5 Benefits of Coworking Spaces For Mental Health

Importance Of Coworking Offices In Helping Improve Mental Wellness

by | posted in: Coworking | 0

Mental wellness is important. Your mental state of being and productivity levels have a cyclic relationship. When you’re unhappy and stressed out, your productivity suffers. In turn, this makes you feel worse and the cycle continues. On the other hand, if you’re happy, productivity soars which increase job satisfaction and bring about more positivity. In fact, a study found that happiness improves productivity by 12%. 

Hence, it is important to find a job and an office space that you feel comfortable and happy in. Working from home was once thought of as the ideal way to maintain a work life balance. Then came the pandemic that made employers aware of the benefits of remote working and showed employees that working from home isn’t as simple as it seems. 

If you’re looking for an alternative that offers the benefits of working from home without the social isolation and the environment of an office without the long commutes, it’s time to explore the world of coworking. Let’s take a look at how coworking spaces can improve mental wellness.

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How Co-Working Space Can Improve Your Mental Health

  1. Puts You In A Professional State Of Work
  2. Reduces Commute Time To Increase Family Time
  3. Expands Your Social Circle
  4. Makes It Easier To Get Help When Needed
  5. Gives You Access To Fun After-Work Events

1. Puts You In A Professional State Of Work

There are countless distractions when you’re working from home – someone’s watching television, there are doorbells to be answered, the maid wants instructions… It’s difficult to stay focused on work. Similarly, if you’re working from a café, you can get distracted by people talking loudly at the next table. On the other hand, a coworking space is used only by other professionals.

Coworking Spaces

Source: Coworking Insights

Irrespective of whether they are freelancers, entrepreneurs or senior managers of large corporations, they have work on their minds and aren’t likely to disturb you. Seeing them work will push you to work harder too. As a result, you procrastinate less and get more work done in the day. This boosts morale and reduces stress. 

2. Reduces Commute Time To Increase Family Time

One of the factors commonly cited when you talk of coworking importance is the relative closeness of these spaces to residential areas. Rather than drive for an hour just to reach the office, you can pick a coworking space like The Office Pass (TOP) that is close to your home and shorten your commute. A survey conducted after the pandemic found that 65% of workers who preferred to remain as remote workers did so to save on their commute.

Importance of Coworking

Source: We Forum

The time spent on the road cannot be counted towards personal or work hours. However, by minimizing the commute, you can use that time to either get more work done or spend it with your family. It helps maintain a personal time-work balance. In turn, this cuts down on anxiety and improves your mental well-being.

3. Expands Your Social Circle

One of the biggest challenges of working remotely is loneliness. 19% of survey respondents cited this as their biggest challenge. While it may seem that you can focus better when there aren’t people around, in reality, working without company can be demotivating and it’s easier to give in to distractions. 

Expands Your Social Circle

Source: Innovecs

Moving to a coworking space helps expand your social and professional network. Making friends is easier as is finding partners and collaborators. 

A quick conversation while you’re waiting for your lunch to heat up can help you meet people with similar interests. These people can further help you expand your network even more by making introductions to mentors, investors, etc. Man is a social animal and having good friends has been proven to improve your mental health.

4. Makes It Easier To Get Help When Needed

Working alone is especially challenging when you’re faced with a problem. You need people to brainstorm solutions with. When you work with other people, your work flows smoothly and work gets done faster. Collaboration is instrumental to success. This becomes important when talking about how coworking helps mental health. While 51% of survey respondents said working in a coworking space made them feel part of a community, 55% said it presented more networking opportunities.

Top 5 benefits of coworking spaces

Source: Clutch

When you face a problem, getting help from people around in a coworking space is easy. There is no office politics to navigate past and no one has any vested interests. All you need to do is ask for the help you need. 

5. Gives You Access To Fun After-Work Events

There’s no denying it, ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’. If Jack can’t work throughout the day, neither can you. You need a break and an outlet for pent-up energies. The challenge most people face is finding the right activity. And then getting access to the event. This is one of the attractions of a coworking space.

