Work from Home to Work Near Home – Mapping the Remote Working Trends in 2020

Work from Home to Work Near Home – Mapping the Remote Working Trends in 2020

by | posted in: Work From Home | 0

The year 2020 has redefined the concept of work culture in an unprecedented way. Remote working took center stage like never before, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. People went from working out of office cubicles and cabins to working from their residences and home offices.

For a while, remote working was synonymous with working from home (WFH). But it wasn’t long before this setting started to reveal certain dis-advantages. As a result, a second trend started emerging, namely working near home (WNH).

In this post, we are mapping these interesting remote working trends of 2020. We’ll take a closer look at what is work near home and the reasons why this trend is gaining traction during the pandemic.

Understanding the shift from work from home to work near home

The WFH model was initially considered as the best option for working during COVID19. It certainly had a host of benefits too. That said, it didn’t prove to be the best solution in terms of productivity and mental health.

According to a global study carried out by Qualtrics, SAP, and Mind Share Partners, 44.4% of the respondents doing office work from home revealed that their mental health has declined. Challenges of working from home featured among the top five reasons for this decline.

Some of the main challenges of working from home includes:

  • various distractions
  • inability to start and stop work on time
  • social isolation
  • lack of ergonomic furniture
  • a blurred line between personal and professional life

DLF Corporate Green Coworking Spaces

That was when companies and individuals started considering work near home as a viable alternative.

Work near home means you can work from offices located within short distance i.e,. 5 km of your residence. A company may not open offices in multiple locations, but allow an employee to work out of coworking offices near home i.e., Neighborhood Coworking. They can avoid the trouble of commuting and the disadvantages of working from home.

Difference between Work near home vs. work from home

Let’s take a look at why work near home became a preferred option for remote working in 2020 and beyond. Professionals and organizations found neighborhood offices useful because they could:

  • Stay away from distractions

One of the reasons why people opt to work in coworking offices during the pandemic is the distractions they face at home. Be it the kids, TV, household chores, or other personal commitments, distractions affect the quality of your office work as well as your productivity to a considerable extent.

Compared to this, neighborhood coworking offices offered a distraction-free environment that was ideal for working during COVID-19.

  • Be part of a business community

As per the mentioned survey, 65.9% of participants faced higher levels of stress due to the pandemic. Loneliness resulting from social isolation and being stuck at home were among the top contributing factors.

The shift from WFH to working near home helped people deal with this issue in a remarkable way. Working out of a shared office made them feel part of a coworking community. Also, interacting with co-workers helped them to overcome the impacts of social isolation that they faced while working from home.

  • Access office infrastructure

People need more than a laptop and a stable Wi-Fi connection while working remotely. Many employees who were forced to do office work from home due to the pandemic didn’t have access to proper infrastructure. Investing in home office furniture and accessories wasn’t a viable economic solution.

Coworking spaces provide access to all necessary infrastructure needed for working comfortably and at an affordable cost. These include ergonomic workstations, work desks, office equipment like photocopying and scanning machines, office stationery, and so much more.

  • Grow, learn, and collaborate even during the pandemic

Despite its benefits and safety, the work-from-home model created a barrier for people from broadening their business horizons, especially for start-ups and small business owners. As they were working alone at home, there was no way to seek help regarding professional hurdles or gain a new perspective.

At Neighborhood Coworking spaces things are quite different as people get to meet experts and professionals from various backgrounds. They can exchange views, share their problems, and overcome their struggles. In short, people get an opportunity to learn, grow, and collaborate.

  • Draw a balance between work and personal life

People tend to believe that by working from home they will be better able to manage their work and personal life. However, this notion has been proved wrong during COVID-19. Many people were unable to bring closure to their workday on time, which threw their personal and professional life off balance.

By working out of a coworking space, people can easily handle this issue. They can maintain their flexible work hours and switch off before heading home. This helps maintain a balance between work and personal life.

To sum up…

The work from home to work near home shift has helped people discover a viable solution of remaining productive while working remotely. As coworking offices follow stringent safety and sanitization measures, you can be sure of your safety too.

Are you looking for work near home options in Gurgaon, Noida, or other parts of the capital city including South Delhi? Check out TheOfficePass (TOP), a leading and reliable provider of coworking offices.

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Managed Offices to gain importance in Covid Times

Managed Offices to Gain Importance in COVID Times

by | posted in: Managed Office | 0

Businesses all over the world are facing unprecedented operational challenges due to the pandemic. While maintaining a traditional office is not a safe option, working from home isn’t a permanent solution either. As a result, organizations are increasingly looking for an amalgamation of standalone offices and coworking spaces. In response to this need, managed offices are emerging as a viable solution.

