How should I expand my coworking space?

There is no disputing coworking space popularity is on the rise, particularly in this age of e-commuting, startups, and the freelancer economy. Frequently startups and entrepreneurs are stuck meeting at coffee shops, houses, or renting a small room in business buildings.

Coworking spaces offer an escape, as well as a community of like-minded people to assist them with network and grow.  They allow freelancers, designers, developers, startups, and more to have a devoted workspace that is more affordable than a traditional office space.

In India, coworking spaces in Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi along with other metropolitan cities have turned into coworking hubs because of large investments.

These office spaces help build confidence and community with the same business professionals. But, how do coworking spaces get members to fill up their building? With proper advertising and marketing strategy. The following are the straightforward steps to help grow your coworking space.

Have a Quality Website

Create one good website and add your contact information visible. Include all the updates of workspace, such as location, amenities, and blog posts that relate to business growth, technology, networking, and startups that are in sync with the niches of your members. Ensure these posts have the potential for Google to display them when someone searches.

Have a Social Media Strategy

Take all the advantages of social media platforms. Regularly post updates of your workspace in all the channels. Advertise using Facebook ads and ensure you have a dedicated page to your space. Also, when advertising on Facebook, make sure to focus ads on your local areas, those will be the people who will use your workspace.

Membership Perks

You are bound to find members for your co-working space if you provide various perks or incentives for them.  For example, create a member referral program, give membership cards or discounted rent when members bring in a successful referral.

Help your Members Succeed

Allow your members to advertise their business inside the building. Let them make posters to showcase their activities or work.  Conduct panels, workshops, and conferences in the various niches of your members to help them improve their network as well as businesses. Open these up to the public as well, which will acquire more traffic.

Host Events at Your Coworking Space

An exceptionally fruitful coworking marketing strategy is to rent out your space to something beyond members. Host local events, art galleries, concert series, celebrity parties, etc.

The coworking market is more competitive than you imagine. Coworking operators must focus on and strengthen the pillars that sustain the most weight of their business. Find great office spaces for rent in Bangalore at Gopalan Coworks with all the amenities that required for your workspace.

How do startups search for an office space in Bangalore?

Having a good membership and proper vision are probably the most important factors of a fruitful startup. It is also very important to note that workplace ambiance plays a vital role in the success of startups.

With its office spaces, Bangalore is at the forefront of maximizing creativity in the circle of the business.  Development of professional-friendly workplaces in this wonderful city has grown from strength to strength with the IT boom.

Following are the four factors that every startup should keep in mind when looking for office space in Bangalore.

Location:

Location is a very important perspective to keep in mind when taking office space for rent in Bangalore.  The area must be in a prime business location surrounded by similar businesses or startups.

Some of the most famous prime business locations of the city:

Whitefield

Indiranagar

MG Road

Koramangala

HSR Layout

Jayanagar

These locations are well known for their startup culture making them major winners for your business.

Price:

Bangalore is the primary startup hub of India and hence it has sky-high real estate prices, particularly for a startup, leasing office space in Bangalore can be very heavy on your pocket.

Amenities:

While a few startups need a fully-furnished office space for better functioning, there are few which need nothing more than a laptop equipped with Wi-Fi and a power source.

Parking

Bangalore is a thickly populated city where parking can be an issue. The public transport is well-connected but it will be an aid if the workplace could be provided with abundant parking space for the clients.

Startups should take care of all these parameters like location, prices, amenities, parking, and networking.

Gopalan Coworks across Bangalore are one of the most sought after coworking spaces in Bangalore, India. With office spaces in prime locations of Bangalore, they are well spread throughout the city. The design of their workspaces is such that it inspires people to put in that extra effort in their work.

Reasons why you should opt for a shared working space!

Shared working space offers many perks and good environment full of dedicated and hardworking professionals across all industries. The IT and the real estate sector are the fast-growing sectors in Bangalore. In this situation where the competition gets harder day by day, it is basic to divert all your attention towards the growth of your business. And if your business location is in a cosmopolitan city like Bangalore, this kind of shared office spaces could help you in many ways. You can always look for furnished office space for rent in Bangalore for your start-up.

