Office Evolution Hoffman Estates on Office Evolution Hoffman Estates

Keep Yourself and Your Team Healthy This Flu Season | Office Evolution, Hoffman Estates, IL

Office Evolution | Hoffman Estates, IL — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 12:01:11 UTC

We are in the midst of winter, which means: It’s flu season. The CDC estimates that this will be a bad year for flu infections.

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to keep yourself and your team healthy this winter.

Practice Good Hygiene

Handwashing is key to reducing germs and keeping yourself—and others—healthy. A solid handwashing routine can reduce respiratory illnesses by 16–21%, as many germs are spread from person to person via their hands.

Washing your hands regularly is one of the simplest things you can do to prevent illness in your workspace. Make sure to rub your hands together with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, getting under your fingernails, between your fingers and on the backs of your hands.

When soap and water aren’t readily available, keeping alcohol-based hand sanitizer on hand can come in handy. While hand sanitizer doesn’t kill all of the germs that regular handwashing does, it is a much better alternative than not doing anything at all.

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

You’ve likely heard that maintaining a healthy lifestyle will help keep you healthy during all times of the year. This is especially important during flu season.

Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and reducing stress are all great ways to maintain a work-life balance, and boost your immune system.

Stay Home

If you’re beginning to feel ill, take necessary precautions and stay home. If you work with a team, encourage them to stay home if they’re starting to experience symptoms of any sickness, as well.

While working in a coworking space, you’re around many different people at all times of the day. Even though the Hoffman Estates coworking spaces are kept clean and sanitary to the best of our ability, there is always a possibility of germs spreading.

Do yourself and your coworking neighbors a solid and don’t come into the office if you’re not feeling well.

No one likes getting sick, so it is important to do everything you can to keep yourself healthy. When you’re working around others, it is pertinent to take precautions to keep them healthy, as well. Prevention is key, and taking care of yourself when you feel ill is the best way to kick your sickness to the curb.

Our workspaces are kept clean and sanitary for our members every day. Visit our website today to learn about our available coworking options!

How Changing Your Schedule Can Boost Productivity | Office Evolution, Hoffman Estates, IL

Office Evolution | Hoffman Estates, IL — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 12:01:38 UTC

It is all too common to yearn to be productive at work. We want to complete our tasks in a timely manner, have good time management and feel positive about the work we do. But being efficient and productive isn’t always that simple.

There are so many things that can get in the way of productivity, including distractions that are common with working from home. The dishes are piling up in the sink, the dogs are barking and there just seem to be so many noises outside when it’s time to work.

While working for yourself, or remotely, can give you the flexibility you desire, it may not be the best in terms of productivity. Fortunately, there are many ways you can increase your work efficiency just by changing up your schedule and daily routine.

How Your Schedule Affects Productivity

If you’re an early bird who prefers to wake up at the crack of dawn, it doesn’t make sense to work deep into the night completing tasks. On the flip side, if it’s hard for you to get going first thing in the morning, it doesn’t make much sense to schedule your most important tasks bright and early.

If you think about when you tend to have the most energy and are the most productive, you may realize that these two things tend to go hand in hand. When your energy dips, so does productivity.

How to Change Your Schedule to Boost Productivity

First and foremost, determine when you have the most energy. These are the best times to tackle those tasks that require the most brain power, focus and creativity.

If you’re an entrepreneur and your schedule is completely flexible, you have the power to create the ideal day that works best for you. Use this to your advantage and boost your creativity through the roof!

If you have to be productive during hours when you’re less energetic—which is common—there are many ways to boost your energy naturally. While it isn’t ideal, sometimes we have to schedule client meetings on their time, not ours. But that doesn’t mean you can’t schedule the rest of your important work when you want to.

If you’ve noticed that you aren’t being as productive as you’d like to be, it may be time to change up your schedule. Once you’ve determined when you’re more likely to be productive, you can schedule your work tasks during those time frames to maximize productivity.

