Even the state is involved. The Moscow Department of Science, Industrial Policy and Entrepreneurship has been building coworking spaces in every district of the capital for several years. And in Troitsk, for example, at the beginning of 2016, a coworking space was closed, explaining that the format was not in demand in New Moscow.
There is a demand for coworking services, but the supply has also become massive. How to make money on utilities for business?
350 sq. m— average coworking space in Moscow
By 25% The coworking market in Russia is growing annually
5.6 sq. m- average workplace area
8-20 thousand rubles. — how much will it cost to rent a workplace in a coworking space in Moscow?
1000 rolls toilet paper per month needed for a coworking space with 100 jobs
Sources: NAI Becar, RBC Real Estate, " Workstation»
Office in the park
“There is a stereotype that “hipsters with smoothies hang out in coworking spaces,” but in fact, people come here to work, not have fun. This is one of the differences between this format here and abroad, where people enjoy playing games and staying to chat after work,” says Mikhail Komarov, co-owner of Work Station, one of the first coworking spaces in Moscow.
Since 2008, the owner of the Myme web studio, Mikhail Komarov, could not find a suitable office for his team. “I wanted to do something ‘for myself’, and not just move into a standard office,” recalls Komarov. An entrepreneur I know, Yuri Krylov, supported the idea - together the partners began looking for a co-working space that would accommodate Komarov’s team, and the available space could be rented out.
Co-owner of Workstation Mikhail Komarov (Photo: Oleg Yakovlev / RBC)
It helped to meet Ekaterina Kibovskaya, who at that time was working on special projects in Gorky Park. She helped contact the director of the park, Olga Zakharova - she liked the idea, and in the spring of 2012 the administration rented out a pavilion in Neskuchny Garden to entrepreneurs.
About 15 million rubles were needed for reconstruction, construction of a summer terrace using decking boards, decoration and furniture, although much was done on our own. For example, the interior was designed by an architectural bureau led by Anna Titova, Komarov’s wife. We tried to do it “for ourselves”: in addition to the work area, meeting rooms and kitchen, we installed showers and a mini-cinema. The start-up capital was formed from the personal savings of the founders and a bank loan for 5 million rubles.
The project became popular almost immediately after its opening, which took place in August 2012. About 250 people came to the party - mostly friends and acquaintances. Everyone considered it their duty to check in at Rabochka and post a photo on social networks in an unusual, completely different office interior: a high space with skylights and plenty of sunlight, panoramic windows overlooking the park. As a result, Komarov was never able to place his team in the coworking space: all 82 jobs were bought out in the first month. The entrepreneur decided to take this business seriously - in January 2013, Komarov bought out his partner’s share, becoming the sole owner of Workstation.
However, not everyone was able to get off to a successful start. The second “Workstation” opened in 2014 on the territory of the Artplay design factory on the site of a closed coworking space. “The director of the design center, Sergei Desyatov, called us and said that the existing co-working space there was closing due to debts. He offered to take their place,” says Komarov. The mistake of the owners of the closed coworking space was that they insisted on annual contracts with tenants, like in a regular office, but few agreed to this.
Although this “Station” was larger in area (700 sq. m versus 500 sq. m in Gorky Park), it was cheaper - 10 million rubles were spent on furniture and redevelopment. During the renovation work, the residents of the previous tenant were moved to Neskuchny Garden.
Promoting a coworking space, which was not located in a park area, but on the seventh floor of an ordinary building, required more time and effort. And yet the “Workstation” brand worked; after six months, Komarov managed to deliver all 130 jobs.
Interior for Instagram
To attract people, Komarov tried to hold events like mini-parties, pitch sessions and film screenings, but they did not give the desired effect. “We are faced with the fact that our person is not interested in all this; people care not so much about the party as about their status. So that when a client posts a photo from a coworking space on Instagram, they write to him in the comments: “Wow! Where is it? I want it too!” - says Komarov. Saving on repairs will not achieve this effect. It’s easier for a person to sit at home or in a cafe or rent his own small office - fortunately, during a crisis, supply exceeds demand.
The third “Workstation” was opened at the beginning of 2016 in the Z-plaza business center on Butyrskaya. To create an “Instagrammable” interior for her, Komarov had to sell part of the company. “When we had already started working on the coworking space, former top manager of VimpelCom Sergey Rumyantsev contacted us and expressed a desire to participate in the project,” explains the entrepreneur. As a result, Rumyantsev bought a stake in Work Station.
Interior of the "Workstation" (Photo: Oleg Yakovlev / RBC)
“In the context of a decline in demand for offices at fixed rates, a flexible model for leasing workplaces is becoming increasingly relevant. In a coworking space, you can rent several jobs if the team has grown, and vice versa, abandon them if the staff has been reduced. Coworking spaces are now home to not only startups and freelancers, but also project teams from large companies. For example, some of the Sbertech employees work at Workstation,” says Sergey Rumyantsev.
