2020 will be remembered not only as the year a pandemic rocked the world, but also as the turning point in which the world of work experienced a revolution. Companies of all sizes and sectors, from emerging startups to large multinationals, had to reassess and reinvent operations practically overnight. Crowded offices were transformed into lonely and dusty desks, face-to-face meetings gave way to video conferencing screens (with programs like Zoom especially at first), and the sound of printers was replaced by the murmur or chatter of domestic life
In the midst of this panorama, a particularly interesting phenomenon emerged: while many celebrated the freedom and flexibility of telecommuting, others began to feel the weight of isolation and the lack of clear boundaries between work and personal life. This is where the concept of coworking comes into play. Before the pandemic, these spaces were already popular with freelancers, entrepreneurs and small businesses. But with the proliferation of remote work, coworking has not only endured, but experienced a renaissance, offering a solution to all those who do not want or cannot be working and living in the same space all day, such as the dining room at home , that is to say for those looking for a middle ground between the home and the traditional office. Welcome to the era in which telecommuting and coworking coexist and complement each other, transforming the way we work and collaborate.
Brief history of telecommuting
Before the term "teleworking" became a topic of conversation in every corner of the world, there was already a gradual evolution towards more flexible working models. Although the first mentions of telecommuting date back to the 1970s, it wasn't until the popularization of the Internet and online collaboration tools in the 1990s and 2000s that we began to see a significant increase in its adoption.
Before the pandemic and abrupt change
Before 2020, telecommuting was seen as a benefit rather than the norm. Forward-thinking companies offered it to attract talent, recognizing the intrinsic benefits such as reduced travel time, increased job satisfaction and the ability to access global talent without geographic restrictions. However, there were also challenges. Traditional corporate culture, lack of appropriate tools, and concerns about productivity and information security held back full adoption.
When COVID-19 began its rapid spread globally, telecommuting was no longer an option, it became a necessity. Companies that had never considered the remote model were forced to adapt in record time. Tech giants like Google, Facebook and Twitter were some of the first to advertise remote jobs, and many other companies followed suit.
The benefits perceived by companies in this forced transition were multiple:
- reduction of operating costs
- maintaining operations despite restrictions
- an unexpected increase in productivity (in most cases).
On the other hand, employees enjoyed greater flexibility, savings on transportation costs and a better work-life balance. But as every coin has two sides, challenges such as social isolation, home distractions and difficulty disconnecting from work also arose.
In short, the pandemic didn't invent telecommuting, but it certainly solidified it, accelerating a transformation that might have taken a decade into just a few months. Coworking spaces, then largely unknown to the vast majority, began to enter the collective imagination.
Impact of telework
Telecommuting, once considered a perk or even a luxury, has become a ubiquitous reality for many people around the world. But like any significant change, it comes with its own set of benefits and challenges.
The benefits of telecommuting:
- Flexibility: One of the most obvious advantages of telecommuting is the flexibility it gives. Having the ability to organize your schedule around your personal needs and rhythms can result in greater productivity and well-being.
- Reduction of travel time: Hours previously spent in traffic or on public transport can now be used in more productive ways or for personal rest and leisure.
- Associated costs: Companies save on infrastructure and service costs, while employees reduce costs for transport, food and clothing.
Challenges of telecommuting
- Feeling of isolation: Human contact is essential. While digital tools keep us connected at work, they cannot replace face-to-face interaction, leaving many feeling isolated or disconnected.
- Home distractions: Working from home sounds ideal, until we realize that the home is full of distractions, from household chores to the presence of relatives.
- Separation between work and personal life: With the home office, it can be hard to disconnect. For many, the working day becomes longer and setting boundaries becomes a challenge.
- Face-to-face interaction and its importance: Beyond casual chats by the coffee machine, face-to-face interaction plays a crucial role in collaboration and creativity. In-person discussions allow for richer communication, capturing gestures, tones and nuances that video conferences don't always convey. In addition, spontaneous conversations can lead to innovative ideas and unexpected solutions. In a world dominated by telecommuting, finding ways to maintain that spark of collaboration and creativity is essential.
The revival of coworking spaces
Coworking spaces were born as a response to a growing need for flexible and shared workplaces, especially for freelancers, entrepreneurs and startups looking for a space to work without needing to rent a full office. These places were not just offices, they became communities where collaboration, the exchange of ideas and the creation of networks of contacts were encouraged.
The idea of coworking spaces emerged in the early 2000s, in an attempt to combine the best of working from home and the office. Instead of being isolated at home or investing in their own office space, professionals found in coworking a middle ground: a flexible space where they could work independently, but surrounded by a community that shared a similar mindset and goals .
Increase in demand for coworking spaces during and after the pandemic:
The pandemic, with its unexpected boom in telecommuting, brought a number of challenges, including isolation and the lack of boundaries between home and office. This situation has led many to look for alternatives, and coworking spaces were presented as the ideal solution for many. They have experienced a resurgence as they provide a space outside the home where people can work while maintaining social distancing while still enjoying a sense of community and collaboration.
Benefits of coworking spaces:
- Social connection: In a world where distancing has become the norm, coworking spaces offer an oasis of human interaction, helping to combat the feeling of isolation.
- Work environment: While working from home has its advantages, not everyone has the right space to do it. The coworking spaces offer a professional atmosphere, with all the necessary comforts and resources.
- Balance between work and personal life: These spaces make it possible to establish a clear distinction between home and work, making it easier to disconnect at the end of the day.
- Network of contacts and collaboration: One of the great attractions of coworking is the networking opportunity. Being surrounded by professionals from different fields makes it possible to establish contacts, collaborations and sometimes even business partnerships.
In short, in a world where telecommuting has become the norm for many, coworking spaces have found a new purpose, serving as a bridge between working from home and the inherent need for human interaction and collaboration.
In a constantly evolving world, the ability to adapt is essential. And in this scenario, Espai Pràctic the coworking of Cap de Creus shows us that.
Located in the heart of Llançà, Espai Pràctic is not simply a coworking space; it is a statement of intentions. Since its inception, it has demonstrated an ability to anticipate the needs of professionals and evolve with them. In times where the demand for flexible and collaborative workspaces soared, Espai Pràctic responded by creating facilities and services to offer a safe, innovative and conducive environment for productivity.
How does Espai Pràctic cover the needs?
Beyond providing a desk and a chair, coworking has become an ecosystem for telecommuters and entrepreneurs. With its design, it fuses the traditional with the modern, and its open spaces invite interaction, fostering an environment where creativity flows and collaborations emerge organically.
NFC technology for access 24 hours a day, optical fiber at maximum speed and flexible hours are just a few examples of how Espai Pràctic has endeavored to meet and exceed user expectations.