A coworking space is the perfect option for eliminating the distractions that come with working remotely. Contact us today to learn about our available coworking spots!

How to Maintain Work-Life Balance Like a Pro | Office Evolution, Hoffman Estates, IL

Office Evolution | Hoffman Estates, IL — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 12:01:37 UTC

So, you’ve achieved your desired level of work-life balance. Now what?

With a busy schedule, it may be a challenge to maintain the balance you’ve worked so hard for. It seems like something is always popping up and disrupting your equilibrium.

Instead of stressing out and losing your work-life balance, there are simple ways you can maintain the balance you desire in your life.

Be Flexible

Having a work-life balance isn’t about having a rigid schedule that fits in all of your ideal activities. Life happens, and that means you will need to be flexible with both your personal and professional life.

Nothing is set in stone, and the world is ever-changing. Your schedule may change from day-to-day, and that’s OK.

There may be a time when your perfectly planned-out day doesn’t go to plan. Maybe you miss your alarm, oversleep and don’t get in your workout for the day. You begin feeling stressed because you need your morning exercise to begin your day on the right foot.

The next time this happens, look at this situation as an opportunity to seek exercise in other parts of your day. Can you take a walk during your lunch break or get in a shorter workout after dinner?

The key here is to go with the flow and realize that work-life balance isn’t about perfection. It is important to remember your priorities, but know that life is imperfect and you will deal with roadblocks. The most important thing is how you deal with them.

Remember Your Priorities and Goals

What is important to you? Remembering your priorities can help keep you on track.

Do you have a goal to run a 5K next fall? You’ll need to make time for practice.

Is your priority having more quality time with your family? You’ll need to carve out time for that, too.

Life keeps going, going, going and remembering what your goals and priorities are can help you maintain balance—one day at a time.

Schedule Leisure Time (if Necessary)

It is not always easy to have time to ourselves. Between the never-ending conference calls, shuttling kids to and from activities and juggling housework, it can be easy to go and feel like we never stop.

It may sound silly, but penciling in leisure time has so many benefits. It is important for our overall health to slow down and take necessary time for ourselves.

A coworking space is a great way to create and maintain your work-life balance. Contact us today to learn about our coworking options!

Why Is an Organized Workspace Important? | Office Evolution, Hoffman Estates, IL

Office Evolution | Hoffman Estates, IL — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 11:01:36 UTC

Picture this: You’re in the zone. You’re in the middle of an important project, the deadline is quickly approaching and you’ve made a bunch of progress today. Then you can’t find the document that’ll help you wrap the project up. You search and search, but it’s nowhere to be found! Now you’re stressed, frustrated and your concentration has been broken.

Sound familiar?

This scenario could easily be prevented with more organization in your workspace. Instead, you’re now wasting valuable time searching for the document and potentially making more of a mess in the process. You may even have to ask your coworkers for help, then wait while they assist you.

Here are a few ways that being organized pays off in your workspace:

Saves Time

Being organized saves time in every aspect of your life. In the workplace, you’re less likely to waste time searching for things that could’ve easily been found if they were in the correct place.

The time you have when you aren’t sorting through clutter can be spent doing more important, work-related tasks.

Prevents Stress

It’s no secret that clutter has negative impact on mental health. Having excess items in your workspace can increase your stress levels and reduce your ability to focus.

Your busy work schedule on top of a messy environment is the perfect storm for stress to build and negatively influence your mental health.

Saves Money

Organization can actually save you money! If you’re consistently replacing folders, stationary or writing utensils, it will add up. These purchases may seem small at first, but when it’s a constant expense, it can become expensive. For many businesses, every penny counts.

Research has also shown that emotional spending is a common occurrence. Feeling stressed out at work can leave you more likely to make emotionally-charged purchases after you’ve gone home. More organization = less stress, which can save you money in the long run.

Increases Efficiency

People with disorganized spaces are more likely to procrastinate compared to those with clutter-free workspaces. When you’re not sifting through stacks of paperwork, you have more time to focus on your to-do list. You’re also less likely to feel excess stress when your space is neat and tidy.