Most coworking spaces organize events for their members to socialize and network. This may take the form of professional events like a pitch session or a brainstorming afternoon or social events like game night or potluck breakfasts. The core idea is to meet and mingle. Even if there isn’t an event planned for the day, you can relax with other members in the shared spaces. 

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Finding The Right Coworking Space

To maximize the benefits of working from a coworking space, you must choose the right one. Metro cities like Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon have many affordable coworking spaces to pick from. But, the price cannot be your only criterion. 

The coworking unit must have a professional atmosphere. It must be well laid out and furnished with ergonomic chairs and desks. You must get access to shared spaces, office infrastructure like printers, video conferencing equipment, etc. as well as spaces like a kitchen and a breakout room.

All of this and more is available at the coworking spaces provided by The Office Pass (TOP). To know more, reach out to us at 08999 828282.

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5 Top Ways to Connect With Entrepreneurs in a Coworking Spaces

Top 5 Ways to Connect With Other Entrepreneurs in a Coworking Space

by | posted in: Entrepreneur | 0

Coworking spaces are popular with entrepreneurs, freelancers, remote workers, investors, etc. They attract a wide demographic. When survey respondents were asked where they would like to work other than their office, 42.6% responded that they would prefer a coworking space.

Entrepreneurs in a Coworking Spaces

Source: Ergonomic Trends

One of the main reasons for the popularity of coworking spaces is the opportunity to network with other professionals. Walls between companies are broken down and chance encounters while waiting for the microwave to hear your lunch can lead to collaborations, new marketing campaigns, or even a new project. 

That said, not everyone can network with ease. It’s okay to feel shy. But, the onus lies on you to find the best ways to connect with business owners in a Coworking space you want to work with. Here are a few ideas that should help. 

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5 Top Ways to Connect With Entrepreneurs in a Coworking Space

  1. Be An Active Community Member
  2. Smile, Make Eye Contact
  3. Change Your Desk
  4. Collaborate, Help Out
  5. Ask For Introductions

1. Be An Active Community Member

The number of professionals using coworking spaces is growing steadily. By 2024, it has been estimated that 5 million people will be using these spaces as their offices.

Number of people using coworking space worldwide

Source: What To Become

Every person who joins the space is a potential connection. To help you forge these connections, coworking spaces providers often hold events after work. It could be a game night, a potluck lunch, an idea pitch session, hackathon and so on. These are great opportunities to connect with other professionals and entrepreneurs in the coworking space. Hence, make sure you attend them. Even if you’re nor presenting an idea, listen to what the other people have to say and participate in discussions.

2. Smile, Make Eye Contact

Learning how to connect with entrepreneurs is all about making the right first impression. What you say isn’t as important as how you say it or what your body language and general appearance says.

How to connect with entrepreneurs

Source: Express Adobe

To start with, always make sure you go to the office looking your best. Dress smartly in clean, ironed clothes and groom yourself well. When you pass someone in the corridor or ride up the elevator with a fellow member, smile, make eye contact and say hello. They will remember you and recognize you the next time your paths cross. It’s the first step to building a relationship. 

3. Change Your Desk

Where you sit influences your networking opportunities. Coworking members can choose a fixed seat in the space or pick a seat at random depending on what they’re doing. Fixed seats are almost as popular as flexible seating.

Change your desk

Source: SlideShare

That said, being open to sitting at a different desk can be great for networking. On days when you don’t have a heavy to-do list, pick a seat at the shared desks in the center of the room. You never know who you may be sitting next to. If you’re lucky, it could be a mentor with valuable business tips or a potential collaborator.

4. Collaborate, Help Out

A chance to meet collaborators is often listed as one of the top coworking benefits. You don’t have to necessarily limit yourself to collaborating only with other people working in your company. The doors for collaborative partnerships are thrown wide open. This is a good way to network and can increase company sales and customer satisfaction ratings significantly.

Effects of collaboration on company success

Source: Zippia

Collaboration is a two-way street. So, if someone asks you for help, don’t hesitate to help out. Participate in brainstorming sessions, listen to what other members say about their challenges and ideate with them. Even if you don’t come up with a solution or have useful success tips, you would have spoken to someone new and made yourself known to them.

