Working from home is the siren song of the modern worker. As freelancing and flex hours and telecommuting, and who knows what else continue to become the new way of the business world, more and more of us have set up shop at the kitchen table. Or the back porch. Or the couch. Or on a beanbag by the fireplace.

As wonderful as it is, though, to sleep in a bit late, enjoy some coffee, and skip the commute before digging into work, for some of us, the distractions of home can prove to be a productivity killer.

There’s cleaning and laundry to do. The lawn really needs to be mowed. The dishwasher isn’t going to unload itself. And the television is RIGHT THERE just waiting to be binge-watched.

Whatever your Achilles’ heel of distraction may be, the fact is that sometimes it’s just better to have a place to go where work is the only thing to be done.

Fortunately, there are many options these days, with coworking spaces popping up everywhere. You just need to determine what type of space you need, what types of amenities you need, do you need a private office or just a desk where you can spread things out and really dig into the job at hand? And if you just need a desk, do you want a fixed desk or a hot desk?

The Hot Desk/Flex Desk

Hot desking, put simply, is the concept of working in an office in which desk space is not permanently assigned. Each day you show up, there’s a room full of desks, you take your pick, and you get to work. This is in contrast to a dedicated desk environment in which a specific desk is designated as yours and yours alone.

And hot vs. fixed desking isn’t just a freelance thing. Many businesses are choosing to switch from a fixed to a hot desk model for their employees. But why? What are the benefits of hot desking for you or for your business?

Let’s examine the pros and cons.

Cost

If you’re a freelancer looking at the cost of renting a hot desk vs. a fixed desk, the cheaper alternative is always going to be a hot desk. It just makes sense. Each fixed desk in a coworking space represents a chunk of real estate that can’t be used by anyone else. You’re going to pay for access 7 days a week, even if you only use it Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. And that translates to less money in your pocket.

As a business owner, you’re looking for the most efficient use of space and resources. If you’re working from a fixed desk model, you’re invariably going to be left with a significant amount of unused space a significant amount of the time – especially if your employees are offered flexible schedules or sometimes work from home. With fixed desks, you need to have more space available, not only for your current staff but also for any new hires that may arrive as you continue to grow. 

Switching to a hot desk environment allows you to more efficiently utilize a smaller space. With hot desks, you only need space for those who are on-site right now. That’s less space sitting around unused, fewer resources thrown away, and more money for your bottom line.

For cost efficiency, hot desks win.

Stuff

Work is more than just a place to sit. Depending on what you do, you’re going to need a variety of things to help you get it done. Whether that’s specialized computer equipment or just space to keep your files, if you have to cart it all around with you and set it up at a new desk every day, your productivity is going to take a hit.

If your work or that of your employees requires specialized equipment or supplies that aren’t easily transported, fixed desks are probably the way to go.

Creativity/Collaboration

Views and personal preferences differ here. Some say the opportunity afforded by hot desks to meet and interact with new people every day makes for increased creative collaboration. Others talk about the benefits of building stable working relationships with fixed desk neighbors leads to greater productivity.

Some people thrive on the variety of a changing work atmosphere and interpersonal dynamics, while others just find it distracting and a deterrent to focus and concentration.

This is an area in which pros and cons are going to differ depending on the worker in question. Consider carefully. One man’s utopia of stimulation is another man’s nightmare of distraction.

Territoriality/Stress/Conflict

If there’s one thing that can be said about humans in general, it’s that we’re creatures of habit – and we love to claim our territory.

As we get out of bed and prepare for our workday, the last thing we want or need is an additional reason to be anxious. When there’s the possibility of arriving at the office to find “the good desks” taken, we find ourselves dealing with added stress that simply wouldn’t be present if we knew that our familiar fixed desk (with its cozy chair perfectly adjusted to our body) was safely waiting for us.

For worker peace of mind and one less thing to worry about, the fixed chair would seem to be best.

In Conclusion…

Examine your own needs (or those of your employees) carefully before blindly jumping on the hot desk bandwagon. There are significant advantages and disadvantages to both approaches, and only you can decide which choice is best for you. If you want to talk through your situation, please reach out to someone at PivotDesk; we’d love to hear from you. 