A coworking space may be the key to keeping your work area organized and clutter-free. Our offices are tidy and full of business-minded individuals, which is sure to encourage organization and productivity for our members.

Interested in learning more about our coworking options? Contact us today!

How to Capitalize on Virtual Work | Office Evolution, Hoffman Estates, IL

Office Evolution | Hoffman Estates, IL — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 11:01:05 UTC

Technology often swoops in to save the day, and the pandemic was a great example of that! When crowding offices was not deemed safe, businesses had to look for solutions to keep things afloat while keeping their staff safe.

With this problem, the concept of remote work seemed like the ideal solution. This not only let businesses and their staff run as close to normal as possible, but it also improved the old way of doing things for many companies.

Virtual work allowed employees to work from wherever they deemed safe. Employees could call in from wherever they had internet, whether it be their home office, library or the park. Businesses could adapt their operating systems to be accessed from wherever, and employees enjoyed the newfound freedom.

Because many businesses ended up saving money and improving their processes, this transition has stuck around following the pandemic. This change is becoming increasingly efficient thanks to technology, and businesses understand how to get the most out of this transition.

Read on for some tips to help you and your team get the most out of virtual work.

Best Practices for Remote Work

One of the easiest things you can do to enhance your team’s experience is to have team calls or meetings regularly. This reminds your staff that they are a part of a unit, and it helps to get everyone engaged and online at the start of the day.

Calls need to go through to be successful. If the platform you are using does not enhance communication, then it is likely that your team will struggle.

Take a substantial amount of time to review your options when it comes to these platforms because there are many out there! Depending on how often and the way your team needs to collaborate, all options may not be for you.

One of the most important things to consider is your staff’s tech needs. If your team uses desktops in your office, you should not assume they all have personal computers to transition to.

To ensure your employees have computers and that those computers can support the tasks their job requires, you will likely need to provide them with company-issued computers. This ensures they are well-equipped to maintain their excellent work at home.

Have you considered offering your remote employees access to a coworking space? Get in touch with us to learn more.

Coworking When You’re a Freelancer | Office Evolution, Hoffman Estates, IL

Office Evolution | Hoffman Estates, IL — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 11:01:32 UTC

Following the pandemic, we have seen trends and changes in how we do business. One of the most notable changes was that many companies are now allowing their employees to work remotely!

This means that employees can essentially log into work from anywhere there is internet reception. This is obviously an attractive opportunity for employees across the country and has people considering how to enjoy their time on the clock best.

Out of this opportunity came a growing interest in the opportunities coworking provides. Coworking facilities rent office space to freelancers, small business owners, small companies, remote workers and anyone else that could utilize office space. These facilities offer private offices, meeting rooms and coworking areas, which are flexible and convenient.

Coworking is essentially the midpoint between the traditional office space that a company provides and working from home. It gives you a convenient location close to home with all the essentials covered but is there when you need it only.

Their flexibility provides them with an advantage over a company’s office, where you can come and go as you please. These also beat out home offices because they help you continue to keep work and home separate and eliminate distractions.

Now, if you are a freelancer, you may wonder how this applies to you. You have worked for yourself since before the pandemic and do not understand why you would make the change now. But you can also benefit from coworking!

Why Cowork as a Freelancer?

One of the most significant advantages for a freelancer in a coworking space is enhancing your network. While working from home is typically more convenient, it confines you to interact solely with those you work with.

A coworking space provides a community that you can become a part of as you use the space. This will introduce you to professionals outside of your work who could be valuable down the road.

Another important advantage is the enhancements it will bring to your work. You will find yourself to be more productive and creative while utilizing the coworking spaces. The mix of comfort while keeping the standard office design will help you focus without boring you. A dramatic decrease in burnout should be expected!

Have you considered switching up your workspace? If so, visit our website to learn how you can rent one of our spaces.