Komarov says that all the money raised was spent on finishing the 1,800 square meter premises. m: “We just did it even cooler than we planned.” According to his estimates, this coworking space is the largest in area in the CIS. In addition to workspaces and meeting rooms, you can rent one of six boxes in a capsule mini-hotel - a night will cost 1.5 thousand rubles. (bed linen, slippers, towels and breakfast included). Hot food is provided by the Food.Station cafe, another Komarov company that operates catering outlets in coworking spaces.
According to the businessman, the first two “Stations” fully paid for themselves approximately a year and a half after opening. The costs are quite high, but the format has a flexible business model. Thus, 80% of the revenue comes from the basic “resident” tariff - a fixed workplace(15 thousand rubles per month), another 20% comes from renting meeting rooms and workspaces for a week and a month. Additional income provides a “per day” tariff - since not all subscription holders spend time every day and there are those who come in the late afternoon (coworking spaces operate around the clock), the guest is seated in any available seat. If the “owner” of the place comes, the guest is offered to change seats. This approach allows us to ensure an average occupancy rate of 102%, admits Mikhail Komarov.
Today, all three “Workstations” in Moscow are 100% full, says Komarov. Total monthly revenue is about 10 million rubles. At the beginning of September, the first “Workstation” outside the Moscow Ring Road opened in Orenburg: the owner of an industrial park located in the city center proposed favorable conditions cooperation. “If it works for us in Orenburg with a population of 650,000, then it will definitely work in other regions,” Komarov believes. He is convinced that the Moscow market is already close to saturation - only large co-working spaces with an area of more than 2 thousand square meters can be opened here. m.
Regional approach
"Coworking spaces are promising business, but the peak of demand in Moscow and St. Petersburg has already passed,” says Alexander Vusov, head of the business and asset valuation department of the Uphill consulting group. — Firstly, there are already many similar projects in both capitals; secondly, offices are sometimes cheaper. Over the past two years, the decline in prices for both rent and sale of offices in Moscow has amounted to approximately 40%. And when looking for office options, including in the center, you can always bargain and reduce the rental rate by 5-10%.”
Therefore, coworking spaces are now opening in the near Moscow region and Leningrad region, in satellite cities, as well as regional centers - there is not much competition there, but the demand is also low. For example, the RE Group company, in partnership with the Ministry of Investment and Innovation of the Moscow Region, is developing the Start co-working network. The first two opened in Odintsovo near Moscow and on the territory of the Dubna SEZ; by the end of the year it is planned to launch coworking spaces in four more cities in the Moscow region. According to Ekaterina Chapygina, head of the Start project, the company is considering options for attracting third-party private investors to the project.
When opening a coworking space, it is worth considering alternative possibilities for using the space, advises Irina Vishnevskaya, general manager consulting company Berkshire Advisory Group: “Firstly, there is an acute shortage of money in the regions; secondly, coworking is still a fairly highly specialized segment, aimed at young and energetic professionals who work for themselves, including in the field of IT technology, consulting, law and other services. There must be a critical mass of such people in the city for the project to be profitable.”
If in 2012 coworking spaces were a novelty, today this word is used to describe technology parks, mini-offices, and even anti-cafes. “The main problem of the market is the erosion of the format. Now anyone can rent a basement, buy cheap furniture there, and call it a coworking space,” says Alexander Kolodezny, an adviser to the Moscow government on the creation of coworking spaces. — There are a lot of residents, so entrepreneurs will come, but they will be very disappointed in the format and in the very concept collaboration. That is why it is necessary to implement standards for coworking spaces, taking into account all SNIPs, SanPiNs and architectural supervision.” According to him, at least one large coworking space (from 350 sq. m.) appears in Moscow every year, but not all survive. Why?
Opened in February 2014, the “Cowork on the Roof” was designed in a fashionable Scandinavian style, staged a high-profile opening, which was written about by fashionable city publications, but this did not save it from imminent closure. “The landlord increased the rental rate so that it became unaffordable for us, and a more stable tenant came to replace us, willing to pay more,” explains Evgeniy Savin, founder of Kovorka on the Roof.
According to him, the main difficulty of this business is that, as a rule, places in coworking spaces are rented for short terms and not always stable. Startups fail, freelancers can go on vacation or work one day in a coworking space, another in a cafe. In such a situation, it is difficult to plan income, while the costs of renting and maintaining the space are stable. The coworking business model of “rent a cheaper space wholesale and rent it out at a higher price retail” does not always work. You need to create a “place of attraction” and make money from events and educational programs passing on the site.
But this does not always save. The St. Petersburg co-working space “Third Place”, opened in 2012 by ex-journalist Elnara Petrova and her partner Svetlana Romanovich, was precisely the “center of attraction” for St. Petersburg entrepreneurs from among “their own”. But the fashion quickly passed - in 2015, the coworking space was replaced by a mini-hotel, and then a bar.
The article discusses the main elements coworking center business plan. Coworking centers in Russia are just gaining momentum, although foreign countries This is a well-known concept and a popular type of organization of activities. In this regard, the level of competition is at Russian market low, which will allow a novice entrepreneur to occupy his niche.
However, it is necessary to focus on detailed demand analysis. This is best done within coworking center business plan. It structures all the necessary information, substantiates next steps, and also the necessary calculations are carried out and a financial model of the future company is built.
