IWG

How did the sector fare in 2018 and what is 2019 looking like?
Workspace needs are changing for every sort of business, from major corporates to small and midsize enterprises (SMEs), startups and individual entrepreneurs. The drivers discussed here — technology and the desire of workers and businesses to experience the benefits of flexible working — are accelerating the demand for change along with the fast acceleration of the Start Up movement. And many indicators are pointing in the same direction: workers are increasingly mobile and can access their work and be productive from anywhere.

In India, many businesses and organisations are exploring ways to embrace flexibility and the benefits of coworking by partnering with workspace organisations such as Spaces/Regus that can allow them to work in multiple locations. With companies expanding operations in tier II and III markets, coworking gives employees the freedom to choose, they are more likely to stay in town, which in turn benefits the local economy. Coworking was the fastest growing industry last year and according to recent industry reports, the sector will continue to grow exponentially in the coming year as well. Demand continues to gain momentum across cities such that about 13 million people are expected to work out of coworking spaces by 2020.

How do coworking spaces help a company’s bottom-line?
The benefits of flexible working don’t stop at the office door. A recent Regus study found that flexible working is set to contribute over US$10 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Greater levels of flexible working will save businesses money, reduce operating costs and boost productivity — ultimately causing a ripple effect across the economy from core businesses through to supply chains. It’s exciting to consider the ways our society could benefit as a result of increased flexible working, especially as the growth projections to 2030 show just how important it will be in the decades to come.

Everything about our network is designed to help customers control costs, improve productivity and make lives easier. At the heart of this approach are our apps, streamlining and simplifying every contact. In addition, our commitment to providing a world-class digital infrastructure underpins our customers’ ability to work exactly as they want, across the world, using our 60 million Wi-Fi hotspots and thousands of business lounges to be as productive as they possibly can be. With 24/7 customer service and a dedicated account manager supporting every contract, our customers can focus on what really matters to their business.

What are the USPs of this model?
There are numerous benefits of working from a coworking space, be it for an entrepreneur or a big organisation. The flexibility and convenience provided helps professionals to collaborate and expand, which cannot be done in a traditional office. Startups get the opportunity to work in a fully equipped office, without worrying about costs of setting up an actual office. They can scale up and down as and when required. Such a setting is ideal for networking, building contacts and sharing ideas and knowledge. As for big businesses, they benefit from offering employees flexibility. In a flexible workspace built on collaboration, this effect is amplified because people are speaking to fellow workers beyond their own business. This is a key benefit and one of the main reasons why corporates are exploring flexible workspace strategies.