How to Lead as a Small Business Owner | Office Evolution, Hoffman Estates, IL

Office Evolution | Hoffman Estates, IL — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 11:01:06 UTC

When operating your own business, especially if you do not have employees, it can be hard to understand your place as a leader. But being a leader can be more than just leading people.

If you are the leader of a business, you represent the company with your actions and words. Often with smaller businesses, the owner and the brand can become synonymous, so you must lead the public perception of your business toward something positive.

You also are responsible for leading the business itself toward success. By recruiting customers and investors, you are leading all aspects of your business towards your goals. As you grow, you then have the opportunity to expand your staff and develop more traditional leadership qualities.

When leading a small business, many of the same leadership skills are necessary. Communication is still key, if not even more crucial.

Being able to communicate with your employees effectively is necessary to sustain or accelerate the growth of your brand. You need to be able to provide them with information about your goals and plans for their respective area of the business, and they need to be able to return feedback to you.

Planning is also extremely important for you as a business owner and leader. You will be overseeing many different aspects of your business, so it is important to have solid plans.

Think out well in advance your ideas for the different sectors of your business so you can strategically implement them without being overwhelmed.

The most important skill for leaders of small businesses to have is time management. You are going to be spread thin. It will be important for you to be able to divide your time for all of your responsibilities appropriately.

Within all of that, though, you still need to take the time to make yourself available to your employees when they need you. Being effective at time management will make leading your business to success much easier.

If you need a new space to run your business from, let us help! Contact us today to learn about the peace of our private offices.

How Does My Morale Affect My Work? | Office Evolution, Hoffman Estates, IL

Office Evolution | Hoffman Estates, IL — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 11:01:42 UTC

Most of us have good days at work and bad days. And when we reflect on these days, we can usually see some trends.

On the good days, we are generally energetic and excited—able to get a lot done. On the bad days, we may feel tired or uncomfortable and feel like no matter what we do, we are not accomplishing much.

These feelings we have make up what we call morale. Your morale is our attitudes and feelings about work, and these feelings usually impact our work from day to day.

Working hard is much more difficult if you have a negative mindset about being in the office that day. Luckily, your morale is not permanent and you can do things to give it a boost!

Why Should I Worry About My Morale?

Some people will have the perception that “it is work and work is not supposed to be fun.” While not every job can feel like a trip to Disney World, it is beneficial to your mental health and career to find a way to enjoy your work.

If you are miserable at work for eight hours a day, five days out of the week, it is likely that those negative emotions will seep into the remaining hours you have outside of work. Focusing on uplifting your morale can not only make work more pleasant for you but your life outside of work as well!

How to Flip to a Positive Mindset

While a lot of the power in maintaining employee morale rests in the hands of management, there are steps you can take to maintain your own morale. One simple solution is to improve your communication with your superiors.

The more comfortable you are speaking with your boss, the more comfortable you can be expressing your work-related feelings with him or her. If your boss is not made aware that you are having an issue morale-wise, he or she can’t take the proper steps to fix it.

There are also steps you can take throughout your week that will help boost your mood in general, which will bleed into your attitude at work. Getting adequate sleep throughout the week and eating a well-balanced diet can work wonders for your mood in general and will leave you more energized at work.

Are you on the hunt for a new space to get your work done? Visit our website to learn more about how our coworking spaces can help you!

Why Switch From Your Home Office to a Coworking Space? | Office Evolution, Hoffman Estates, IL

Office Evolution | Hoffman Estates, IL — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 11:01:07 UTC

When you first got the news from your supervisor that you had the opportunity to work from home, your first feeling was likely excitement. You immediately imagined your commute to work disappearing, sleeping in and wearing your loungewear as you work.

Essentially, the concept of being extremely comfortable while on the clock probably sounded great to you! While this preconception is a reality for some people working from home, for many others, it is not.

Working from home can be distracting and potentially less comfortable than in the office. Depending on the layout of your home, you may not have the ideal office space or office space at all.