Key Features coworking center business plan with calculations
Features of a coworking business plan
As stated above, one of the main steps in the process business planning for coworking centers is to study the demand from the population for this type of service. Since the circle of consumers is limited, before opening, you should study the number of potential customers and how much they will be willing to pay for it.
In addition, you should focus on calculating the efficiency and return on investment, as well as the profit forecast.
Competently composed marketing plan V business plan integral part of the launch coworking space.
Description
Files
Business of creating coworking centers involves opening a space where people work, renting a workplace for a certain time. This space involves the provision of the following services:
- Providing a workplace with all necessary equipment;
- Possibility of using meeting rooms;
- Organization educational courses and seminars;
- Coffee and drinks are included in the price.
Thus, a territory is organized in which a working atmosphere reigns, which is important for the target audience, which includes:
- Freelancers;
- Businessmen;
- Self-employed.
In short, people whose work is not tied to a specific location, however, they require infrastructure for holding meetings or they are simply not comfortable or do not have the opportunity to carry out their activities from home.
1 – Summary
1.1. The essence of the project
1.2. Amount of investment to launch a coworking center
1.3. Work results
2 – Concept
2.1. Project concept
2.2. Description/Properties/Characteristics
2.3. Goals for 5 years
3 – Market
3.1. Market size
3.2. Market dynamics
4 – Staff
4.1. Staffing table
4.2. Processes
4.3. Wages
5 – Financial plan
5.1. Investment plan
5.2. Financing plan
5.3. Sales plan for coworking center development
5.5. Tax payment plan
5.6. Reports
5.7. Investor income
6 – Analysis
6.1. Investment analysis
6.2. Financial analysis
6.3. Risks of a coworking center
7 – Conclusions
The business plan for a coworking center is provided in MS Word format - it already contains all the tables, graphs, diagrams and descriptions. You can use them "as is" because it is already ready to use. Or you can adjust any section to suit you.
For example: if you need to change the name of the project or the region where the business is located, this can be easily done in the “Project Concept” section.
Financial calculations are provided in MS Excel format - in financial model parameters are highlighted - this means that you can change any parameter, and the model will automatically calculate everything: build all the tables, graphs and diagrams.
For example: if you need to increase your sales plan, then just change the sales volume for a given product (service) - the model will recalculate everything automatically, and immediately all the tables and diagrams will be ready: monthly sales plan, sales structure, sales dynamics - all this will be ready .
A special feature of the financial model is that all formulas, parameters and variables are available for change, which means that any specialist who knows how to work in MS Excel can adjust the model to suit themselves.
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Benefits of coworking
The main alternatives to coworking cents are to work at home, as well as in various cafes and anti-cafes. The advantages of using coworking space are:
- Communication with like-minded people;
- Everything for meetings and negotiations;
- Possibility to use a scanner, printer and other equipment;
- Cheaper than renting an office;
- There are no distracting elements;
- Comfortable conditions and creative atmosphere;
- Good location.
It is also worth noting that, as a rule, drinks are included in the price; in addition, a separate area for meals is organized, which creates optimal conditions.
Also, great popularity acquire specialized coworking centers, where representatives of the same profession unite, for example, designers, copywriters, website creators, etc.
The indicated advantages coworking center should be reflected in the program of marketing activities within the framework of business plan.
Premises for a coworking center
The key to success coworking business is a properly selected room, the main requirements for which are:
- Good location. It is best if it is the central part of the city or a business area.
- Design. The more attractive the design solution, the more people will strive to work in this place, this is especially important for creative professions.
- Various zones are provided. For example, a work area, meeting rooms, conference rooms, a kitchen, a recreation area, and administrative premises.
- Good ventilation system, natural light.
- Availability of free parking. Which is especially important when located in the city center, since, as a rule, clients come for several hours.
Launch stages in a coworking center business plan
To start business of organizing a coworking center you will need to go through the following steps:
- Analysis of the market situation. Competitors, demand, pricing procedures, factors external environment that influence development.
- Description of the concept, including ideas, goals, list of services, creation of a price list, etc.
- Determining the list of advertising and marketing activities.
- Drawing up a financial plan, calculating the feasibility and effectiveness of an investment.
- Registration as legal entity or individual entrepreneur, registration with the tax authority, choosing a tax system, opening a current account.
- Searching for premises, approving a design project, carrying out repair work.
- Purchase of necessary equipment and furniture.
- Conducting an advertising campaign.
- Selection and hiring of personnel.
Thus, in the end, based on a pre-compiled business plan opens coworking center.
Investments included in a coworking business plan
To start coworking business The following investments will be required at the initial stage:
- Rent of premises – xxx rub.
- Design and renovation work– xxx;
- Purchase of equipment – xxx;
- Registration and opening of a current account – xxx;
- Advertising and marketing – xxx;
- Stock of money – xxx.
Total from 5 to 50 million rubles. depending on the premises, since it is its rental and equipment that accounts for the bulk of the start-up investment.
To do this, you can use both your own and borrowed funds. To obtain loans or attract investors, you will need a professionally drawn up business plan. Ready coworking business plan can be downloaded from the link below. There a financial model is calculated and all the necessary information is structured.
