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A coworking space can garner a reputation, good or bad, but so can its clientele. That reputation, especially on venue rental marketplace sites like Peerspace or MyHublet, can follow you and in some cases, could even cause spaces to turn down your reservation due to what others had to say or review about your visit to their spaces.
For some, it means some adjustment, whether you’re an out-of-town visitor or you usually work from home, it can be exciting visiting a coworking space. But remember: you are sharing that common space with others with a reservation just like yours. Just because you’re allowed to put your feet on the lobby coffee table at your office back home does not mean you can at the coworking space. A co-working space can be great for networking opportunities. But it can also paint a picture of someone who people don’t want to do business with.
Professionalism is the Name of the Game
A professional space calls for professionalism, even if you’ll never step into the same office space ever again, those who you do meet will form an opinion and you want that opinion of you to be a great one. It starts with respecting the house rules, whether it’s not eating on their expensive couch, or staying out of places you’re not supposed to. In most spaces, there are designated places to enjoy your meal that are also designed for your comfort. Just because you have to answer an important call does not mean you can walk into an empty office. It might be empty at that moment, but someone could show up and then have to wonder why there is someone in the space they reserved. In most spaces, there are areas where you can take your calls, such as designated phone booths. Usually, it just takes a second to ask your host where these amenities are. A good host will go out of their way to accommodate your needs.
This also matters when using a space that is not the one you reserved, even in a space that provides 24- hour access. Just because its empty doesn’t mean you can go ahead and use it. Your use makes it so staff has to unexpectedly reset a space after finding out last minute that it was used. Some coworkers pay extra for the premium spaces only to find it dirty the start of their reservation. It isn’t fair to your fellow coworker or the coworking space staff.
Professionalism also includes time management. It is frowned upon to show up an hour early to your reservation and expect to be shown to your space. Not only can the space still be in use by another coworker who reserved it for that time, but the staff might also need time to reset the space so that it is ready for your use. If you are early, it helps to ask the manager on site if you can wait in a common area until its your turn to use the space. Sometimes, if possible, the manager might even show you to your space before your reservation time.
A set of house rules are there for a reason – it’s to benefit the entire space, and is just as appreciated from your fellow coworkers as well as the coworking staff.
Utilize the Coworking Space’s Staff
Speaking of good hosts, a good coworking space is run by a good manager, usually someone who is prepared, for the most part, to meet your needs. A good coworker will utilize the co-working staff in order to keep their visit efficient, which matters to both creatives and entrepreneurs alike. A few
common requests that a good host will oblige includes watching someone’s property while they are out to lunch, cleaning a large accidental mess (things happen), providing AV support, including dongles helping setting up televisions or projectors for presentations, and asking questions about the area, such as what restaurant is recommended, which sights are good to visit or where can you find affordable parking. However, just because you’ve reserved a space doesn’t mean you’re entitled to anything. At the end of the day, the staff are people just like you. Treat them with the professionalism you would like to be treated with. If you are unsure of anything and when in doubt, always ask a staff member. Whether it's a unique circumstance or if you’re going to need more time with the space than you originally thought. A lot of the time, the accommodation can be done through person. A coworking manager, especially a good one, is there to make sure your needs are met so you can concentrate on the business at hand.
Respect the Space
Let’s say you have a nice office you’re proud to do business in. You took the time to set it up in a pleasing manner and then maintain it so that others could enjoy themselves in the space – would it be okay if a visitor-- a client even, would it be okay if they poured their cup of coffee into your house plant instead of dumping it in the sink just a few feet away? Or what if they accidentally spilled that coffee onto your nice office chair? Would it be okay for them to just leave the liquid sitting there until it was eventually discovered? Or you rather they tell you as soon as possible? A reservation entitles use of the space, but there is also an obligation to respect the space you are in, whether its a private office or a common area. A good coworker leaves their coworking space in the same condition as when their reservation started. You think this would be common knowledge, however, you would be surprised how many people dressed in a suit, no less, would rather stick the gum they are tired of under a conference table instead of going to a nearby trash can.
This also means cleaning up after yourselves. Taking dishes and washing them, especially if the house rule is to do them. (some spaces allow you to just put them in the sink, and the staff will then wash them, but please rinse them, especially your coffee mugs). If doing dishes, make sure to leave the sink in the same way you found it. That means making sure there’s no food left behind. If the sink is equipped with a strainer, make sure none of the food ends up in the drain and make sure the strainer is empty.
If you don’t want to do any dishes, it is best to just use disposable. Usually, a coworking space has some on hand. Or if ordering food, don’t forget to ask for some. A restaurant will usually provide plates and utensils that you can throw away if requested. A big No is leaving dishes in the office space covered in food. Picking up your food wrappers and putting them in the trash can also go a long way as well. This especially should be a priority in common spaces, such as shared kitchens or dining areas. Your fellow coworkers don’t want to deal with the mess you left behind and they shouldn’t have to. If items are too big to fit in trash cans or you have too much trash to fit a can, make sure to let your host know. They will gladly help clean up the mess by getting rid of the excess trash on your behalf.
Respect the Boundaries of your Fellow Coworkers
A good coworker also respects the boundaries of their fellow coworker. Curiosity can get the best of us and so sometimes the urge to take a self-guided tour ends with accidentally walking in on a meeting or presentation they were not invited to. A coworking manager or employee would be glad to give you a tour, and so it is best to ask first before exploring on your own.
Communication is part of doing business and we understand that taking phone calls outside the space you reserved for required privacy or to not interrupt the meeting you’re in the middle of is warranted. Unfortunately, your loud conversation can interrupt a fellow coworker meeting, especially when you decide to take your call in a space where other offices are located. Most co-working spaces are equipped with space designed for phone calls, usually a phone booth. Or if the phone booth is already being used, asking your co-working space manager for a space to take calls is also an option. Just remember to ask first before occupying a space you have not reserved.
Shared spaces and amenities are just that – to be shared. That means no one has priority over any spaces or amenities provided by the coworking staff. If something is being used by a different coworking group, its best to wait your turn. Couches found in lobbies, food bars, snacks provided by the coworking space, all must be shared. This also includes water fountains, microwaves and refrigerators, printers, scanners and bathrooms. Always make sure to knock, especially when approaching any closed bathroom someone could be occupying. Even if it looks empty, it is always best to knock.
Most coworking spaces share the same rule when it comes to refrigerators: if a name is not written on any food item, then it is up for grabs. That includes sodas, left over snacks, etc. Always put your name on items you don’t want others touching, including medication (you’d be surprised). If you ordered too much food, but want to take it home, make sure to put your name on it. If you bought too much food and want to share with the rest of the space, however, please feel free to place it in a common area, just let a co-working staff member know that it is available to the entire space. Also, make sure there’s enough room for others to use the refrigerator as well.
All About Community
A coworking space with a prime location will recognize a good coworker, and will want them to return whenever they need a place to do business. If a coworker is someone especially friendly, made sure to follow the house rules as well as respected their fellow coworkers, they stand out enough that they are usually offered perks, such as priority reservations or even discounted rates.
At the end of the day, a coworking space is designed with the community in mind. One of the reasons a good coworking space can keep their rates affordable and cost-effective is by the care that goes into maintaining the space. That care also comes from a collaboration between a coworker and the co-
working staff. When a co-working space is mistreated, the local community is deprived a place to work, a place where they can study in peace, record a podcast, practice their lines for a play or show hosted at the local theater or throw an event to celebrate a special occasion. The respect one has for their local coworking space goes hand-in-hand with respecting its local community.
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