What in the World Is Coworking?
Just the other day, I was doing my due diligence on the webbernets trying to find out some juicy tidbits about alternate working situations. And since you happen to be on a web conferencing blog, chances are you’re on the lookout for more tips and tidbits that could make your situation more efficient. Well, I ‘discovered’ (similarly to how Columbus ‘discovered’ America) this brilliant alternative to from home not from home!
It’s called coworking! And from what I gather…
Coworking is a way of working where you independently work alongside other workers, though the work you’re doing is totally separate. Think of it as a well-lit and nicely temperature-ed café where you can go to work comfortably all day without enduring the angry glares of the barista trying to Jedi Mind Trick you into buying more coffee or get off his ‘free’ WiFi. There’s only so much caffeine one person can take, doncha know.
No, it’s not free, but it seems reasonably priced. These coworking spaces are all over the place and a quick Google revealed five locations within walking distance of my current office and a whole bunch more in the area.
What’s more – these places seem really COOL. Quite a few of them offer free drop-in options to check them out. You can use meeting rooms, supplies and whatnot as part of the service. I had a big old #FAIL that one day I had to work from home, and if I had to work from home on a regular basis, I would totally consider signing up for something like this.
So… whether it’s coworking, meeting online, figuring out a way to pre-occupy the kids or putting an accountability system in place (Thanks Heather and Yasou for the tips !!!) – we realize that knowing your options is the first step.
Have you ever tried coworking? How did it work?
6/17/10 Update: Seth Godin recently did a post on coworking. Check it out > Goodbye To The Office
Matthew – yep…your comment is a reminder that the work/life balance sometimes needs to happen IN the workplace as well. And yep, video conferencing can be quicker and easier than traveling, and it can save a boatload of money, too!
What a great idea! I had never heard of anything like this.
Hey, this is a great idea. Like an internet cafe but business-savvy. Kind of allows you to still have a little but of that social work life without the 9-5 grind. Sit and chat with people on and off so you dont go nuts. Great! Video conferencing is another savvy way of essentially have meetings all over the world, from your computer!