We’ve explored a range of different workspace options since we formed Crowdcentric in 2010. Our goal has always been to find solution that suits our specific needs, with an emphasis on being able to work remotely on some occasions and have space when we need it. We also scale the team significantly during the build up to Social Media Week events in September and February so flexibility is key.
The first six months we tested a number of workspace options, from renting a small office for a short period and then going fully remote for the down period. Getting locked into a longer term lease in a single, one-size space doesn’t work for us and is not economically efficient. Also, working from home or from typical coworking spaces has failed to quite meet our needs as this lacks the professional environment we need for client meetings. Combined with this is the fact that I and the rest of my team get bored easily and consider our environment to be directly tied to the energy that we bring to our work.
This is why our current solution is working so well for us and why I feel compelled to give them a big old plug.
As we are effectively in our “off-season”, with our scaled-down team, we are currently working out of the WeWork Lounge in Soho, which is a fantstically well designed space, incredibly affordable, together with the design, comfort and style of a boutique hotel together with the high tech business tools of a big company. Here are some of the amenities they provide:
- unique interior design and finishes
- conference rooms with entire-wall whiteboards
- fresh fair trade organic coffee every morning
- aquaovo ovopur water filters
- shared refrigerator and microwave each floor
- new book/magazine library
- indoor bike storage (coming soon)
- tools for use at home available for checkout
- discounted zipcar membership
But the amenities are just one aspect of the experience that WeWork provides. Since joining their community earlier this year, where we were occupying an eight person office at their 34th St address, we have been given unparallelled service and been looked after as if we were their most important hotel guests. I can honestly say this makes all the difference to us, especially when our needs are so varied and when flexibility is of such importance to us.
If you, or your company is looking for space, either temporarily, or full-time, I cannot recommend WeWork enough and encourage you to check out their site for more information on their Soho, Midtown and Meatpacking (coming soon) locations.
Tags: "office space", collaboration, coworking, wework