Here are some reasons why you should do that.

*Plug and play office spaces are better than conventional office setups.

*These coworking spaces are decorated with advanced equipment that is essential for conducting businesses. Be it the training room, meeting room, separate chamber for the managers, separate cubicles or restrooms, shared office spaces will be providing you all the essentials for your business.

*Shared office spaces give you the opportunity to mix with individual experts and like-minded individuals within your workspace.

*Renting space in a coworking office in Bangalore means surrounding yourself with goal-oriented and high-achieving entrepreneurs and business people.

*Coworking spaces promote healthy work-life balance by being centrally located and close to public transport, as well as providing amenities to de-stress and recharge during a day of work.

*Some of those perks at desk chair include:

• Conference Rooms and Meeting Rooms
• Onsite Health Club-Style Fitness Center
• Grab & Go Food and Coffee
• Delivery and Mail Sorting
• Ultra-high Speed Wireless Internet Access and Support

Also read: Things You Are Missing Out On if You Are Not Trying Coworking Spaces

How coworking space help Start-ups’ & SMBs?

It is in the last few years that the concept of coworking spaces has gained a lot of popularity. With a growth rate of 24% annually, this dynamic market is ready to expand even further by 2022. These shared office spaces have proved to be valuable not only for startups but for big enterprises as well.

These collaborative workspaces are way cheaper than renting offices helping startups and small businesses to grow their businesses in an affordable way. These spaces are designed to create a strong networking environment.

Here are several other reasons that make shared office spaces the best choice for startups.

1.       Flexible

One of the most convenient reasons to choose coworking spaces for your business is the kind of flexibility that these spaces offer. From private cabins to meeting rooms, a well-stocked pantry, free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, these smart spaces give startups and small businesses the opportunity to grow and expand within the same space. Also, when you are tight in your pocket choosing shared office spaces can give you financial freedom. Coworking spaces in Bangalore allow you to use spaces as and when you need it, either day-to-day or on a monthly basis. Rent office spaces as per your convenience.

2.       Networking

These comfortable office spaces provide a large number of networking opportunities for companies who are trying to build their business. These business workspaces combine the freedom of working for yourself allowing you to find like-minded coworkers. Connect with talented and enthusiastic people from the same industry who can also introduce you to potential clients or investors. You can also find freelancers with the right skills that your business requires, thereby giving your business a proper boost. Connect, collaborate and accelerate.

3.       Amenities

Light on budget, coworking spaces come with a lot of amenities to give you the best feel at work. Printers, scanners, lounge areas, free beverages, reception areas, unlimited parking, these office spaces have a lot more to offer as compared to traditional offices. These workspaces also offer a number of fun-filled activities that make work fun and exciting.

4.       Coworking Environment

Being surrounded by people who are passionate about their work is very inspirational. A brainstorming session with creative and dedicated people can be the best foundation of some path-breaking ideas and concepts. This is one of the biggest advantages of coworking spaces, it doesn’t just help you grow your business but also gives you an environment that includes innovative and dynamic thinkers. A good atmosphere and the right people can help your business reach new levels.

If you are a small business or a startup looking for a place, waste no time and rent a coworking space to enjoy the huge benefits that these spaces offer. With a dynamic and vibrant environment, these office spaces are flexible allowing you to choose what you need and when you need it.

IoT Applications Transforming Shared Workspace Management

With the increasing demand for coworking spaces, the expectations from the consumers regarding the environment and the facilities for these spaces have also increased. It can be a bit of a challenge for the managers to incorporate the best technologies which can help them have better control over their shared spaces and also improve customer experience.  

To make these spaces available with advanced technologies in the most efficient manner, IoT can help these workspaces grow like never before.

From doors that can open automatically to calendars that with help your consumers see the availability of the coworking space through a dashboard, IoT is becoming important for these office spaces where users can control every aspect of the environment through a single interface.