If you are in an apartment, you may have too much noise from your neighbors coming through and find it difficult to focus. As a result of these hurdles, you may find yourself wishing you were back in the office. Luckily, there is an alternative that combines the best of both worlds!

Coworking facilities provide spaces where you can work productively and creatively close to home. Providing all the essentials, this is a considerable enhancement from a home office for many people. Here are some reasons why you should consider a coworking space:

Peace and quiet. Most coworking spaces offer a variety of workspaces depending on what your needs are. If your most significant issue with working from home is the lack of silence, then a private office in a coworking facility would be great for you!

A thriving community around you. In coworking spaces, you will be surrounded by various professionals sharing the space. Entrepreneurs are trying to plan their start-ups, small business owners are utilizing an office, and remote workers are looking for some company.

Wherever you fit into this community, if you take advantage, you will be able to learn something from each of the various groups. The entrepreneurs may spark some creativity within you, the small business owners can teach you about time management, and you can bond with the other remote workers about how much you love coworking.

While there are many other benefits, these two should be great motivation to consider leaving your home office and trying out a coworking space!

If you need a change of scenery, consider one of our office spaces! Contact us today to learn more about how our spaces can benefit you.

Liven Up the Workplace for Your Employees | Office Evolution, Hoffman Estates, IL

Office Evolution | Hoffman Estates, IL — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 11:01:42 UTC

As a manager, you are the leader of your team and have substantial influence over them during work hours. One responsibility that comes with this is encouraging them to be as comfortable as possible on the clock while staying professional.

It can often be hard to unwind at work, especially if your environment feels too much like work! To prevent this among your team, you should advise them to make the space their own.

There are some specific ideas you can pass along to your team that can boost their morale and, in turn, make them more productive on the job!

Let the Team Create Their Space

The first thing you should encourage your team to do is to take advantage of the natural light in your facility. Help them arrange the workspace around windows, and if you are limited on natural light in your office, encourage bringing in other light sources or purchase them for your business.

There are numerous bulbs and devices that mimic natural light, and other options brighten up a space. This type of light will help everyone feel energized and more joyful and will help them get better rest outside of work.

Encouraging your employees to bring plants into the office is another excellent idea. Caring for a living thing can provide purpose, and the addition of living things to a space can be much more inviting.

Suggest bringing in a small plant for their personal space or large plants for the entire office, or even hire a biophilic design company that can do it for the entire business. This enhancement to the office can benefit both their health and their mood.

The last step is encouraging your employees to bring décor into the workspace. Having pictures of their families or hobbies on their desk can make their individual spaces feel more their own.

This allows them to feel like their life outside of work matters when they are at work, too. You should also collectively enable your team to pick out décor for the office. If they have a say in the look of the office, they are likely to be more comfortable working there and feel more like a team.

Are you on the hunt for a coworking space? Visit our website to learn more about our facility!

How to Join the Culture in a New Job | Office Evolution, Hoffman Estates, IL

Office Evolution | Hoffman Estates, IL — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 11:01:06 UTC

Most businesses have an existing culture among the employees, who understand the ins and outs of daily operations. While being a member of this culture can make work life very comfortable, it can take some time to truly feel like you fit in.

It will take time to earn respect and trust of your coworkers, but there are some habits you can pick up early on to help the transition occur smoothly:

Introduce yourself effectively. Initial impressions are essential because they are the first sample of your behavior and personality. If you portray yourself well during these meetings, it will dramatically impact the willingness of your coworkers to include you in the culture. A variety of things affect the impression you leave, but if you show that you are polite, friendly and give a firm handshake, they are likely to assume you are easy to work with and professional. Giving off these impressions right out of the gate will likely benefit you down the road.
Put your manners first. Workplace manners are usually standard amongst workspaces and are the base set of rules to follow in any professional setting. The inability to follow these rules can cost you your job, but if followed correctly, it can show that you are meant to be in a place of business. Avoid talking politics with your coworkers, invading others’ personal space and being disruptive during work hours. Following these guidelines lets your coworkers know you will treat them respectfully and be a productive addition to the office.
Work through conflicts. Workplace conflicts are unavoidable. Sometimes, you will find yourself collaborating at work with coworkers whom you do not always see eye to eye with. While some coworkers are legitimately toxic and require HR involvement, most of these conflicts must be resolved to reach your goals. Focusing on compromise, avoiding hostile disputes and maintaining calm are all essential to handling conflicts. If you can do this, the rest of the office will view you as level-headed and be more excited about working with you.