In this blog, we’ll look at how managed offices stand to gain importance in the times of the pandemic and beyond.

What is a managed office?

Managed offices are custom-built office spaces designed for companies and operated by service providers. In other words, these are empty spaces that you can customize as per your requirements and in line with your brand identity. These include office infrastructure, like the number of workstations, meeting rooms, reception rooms, wall colors, floor finishes, etc.

For instance, you can use a color scheme that reflects your brand, have your logo on the door, opt for open workstations or closed cabins as per your work culture, design the interiors in classy or quirky styles, and the like. You don’t have to spend your time or resources on customizing the space – give your inputs, and the service provider will get it done for you.

You will also have to bear a certain percentage of the furnishing cost, which might vary from one service provider to another. In most cases, a managed office space requires you to commit to a fixed term. Also, you have to pay for the complete package of facilities and services, unlike the pay-per-desk system followed in coworking spaces.

Also Read: Coworking is the future of work

Managed Office Space in Noida

What are the key features of a managed office?

The main features of a managed office that make it different from coworking and shared office spaces include the following:

  • Customization: Managed offices are empty spaces that you can get customized into fully-functional and exclusive offices.
  • Fixed lease terms: You will have to sign a long-term contract with a lock-in period (typically 36 months).
  • Scalability: Managed offices provide the option for scalability as per the demand of the occupant.
  • Notice period: When you terminate the services, you will have to serve a notice period (3 to 6 months).
  • Security deposit: You must pay a security deposit (invoice value of about 3 to 6 months).
  • Fixed invoicing system: Unlike the pay-per-desk system prevalent in coworking spaces, you will have to pay a fixed amount plus operating costs.

Why managed offices gain importance during the times of COVID-19

In the context of COVID-19, managed offices offer several advantages for organizations to carry on their business in a safe environment. By choosing to operate out of managed offices, you can:

  • Follow safety and sanitization measures

Companies working out of offices are required to follow a set of sanitization protocols to ensure the safety of their employees. As managed offices are operated and maintained by the service provider, they will take care of all necessary sanitization and safety processes.

  • Avoid crowds by keeping it local

When you opt for a managed office space, you get to choose the location where you would like to set up your office. In this COVID-era, it is important to have your office at an easily accessible location to reduce the time spent on commuting.

  • Maintain physical distance

As per Government regulations, it is mandatory to maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet from the person working next to you. In a managed office space, you can have a seating arrangement that conforms to this requirement of physical distancing.

  • Reduce operational costs

Running a traditional office is a costly affair, even more so in the times of the pandemic. Companies are forced to spend huge amounts on automation processes, sanitization, and safety devices. By opting for a managed office, you can reduce such costs.

  • Carry out undisrupted operations

By opting for multiple managed offices rather than a centralized office, you can ensure undisrupted business processes. In the unfortunate incident that an employee at one office tests positive and her/his colleagues go into quarantine, other offices can continue functioning.

Also Read: Traditional Workspace vs Coworking Space

  • Keep it private and professional

Though working from home is a great solution to stay safe during the pandemic, it might not always be the most productive option. This is where managed offices come to your aid – they are private as well as professional. Such custom-made offices give you a peaceful setting to work without disturbances.

  • Decentralize your operations

With the advent of COVID-19, many medium and large organizations have started decentralizing their operations by operating out of multiple locations. If you are planning to set up multiple units/offices in two or more locations, managed offices are the way to go. You can keep your brand identity across locations while keeping the workforce decentralized.

The bottom line:

The pandemic has forced us to reimagine what office spaces should be like. As organizations are considering to resume their office operations, smart solutions like managed offices score higher than conventional centralized offices. Private, professional, functional, safe, clean, and cost-effective, they tick all the right boxes.

Do you want a managed office in Gurgaon or Noida? Check out The Office Pass (TOP), a fully managed office provider. Tell us your specifications and we will the office customized for you.

BOOK A COWORKING TOUR

Walk to work is the safest and the most sensible option post covid-19

Why Walk-To-Work Is the Safest and the Most Sensible Option in the Post-COVID World

by | posted in: Coworking | 0

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a major shift in the working patterns of individuals as well as organizations. With the world trying to adjust to the demands of physical distancing, commuting to and from offices has become a big challenge. Even more so for people who avail public transport and cabs every day to travel to their workplaces.

