The corporate workplace has become a major consideration for employees and employers, especially during the pandemic. The onslaught of the pandemic has driven a lot of corporate offices to transition their operations remotely to prioritize their employees’ health and safety. Now that lockdown measures have eased down, and the new normal is upon us, companies are gradually bringing back their employees to the office, with most corporate businesses opting for hybrid setups.
The hybrid work model also gives companies a chance to rethink and re-strategize their office space options—to provide more flexibility to their employees and to dial down on office space costs. This leads us to the solution, which is coworking spaces. Check out this blog for things to consider in choosing a coworking space for your hybrid office setup.
What is a Coworking Space?
A coworking space is a shared workspace, typically located within the central business districts, where employees from different companies or freelancers utilize working stations complete with amenities. Coworking offices mostly come with a complete workstation and high-speed internet access for a comfortable working environment outside their homes. Coworking spaces also provide meeting or huddle rooms for teams to brainstorm and boost productivity.
In Metro Manila, coworking spaces are usually located in central business areas such as Alabang, Makati, BGC, Ortigas, and Quezon City. Still, coworking spaces are slowly growing within the country to meet the needs of remote workers, start-ups, and freelancers all over the Philippines.
How do I Choose a Coworking Space?
The working environment within a firm or a team primarily affects each employee’s wellness. That’s why it’s vital to take into consideration several factors to help you select the coworking space for you.
Location
This is the most crucial factor when deciding on a coworking space. You’d want a place that’s located centrally, so it’s accessible to everyone. A coworking space within a central business district also makes it easier to expand your network or collaborate with like-minded people.
Does the building have a parking space or a parking space nearby? Are plenty of food choices available, even for those working the night shift? These will be all factors in the location of the building since these will impact employees’ personal expenses and everyday work routines.
Ease of Commuting
In relation to accessibility, the coworking space location should be commuter-friendly. This means it should be accessible to bus or jeep terminals, MRT, or UV Express routes. It should also be accessible for ride-hailing and delivery services, especially now that it’s typhoon season, and ordering food or getting to the office via a booked cab is sometimes necessary.
Traffic in Metro Manila is a nightmare, and a long commute to work results in work-oriented dissatisfaction. M Space is conveniently located at the heart of Ortigas, the perfect halfway point within Metro Manila, so you don’t have to worry about commuting to and from your home.
Safety and Security
Coworking spaces mean sharing an office space with various types of workers. This means that security for the entire coworking office should be heightened, especially since everyone utilizing the space comes in with their laptops in tow. It is essential to find a coworking space that lets your team members feel secure leaving their laptops in their workstations or lunch or even overnight in a designated locker or storage. At M Spaces, tenants are given biometrics access for security.
Health standards should also be considered when choosing a coworking space. M Spaces ensures the health and safety of everyone are paramount. Each private office space is cleaned and disinfected regularly. In line with COVID-related protocols, M Spaces requires proof of vaccination, social distancing measures, and mandatory wearing of face masks within the premises.
Amenities
Most coworking spaces are outfitted with standard office equipment, but you can inquire about any additional amenities your business might require, like access to private rooms for calls and meetings. Printing services, phone booths, and meeting rooms with projectors should also come in handy for your firm’s operations. A pantry that serves good coffee or tea is a great cherry on top for workers.
Aside from providing office spaces with fully furnished amenities, M Spaces offers meeting and conference rooms that can be suitable venues within the metro. These meeting rooms can be rented for as low as Php500 per hour and come equipped with soundproof walls, a whiteboard, and a TV monitor.
Wifi Connectivity
A fast internet connection is a core of an efficient workflow process. The internet speed may still be a work in progress in the country, but coworking spaces in the Philippines ensure that they provide their tenants with high-speed Wi-Fi or LAN to conduct their daily tasks.
Coworking offices are becoming a popular and cost-effective option for larger corporations to serve as satellite offices. This makes a fast and reliable internet.
Budget
While coworking spaces are generally cheaper than traditional office spaces, your budget will still play an important role in determining what coworking space you will choose. M Spaces provides a reasonable rate and packaged rates for long-term tenants. M Spaces also offers business support services, including business registration and corporate compliance, to help your business run more efficiently.
Coworking in the Heart of Ortigas
M Spaces offers flexible spaces designed with modern interiors and fully furnished amenities to fuel productivity and creativity. At M Spaces, there’s suitable office space of various sizes and is leasable under flexible terms, helping you scale your business without having to worry about property costs.
M Spaces is a suitable coworking space for your small or midsize business operating on a hybrid work model. Its accessibility makes it a viable workspace for freelancers and entrepreneurs to meet with clients and partners.
Given how the pandemic has shaped the workforce going forward, a hybrid work setup is here to stay, and it seems like the Philippine government is on board with this structure. Coworking spaces, like M Spaces, provide Filipinos with an efficient way to
Are you on the hunt for a coworking space with a private room? Visit M Spaces’ website to know more. Get in touch with M Spaces by dropping an email to info@mspaces.ph.com to learn more about the rates and the best possible package for your company.
You can also check M Spaces on Facebook and Instagram to see more photos and reviews of its office space and private meeting room offerings.