Neighborhood: SoHo
Host: Flavorpill

The Office: Flavorpill knows what they’re doing when it comes to office decor. With a perfect mix of trendy and comfortable, it is no surprise companies are flocking to this space. Even the conference room and kitchen are designed to perfection!

The Host: Flavorpill Media is a digital publisher and agency. Their team publishes sites and email newsletters focusing on culture and creativity — so you know they know what they’re doing when it comes to their work environment.

This office is one of a kind, and provides a rare opportunity to share space in such a trendy office.

Neighborhood: Midtown
Host: RWI Design

The Office: The semi-private desks, fully equipped conference rooms and natural lighting have been a huge attraction for this office. The decor is simplistic and calm, making for a top notch work environment.

The Host: RWI Design is a small team of graphic designers who have a knack for technology and creativity. They are fully engaged as a team so the atmosphere in the office is an exciting but hard-working one. With a full team constantly collaborating and engaging with each other, it makes for a lively and exciting atmosphere for people to get things done.

Extra desks in this space are currently going unused, and RWI Design would love to add some additional energy into the office!

Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Host: MarketSmiths

The Office: Based in a revamped architectural studio in Williamsburg, this space sits in the midst of a local restaurant revolution. This space is a minimalist’s dream with clean designs, neutral colors and warehouse feels.

The Host: In true Williamsburg fashion, MarketSmiths is a team of extra creative copywriters who enjoy a fun and casual office vibe.

Since they currently have excess space, they are looking for lively individuals (or a team) to share with.

I remember saying different variants of that while I was at a WeWork in Manhattan a few months ago, and it’s something that often comes to mind when I think of coworking—a relaxed working environment where it’s easy to become friends with your coworkers. That’s not a myth, at least it wasn’t for me, and it’s one of the many reasons coworking is so popular.

On the other hand, sometimes you don’t want to keep bumping into your new friends when you have a project due at the end of the day and you’re racing to get it done. Many people, myself included, realize that coworking environments sometimes offer less privacy than we need to work at our best. Love it or hate it coworking is here to stay, and there are important lessons every business can learn from coworking’s successes and failures.

Some stats on coworking

According to Wix and Officevibe, here are the key stats on coworking: 70% of coworkers say they feel healthier coworking than when they worked in a traditional office, 64% of coworkers find it easier to get work done on time, 91% have better interactions with others since coworking, 78% of coworkers are under 40 years old, 50% are making more money and only 30% prefer to work during normal business hours.

On top of those stats, 33% of the US workforce is currently independent or freelance, and that number is projected to grow to an astonishing 40% by 2020. So not only does coworking offer all the important benefits listed above, but its target audience is expected to grow to record levels in the next few years.

Understanding the positives

The stats above suggest coworking offers some amazing benefits, but what’s behind those numbers? The Harvard Business Review studied the matter, and they concluded coworking spaces help people thrive in three main ways.

1. The first is that people who use coworking spaces are more likely to see their work as meaningful. That has to do with the type of work they are doing, but also with how they are doing it—the frequent lack of office politics in coworking spaces allows people to just be themselves at work without worrying about putting on a work persona to fit in. This helps people focus on their work while being more comfortable at the same time.

2. The second huge benefit is more job control. Coworking spaces are usually accessible 24/7, letting people decide when they want to work and when they don’t want to work. But at the same time this autonomy is tempered by the structure of belonging to a larger community, which paradoxically allows people to maintain a near optimal degree of control over their work and schedule in coworking environments.

3. Jumping off that point, the final benefit behind coworking is belonging to a community. Just because you can work from home all the time doesn’t mean you want to spend 100% of your time in your pajamas on your couch typing away on your MacBook Pro—people long for human interaction and being part of a community. Coworking spaces understand this and go through painstaking efforts to create an individual vibe and offer unique experiences.

It’s likely the above three key points help explain the startlingly-positive stats associated with coworking spaces, but just because there are some clear benefits doesn’t mean everybody loves coworking.

What about the negatives?