Another promising option for business development is cryptocurrency mining. will help you understand all the nuances of this area.
Coworking equipment
To organize a comfortable space coworking space the following equipment should be purchased within the framework business plan:
- To create jobs - computers, printers, scanners, copiers, office equipment, speakers, headphones, web cameras.
- For conference rooms and meeting rooms - projector, plasma panel, magnetic board.
- For the recreation area - coffee machine, cooler, microwave oven, refrigerator, kettle, toaster, etc.
- Furniture – tables, chairs, sofas, poufs, cabinets, etc., provided for by the design project.
In addition, it is important to provide for the mandatory connection of high-speed wireless internet and charging devices. Expenses cent coworking for the purchase of equipment are included in the financial plan business plan with calculations.
Promotion of coworking center
The main task of an entrepreneur at the initial stage is to attract as many more visitors. To do this, you can do the following: These activities and the budget for them are recorded in business plan for a coworking center.
First, create a selling website and groups in social networks For coworking business and promote them to the target audience, since clients are active Internet users.
Secondly, having a bright sign and distributing leaflets near nearby coffee shops and anti-cafes will become another channel of influence on potential customers.
Thirdly, it is important to provide a bonus system for regular visitors or a discount when purchasing long-term passes. In addition, you can do a free trial visit.
Finally, organizing several large educational conferences and webinars will allow you to introduce the maximum number of people to your coworking center.
Coworking space income and expenses in a business plan
They are displayed in financially business plan and serve as the basis for calculating the profit forecast coworking center.
Costs of coworking centers
Costs are necessary to maintain the functionality of the coworking space and ensure its development and include:
- Rent of premises – xxx rub.;
- Utility bills and communication services – xxx;
- Tax deductions – xxx;
- Salary – xxx;
- Equipment maintenance – xxx;
- Organization of drinks and food – xxx;
- Advertising - xxx.
General running costs business coworking centers will amount from xxx rub. monthly and will be covered by visitors paying for services.
Coworking profit forecast in a business plan
Profit is forecast based on revenue, the main part of which is fees for services coworking center:
- For renting workplaces – from xxx rub. per month;
- For an entrance ticket to events - from xxx rub. per month;
- For additional services– from xxx rub.
In total, total monthly revenue can reach xxx rubles. Then, with existing costs, net profit in coworking business plan will be from xxx rub.
Personnel composition in the business plan of coworking centers
IN organizational plan The coworking center provides the following positions:
- Administrator;
- Marketer;
- PR manager;
- Accountant;
- Hall employee;
- Worker.
In addition, when creating a design project, a designer will be required. Total number depending on scale business coworking center will be 7 or more people.
Structure of the financial model of a coworking center
The financial model is a separate file in MS Excel format - essentially it is
a separate product designed for business planning and calculation of all its
indicators. Each of the parameters of the financial model can be changed manually.
There are no macros in the financial model. All formulas are transparent and accessible to
changes.
In the process of working on a business plan, we review dozens of different sources
information. This includes data from equipment suppliers, industry portals, interviews with market experts, and official statistics - such system analysis data provides a complete picture of all project parameters: prices, equipment costs, premises costs, costs, etc.
Is it worth opening a coworking space?
The presence of a low level of competition and the demand for this product in the market create favorable conditions for development business of opening coworking centers and making a profit.
This will require a well-built system at the planning stage in the format of a business plan. We have already compiled a ready coworking center business plan, which included all the necessary information and all the calculations performed. You can download it from the link below and start implementing the idea right now. If you need additional financing, this document will help in negotiations with bank employees and investors. At your request, we can also draw up an individual turnkey business plan, where we will take into account all your wishes.
Detailed study of customer needs and taking them into account in the project creating a coworking space will ensure the necessary customer flow to obtain maximum profit.
In large cities in the West and in Russia, coworking spaces for representatives of office specialties operate successfully. What does success depend on and how to open a coworking center?
What is coworking
The term coworking comes from the English co-working or coworking - joint work. This is the name of a workspace that replaces an office for independent specialists in various office specialties. Programmers, journalists, copywriters, designers and other specialists work in coworking spaces. Essentially, a coworking space is a collective office, the rent of which is paid by each client.
A typical coworking space has a spacious, open workspace. The minimum set of equipment and furniture required for work is installed here. These are tables and chairs, lighting, electrical sockets, WiFi routers. Coworking spaces may also have other utility and work spaces:
Wardrobe.
Rest room.
Meeting room.
Bathroom. Some coworking spaces have showers.
Sports or gaming compartment.
Conference room.
For a relatively low fee, a specialist can rent a workplace. Renting a coworking space is much cheaper than renting an office. Even startups and young IT companies use this. It is more convenient for them to rent several workstations in a coworking space than to rent an expensive office.
One of the most famous coworking spaces in New York, NewWork City, is located in the center of the metropolis. It features a large open workspace as well as five isolated mini-offices for teams. The comfort of this coworking space will be the envy of employees of many large companies. The first contribution of the founders of NewWorkCity amounted to 17 thousand dollars. The guys raised funds to start the business on Kickstarter.
