VC rooms and hyper connectivity solutions. Getting one’s office at a nominal cost in itself is a driving factor for any new-age entrepreneur.
Amenities that cater to their lifestyle needs: Several youthful professionals enjoy their early cup of espresso, breakfast, and chitchat; each being an element of great importance for them to get past whatever remains of the day.
Beyond the regular, co-working is catering to millennials need of a fitness oriented lifestyle. From in-house dieticians to weekly sessions is what is keeping the charm among this new generation.
Grounds loaded with amenities like gyms, spas, fun zones and limitless supply of great Arabic coffee for modern professional, adds top a list of reasons to spend more time at one’s workplace.
A focus on holistic wellness to keep the stress at bay: Co-working spaces have evolved from being mere work destinations to a space for holistic development of co-workers.
Initiatives such as bring your pet to work, group vacations and reading sessions add further colour to the life of the employees, providing them with an ideal avenue to create engaging peer communities.
Encouragement for female entrepreneurial spirit: Co-working spaces are helping women entrepreneurs to work freely while helping them maintain a worklife balance. Many of them are hosting mentorship and pitching sessions exclusively for women entrepreneurs to give a boost to their business ideas.
Many Indian co-working players have also come up with crèche facilities to help women work independently without having to worry about their children. Some are also providing woman entrepreneurs an option to choose a workspace close to home.
Prime locations: Apart from being the learning hub for GenX and millennials, co-working spaces give priority to prime locations. Thereby, it provides the big advantage of airport proximity that acts as a big attraction for many companies.
This enables an easy commutation for delegates and key professionals from all across the world. The event area of these spaces easily absorbs the increasing number of employees and also helps in organising mega events.
The writer is co-founder and chief evangelist, GoWork