5. Ask For Introductions

Lastly, don’t hesitate to ask for introductions. As a startup founder, know that the success of your entrepreneurial organization is partly dependent on your network. If you’re looking for a new graphic designer to work on your email template, ask people for recommendations.

If the person sitting next to you knows a person you want to speak to, ask for an introduction.  Coworking members are usually helpful and will not hesitate to do so. Of course, don’t go overboard and piggyback on other people’s network. Whenever possible, return the favor. 

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Finding A Coworking Space You Can Grow Your Network In

The type of network a coworking space helps you build is dependent on the type of members it attracts. Hence, before you sign a coworking lease, take a look at the space and the type of people working there. Some coworking spaces attract a niche group of professionals from one sector while others have a more diverse demographic. The latter is usually preferable.

If you are looking for a Coworking space in Delhi, Noida or Gurgaon, The Office Pass (TOP) has the largest network of 13 Coworking offices. These shared office spaces are set in prime locations, easily accessible and popular with freelancers, entrepreneurs and remote workers from SMEs as well as MNCs. The offices have an open floor plan and plenty of shared spaces that encourage networking. To know more, reach out to us at 08999 828282.

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6 Top Workplace Requirements of Startups and Corporates | The Office Pass

How Does A Good Startup Culture Benefit Employees?

by | posted in: Indian Startup | 0

Why do people want to work in startups? Startups can’t usually afford to offer high salaries. It is the startup culture that attracts people. Hierarchies are not set in stone, energy levels are high and focused on innovation, everyone’s encouraged to take charge and be proactive… Every startup employee is part of a close-knit community. For a startup this culture is as important as its business model. 

The culture of a startup benefits not only the organisation but also its employees. Interestingly, a survey found that 95% of candidates valued culture higher than compensation.

Startup Workplace

Source: Process

Positive energy in the startup workplace goes a long way in making employees feel personally invested in the company. The excitement and energy are reflected in work quality and personal growth. Let’s look at the benefits of a good company culture from an employee’s point of view.

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5 Amazing benefits of Good Startup Culture for Employees

  1. Opportunities For Growth And Self-Improvement
  2. Higher Productivity Increases Job Satisfaction
  3. A Chance To Think Creatively
  4. Build Stronger Relationships
  5. Better Mental Health

1. Opportunities For Growth And Self-Improvement

Fluid roles are the key elements of startup culture. Every job has different responsibilities but the limits are not set in stone. Being able to play different roles is important and employees are expected to be able to fill in for others when required. No two days are alike. This allows employees to work on expanding their capabilities, overcoming challenges and acquiring new skills with practical knowledge. 

Work Benefits

Source: Get Light House

According to a survey, 22% of the respondents valued the training they received from employers as the most important. A good startup culture meets this need and ensures that not just the company, but every employee grows and finds success. 

2. Higher Productivity Increases Job Satisfaction

While there are many startup culture pros and cons, one fact that cannot be ignored is that startups are warmer, happier places to work. And happy workers are 13% more productive. Employees can also see how their work directly impacts the company’s success. 

Since budgets available to startups are limited, many prefer coworking spaces rather than independent offices. This too contributes towards increasing productivity by reducing commute time. 

In turn, higher productivity increases job satisfaction. This is important for many reasons. It builds a positive sense of identity, increases overall happiness, lowers stress and so on. 

3. A Chance To Think Creatively

The ability to think creatively and innovate is highly valued in startups. When you look at startup culture examples, you’ll notice that they all encourage experimentation and risk-taking. Employees don’t have to follow strict protocols and if you want to test a new idea, a startup is an ideal place for it. 

The startup environment fosters innovation and gives all employees a chance to be more creative. They can look at a challenge from new perspectives. This makes them better problem solvers and impacts their professional as well as personal life. Interestingly, creativity is seen as the most important leadership quality outweighing qualities like influence, fairness, etc. 

Chance to think creatively

Source: Clutch

4. Build Stronger Relationships

One of the reasons why startup culture is good is because of the smaller team size. Unnecessary office politics are minimized and everyone works towards the same goals. Bosses are approachable and rather than maintaining hierarchies, everyone is treated equally. For the employer, it translates to fewer employees quitting because of their coworkers. A survey found that an unpleasant office environment/coworker is one of the main reasons over 60% of employees quit.