Emma Jacobs is one of those people—she describes how in her coworking experiences the typical lamentations of traditional office life are simply re-branded and given new skins in the coworking world. She describes how many co-workers she met were replicating corporate culture, and research from Professor Greenwald finds freelancers often subconsciously compete on long hours. When it comes to status, the unspoken hierarchy is that those with private offices and permanent desks are above the hotdesker.

Coworking, like everything, fits some people better than others. In particular I’m talking about introverts—active spaces where constant conversations compete with the pop/dance music for volume (lots of coworking spaces play it nonstop) are not the best places for introverts to work. But that doesn’t need to be that serious of a problem—nearly all coworking spaces have options for people who want a place they can work in quiet.

Every coworking space is different and some are worse offenders than others when it comes to the above complaints. I can relate to some of these complaints myself, although I think the negatives that come with coworking have more to do with individuals and their preferences than something inherently wrong with the concept. But that’s not to delegitimize their complaints—after all, it’s hard to imagine a workspace that is perfect for everyone.

What businesses of all sizes can learn from coworking

The benefits coworking offers employees are too good to ignore, and luckily there are ways your business can implement some of coworking’s best ideas. One way is to use coworking locations as an alternative place for people to work. That could mean anything from shifting teams to coworking locations while they work on a particular project, offering a coworking setup for employees who demand flexible workspace and schedules or using your favorite local coworking space for meetings.

But above all else the largest benefit coworking offers is the way it lets people work in the ways that give them purpose and meaning. Companies should try to give employees control and flexibility in their work environments, but more than that employers should give people the space and support they need to be their true, authentic selves.

Alternatives to consider

Unfortunately, it may not be possible for traditional companies to craft the type of space on their own that gives their employees the best benefits coworking has to offer. There is a difference between a trendy coworking spot in the East Village and corporate headquarters. But there are alternatives that can bring some of those benefits to your office, such as becoming a PivotDesk host and sharing your office. By becoming a host you can decide exactly how much space you want to offer and what company sizes you’d like to host. Whether it’s a lot or a little, office sharing is the perfect way to bring coworking directly into your office, along with all the benefits it entails.

In turn, the market is delivering on that need. More and more flexible workplace services — from coworking to office sharing in all shapes and forms — are cropping up.

The commercial real estate scene and our expectations of it are shifting, that much is clear.

What’s not so clear is just what options are available to those of us who want a flexible alternative to a traditional lease or sublease.

Many companies that aren’t ready to sign a traditional lease for whatever reason, are often advised by brokers or business mentors to protect their businesses by choosing flexibility over commitment in the form of office sharing or coworking.

The terms, “coworking” and “office sharing” are used interchangeably, but this practice hides the fact that these are distinctly different approaches to the workplace, each with its own features to offer.

So, how do you choose?

While both are great for allowing you to try out different solutions without making costly commitments, it’s best to educate yourself on your options to avoid wasting time.

So, let’s dive into your two most common flexible office space options — office sharing and coworking — and identify the key differences.

Definition

The first step in understanding anything is to define it.

→ We characterize a coworking space as:

A coworking space is an office that exists for the purpose of housing independent workers or workers from different companies in need of flexible office space.

The key points here are a.) The goal of the coworking space itself is to profit on the workers using the space and b.) the workers within the space are working independently of one another.

In a coworking environment it is possible that every person in the space may be working independently from anyone else and may have completely different priorities and timelines. In fact it is quite possible to see new people each day in a coworking space.

→ Shared office space, although similar in concept to a coworking space, is defined differently as:

A space that is leased to a specific business (a host company), that in turn makes extra space available to others (guest companies) who are in need of flexible, yet professional office space.

The key point to note in this definition is that while the space is owned/leased by one company, as with coworking, that company does not exist for the purpose on making money through office sharing. Rather, growing companies often select properties with more than enough space with an eye toward future growth and then become host companies. Hosts are typically established in the space, it has a stable atmosphere and continuity, and there is space available for others at a very affordable rate. It provides flexibility for both the host, which can offset leasing costs with office sharing profits, and the “guests”, who can secure the space they want without committing for the long term.