NewWorkCity: one of the most famous coworking spaces in New York
How does a coworking space make money?
The coworking project involves generating income from the rental of workspaces by specialists. However, this is not the only source of financial income.
Coworking centers also make money by renting conference rooms and training rooms, holding paid events and training courses. New coworking spaces receive more than half of their income from paid trainings and conferences.
The premises of coworking centers are rented out for holding press conferences, filming TV shows, and photo shoots.
Some centers offer related services, for example, paid use of office equipment. However, a more promising business model is one in which the cost of office equipment is included in the rental fee for a workplace.
Coworking "Kavardak" in Yekaterinburg
To attract tenants, the coworking team must be very active at the start. In addition to investing in equipping office space, you will have to invest in organizing promotional events for specialists. These could be:
Free trainings and workshops.
Concerts.
Creative evenings like “Hello, we are looking for talents.”
Fairs of handmade goods.
Exhibitions of creative works.
Themed parties.
To effectively conduct business, the coworking team must create an active community based on the center, which constantly participates in various events and even organizes them itself.
With a successful set of circumstances, the initial investment in a coworking space pays off within a few months. However, most Russian centers pay for themselves within approximately a year.
How to open a coworking center: step-by-step plan
To open a coworking space, a team of owners must solve the following tasks: rent or buy suitable premises, renovate and equip the center, organize marketing of services to attract partners and clients. Read more about solving these problems below.
1. What kind of space is needed for a coworking space?
Rental premises - optimal solution for future coworking space owners. Firstly, it will cost less than purchasing. Secondly, if necessary, the center can be moved to another building. However, if you are confident in the success of the project and the good location of the building, you can purchase it.
What to look for when choosing a room? Here are the main ideas:
Coworking space should operate in the city center. It’s good if there are universities, entertainment venues, shopping centers, cafes or canteens nearby.
The area of the room must be sufficient to organize an openspace type workspace for several dozen specialists. Ideally, it should be possible to organize several zones with different functional purposes. At a minimum, a coworking space should have a conference room, a kitchen and a relaxation area.
A separate entrance would be a huge plus. It will simplify the ability to operate around the clock.
Ideal coworking spaces should be looked for in closed or open shopping centers, abandoned industrial sites, educational institutions.
2. Repair, equipment and equipment of coworking space
Investments in equipment and renovations will be the main expense for potential coworking space owners. The premises should look decent and be comfortable for co-workers at any time of the year.
What you will have to buy:
Office equipment: multifunctional devices, projectors, screens, audio system.
Furniture: tables, chairs, wardrobes for clothes and things.
Kitchen appliances: coffee machines, microwave ovens, refrigerators. You will also need furniture.
Equipment and furniture for a recreation area or room. This could be sports equipment, computer consoles, board games.
High quality lighting. It is necessary to install modern LED lamps with neutral color temperature and high color rendering index. They will have a positive impact on the well-being and performance of coworkers.
Organizers need to take care of a high-quality high-speed Internet connection. It is also worth considering the feasibility of equipping several workplaces with desktop computers.
3. Project marketing
It is most profitable to promote a coworking center project on the Internet, since the target audience is among the active Internet users. The project website should be at the center of online promotion. It is imperative to publish a description of the coworker’s capabilities, photographs and videos of the premises. You can also publish regular photo reports from educational and entertainment events on the website.
Coworking MatrixOffice in Moscow
The website of a coworking center must be socialized. Connected communities on Facebook and Vkontakte should be lively, interesting and beneficial for subscribers. Half of the success in social networks depends on the activity of the coworking team. Visitors to the site and communities can be attracted through useful publications, contextual advertising, retargeting.
As noted above, you should try to build offline marketing around the coworker community. Potential clients should learn about the project from satisfied freelancers who have become regulars at the center.
Instead of a conclusion, or Is it difficult to open a coworking space?
Technically, opening a collective office is simple. However, the success of the enterprise will depend on a number of factors. In addition to availability starting capital and a good team, you need to think about suitable premises, the format of the center, and related services. A coworking space will operate successfully and be profitable if you are able to constantly maintain activity and arouse interest in the center through certain events.
Searching for new forms of cooperation to carry out efficient work, were realized in the organization of centers in which professionals of liberal specialties work. Coworking, what is it, ─ is some common space in a building where people work, the purpose of their collaboration is: fruitful work on a common project, the opportunity to gain additional knowledge, communication.
Anyone can rent a workplace in such a room; the most frequent and regular clients of coworking centers are freelancers and writers. Freelancing and office work are different forms of organized labor, which are now united by a coworking center; this is a new socio-economic manifestation of the activities of people with liberal professions. Let's take a closer look at what a coworking center is.
When defining what coworking is, you should take into account the translation of the word, which means “to work together” - when people of different specializations and different professions work in the same room. A coworking center is a space in which such activities are organized.
In recent years, freelance activity has greatly developed in Russia, this is due to the accessibility of large segments of the population to the Internet.
Coworking means working in a company of like-minded people, as well as with people of a different specialization, namely:
next to the web designer there can be a stockbroker in the same space;
a programmer can coexist with a writer;
A prerequisite is the creation of a working atmosphere.