Unpleasant Office Environment.

Source: Zippia

Startup employees are encouraged to work together and collaborate. It’s also a more relaxed atmosphere and get-togethers after work are quite common. This helps the team bond closer and forge stronger relationships. 

5. Better Mental Health

The importance being given to mental health and stress has been gradually increasing over the years. The link between stress and the workplace is becoming clearer. 

Better Mental Health

Source: We Forum

In the office, poor mental health means more sick days and lower productivity. Hence, it’s an issue employers and employees need to be aware of. This is where startup culture becomes important. 

More job satisfaction, opportunities for growth, the chance to think creatively, and good interpersonal relationships – all the 4 above benefits of a good startup culture contribute to lowering stress levels and increasing overall happiness. Startup employees usually enjoy a better work-life balance and mental health. 

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Building The Right Startup Culture

Culture may not seem important when it’s just a founder and 2-3 people but teams grow quickly. Before you know it, the company could take on a culture very different from what you had imagined. Startup culture should be seen as the company’s foundation. 

Start by defining values and put thoughts into practice from day one. If equality is important, make sure you prioritize it when hiring new team members. Company values should be understood and agreed upon by everyone.  

Similarly, if you want to build a company where employees feel valued, think about their needs and try finding ways to simplify their work experience. For example, give them the option of working from a coworking space near their home rather than commuting across the city or working from home. 

The Office Pass (TOP) is the largest Coworking company in Delhi NCR with 13 Coworking offices catering to over 200 Indian startups & small and medium organisations. All the office infrastructure your team requires to focus on work is already in place. They can walk in, plug in and get to work. To know more, reach out to us at 08999 828282.

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10 Important Tips on How to Find a Co-founder for Your Startup in India

10 Tips on How to Find a Co-founder for Your Startup in India

by | posted in: Indian Startup | 0

Many factors make a startup successful – having the right co-founder is one of them. Though you can start and run the show solo, it helps to have a business partner to share responsibilities and double the odds. Many brands that made it big had multiple founders, from P&G, HP, and Google to Flipkart and Zomato.

But the question is, how to find a co-founder for your startup in India? Are there any online and offline platforms where you can meet potential business partners? What are the top characteristics to look out for in a startup co-founder in India?

 

In this blog, the experts at The Office Pass (TOP) talk about how to find the right co-founder for your business.

10 Important Tips on How to Find a perfect Co-founder for Your Startup in India

  1. Prepare a checklist
  2. Search for a partner who shares your values
  3. Look for someone with complementary traits
  4. Search within your social circle
  5. Attend startup events
  6. Join a business networking group
  7. Tap into the power of founder dating apps
  8. Move to a city with a good business ecosystem
  9. Seek help from mentors
  10. Join a coworking space

1. Prepare a checklist

The first step is to prepare a checklist detailing what you expect from a potential co-founder and your non-negotiables. The list should cover areas like personal traits, skills, professional qualifications, working style, and other relevant aspects. Here are some of the questions to include in your checklist to finding a co-founder in India:

  1. How well do you work together?
  2. Do you share the same vision?
  3. Do you trust each other?
  4. Are you banking a lot of your partner’s experience?
  5. Do you disagree with respect?
  6. How do they cope with stress?
  7. Do they have relevant expertise?
  8. How do they handle risks?
  9. Are you equally passionate about the product/service?
  10. Are you like-minded in business decisions?

The checklist you prepare will serve as a guide to see whether you and your potential co-founder are a good match and identify red flags early on.

2. Search for a partner who shares your values

Like-mindedness in values is one of the top characteristics to look out for in a startup co-founder. Imagine starting a green tech company with someone who thinks global warming is a hoax. Or, co-founding an NGO with a partner who puts profit over people? Remember, starting a business involves creating a work culture, so it is in your best interests to have a co-founder who shares your values, principles, and vision.