The terms

This ability to avoid a long-term lease is a benefit of both coworking and office sharing. Even if you’re willing to sign a lease, it’s often nearly impossible to find a small space at affordable rates. A coworking or office sharing approach can be an ideal solution for young companies that need to conserve capital for hiring the best talent. It gives time for growth and development.

There are differences in how these deals are structured.

→ In a coworking situation, tenants can often have the option of leasing space hourly. Some coworking spaces include seminar rooms that can be used for one-time events, as well as workstations that people use on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. There is tremendous variation as the nearly 2000 coworking sites worldwide strive to meet their clients’ needs.

→ Generally speaking, you can expect more structured terms in an office sharing arrangement. This type of space is geared toward allowing you to develop your company culture and grow the business, all without locking you into a long-term lease. Office sharing offers a range of options in terms of space – if your company needs private offices, those are available. You can choose the neighborhood and the office culture that suits you. The office sharing arrangement has benefits for both businesses, including a more consistent work environment.

The work environment 

→ The key difference in work environment between coworking and office sharing is level of customization. In a coworking space, it’s typically up to you or your businesses to fit into the culture and dynamic already established by the coworking organization. If you find a space that has a vibe that works for your business, then you’re in luck. But if you find a space that needs tweaking, you’ll likely be disappointed.

→ With office sharing, on the other hand, you’ll be able to customize your workspace as much as your host company will allow. And in many scenarios, your host will WANT you to be as comfortable as possible in the space, and therefor will let you make the space your own. Often guest companies display their logo on the entryway or even bring in their own art and office furniture.

The main manifestation of this difference is in how well your company is able to cultivate culture in the space. In a coworking environment, many companies like IRIS.TV for example, find that it’s difficult to maintain a culture apart from the coworking space. At a certain point, you really need to establish your own work dynamic. When you reach this point, office sharing will likely be your best bet.

Office sharing with other companies can broaden your network even further and lead to unique collaboration opportunities between businesses. But with a greater mix of company cultures and work styles coexisting in one space, it’s important to remain considerate not just of your own team members, but of the other teams around you.

At PivotDesk, we’re huge fans of our office mates — it’s true, we drink our own Kool Aid and share about half of our office with other companies. While we’ve gotten pretty comfortable with our guest companies over the past year, we always try to remain cognizant of their varying needs.

Here, we’ll share our top tips for being respectful of shared office space.

#1: No one likes noise

Yes, one of the great things about a shared office can be the interaction and collaboration that springs up, but remember that you’re all there to get sh*t done. We recommend trying to watch your volume on phone calls. We all subconsciously talk a little louder on the phone and this can create a major distraction. This especially goes for personal calls.

If you absolutely must speak at high volumes at your desk, perhaps a private office is the way to go.

btrax in San Francisco offers private offices and need we say it? Tons of natural light.

We’ve found, however, that access to conference rooms or phone booths creates plenty of opportunity for privacy for most companies.

#2: Your mother doesn’t work here

You know what we mean here. Don’t be the one who regularly burns the popcorn (creating an amazingly long-lived stench) or reheats strong-smelling meals for lunch. Have respect for common areas like the kitchen, conference room, lounge areas and others. As the trope goes: “your mother does not work here.”

Along the same lines, make a point of clearing up your dishes immediately; never leave them in the break room sink. –by the way, did you take the last of the coffee? And, be considerate of the time you spend hogging the lounge area beanbags.

Tough Mudder’s kitchen is the pinnacle of organization.

#3: Respect personal space

One of the biggest irritations in a shared workspace is interruption. Don’t assume that your neighbor is all that interested in your weekend adventures or latest problems with your accountant. Socializing has its place, and there are often business-related conversations you need to have, but make sure the time is right. One good policy is to allow everyone a “courtesy zone” of 15 minutes or so when they get to work. Even if you really need to speak with them, they’ll appreciate time to get a cup of coffee and check their mail before the conversation kicks in.

You can infringe on personal space in a physical way, too. In a shared office, you have to be conscious of not spreading out too much. Keep your work contained, and avoid leaving it in common areas for longer than necessary.