Since renting a workplace in the center is a paid event, this is an additional motivation to do business.
Organization of a non-standard working model ─ coworking, in other words, this is the ability to provide additional communication in the process of work (when necessary) to people of the creative profession. Each client of the center is not associated with other visitors; all that unites them is a single space under a common roof. This type of work will help those freelancers who are tired of loneliness and lack of communication while working from home.
Many entrepreneurs who have opened coworking centers create an environment in them that facilitates the work of such specialties as:
programmers;
designers;
copywriters;
writers;
artists.
The layout of the space and the availability of conference rooms make it possible to conduct thematic seminars, training courses, and training for IT industry specialists. It should be noted that coworking centers are used not only for creative people, but also for budding entrepreneurs.
How the coworking trend emerged
At the beginning of this century, the young programmer Brad Newberg, due to his choice of work organization, in 2005 tried to combine several independent workers in a single workspace. Coworking, what is it, from the point of view of the organizer, as he understood it, ─ and the fact that there is no desire to work in an office space and at the same time he understood that this is the work that generates income, but working at home you can be independent.
It was he who came up with the idea to create an original organization of labor when he rented a fairly large room and invited several more workers of the “liberal” professions to work in it. The result was a new model, which was something intermediate between working at home and working in the office.
It should be noted that modern coworking centers should have the following equipment::
the required amount of office furniture to organize workplaces;
meeting rooms are equipped with furniture for negotiations;
availability computer equipment;
have a high-speed network connection;
The rest area is equipped with a coffee machine and a water cooler.
The equipment and inventory of a coworking center is not much different from the requirements for office equipment, only people work here different people, not related to each other in any way.
Advantages and disadvantages of a coworking center
Coworking, what is it? in simple words─ in other words, as a comparison of what you go to the office to do certain work and for this you will receive a fixed remuneration for your work, and you can come to the center whenever you want, having first paid for the workplace.
The single space of a rented coworking space unites different professions, in addition to the described IT specialists, they can work here:
representatives of modeling agencies;
aspiring entrepreneurs;
poets and musicians.
It turns out that the centers are most suitable for people who do not want to work in office premises, but wishing to work productively at good results. Creating a working atmosphere in coworking centers is an indispensable requirement, but here you can relax in the relaxation room, as well as have fun; for this purpose, rented premises are organized according to purposes, such as:
workstations with computers;
rest room;
conference room;
meeting rooms with telephones;
room with exercise equipment.
For many people working in the center, the feeling of work changes significantly; here you can easily move from a working atmosphere into a student skit, or turn to a specialist in another profession for unclear questions.
For budding entrepreneurs this is great place solving problems such as:
where to find premises to run your own business;
there is no need to clean the premises and take care of its safety;
receive partners in the meeting room.
A budding businessman relieves many problems when he works in a coworking center; even companies with huge offices rent space in such centers for employees for special projects.
Advantages
An important aspect for which the center is organized is the opportunity to communicate with other people, without being confined to home walls. Coworking, what it is and why organize it is explained by such factors as:
Opportunity to expand your social circle. The more productive contacts you have in your business, the better; there is an opportunity to exchange original ideas.
Under one roof you can easily gather like-minded people to implement a separate project.
The atmosphere of independence at work gives effective results, the absence of managers gives an impetus to creativity.
In the center you can increase professional level by attending trainings and seminars. Such events are held free of charge for center participants.
People united by a common space different specialties feel at home, but there is no “pressing need to do housework.” Often it is the everyday environment that makes it difficult to concentrate on the process of completing many projects and reduces labor efficiency. Here it is offered:
good working atmosphere;
all distractions are removed;
renting a workplace creates additional motivation to work.
An aspiring entrepreneur can receive visitors by type entrepreneurial activity not at home, which is unsafe, but in the meeting room of the center.
The organizers of the center took care of everything necessary equipment for work, namely:
office equipment: printer, scanner, fax, copier;
high-quality computer software.
For center employees, use is absolutely free; it is included in the cost of renting a workplace.
Even at home, the factor of free remote work is not at all free, it is: payment for electrical energy, high-speed connection to the network.
In a coworking center, a working person, despite all the apparent independence, is not left alone with his tasks. There will always be a specialist around him who can be consulted competently.
Often, the organizers conduct educational seminars, trainings, and conferences for private owners of the center.
Flaw
Any labor organization has its drawbacks. Analyzing what coworking means, we can note that getting to the workplace also takes time, in addition to this:
possibility of losing in public place personal belongings, the need to take care of the safety of things;
With all the requirements for silence, there remains a specific noise from working on the keyboard;
Some people may be distracted by the presence of neighbors.
The main disadvantage, according to many participants of the center, is its paid basis; you have to pay for the services provided.
Despite all the shortcomings of a new beginning in the organization of work, many large companies rent (rent) workspaces for their employees in coworking spaces. In the capital of Russia, this format is supported at the state level for beginning entrepreneurs; centers such as:
the VAO coworking center, organized by the government;
well-known centers of private companies: “Workstation”, “Good Republic”.
Experts support the opinion that this rental format is the most acceptable for a beginning entrepreneur.
