After you move to a coworking space, you should stick to certain rules of etiquette that differ from the conventional corporate culture. In this article, you will find 10 useful tips that will enable you to make the most of a coworking rental.
If you are a startup founder, a self-employed individual, or a remote freelancer, you might want to move to a coworking space. The popularity of this format of office rentals is growing steadily every year. At a coworking space, you have all the necessary amenities at your disposal — but you pay much less than when renting a private office. The typical coworking etiquette is also different from the traditional corporate culture. In this article, you will get to know how you should behave in a coworking space to make the most of your rental.
10 Valuable Recommendations about Coworking Etiquette
If you follow these tips, you will enjoy every day you spend in a coworking space:
- Doublecheck whether you can indeed occupy any random table. The manager who offers you the lease contract might tell you that you do not need to stick to the same table and can select a new one each time you arrive. But the tenants might share an unspoken agreement between them, there might be some hierarchy in the room and you should ask about it before taking a spare seat for the first time.
- Avoid overpromoting your product. Of course, you have a right to spread the word about your goods or services. Maybe, you will be allowed to customize the rented corner, put on a poster on the wall, and wear a T-shirt with your logo every day. But you should not perceive the other tenants and their guests only as your potential clients. Do not try to sell things to them.
- Do not speak foreign languages too much. If you rent a coworking space in a foreign country together with a colleague, you might want to chat between yourselves in your native language. By doing so, you might make others feel uncomfortable. The same might happen if you have frequent audio or video calls with foreigners. Try to make up for that thanks to regular friendly communication with your fellow coworkers in a language that you all understand.
- Be careful with smells and noises. Laugh as quietly as possible. If you love exotic food with a pungent aroma, eat it at home. If you want to deliberately attract attention to your person, you will have plenty of chances to do so at networking events — in most coworking, these take place regularly.
- Be cautious with NSFW content. This recommendation is especially relevant for those who used to work at home before. In a public space, you should control both your emotions and the content on your display. At home, you can take a break from work and, let’s say, watch video pranks on your computer. No one will reprimand you for your love of black humor. But imagine what a fellow coworker might think if they accidentally peep over your shoulder at that moment!
- Think twice before sharing a photo or video from your coworking space. After you move to a coworking, you will be tempted to share the pictures of your new stylish working space with your peers. When taking photos of the premise, make sure you show to the world only your own table! Public spaces would do as well if there is no one there and you cannot see anyone’s personal belongings. Otherwise, even though there might be nothing suspicious about the content that you share, you might accidentally disclose someone’s private or corporate secrets.
- Focus on work. This piece of advice is essential for sociable extroverts. While many people tend to procrastinate at home, others cannot resist the infinite communication opportunities that coworking offers. It is ok to chat with the other tenants in the kitchen or chill-out area. But please control your time and set the limits — for instance, do not spend more than 1 hour per day socializing.
- Do not expect people to behave identically. Coworking is not a corporation where everyone has to share the same code of conduct. Welcome diversity, be tolerant, and enjoy the cosmopolitan ambiance.
- Do not live in the coworking 24/7. In theory, you can work here as long as you wish and at any time of the day. But if you spend most part of the day here, other tenants might start to worry. Do you have trouble at home? Do you have a home, family, and friends at all? To produce a healthy and positive impression on the surrounding people, avoid overaccentuating your diligence. If you know how to balance work and private life, people will trust you more.
- Avoid sacrificing too much. If you feel that you have to give up too many useful habits and personal traditions, consider either moving to another coworking space or renting a private office. No two coworking spaces are identical: their tenants, culture, and ambiance might differ drastically. As for a private office, you might need it for the reasons of customization, privacy, and confidentiality. Plus, one day your business might grow too big for coworking.
To rent a top-notch coworking space or private office in Dubai, get in touch with ThePlace specialists.
The Benefits of Renting an Office in Dubai with ThePlace
The specialists of ThePlace know the city inside out and rely on an extensive network of business contacts. They can find a modern and fully equipped office for a company of any scale and sphere of activity. The managers of ThePlace have impressive experience in their field and the price for their services is always kept at a competitive level.
You will be able to sign a contract on flexible conditions and move into your office the next day. The premise will be fully furnished and you will get access to all the necessary amenities.
Feel free to contact ThePlace team right now. They will be eager to answer your questions and find an optimal premise for you. Thanks to an excellent office, your productivity will increase, your brand awareness will grow, your client base will expand and you will start receiving a higher profit.