Dedicated co-working spaces are proliferating, and it’s probably a huge relief to small startups and remote workers who can finally enjoy community and collaboration without the price tag associated with an ongoing office lease. Here in Boston, there are at least two major co-working chains (WeWork and Workbar), in addition to several one-off options, for people who would otherwise be working solo or in very small groups.
The model is typically as follows: A company or individual can pay a monthly rental fee for a dedicated desk in a co-working space, with options for full- or part-time occupancy. Office features such as conference rooms for meetings and file storage come with an extra charge. In addition to the use of the space, co-workers get the benefit of socializing and networking together (a benefit that this former work-from-home-er can attest is a biggie).
I noticed one clever thing that Workbar does to help facilitate that sense of community within their space is to brand the people who work there in a common way. Essentially, Workbar asserts a shared identity that helps their members feel a sense of belonging. It’s smart, since we know relatedness support helps keep people engaged. Check out how this branding comes to life in the co-working spaces.
Union Square, Interior
South Station, exterior
Rock on, you rebels of Workbar!