Coworking as a business area
When considering the issue of coworking, what does it mean, we must remember that this is such an original organization of work, the development of which is favored by clients visiting the center.
At the request of many visitors to the coworking space, they are offered different formats for the layout of the premises;:
an excellent opportunity to successfully implement your project;
providing legal assistance in protecting projects;
there will be places for recreation for the center's clients;
availability of children's game room makes it easier to visit clients with children;
exercise rooms will help relieve stress and relax the mind;
additional workshop space will help in the implementation of projects and obtaining the first samples.
In the Russian Federation, centers are opening in almost all regions where people are provided with jobs according to their wishes. A feature that should be noted in the development of this direction of organizing a single workspace is the increase in the number of freelancers. With the availability of computer technology, many people are making this process faster, especially since companies are now beginning to give preference to individual contractors for a specific project.
Why coworking
Increase in number busy people Remote work in Russia is steadily increasing, experts note this trend. Understanding coworking, what it is ─ it is possible to create jobs in many cities for people, this is:
programming (programmers);
text content of Internet resources (copyright);
layout of websites, e-books;
another specialization in remote work.
Initially remote work attractive because all the work can be done within the walls of the home, but this misconception soon passes.
There is an explanation for this:
there are always people at home who don’t understand that you are working;
external factors of irritability at work;
Not many people have a personal account at home.
What types of coworking spaces are there?
Coworking centers are systematically opening in our country, they can be systematized by type, this:
United center for office and production activities. The most popular type, it requires:
rent of a large premises;
computer equipment;
high-speed Internet;
office furniture;
Beginning entrepreneurs, managers of recently opened companies, and young traders also work here.
Coworking center for creative direction, this is the opening of workshops for tailoring. Here the client can use the following equipment:
sewing machines;
table for cutting material;
equipment for 3D technologies;
necessary fabrics and accessories.
It should be noted that big profit Not only the center's participants also bring one-time visitors.
Craft center when organized using original idea, almost full-fledged workshops; an example of such cooperation could be jewelry workshops and a carpentry shop.
Children's coworking center includes:
a large area divided into zones for purposes;
the presence of workshops for the implementation of ideas;
dance hall;
room for outdoor games.
Business plan of the center
Analyzing the question, coworking, what is it, for entrepreneurial activity, you need to draw up a business plan, which will include such points, this:
We choose a room for a coworking center that must meet office requirements and also have:
location in locality with convenient transport accessibility (public transport stops);
high-quality repairs carried out;
enough free space;
layout according to the purpose of the center;
maintain a uniform style in the premises;
creating a working mood.
Carrying out renovations in the premises and maintaining a uniform style will require another 100 thousand rubles.
Total: at this stage, to organize a coworking center you will need 250 thousand rubles;
The purchase of office equipment and computer equipment will cost a minimum of 100 thousand rubles;
Additionally, we buy equipment for holding conferences (projector, other equipment), which costs another 50 thousand rubles;
Payback calculation
Necessary costs:
Rent of premises and associated expenses - 250 thousand rubles;
Necessary equipment – 100 thousand rubles;
For conferences additionally – 50 thousand rubles;
Total: at this stage of organizing the center, expenses will amount to 400 thousand rubles.
Monthly expenses include utilities and rent - 150 thousand rubles.
Expenses as “other” (remuneration for cleaners and organizers) – 50 thousand rubles.
Monthly expenses – 200 thousand rubles.
Let's calculate the net income from organizing the center taking into account the following indicators:
clients 10 people – 15 thousand rubles. per person;
one-time visitors 200 people – 500 rub. in an hour.
Let's calculate the profit, this is: 10 people * 15 thousand rubles + 200 people * 500 rubles. = 250 thousand rubles.
We net get 250 thousand rubles - 200 thousand rubles = 50 thousand rubles.
This is the budget center's calculation.
Coworking center clients
It has already been noted that the center’s clients are usually creative professions, but also use coworking services:
marketing trainers;
entrepreneurs presenting their own project;
startupers;
representatives of other specialties.
It should be noted that despite all the demand for the center, it is practically impossible to create a single space convenient for all people working in it. Even according to psychological parameters, neighbors may not approach each other. We must anticipate this and not allow people who love silence (writers) into the same room for musicians.
When is coworking budget plan and there is no possibility of separate stay of people of opposite specializations, it is necessary to select the target clientele for it.
Sources of income in a coworking center
Only with an understanding of the definition of coworking, what is it, you can create several sources of profit for the center, these are:
Rent of a workplace by clients of the center.
Possibility of renting out the center space for corporate events.
Specialization training, an educational direction that has several stages, is:
involving center participants in training programs;
various programs for the audience, conducting trainings with coverage large quantity visitors.
Receiving income from the provision of additional services, the possibility of organizing meals for clients.
Providing jobs to large companies by charging a percentage of their events.
If a coworking space is organized in a city with a sufficient population, its payback is fully possible in 1.5-2 years, and monthly expenses will pay off already in the third month of operation.
Original organization labor activity─ coworking space is becoming more popular every year. In Russia, the saturation of centers is not yet great, only according to major cities, little competition. For this reason, they will begin to make profits faster.
