A new way of working

Corpoworking, a new trend at the heart of working methods. What is corpoworking and what are its advantages? Throughout our article, we will try to better explain its concept and how to implement it.

What is corpoworking?

Corpoworking, a contraction of the words “corporate” and “coworking”, refers to shared workspaces. This new method is based on the same principles as coworking, but applied within a single company. Employees can go there whenever they want, but also external people who have business connection with the company such as customers, partners, service providers working on a common project, etc.

It therefore allows employees from different sites or departments to work together in an innovative place, to promote collaboration and team spirit. Indeed, this structure is intended to be open and friendly in order to stimulate creativity, promote exchanges and create a dynamic ecosystem.

This place must be animated through formal or informal events and by creating a connection between the people present, in order to obtain the desired atmosphere.

What are the advantages of corpoworking?

There are many advantages to this new way of working, whether for employees, the company and external people who have access to it.

For employees

As a reminder, corpoworking is an environment that will stimulate individual but especially collective creativity. It allows to break the loneliness that teleworking can sometimes create, by bringing together employees and outsiders in a friendly place. Indeed, these corpoworking spaces are designed to be dynamic places, promoting exchanges, which will influence the motivation of employees and usually improve productivity as well.

CThis comfortable place improves well-being at work, breaking the daily routine of employees. It offers employees the opportunity to create social ties through collaborations and innovations, which fosters networking. Sharing a place where different professionals are is therefore an opportunity to meet new people and exchange on various topics.

For the company

This work environment is often more adapted to the needs of employees, which improves their productivity. It thus promotes collective intelligence, innovation and the launch of new projects. The company improved its employer brand, considering the needs and quality of life at work of its employees.

Another important point is the optimization of the use of the premises. This makes usable potentially unused spaces and thus makes square meters profitable. Indeed, teleworking is increasingly present in our lives since the health crisis and therefore leaves some offices unoccupied.

For external persons

This place provides all the amenities and facilities (coffee machine, printer, etc.), for a maximum of comfort. It is an opportunity for external people to exchange and share advice with other professionals. This will also allow them to develop their network and even more, if they can go to different corpoworking spaces.

It improves communication and responsiveness, if, for example, the external person has to work with an employee of the company on a common project. Depending on where the company you deal with is located, you could also save commuting times.

Setting up a corpoworking space

Even though you have “carte blanche” to organize and arrange your corpoworking space, it is still necessary to follow certain standards. It is also important that this place reflects your company and its employees.

Security

When you authorize access to external persons, customers or others as mentioned above, it is important to be able to welcome them in good conditions while guaranteeing the appropriate level of security. This will involve, for instance, ensuring that “corpoworkers” find their way easily, and at the same time restricting access only to areas that are authorized to them.

Another important element is the protection of your data and those of the “corpoworkers”, by ensuring, among other things, to separate Internet access and provide adequate authentication systems. It will therefore be key to involve the company’s IT Department from the beginning of a corpoworking space development project.

Separation of different spaces

For an optimal layout of your corpoworking space, it is necessary that you have as much as possible light and space. Circulation within this place must be easy and clear.

So that the different people present do not disturb the other members of the company, it will be necessary to pay attention to the acoustics. To do this, simply place acoustic panels that are very useful to limit noise pollution and at the same time keep privacy during conversations.

To create a warmer and more natural environment, it is advisable to add green plants. They have different health benefits, by making the air more breathable (by increasing the humidity of the air) but also by reducing indoor noise, when they are in large numbers. You will then reach three goals in one step: layout, health and acoustic comfort.

Equipment and storage

It will be essential to provide traditional equipment such as: tables, desks, bookshelves, internet, electrical outlet, power strip, printer, office supplies, etc. You can also add lockers so that employees can store their personal belongings safely. To collaborate more effectively, provide whiteboards, markers, post-its, paper and everything that will facilitate exchanges and brainstorming.

Rest room

There should be a rest room or at least a relaxation area to allow corpoworkers to take a break and breathe during their day. They will be able to meet each other and exchange on various topics, informally.

A booming concept

After the pandemic, the teleworking has become the new normal. As a consequence, the adoption of the Flex Office increases, which brings together different and new ways of working. Corpoworking is one of them, it brings together the best of both worlds: on-site presence and coworking. Indeed, many employees are looking for an alternative to traditional workspaces. Corpoworking is therefore a solution adapted to new ways of working and is beginning to emerge in more and more countries.