You’ve Got This

While following these steps can set an excellent foundation for your coworkers’ perception of you, it may take some time for them to get the whole impression of your abilities.

Be patient, be yourself and be respectful. Do these things, and in no time, you will feel like part of the family.

Are you interested in a new space to innovate? Contact us today to learn more about our facilities.

What Do Employees Want From Their Leaders? | Office Evolution, Hoffman Estates, IL

Office Evolution | Hoffman Estates, IL — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 11:01:36 UTC

If you own a business or operate in a leadership position, you already know how important it is to decrease turnover in your organization. Recruiting, hiring and training are all costly endeavors on their own, and keeping a good employee who has deep industry experience can be priceless—but to keep employees around, it is vital to gain a full understanding of what they want to see from leaders.

The attitudes around what work should be are changing, and nearly 70% of workers surveyed indicated that they plan to look for a new job soon. It is important for leaders at every level of the business to acknowledge that people are leaving their jobs in droves, then take a close look at how they can make a difference to keep people happy and engaged for longer.

What Employees Want From Leadership

An ethical culture of trust. When people are able to trust their teammates and their leaders, everything in the business works better. News headlines are often filled with bad behavior from owners, CEOs and other executives, which is bad for business but even worse for morale. Working for an ethical organization has been a top priority for workers for generations, and with the amplified news culture of today, it is even more vital.

A transparent structure. People want to feel confident in their company, but today’s employee is often rather skeptical of corporate positivity, which can sometimes feel demeaning or like the sugarcoating of real issues. Having clear communication and transparency will not only help people feel more informed, but it will also contribute to a culture of trust that will benefit the entire organization.

A diverse and inclusive workspace. Respect is a major concern of today’s employee, and that extends to respecting *everyone*—that is why diversity and inclusion is such an important element of the modern workplace. Creating a culture where everyone is valued and respected is more beneficial for everyone, and that is something that employees want to see reflected from their leaders, too.

If you would like to learn more about how you can incentivize employees, chat with us about coworking and our membership options today.

Improving Your Interview Etiquette When Hiring | Office Evolution, Hoffman Estates, IL

Office Evolution | Hoffman Estates, IL — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 11:01:35 UTC

If you are preparing to hire at your organization, you have likely thought through a lot of elements about the new role. Deciding on the job requirements, hiring timeline, salary and ideal candidate profile can be a great place to start during the process, but have you considered how you can improve your interview etiquette?

Providing a good candidate experience during the interview process is extremely important, especially in a competitive hiring market. When surveyed, candidates reported that a negative interview experience was the No. 1 reason they turned down job offers—so clearly, this is important.

If you are planning to interview people soon, here are some tips for ensuring your interviewer etiquette is primed to make a good impression.

How to Have Good Interview Etiquette for Candidates

Be respectful of start and end times. Just as with any other meeting, it is important to be respectful of the start and end times of the interview. Make sure to always start on time, and be sure to block off as much time as you think you will need to get through all the questions you have outlined in your interview plan.

Give candidates your full attention. Every manager is a busy person (especially if you are short-staffed and need to hire), but it is important to focus on the task at hand. Avoid checking notifications, emails or other distractions unless it is absolutely necessary, so you can be sure that interviewees are getting your full and undivided attention.

Leave time for candidate questions. Interviews should be thought of as a two-way process, so it is important to build enough time into each interview round for candidates to ask any questions they have. Most candidates will likely be curious about the role, the structure of your company or other logistics, so be sure you leave ample time to address these important items.