Freelancing and office work– two opposing forms of labor organization, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.
A successful attempt to combine the independence of free hiring and the orderliness of work in a private enterprise was coworking - a modern form of labor organization. What this socio-economic phenomenon is, what its features are, will be discussed in our article.
Translated from English language“Coworking” is about working together. It should be kept in mind that this is not collective work several professionals aimed at implementing specific project, but the joint work of independent freelancers or even several teams within the same office (it’s called a coworking center).
People carrying out their professional activity in such conditions, they are called cowalkers.
Target Audience
By and large, the clients of such centers are representatives of different social and professional groups. These can be freelancers, employees of large companies, as well as students.
According to statistics, the most common visitors to such offices are:
- freelancers;
- small start-up private companies;
- artists, photographers and representatives of other creative professions;
- students and schoolchildren;
- people who strive for their own development;
- private entrepreneurs;
- consultants;
- writers and journalists.
Accordingly, the organizers should not have the problem of “where to find clients” - high-quality advertising (in particular, on the Internet) and interpersonal communication within a short period of time will make them popular and in demand.
You can watch an interesting story about the organization of this activity in the following video:
What is needed to organize a center?
If you open similar business resident decides small town, the market of which is not oversaturated with services of this type, then the project is likely to be successful and profitable.
To begin with, you should choose target audience– that is, to determine who exactly (in the overwhelming majority) will be the main clients of this center. To do this, aspiring businessmen are recommended to visit business forums and other public events professional orientation.
This activity is an individual enterprise that must be officially registered. In addition, a new entrepreneur needs to conclude the following agreements:
- with an Internet provider;
- for renting premises;
- with utility providers.
Typically, registering a business and preparing an office for work takes no more than a month.
First of all, you should decide on the place where your point will be located. It is better if it is a spacious room in the central part of the city (so that it is convenient to get to). Suitable for starting office for 10-12 people.
The room should have high ceilings, wide windows, and plenty of space for sofas and work tables.
You should also think about additional attributes:
- plasma panel;
- comfortable furniture;
- functional kitchenette;
- refrigerator and other “guarantors” of a comfortable stay for cowalkers in the office.
In the first months of operation, you may have to provide additional services in order to attract as many clients as possible - otherwise it will be extremely difficult to survive in this market segment.
It is better if the center operates around the clock (or at least from 7 am to 11 pm). For regular customers, it is necessary to introduce discounts and benefits (for example, allocate them the most convenient workplaces).
Room decoration
A standard coworking center is an ordinary small office with several equipped workstations, office equipment, a conference room, a break room and other typical “office attributes”. The main requirement for successful work is the availability of a high-speed Internet connection.
The form of work organization is somewhat reminiscent of life in a huge communal apartment - for example, independent freelancers or even small companies can take a workplace here if they do not want to spend additional money on renting a separate office.
The premises provide the possibility of temporarily uniting representatives of several large companies to work on common projects: professionals working together in one place will complete their tasks much faster than “scattered” freelancers.
The office must be equipped with:
- office equipment;
- computers with connected unlimited Internet;
- telephone connection.
Modern centers often offer their employees a mini-kitchen with built-in household appliances, a relaxation room and a conference room for business negotiations. This organization of office work creates comfortable conditions for coworkers.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The following advantages are highlighted:
- Opportunity to communicate with professional colleagues on a daily basis. So, working at home as a freelancer, it is easy to lose the necessary communication skills over time and finally turn into a “social hermit.”
- Also this form Work organization is a reliable way to constantly make new useful contacts, exchange professional ideas, learn and develop.
- Proper office organization helps create a favorable working and even creative atmosphere. In such conditions, a specialist can freely create new creative projects.
The main disadvantage of such cooperation is, oddly enough, the human factor. You can never be sure that the “professional neighborhood” will be comfortable, because hiring is still carried out on the basis of a specialist’s solvency, and not his personal qualities.
So, let’s highlight the main advantages of the project:
- daily fruitful professional communication with like-minded people;
- it is always possible to quickly select specialists for the implementation of a joint project;
- differentiation of the concepts of home and work (relevant for freelancers);
- a workplace can be rented for any period;
- in such offices there is always a comfortable working atmosphere;
- A professional always has the necessary technical devices at hand, and most importantly, access to high-speed Internet;
- the cost of paying for a workplace is significantly lower than when renting a separate office.
Along with the advantages, disadvantages should also be highlighted:
- presence of background noise - for example, representatives of different people working under the same roof professional fields, public events, etc.;
- the need to share workspace with other people (human factor);
- Compared to working at home, coworking “loses” due to the need for a number of costs: rent, transportation and other overhead costs;
- The safety of personal property is not always guaranteed.
Profitability
Since 2005 (the first experience of the organization in the USA), this form of work has gained significant popularity throughout the world. In our country, the degree of market saturation with collaboration centers is not yet so high, therefore, in these socio-economic conditions, within a few months from the opening of the office, the enterprise will begin to make a profit.
In order to “stay afloat”, it is advisable for the owner to expand the range of services provided - for example, hire specialists to find orders for co-workers, install vending machines for selling drinks, etc.
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