Go ahead, lounge around @ Sparked

#4: Slow down on group chatter

Finally, for Pete’s sake, give some thought to your communications. Sending around a group email can be a great way to communicate, just make sure you’re including only relevant players so you’re not bombarding others with unnecessary communications. Create an office email alias for communicating relevant information to impacted parties, or take it a step further and utilize slack for group chatter to help everyone get to inbox zero faster.

An office Slack room is a great way to keep everyone connected without flooding inboxes.

The commercial office industry has responded to the situation by creating new ways to accommodate such varied workplace needs. There are a number of solutions, including virtual collaboration. In many cases, young companies begin this way, and as they grow the need develops for a physical space, often before the company’s budget can manage one through more conventional routes.  

These small businesses need flexible space, but they’re not established enough to commit to a lease with a 3 to 5 year term. One popular way to address this has been coworking. This approach allows companies or individuals to rent shared office space on a month-to-month basis. It puts people from different organizations as well as individuals in a shared space.

Coworking can be a useful way to transition from working at home or online to leasing a dedicated commercial space. But it’s just one of the options, and there are several things to consider in deciding if it’s right for your organization –and if so, for how long.

Here are 5 characteristics of coworking spaces that may help with that decision.

#1: Too Loud for Calls?

Shared space brings together a wide range of styles and priorities, some of which will not match yours. It can be difficult to predict what those around you will be doing when you need to make a call.

#2: Networking

Especially if your fellow coworkers are working in the same field as you, you’re likely to meet some potential partners and clients in the space, and get some good industry information in conversations around the office.

#3: Lack of Uninterrupted Work Time

It’s common to find difficulty in being able to do long stretches of focused work in a coworking space.

#4: Flexibility

Month to month rental gives you freedom in planning your next move, but coworking spaces will often require you to move to a different location when you grow, meaning your office won’t feel like a permanent place to make your own.

#5: Changing Occupants

In a coworking space, the people around you are always changing. You may not know many of the people you see at work, and this changes the dynamic a bit. People are often less considerate when they aren’t actual colleagues in the workplace.

But only to a certain point …

Most companies find that coworking only works up to a certain point. Once a firm begins to grow they want to focus on building their own company culture. Coworking puts you in an ever-changing environment as tenants come and go, which can make this difficult.

With office sharing, you can choose the office atmosphere that is right for you, and have a more customizable space. If the wide-open office space is not what you need, you can have a private office. Office sharing lets you create a home for your business without the high cost of leasing –and with the money you save you can hire the kind of employees you need to grow your business.

Investigate the next level of office sharing with PivotDesk. We can help you maintain flexibility and scalability, and get you into an office space to call your own, minus the long-term commitment of a traditional lease.

Coworking is one of the newest trends in the market enabling companies to rent office space on a month-to-month basis to fill the gap between having a home or virtual office and leasing commercial space.

It’s important to understand that coworking is just one of the flexible solutions available to startups, SMB’s and freelancers. Many companies opt for office sharing with our site either as an alternative to coworking, or as a next step after coworking stops working. We want to help you understand the pros and cons of all your options so you can make the most informed decision for your business.

Office space is the second highest expense your business faces after head count— it pays to think strategically.

So how do you know if coworking is the right choice for your business? Here are some pointers to help you decide.

Coworking may be right for your company if…

#1: You’re in the early stages and need to save money. Startups, small business and freelancers may not want to invest their capital in long-term leases—understandably. Between monthly rent and hefty security deposits, it’s a lot to swallow. Coworking is an affordable way to obtain professional office space until you are ready to graduate to your own location. By renting office space on a monthly, weekly or even daily basis, you can save money and set up shop without a long-term commitment. Plus, you’ll get access to basic office amenities like internet access, printers and conference rooms as part of your rental. However, there will come a time when you outgrow your coworking space. If your business is growing rapidly, your team dynamic is expanding, and you’re becoming more established in your market, you may want to explore a different office sharing solution.

#2: You have a small team. Coworking works great for one or two person teams who can prosper in open workspaces. You can rent desk space on an as needed basis, obtain a desirable address and have access to a professional space for team or client meetings. It’s great for small business owners, telecommuters and freelancers who don’t like working in isolation and need the ebb and flow of an office bustling with people. But as your team grows, coworking becomes more challenging. For example, having team meetings in open workspaces can be disruptive to other coworkers and ultimately lead to an unproductive working environment.