Working from home is the safest solution to avoid crowds and commuting, but it has its own disadvantages. A working arrangement that combines the convenience of location and the amenities of a fully-equipped office seems like the ideal solution here. This is where walk-to-work emerges as a smart and feasible alternative.

What is walk-to-work? What makes it the safest as well as the most sensible option in the post-COVID world?

So, what is walk-to-work?

Walk-to-work, also called neighborhood coworking, is a new trend gaining momentum in many Indian cities. In this model, you don’t have to commute to your centralized office but can work from shared office spaces set up in locations near your residence (typically within a radius of 5 km or less). Organizations, irrespective of their size, can opt to work from neighborhood coworking spaces. Listed below are a few ways in which Walk-to-work helps you reclaim your professional life without jeopardizing safety standards.

Ways in which walk to work can help you to reclaim your professional life post Covid-19

WAYS IN WHICH WALK TO WORK CAN HELP YOU TO RECLAIM YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE POST COVID-19

  • You reduce the risks of commuting to work

There’s no denying that office goers have always disliked commuting long distances during rush hours. Add to that the current risk of COVID-19, the situation becomes grimmer by many notches. Commuting in crowded buses and travelling with strangers in metro trains or shared cabs are not just inconvenient but risky too.

Also Read: Work From Home Vs Shared Office Space or Coworking Space

Walk-to-work provides an easy and effective option to keep the risk of infection at bay even as you begin to work in COVID-19 times. You can choose to work out of a coworking space located within walkable distance of your residence.

  • You can work out of a productive environment

The pandemic has made everyone realize the advantages of remote working. While work from home can be a solution for remote working, it may not necessarily be the best option for everyone. You may not be able to give your cent percent while remote working from home, thanks to various distractions such as the TV, kids, household work, inadequate ergonomics, lack of balance between personal and professional life, etc.

This is where work from coworking offices once again scores high. Neighborhood coworking spaces can provide you with a professional environment where you can be your productive best. In other words, the walk-to-work initiative will help you separate your work from your personal life, thereby creating a healthy work-life balance.

  • You gain a sense of community

While there are many advantages to remote working, one downside is that you may miss out on socializing with your colleagues, especially when you work from home. At times, this can lead you to feel isolated, lonely, and disconnected, which, in turn, can adversely affect your mental health.

When you opt for neighborhood coworking and begin working from a shared office space, you won’t feel isolated anymore. You will not only work from a coworking office but also interact with your co-workers and become part of the co-working community. All these will help you to gain a sense of community while you work in COVID-19.

  • You get to explore networking opportunities

Since the advent of the pandemic, business networking and collaborations have taken a dip. It is reported to have severe ramifications for freelancers, solopreneurs, and start-ups that rely heavily on networking for business opportunities. Neighborhood coworking remedies this issue to a considerable extent.

Also Read: What changes coworking spaces have made during Covid-19 Crisis

A coworking space often serves as a hub for professionals belonging to various fields. By being in close contact with such people and interacting with them regularly, you will be able to grow your professional network. It can pave the way to collaborate with like-minded individuals, learn, and grow in your professional field at an accelerated speed.

To sum it up

When all things considered, walk-to-work or neighborhood coworking is one of the safest and most sensible ways to get back to the office-going mode in post-COVID times. By embracing this model, you can accept the new normal and abide by its demands yet enjoy a professional and productive life.

Are you interested in joining a neighborhood in Gurgaon or a coworking space in Noida located near your residence? Check out TheOfficePass (TOP), a platform that provides all the facilities and a flexible work environment to help you get back to work without compromising on your safety.

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top cyber city dlf phase 3 gurgaon

Top 7 Advantages of Coworking Offices for Mid-Size Companies

by | posted in: Coworking | 0

Think of coworking office spaces, the first thing that often comes to mind is freelancers, start-ups, and small-size enterprises, doesn’t it? Well, they are not the only ones to explore the possibilities and benefits of the collaborative work environment. Coworking has been a preferred choice for quite some time among corporates as well, including mid-size companies.

So, what are mid-size companies? How can they adopt the coworking model?  Simply put, a mid-size organization from a coworking standpoint is one whose employee strength is anywhere from 20 to 200. By embracing the coworking model, they can operate out of one or more locations, depending on the number of employees. Let’s take a look at some of the top advantages of coworking offices for mid-size companies. Here are the top 7 pros of coworking offices for mid-size companies.

