How a working community can fuel business growth

Surrounding yourself with the right people in business can mean the difference between success and failure, whether it’s the best employees, partners, investors or clients. But when you’re just starting out or work mostly on your own, how can you make sure you have access to the support you need?

As an entrepreneur, making sure your business is successful can feel like a personal challenge, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t use the support of other people to help you achieve your goals.

There are many benefits to feeling part of a community, such as advice, support and motivation.  Using a coworking space can offer you a way into a ready-made community of like-minded professionals.

Why is community so important?

Humans have the need to feel as though they belong somewhere. This need can affect every aspect of our lives, and business is no different.

We looked at some of the ways a working community can help you to find new opportunities and feel happier in your work.

Combat loneliness

The pressure of business can often feel isolating, especially when you’re starting out. You may find that you spend a lot of time alone in a home study, and that family members can’t relate to what you’re experiencing.

Finding new people to talk to not only helps you feel less lonely, by talking about your business and explaining what you do, you will also feel more connected and confident in your work.

Become part of something local

Although you may already have some good connections you can turn to, you may find that they are based far away or just difficult to meet up with in person due to their schedule.

The added benefit of a coworking community is they are available to talk to in person and can offer quick advice or insights. They can also help you discover even more resources in your local area, such as networking events, showcases, workshops etc.

Find the right advice

When you’re working from a home office and aren’t sure who to reach out to, you may find small problems build up or it’s difficult to get feedback on what you’re doing.

When it comes to business, most of the challenges you’ll be facing won’t be unique. Being able to speak to people who have already gone through them or are experiencing them at the same time could alleviate some of the stress.

Gain insights into other industries

Although members of a community in a working space are likely to share a lot of your business attributes, such as motivation and a desire for autonomy, they will also span different industries.

They can give you insights into how their industry works and you may spot opportunities or areas for growth that you were not aware of before. They may also offer a new perspective that can help you better shape your own business offering.

Feed off the professional energy

Being able to work within your support community means that you will pick up on the atmosphere and the motivation of those around you. Most working spaces will have a Community Manager and be designed specifically to help you be more productive.

With less distraction and more people to inspire you towards your goals, you should find it easier to get the work done that you need to do.

Getting started in a coworking space

Everyone’s needs are different when it comes to their business, but most coworking offices will aim to accommodate this. Should you want to book a specific desk to work at every day, hot desk, or only come in a few days a month, there should be an affordable solution to suit you.

To get the most out of coworking, you should embrace the idea that it is more than just a static space, but a way of working. By getting involved in the culture of the office and integrating networking into your routine, you should start to see the benefits that your new community can offer.

SO Fourteen is a coworking space in Southampton’s city centre that’s home to start-ups, small businesses, freelancers and remote workers. With four membership options to choose from, we have the choice and flexibility to suit a range of requirements. Book a tour or contact us today to find out more.