More and more people are seeking a workplace environment that fulfils the role of a ‘home away from home’.
That was the message from IWG sales director Santino Colaluca at a Manchester Evening News breakfast event exploring flexible workspaces and how they can help start-ups grow.
The event was held in partnership with IWG and took place at Regus in Trafford Park.
Colaluca said: “I think we’ll see a trend where people treat going to work as a second home, which is starting to filter into the marketplace where people are comfortable, relaxed, but more importantly connected to different businesses, almost like friends.
“It’s about creating a culture where people feel connected, where people feel at home and feel part of a community essentially, so that you do build connections and ultimately to do business together as well. This is why network is key.”
He also reiterated IWG’s plans to build a “workspace revolution” by adding thousands of locations to its already extensive global network of 4,000 sites across 130 countries.
“There’s a large demand for out of town spaces so people can limit their commute, work closer to home and be connected across the 海角视频 and in the out of town locations.”
The event was hosted by award-winning editor Chris Maguire and one panel included Martin Keelagher, CEO of Agile Automations, Michal Wisniewski, managing director of Flock, Liz Whiteley, business development director of Methods and Graham Bowcock, managing director of Oakwood Valuation Surveyors.
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Patrick Kennedy, flexible workspace expert, John Readman, founder, Modo25, Sarah Novotny, agency growth advisor, GM Business Growth Hub and Shailen Mistry, Data and analytics consultant, Slalom featured on the second panel.
Sarah Novotny, agency growth advisor at GM Business Growth Hub, said work has become “much more a part of your identity”.
“I think the definition of where you want to work needs to be an extension of how you see yourself.”
She continued: “It’s very important because [workspace] is bound with strategy because if we’re talking about market positioning or if we’re talking about reaching out to different markets - maybe on a global scale - we need to address the issue of staff.
“They want it to be attractive for the staff, they want it to be fully flexible so that if a new contract comes in...they need a work space that will accommodate that and it needs to be attractive for clients.”
Speaking of the benefits of flexible working spaces, John Readman, Modo25 founder, said: You don’t have to worry about any of the sort of connectivity, the bills, the phone, the electricity and when you’re trying to grow a business you just don’t want to worry about that stuff.”
When looking for a flexible workspace, CEO of Agile Automations Martin Keelagher said added benefits such as a free beer is now expected.
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“If you walk in and they haven’t got that, straight away that’s a cross in a box. I think it’s probably the way we’re moving forward as a workforce. Everybody thinks its millennials but I think everyone likes the fact that you can have a cold beer on a Friday after a tough week.
“People might have done that in a local pub before, whereas now you can do it in an office and save yourself five quid for a pint.” However, Liz Whiteley, business development director of Methods, said: “We moved to a space which was on the surface great because it had its wellness Wednesdays, beer and pizza on a Thursday and massages but the basic infrastructure and connectivity and download speed we needed wasn’t there and we were struggling making calls.
“We persevered and it started making an impact to our business so its really getting those fundamentals in place.
“When looking at a new space we all walked in with our mobile phones and asked can we make calls, can we access the internet, do the basics work in here and that was the massive test.”
There are also benefits to a flexible workspace as a place to network, Whiteley said. “The capabilities of different companies and ideas, of sharing ideas and collaboration, means there’s so much to be gained by networking and in terms of bringing everyone together really. I’ve got a real passion for Manchester and supporting it and making sure it thrives.”
Tech platform Flock has recently moved into a space in MediaCity海角视频 to “tap into the network that exists in there”.
Michal Wisniewski, its managing director said: “I think all businesses will need to use new office space as an investment opportunity, there’s not only office space it’s the network that you tap into, the new partnerships being built and new recruits they can gain.”
Flexible working extends beyond flexible workspaces, the panelists said.
Readman said staff at Modo25 work four days a week on full time salaries and staff are all paid the same as the London salary,
Similarly, Whiteley said Methods offers “really flexible working”.
“It doesn’t matter what time you come in, what time you work to, there’s absolutely no micromanagement whatsoever.
“People have children, they can have school holidays, we are very flexible, with a space where everyone can come in and touch base and meet the team.”
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Workspace expert Patrick Kennedy said the nine to five working day was “dying out”.
He said: “People want to work more flexibly, be entrusted, be empowered, and having all the amenities in flexible workspaces.
“It’s also changing what landlords do in buildings, they’re putting gyms, cafes, coffee shops, bike racks, showers into buildings... and I think that goes a long way and businesses are looking to co-working spaces to cover staff attraction and retention.”