Top 7 advantages of coworking offices for mid-size companies

  1. Infrastructure and Amenities
  2. Brand Visibility
  3. Networking and Collaboration
  4. Cost-Effectiveness
  5. Flexible Leasing Terms and Prime Locations
  6. Convenience of Scalability
  7. Talent Acquisition & Retention

Mohan Estate Coworking Space

1. Infrastructure and Amenities

The requirements of mid-size companies are not limited to just office space and reliable Wi-Fi. As a growing organization, they need a host of facilities, starting from infrastructure to managed services.

Coworking office spaces provide them with a range of facilities that ensure smooth operations and a professional working environment. Such facilities often include meeting rooms, conference rooms, dedicated workstations, private cabins, lockers, event areas, office equipment, ergonomic furniture, front desk services, and kitchen facilities, among others.

The best part is that companies can select infrastructure facilities based on their requirements, choose a package, and start using them from the moment they finalize their membership.

2. Brand Visibility

Brand visibility is important for all organizations, both big and small. While it is easier for large corporates to build and establish their brand through marketing and branding strategies, mid-size companies might find it a challenging and expensive affair.

One of the key advantages of coworking offices is that it allows mid-size companies to create strong and sustained brand visibility. The facilities and services offered by shared offices, such as front office services, name boards, meeting rooms, etc.

That’s not all!

Coworking office providers like The Office Pass (TOP) are also offering Managed Offices where companies can opt for a customized formal office space. That is, you get the office customized as per your requirements such that everything, from wall colors to furnishings, reflects your brand.

3. Networking and Collaboration

Networking is an essential aspect of any business, especially mid-size companies, as it accelerates growth. A notable advantage of coworking offices is that they facilitate partnerships among like-minded individuals and even organizations.

When employees of a mid-size company work out of coworking office spaces, they get an opportunity to interact with other co-workers there. These may include talented individuals, entrepreneurs, and employees of other companies. Such interactions could pave the way for new business collaborations that can be beneficial for both sides.

4. Cost-Effectiveness

Not every mid-sized company has the budget for a fully-equipped spacious office space. But every company needs a proper functional space to carry out its business operations. Coworking spaces offer the benefit of using well-equipped office space at far less overhead cost than what is required for leasing traditional offices.

Moreover, mid-size companies often incur heavy expenses for setting up and maintaining physical assets, technology, and equipment. For organizations with fewer resources, capital expenditures (CapEx) can be quite encumbering. Coworking office spaces effectively remedy this situation and what’s more, you can divert and spend the capital expenditure on your core business.

5. Flexible Leasing Terms and Prime Locations

Setting up a traditional office entails loads of legal work and documentation. This is another aspect where coworking spaces score high. With minimal paperwork and simple leasing terms, shared offices offer mid-size companies a hassle-free kickstart. The flexible leasing terms also ensure that you don’t have to deposit a large sum as security fees.

In addition to the freedom from committing to a long-term lease, coworking spaces offer the advantage of location as well. You can set up your office in the prime business areas of the city at highly reduced costs as compared to taking up a traditional office on lease.

6. Convenience of Scalability

Companies often need to scale up or scale down depending on changing business scenarios. When a mid-sized company is housed in a traditional office space, the scope for scalability is limited due to space constraints.

Often companies are left with no other option but to rent a larger space when they need to scale up. If they have to scale down, they either have to continue paying the rent for the whole space or face the hassle of renting a smaller office.

This is where shared office spaces score high. They allow companies the freedom and convenience to scale up or scale down at any time.

7. Talent Acquisition & Retention

Even before the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was tough for mid-sized companies to acquire and retain talent. In the post-COVID world, it is highly doubtful whether talents can be easily convinced to even attend offices that are far from their homes.

By opting for coworking spaces, mid-size companies stand a better chance to attract and retain talents. They can offer potential candidates the flexibility to work remotely from a space that may not be far from their residence. This strategy can also help retain talent and reduce turnover.

The bottom line

With the advent of the new normal, coworking offices are becoming the sought-after option for individuals and companies alike. Away from the 9-to-5 work routine and centralized corporate offices, coworking during COVID19 times has proved to be a safe, convenient, cost-effective, and above all, productive option for mid-size organizations.

Are you a mid-sized organization looking for a coworking space in Gurgaon or a shared office space in Noida? Check out TheOfficePass (TOP), a shared office space provider that helps individuals and small and mid-size companies meet their needs for a flexible workspace.

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