The backbone of a strong community has always been: a shared purpose, rituals, story-telling, connectedness, trust, interaction, identity and shared experiences. We achieve this through 3 key Cornerstones: conversation, collaboration, and fun! At our spaces, you and your team are not just another cog in the wheel of an uninspired building, but a fundamental part of our greater brand mission. And you will find us wholly unashamed of our grand visions for actively implementing a new paradigm of responsible capitalism globally, spearheaded by movements like the B Corporation.
Community has always been at the heart of humanity. Ever since the first hominids sat in a circle thumping their chests and howling at the moon. Through song, mythical stories, chant, mantra, prayer, breath, music, and meditation - we have found ways to stimulate feelings of wellbeing, harmony and belonging.
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Today such sights are less common, especially in our more nuclear urban environments. However community need not disappear altogether, it has simply changed its face. At X+Why it is part of our mission to unite, inspire and amplify purpose-driven businesses, and in doing so, create a supportive community of likeminded enterprise, committed to using their creativity and skills to making the world a more collaborative, sustainable and socially responsible place to live.
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The backbone of a strong community has always been: a shared purpose, rituals, story-telling, connectedness, trust, interaction, identity and shared experiences. We achieve this through 3 key Cornerstones: conversation, collaboration, and fun! At our spaces, you and your team are not just another cog in the wheel of an uninspired building, but a fundamental part of our greater brand mission. And you will find us wholly unashamed of our grand visions for actively implementing a new paradigm of responsible capitalism globally, spearheaded by movements like the B Corporation.
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Membership-based work spaces where diverse groups of predominantly freelancers, remote workers, and other independent professionals work together in a shared, communal setting are paving the way for new standards in the work place environment; with corporate copy cats eager to join the party in an atmosphere that’s anything but cookie-cutter.
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Co-workers report levels of thriving that approach an average of 6 on a 7 point scale. At least 2 points higher than the average for employees that work in regular offices. How is this the case? Modern co-working provides sustainable solutions to many of the long-term issues at the root of the burn out epidemic. At one of our newest openings in Chiswick, this includes:
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Culture And Community
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Every space has its own vibe and goes to great lengths to cultivate the kinds of experiences desired by its tribe of subscribers. Staff usually know members by name and profession making it easier to facilitate introductions. This type of network leads to exposure to new ideas, greater opportunities to hire and be hired, as well as more rapid expansion.
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Especially in larger cities where the paradoxical isolation is of growing concern, such spaces cater to both professional and personal needs, with the results being closely interlinked. This fosters an environment that nurtures creativity, individuality, compassion and growth.
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Meaning And Purpose
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According to self-surveys, freelancers are often more likely to see their work as meaningful, as they frequently have the chance to choose projects they care about. Meaning also comes from a culture where it is the norm to help each-other out, as opposed to always being in direct competition with colleagues. The variety of skill sets in such an environment makes collaborations favourable for everyone.
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Meaning is equally derived from the values actively promoted by the co-working space manifesto, such as community, collaboration, sustainability, education, social impact and employee wellbeing. At x+why, a co-working space in East London for businesses with a purpose beyond profit, all members are asked to sign a pledge to people and planet, as well as profit, ensuring a community that is like-minded and mission driven. People become a part of something greater than themselves by joining such a social movement and meeting likeminded others.
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Productivity
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Katie Lister, the president of Global Workplace Analytics, recommends focusing on improvements in employee productivity to have an even greater impact on the bottom line. One of the most effective ways to do this is by reducing or eliminating poor working conditions. These include: inadequate space utilisation, discomfort and poor lighting conditions, inefficient processes, a lack of flexibility or balance, a toxic company culture, and ineffective technology.
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Targeting the above also has to be cost effective and ethical for a business, without compromising on diversity and community. As the co-working business model is dependent upon the feedback and demands from its users, it’s easier for these themes to be at the forefront of concern, as opposed to being an afterthought.
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Facilities
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Co-working spaces are usually open 24/7, which enables people to work around their own schedules, whilst offering the necessary environment to create structure and discipline that working from home often makes difficult.
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If employees lack the space and resources to do their best work, a company is set up to fail. This isn’t limited to allocating the right amount of space per person, but also to having the right kind of space available. Co-working spaces offer access to quiet areas where they can concentrate on productivity not just comfort, as well as communal areas designed to facilitate collaboration.
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Technology
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A survey of 12,000 employees in 12 countries found that 58% at companies considered to be ‘technology laggards’ had negative feelings towards their employer. Many well-established institutions such as the NHS, still run on technology that’s slow, out-dated and ineffective, making it frustrating to use. Over time, this frustration erodes employee satisfaction, hurts productivity and leads to poor staff retention rates.
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Most co-working spaces focus on necessities such as high speed internet and are able to provide or recommend the latest software for streamlining work. This is the easiest way to give back the most fundamental aspect of economical and social wellbeing – time.
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Processes
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Just as there is a need to keep up with technology that constantly updates and innovates, there is a need to identify on-going opportunities for improvements in workplace processes. A management that operates on the assertion that ‘this is how it’s always been done’, will no longer be able to thrive or survive in the climate of exponential rates of change.
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Co-working spaces are able to work closely with both their customers and employees to open up the dialogue around streamlining processes and maximising efficiency, even with just a few simple tweaks or by utilising automation.
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Wellbeing
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Wellness is more than just a buzzword, it’s at the heart of everything from company culture, to output and longevity. Workplace design has to cater to more than just efficiency, for example in spaces with little access to something as simple as natural light, there will be high rates of eye strain and fatigue, resulting in lower productivity and satisfaction.
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A work-life balance is equally critical. The modern workplace isn’t confined to four walls any more, it goes everywhere with us. A Gallup study recently reported that 25% of people spend between 45-49 hours a week working, including on commutes or whilst waiting for dinner to be served. As a result, 53% of employees said that a role that allows them greater work life balance is of vital importance to them and over half said they would change jobs to have flexible scheduling in their work. Only 44% said their current company offers this option.
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It’s also important to ensure workloads are manageable, that employees are encouraged to use their paid time off, and that moral is catered to via comfortable working conditions, fair pay, strong leadership and a positive company culture. Most modern co-working spaces also foster personal wellness values by providing access to lifestyle improvements on site, including healthy food, fitness classes and gyms, wellness workshops and seminars.
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Their advice to traditional companies who want to learn from the success of co-working spaces? Start with the fundamentals and give people the tools to be well and the space to be their authentic best selves. The result is committed, energised and inspired individuals who transmute these effects into tangible, emergent results. Statistically the majority of us will spend most of our lives at work (and asleep), making it vital that we nurture spaces like these, in order to nurture ourselves as individuals, and create systemic change from the roots up.
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