Avoid asking for too much. While it is important to vet each candidate thoroughly, demanding too much during the interview process can be a major turn-off even for the most qualified applicant. Asking for lengthy, unpaid assignments, requiring candidates to “wow” you or otherwise putting out too many hoops to jump through can signal that your organization does not respect others’ time.

If you would like to set up a great space for your growing organization, coworking might be the perfect solution! Contact us today to learn more about how coworking can help businesses grow.

Tips for Making the Most of Time Spent in Meetings | Office Evolution, Hoffman Estates

Office Evolution | Hoffman Estates, IL — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 11:01:38 UTC

Meetings are something that few people report liking, but in many cases, they are a necessary part of employee roles and responsibilities. Though meetings can be ideal for certain situations, with 25% of the average meeting’s content being irrelevant to attendees, it is undeniable that there is a lot of wasted time in these meetings, too.

Fortunately, there are strategies to make each meeting more productive so you and everyone that is attending can make the most of their time. By implementing a focused approach to meetings in your organization, you can reduce time wasted and increase employee satisfaction as well.

How to Make the Most of Time Spent in Meetings

Provide actionable follow up tasks. A common complaint with meetings is that they do not get anything accomplished. Oftentimes, meetings are adjourned without any clear direction on what the next steps are, leading to confusion and a sense of stalling. With actionable followup tasks, attendees will have in writing exactly what the next steps are and how to take action on what was discussed.

Keep time limits strict. Meetings that start late waste time at the beginning, while meetings that go over their allotted time can derail whatever is next on attendees’ calendars. When it comes to start and end times, it pays to be strict about punctuality in order to respect everyone’s time. This also avoids creating an environment where chitchat is taking up a good portion of the meeting time, and ensures that every minute is being used productively.

Make sure to move the conversation along. If you are having the type of roundup meeting where people share updates or progress on something, shyness can lead to a lot of time wasted if you are continually waiting on volunteers to speak up. Move the conversation along by giving a set order for participation, so everyone knows when they are expected to speak up and awkward silences are kept to a minimum.

If you are rethinking the way people work, we are, too! If you would like to learn more about how coworking is helping people achieve this, we would love to chat. Contact us today to learn more.

How Coworking Can Grow Your Network as an Entrepreneur | Office Evolution, Hoffman Estates

Office Evolution | Hoffman Estates, IL — Sun, 15 May 2022 11:01:06 UTC

While being an entrepreneur is an exciting thing, it can also be a lonely job. Whether you are a business entity of one or have a handful of employees, starting and running your own business is something that many people can’t relate to—and as such, it can be difficult to find a sense of community and grow your network with like-minded folks.

For many entrepreneurs, joining a coworking space can be a fantastic way to overcome these challenges. Whether you need a single desk for your work or want to bring your employees into the space, working in an organization filled with other perspectives, industries and positions can do wonders for your inspiration and sense of belonging.

How Entrepreneurs Can Grow Their Network With Coworking

Coworking can provide more opportunity. Having a professional network and strong business connections can set you up for incredible opportunities you may not otherwise receive—and for coworking members, these connections are built in with the membership. Having the opportunity to connect with people can help you in untold ways, especially if you are a growing business looking to expand your footprint.

Coworking can lead to more collaboration. In a survey among coworking members, over 80% of people reported they turn to other coworking members for help or guidance—that is a lot of collaboration happening! Being around people who have different perspectives can help you get new insight into any roadblocks you may have encountered and give you a sense of collaboration with your peers.

Coworking can combat feelings of loneliness. Many people have struggled with loneliness as a result of the pandemic, and this is often exacerbated for entrepreneurs. Starting and running your own business can be a rather lonely thing, and if you work solo most of the time, it can be difficult to find peers that can relate. Coworking is a great way to get out of the house and combat a sense of isolation that entrepreneurs are all too familiar with.

If you would like to see coworking in action, we would love to have you! Schedule a tour with us today to see if it would be a good fit for your situation.