Here is how IoT is transforming the shared workspace.

1.       A workspace that is responsive

IoT-enabled coworking office spaces will act a lot different than the existing ones where everything from the furniture to the copy machine will be connected through IoT. Efficiency is considered to be one of the biggest advantages of an IoT-ready coworking space.  From cost-cutting to optimal use of resources, IoT has it all covered. How cool it would be to see the LED lights in a meeting going off by itself as soon as people leave the room. With IoT, this is the future of shared office spaces.

2.       Smart Biometric Access

After a desk is allocated to a consumer, the next thing that needs to be done is access control. To automate this process, technologies like Barcode, Beacon, and RFID can be brought to action. A keyless entry custom mobile application or a Bluetooth beacon is one of the most used automated applications which are loved by the consumers of the coworking spaces. The need to tap or swipe ID cards will no longer be required.  

3.       Smart CCTV Cameras

An eye on the sensitive areas of your coworking space is important. Wireless IP CCTV cameras can be installed to keep track of any unauthorized access. Motion detectors can also be installed which starts recording only when there is a motion.

4.       Smart Payment

With the use of RFID technology, a Smart Card will work as an access control as well as a payment card for any services that your consumers will use. A mobile app can be used by the consumers to top up money to these smart cards which can be used for payments within the office space.

The day is not far when IoT will transform traditional working spaces into flexible and tech-enabled ones. With IoT, organizations are all set to witness high levels of productivity and cost efficiencies.

Gopalan Coworks proves the best office space in Bangalore with all the above facilities. 

6 considerations for starting your own business

To embark on an entrepreneurial journey can always be overwhelming. There is no guarantee of success and there is also no way to be ready for any obstacle that might cross paths while you are on this journey.  But, though challenging, this field can be highly rewarding and life-changing. 

So, before you actually take on this roller coaster ride, we bring to you six things that you should consider while starting your own business.

1.       Proper Market Research

It is very important to have a thorough idea about the industry you will be involved in. No matter how unique your business idea is, you will always have your competitors ready. Do proper homework on the market needs, your competitors and how the needs are satisfied today. Always remember, your idea might be brilliant, but that doesn’t mean others will not have a similar idea. To dominate your industry, you need to offer something better and cheaper than your competitors. Research on your target audience and make them your priority, because there is no profit without customers.

2.       Map Your Capital

Money is one of the most important criteria while starting a business and it is not something that you will have right away. Most business owners start their venture with a very limited amount of capital which can be a big hurdle. To afford an office, in the beginning, can be a great threat to your entire budget plan. It is always feasible to go for office spaces for rent at the start of your business. These shared office spaces are affordable and come with all the facilities that are required for your startup.   

3.       Understand the Risk

A new venture will always have some level of risks involved in it. It is always important to understand, calculate and plan for the risks, before taking any step further. This means assessing your industry's risks properly with every pros and cons before moving forward with a business plan.

4.       A Trustworthy Team

It is important to surround yourself with the right people. Your work is new and you need people whom you can trust and who can also help you grow your startup in the right way. Results are always achieved through people. It is equally important that as an entrepreneur you treat your team right. How good a team is and how it is managed are the keys to a successful business.

5.       Self-Discipline

This can be considered one of the most important qualities of an aspiring entrepreneur. You are the owner of your business and therefore you will be the one accountable for all the right and wrong happenings in your business.  Stick to your plan, make a proper budget, and meet the goals you have set for yourself. Before anything else, you yourself have to be ready to give your business the time and effort it requires.

6.       Documentation

Do not take documentations for granted. Have a proper control on the legal form of your business that includes proprietorship, partnership or corporation. Business registration, protection of your business name, shareholder agreements, local regulations, etc, should be appropriate. It is always advisable to have a lawyer, an accountant as well as a business consultant to help you start your business in the right way.

While it is difficult to judge the outcome of your business, it is always necessary to be passionate about it. Your passion and dedication can turn all odds in your favor.