#3: You have very specific short-term needs. Coworking locations thrive on non-commitment. This kind of flexibility works best for businesses that aren’t quite sure where they are going to end up. To that end, coworking spaces often sell memberships where you can purchase yearly, monthly, daily or even drop in passes. You can also add or decrease seats at will. As a result, the environment and people are always changing. If the hustle and bustle of coworking environments inspires you to perform, then this is the right choice. But if you’re looking for stability and prefer to see the same friendly faces, coworking may not be right for you.

#4: You don’t need any customization. If you’re looking for a simple, one-size fits all solution and are less concerned about personalizing your workspace or developing your own company culture, become a coworker. Coworking spaces maintain their own culture and community that is focused on welcoming new businesses, not necessarily building yours. Therefore, you can “post no bills.” Remember, you are simply renting space, not setting up your own office. It’s a temporary solution that prepares you for when you have more clients, more employees and need a space to call your own. When customization and laying down some roots becomes a priority, many companies opt to graduate to office sharing with PivotDesk.

#5: Your focus is on collaboration and networking. If you want to meet people who share the same goals and challenges, you’ll find them at coworking locations. You’ll instantly gain a network for people that you can collaborate with and seek advice. Oftentimes, there are coworking events to build community too. Your neighbors could be a cross-section of designers, developers, writers, salespeople, freelancers, telecommuters and independent business owners. More than likely, they won’t be in your industry, but you may be able to create synergies or trade resources, maybe even hire people.

On the flip side, other companies will have access to your best employee pool too so be mindful that the culture of a coworking space is about non-commitment and flexibility. That sentiment may inadvertently spread to your staff, and the constant distractions from coworking events may even stunt productivity. While many startups are hesitant to leave the coworking scene for fear of losing easy access to networking, they are often surprised that office sharing provides opportunities to collaborate as well—and that these opportunities are actually more tailored to their specific interests.

#6: You don’t require too much privacy – yet. The collaborative nature of coworking means you are often in open working spaces, freely sharing ideas and resources. The result is a general lack of privacy. Note that this much openness gives other companies insight into your company’s plans. Not only can you see what they are up to, they can see what you are up to as well. Simple things like making private phone calls can also be difficult in an open work environment. Check to see if they have private phone booths and how available conference rooms are for private phone calls, or client and team meetings. While most coworking spaces make break-out space available, if you’re thinking of holding your weekly all-hands meeting at 10am on a Monday, chances are, everyone else is too.

#7: Security is not that important – right now. This means cyber security and physical security. Remember coworking spaces are flexible spaces where people can purchase drop-in or daily passes. Therefore, it might not be entirely safe to leave your stuff hanging around. Stuff includes your computer equipment, paperwork and even your whiteboard musings. If you travel light, this may not be a worry, but if you don’t want to carry your business around in your bag each day, then you’ll have to give coworking a second thought. Be sure to inquire about security measures at whichever coworking spaces you tour.

#8: You are good at handling conflicts and mediation. In any work environment, there might be a few disputes. You may already have a process to mediate internal situations between your own employees, but how do you mediate conflicts between other companies and your staff? Check to see if the coworking space has a conflict resolution plan. You’ll want to quash disputes quickly so that things don’t fester and disrupt your business.

In sum, coworking is perfect for smaller businesses or independent business owners that need a temporary place to house their companies. However, coworking only works up to a certain point. When your team starts to expand, and you become more focused on building your own culture, you may want to secure your own office space by exploring the next level of office sharing with PivotDesk. We can help you achieve the same level of flexibility and scalability when you’re ready for an office space to call your own minus, the long term commitment.

Interested in learning more? Check out some of our options in your city. Or, click here to set up a complimentary consultation.  

He first tried to go the traditional commercial real estate route, teaming up with a broker to find a small space under a 2 year lease, only to be let down when the landlord tried to raise the rent to nearly double what he was initially quoted.

Then, he came across PivotDesk. With office sharing, Richie could secure a spacious private office where his team could continue to forge its own culture, without committing to a risky long-term lease.

