As the popularity of serviced offices increases many businesses, both big and small, are taking advantage of the opportunities offered by such facilities. In particular, hot desking and co-working are becoming the norm for mobile workers, freelancers and anyone who doesn’t want to be tied to a traditional office and all its accompanying bills and maintenance.
But, how do you decide which is the most effective option for you? Here’s our rundown on hot desking versus co-working so you can make up your own mind.
Advantages of Hot Desking
If you’re a mobile worker or someone whose work is unstructured in that you work in different places at different times of the day, hot desking is an extremely cost-effective way to have access to a professional work space without any of the commitment of a permanent office.
But what do you get when you sign up for a hot-desk?
- A comfortable and professional space in a specially designed serviced office
- Unlimited access to a desk during normal office hours
- High speed internet connections and phone services on a plug and play system
- Storage lockers to leave your essentials so you don’t have to carry everything with you
- A business address
- Admin services such as mail organisation, reception services and call answering & forwarding
Being able to access this kind of facility during office hours is a bonus for any worker; whether you work on your own or you are part of a larger organisation where you’re not required to be in the office 5 days per week.
Furthermore, as you only pay for the time that you actually use the hot desk, it’s a cost-effective way to gain access to office space.
Advantages of Co-Working
Co-working spaces can be divided into two different ways of working. One type of co-working space involves a dedicated space in a shared serviced office, where you could be working alongside people from all different kinds of businesses.
The other option is a hot desk system and, as described above, the difference is that you don’t have a dedicated space but utilise whichever desk is available when you arrive at the office.
As with hot desking, co-working spaces are available during normal office hours and you’ll get all the same services you would if you were hot desking. However, as a ‘permanent’ resident you’re likely to be offered additional services such as:
- Dedicated call answering with your company name
- A personal voice mailbox
One of the advantages of working within a co-working environment is that you’ll get to see the same faces everyday as you’re all sharing the same space, thus allowing for better working relationships and communication.
Which Will you Choose: Hot Desking or Co-Working?
Both options offer a cost-effective solution for freelancers and businesses alike. They are especially beneficial for those that prefer to work in a less formal way than traditional office based companies do.
It also gives you an opportunity to interact with others during your working day, which can be important to people who work alone but need to be in a more social environment.
It’s a great way to network, build business relationships and take advantage of opportunities that come your way. All in all, it’s really down to whether you’d prefer a permanent desk or you’re happy to take whichever desk is vacant that day.
