Co-working helps startups to thrive, says study

Shared workplaces help startups to thrive, according to a survey by Regus, a company that provides global workspace.

Research showed that over 70 per cent of business owners and senior managers in Scotland believe that co-working is the best working environment for businesses that are just starting out.

Over 80 per cent of those surveyed said that co-working is cost-effective, whilst 75 per cent said that it provides the opportunity to meet likeminded workers from other companies.

Inspiration

Another advantage given for co-working was that it provides a much more inspiring working environment than a traditional setting. Over 50 per cent of respondents also said that it helps to keep skills fresh.

Regus UK Chief Executive Richard Morris said that meeting other entrepreneurs is “critical” as it enables individuals to create lasting business relationships and expand their business.

“Co-working is a great way to expand your network of professional contacts, access invaluable advice and inspiration and raise the profile of your business,” he said.

Privacy

Despite co-working providing lots of advantages, Morris stated that businesses still need to have privacy, particularly when they require formal meeting space for important client meetings.

He added that whilst co-working spaces offer many benefits, meeting room options are also “essential.”

Entrepreneurs in Scotland are already being provided with the opportunity to discover the advantages of co-working. One Edinburgh-based company, CodeBase, stated that it helps businesses to meet with a “diverse range of developers and entrepreneurs in a friendly open space.”