Read the full story of IRIS.TV’s agile approach to office space here:

You’re part of an up-and-coming company in the midst of building out a great product or service. The team has set up shop in an awesome coworking like WeWork or Green Desk, to jump start the business and take advantage of the great networking and collaborative benefits that come with rubbing elbows with like-minded entrepreneurs.

But now, your “next big thing” has gotten bigger, and you’re no longer a two person shop that needs community building activities to get motivated and inspired.

Maybe your company has graduated to another level of productivity. You now have more employees, more clients and less space. You feel like you’re on top of each other and your coworking space says you’ll need to move to a different location to make room for the growing team.

Or, maybe you’ve simply grown tired of the bustling vibe your coworking space promotes.

In both cases, it was great while it lasted, but now you need something more…You need to focus.

While coworking can be an excellent solution for a company in its early stages, or the freelancer who simply needs a place to put their laptop from 9 to 5, its benefits often turn into liabilities as time goes on and your desire for an office that feels like “home” grows.

Here are some signs it’s time to graduate from coworking:

#1: You start to lose focus. Coworking locations rarely have quiet time and instead, rely heavily on the social and collaborative nature of the environment to build connections between its members. As a result, you start to lose focus while juggling the spur of the moment meetings with neighboring entrepreneurs, chaotic events each night and general lack of privacy.

#2: You start to worry about your company’s image. With the growth of your business comes the ever-present need to start establishing your company identity both externally and internally. Having a personalized space goes a long way in demonstrating to both your clients and employees that you are a successful, growing business.

#3: Your team is struggling to keep up. Because coworking spaces attract a certain group of individuals who “dig” this kind of social workstyle, there tends to be an acute focus on being a trendy place to work rather than being a productive place to work. As a result, you start to doubt whether the team members you hope to onboard will truly flourish in this type of environment, or if they will end up wrestling with getting their work done amongst the constant chatter and activity.

#4: You need to develop a company culture. Establishing your own company culture within an existing coworking culture becomes increasingly difficult as you enter the next stage of growth and development. So, while coworking might have been a great vehicle for you as a burgeoning start-up, the same elements that drew you in are now becoming an uncompromising distraction and you feel like you’re losing control of your company culture.

#5: You’re sick of the daily inconveniences. Coworking can lead to certain daily inconveniences and conflicts. Basic things like booking conference rooms, using shared equipment and finding room to make a private phone call start to become a hassle as client and employee rosters grow. You need a more personalized atmosphere.

So, where do you go once you’ve decided to “graduate” from coworking?

The good news is, you have options.

For those companies ready to graduate from coworking, but not quite ready to take on the financial and legal commitment of a longterm lease, office sharing provides a flexible alternative.

Most companies choose one of two routes:

Option #1: Sign a lease or sublease and become a PivotDesk host company

Going the traditional commercial real estate route allows you to gain full control over your work environment. Signing a lease or sublease does typically require a hefty up-front deposit, as well as a lengthy commitment (5-10 years), but for the company that can’t compromise on its buildout or location–this may be the best option.

Luckily, office sharing provides a way for companies with a lease or sublease to offset costs while they fully grow into their space. Businesses can post excess office space on PivotDesk as a host company, booking the guest company of their choice and bringing in extra money each month.

PivotDesk host company, Techstars NYC has brought in over half a million dollars by using PivotDesk.

Option #2: Office sharing as a PivotDesk guest company

For companies with an unpredictable growth plan, or those that simply aren’t ready for the long term commitment required by signing a lease or sublease, office sharing provides a flexible alternative to coworking. PivotDesk provides companies in need of shared office space with hundreds of safe office space options in some of the most desirable neighborhoods across the US.

Becoming a PivotDesk guest means you can personalize your workspace, by browsing the site for shared office space with major brand names such as Tough Mudder, Jamestown Properties and Skillshare, without being nailed down to a lease.

And if privacy is important, you can filter your search by private offices only.

We get it…Finding the right space for right now can be a daunting task. If you need help evaluating options, or simply need to know what questions you should be asking, we’ve got a team of experts who can help.