As offices open their doors again, the time for ‘reimagining’ the future of work is over. Change has happened and it's time to make work, work for you.

Hybrid working gives professionals the freedom to do their best work from multiple locations. It can help organisations cut costs, attract, and retain top talent and support a more agile approach to work.

The drive for change

Most businesses embraced remote working during the pandemic. To begin with, this was driven by necessity rather than design. As the ‘mass homeworking experiment’ continued, workers started to identify the unique benefits of both home, shared workspace, and office working.

Hybrid working is a relatively new term that can include agile working, blended working, or split working patterns and arrangements. It has become an expectation rather than a casual ask for those looking for new roles and it looks like it is here to stay.

With the demand for key talent outstripping supply in the workplace, staff attraction and retention have never been more competitive. Hybrid working is now an expectation. In a recent ONS report on the future of homeworking, of the working adults currently homeworking, 85% wanted to take a "hybrid" approach – working from where they wanted to depend on their schedule.

A new way to work with benefits

There has been a growing trend over the past decade due to the advance in cloud technology and the emergence of shared working spaces of employees and those self-employed to take advantage of working from places other than the office. This blended (hybrid) approach facilitated many businesses’ survival throughout the pandemic, and for many, it kept their entrepreneurial dream alive.

There is no denying the benefits of this level of flexibility and work-life balance, with increased productivity, less stress, and burnout. The choice to work from different places each week supports the different ways people want to work. It allows quiet time, collaborative time, and social interaction.

How do you find the perfect working space for you?

It could be easy to assume that adopting a hybrid working pattern is simple and working from home and the office is more straightforward, but as with everything there are many things to consider when choosing a shared working space.

• Location – Centrally located or just off the beaten track? Walkable, a short commute, or near like-minded businesses? Consider the amenities nearby for those essential mid-morning munchies.
• Facilities – Whether that’s the all-important kettle for a cuppa or a shower room after a cycle to work, you need to check you have everything you need for a work from home experience.
• Technology – No one wants internet bandwidth issues, it is important to check out WiFi speeds, the number of plug sockets, and what other items of technology might be useful.
• Atmosphere – Everyone works in different ways and the environment in which you do this is so important. Visit the workspace, check out the noise levels, the friendliness of the staff, and how others are working in the space.
• Price – Shared workspaces can vary massively on cost, make sure you find one that works for your budget.

Kozmik Workspace

Here at Kozmik, we have created the perfect working environment for local Archway businesses, with high-quality facilities and a home-from-home feeling. 1Gb internet (WiFi and ethernet) as standard, two phone booths for those private calls, combined with the home comforts of a shared break-out space, kitchen, and shower facilities.