International studies confirm that by 2018, the number of coworking offices around the world could increase by up to six times to 37,000. It is estimated that up to 40 percent of the seats will be filled by freelancers, who have already expressed a positive opinion on this type of solution.

Coworking - attempting to define

Looking for the definition of coworking one should first of all pay attention to the fact that it is an indirect solution located between work at home and that performed in the office. Professional duties are therefore carried out in a specially designated location, which is accessible to both freelancers and sole proprietors. It is assumed that coworking was born in 2006, while the American Brad Neuberg is considered to be its creator.

In 2014, there were 5780 coworking offices worldwide, with the highest number of offices in Europe and North America. If we analyse only the last five years, we cannot fail to notice that their number has almost increased tenfold. Interestingly, the idea was initially much more popular in North America than in Europe. Today, we can already speak of a reversal of this trend and, at the end of 2014, Europe was clearly ahead of the North of America.

Research conducted by Deskmag portal confirms that half of people using coworking opportunities are freelancers, and every sixth person is an entrepreneur or a person who performs their duties in a company employing more than 6 but less than 99 people. However, it also happens that such opportunities are used by large companies that offer such a solution for both remote and temporary employees. A statistical client is a man between 23 and 30 years old with a university degree.

The report, which analyses coworking in Poland, confirms that in as many as 70 percent of cases this solution is decided by people considering how to separate their personal and professional lives. Nearly half of the respondents are looking for a place to work more effectively or to create better conditions for business meetings and establishing contacts with other people. There is no shortage of people who have already worked in coworking offices. These people appreciate not only low costs, but also the possibility to exchange experiences.

Coworking - benefits and risks

It is hard not to agree that working in coworking creates huge opportunities. After all, we are talking not only about renting an office together, but also about creating a community, and even about building bonds - business, but also interpersonal. Working in such a space also gives an opportunity for interesting acquaintances, and at the same time makes it possible for specialists representing various fields to support each other. It facilitates the exchange of knowledge and experience and is often a source of inspiration. It turns out that we are dealing with spaces that allow us to meet new customers, so one of the most important benefits associated with coworking is considered to be the improvement of relations between people.

Over 80% of respondents believe that coworking is a chance to integrate with other people. There is no shortage of people who think that we are talking about a job that motivates and increases efficiency and even makes it possible to plan its time better. Almost every other person also confirms that their income increased at the same time as they started to use the coworking space. Unfortunately, this does not mean that we are dealing with a flawless solution. The most serious one is related to noise. It is often simply unavoidable, yet it can dissipate and reduce productivity. Sometimes it is difficult to avoid conflicts, and sharing a common space with competitors can cause tensions. Coworking is still not as popular in Poland as it is in Western Europe, but there are many signs that it may change soon. Low running costs and the possibility of separating private and professional life are very strong arguments.