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The Office Pass Gurgaon
The Office Pass (TOP) Managed Office on Golf Course Road, Gurgaon

3. Look for someone with complementary traits

While it is important to have a co-founder who shares your values and vision, it is also crucial to look for someone with complementary skills and personal traits. For instance, if you and your partner both lack communication skills, it becomes difficult to make a pitch to investors, speak to your clients, conduct training sessions for your teams, etc. Co-founders with strengths and traits that support each other make a good match.

4. Search within your social circle

Wondering how to find the right co-founder if you are a first-time entrepreneur? Well, start by searching within your existing social circles. A batchmate at your college, a colleague at your previous company, a cousin, a social media acquaintance, or a friend with similar professional interests could be a potential candidate. Choosing a co-founder from your social circle will also help minimize the risks of partnering up with a stranger.

5. Attend startup events

Startup forums and events are among the best platforms to find a potential partner for your startup. If you are living in a metro city like Delhi, Bangalore, or Mumbai, you will have no difficulty in finding events conducted by startup incubators. People living in areas with less active business communities will benefit from online forums on LinkedIn, Facebook, and other social media platforms.

Also Read: The most common problems Entrepreneurs face while starting a startup in India

6. Join a business networking group

Want to up your game? Join a reputed business networking group to increase your chances and visibility. Unlike online forums, such groups often require you to pay a fee and meet certain membership requirements. Business Network International (BNI) and Rotary International are some of the top-rated networking groups in India. You will also find other city-specific and start-up-friendly groups.

7. Tap into the power of founder dating apps

Here’s a common question most startup entrepreneurs have – how to find a co-founder in India online? Try co-founder dating, and yes, it’s a trend gaining in popularity in the country and all parts of the world. The Co-FoundersLab, Tech Co-founder (a niche platform from Co-founders Lab), Founder’s Nation, Start Hawk, Startup Weekend, and You Noodle are some of the popular founder-dating apps and sites.

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8. Move to a city with a good business ecosystem

While it is possible to find a partner from anywhere in the country using online platforms, you could also consider relocating to a city with a good ecosystem to make the most of local networks. For instance, you are more likely to find a co-founder for your IT startup in Bangalore or Hyderabad, while a FinTech entrepreneur might find Delhi, Gurgaon, or Mumbai more favorable.

9. Seek help from mentors

Business mentors and coaches have a track record of mentoring scores of entrepreneurs from all industries. Seeking help from your business mentor is a great way to find a co-founder. Since your mentor knows you and your business, they will be able to put you in touch with suitable and credible candidates.

10. Join a coworking space

We have saved the best for the last! Want to know how to find the right co-founder in a hassle-free and organic way? Join a coworking space in Gurgaon. Shared offices are startup hubs filled with entrepreneurs from all sectors, so you can easily amp up your professional networks. Your co-founder might be sitting just across the table!

To sum it up

Choosing a co-founder is an important decision for an entrepreneur, but it doesn’t have to be a hard one. By creating a checklist, widening your networks, and looking in the right places, you will be able to find the right partner for your business.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS):

Question: Where do I meet cofounders?

Answer: Finding a co-founder can be a crucial step towards starting and building a successful business. Here are some ways people typically find co-founders which includes personal networks, Networking events, Co-founder matching websites, social media and online communities and freelance marketplaces.

Question: What are the best platforms to find a cofounder for your startup?

Answer: There are several platforms that you can use to find a co-founder. Here are some popular options like: CoFoundersLab, FounderDating, AngelList, LinkedIn and Meetup.

Question: Where can I find marketing cofounders?

Answer: Finding a marketing co-founder can be challenging, but there are several ways you can try to connect with potential candidates include Attend networking events, join online communities, Use co-founder matching websites, Personal and professional network and Reach out to marketing agencies.

Question: Can a co-founder resign?

Answer: Yes, a co-founder can resign from their position in a company. However, the process and consequences of a co-founder’s resignation will depend on the specific circumstances and the company’s governing documents.

Question: Does co-founder get paid?

Answer: As a co-founder of a company, it is possible to receive a salary or compensation for the work that you do. However, it ultimately depends on the agreement and arrangement made among the co-founders when starting the business.

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