Summary
Communication is a pillar of work productivity in any organization, including coworking spaces.
Good communication within and throughout your coworking space is a proven driver of important business objectives, like retaining members and building a thriving community.
But in this nontraditional office environment, the rules around communication are fuzzy.
In this article, we’re mapping out the nine best practices for internal and external communication within a coworking space so you can start reaping the benefit of great communication immediately.
Communication in coworking refers to the various ways that you connect with your team, your members and each other.
This includes:
Community is built on strong communication skills. If you’re wanting to create a warm and welcoming space where people feel connected, you will absolutely need to consider when and how you communicate with your members.
In a traditional office, business leaders drive home the need for communication. In a coworking space, good communication is even more critical.
Members are customers — and those who receive a less-than-stellar customer experience may churn.
Here are a few benefits to having strong communication in your space:
There are three forms of communication in a coworking environment:
Within each of these communication types, it’s important to consider the messaging, delivery, and mutuality.
Good communication starts with company culture.
Internal communication, between coworking leadership and employees, is the foundation upon which this is built. A solid strategy begins with higher-ups and is engrained in the corporate culture from day one.
Even if you haven’t prioritized communication until now, it’s never too late to start. Here are the best practices for improving internal communication in your coworking business.
Sharing a clear vision of goals, expectations, strategy, and values is key to establishing good communication.
When leaders model the communication style they expect, employees will follow their lead.
When it comes to communication, method is as important as message.
Tools like Slack and Zoom are great for communicating within a team, particularly when working remotely or at separate locations.
Whatever tool you choose, make sure it is accessible and consistent. If your team always uses Slack and email to communicate, a stray request via text message could get lost in the mix.
Communication is a two-way street.
Listening, understanding, and responding are all involved in effective two-way communication.
To ensure important messages are received and accepted, establish mutual communication early in working relationships and within company roles. Communicate in a way that is empathetic and understanding.
Internal communication is often one of the most difficult forms of communication to tackle. However it is also the most important. You can’t run a great business, without a great team.
External communication refers to any interactions that happen between representatives of your coworking space and members or leads.
From the receptionist’s greeting to marketing email campaigns, every communication touchpoint with your brand is an opportunity to attract, convert, or retain business.
Here are some best practices that we recommend for improving external communication in your coworking business.
Members want to feel welcome when they arrive in your space.
From the tone of a greeting to your office tour, every touch point should be consistent for every member.
Ultimately, your members will feel more at home in your space with clear expectations and consistent messaging.
Communication in a coworking space happens outside of office hours too.
Your coworking marketing and social media strategy will determine how your members view your brand when they are away from the physical office.
People often think of marketing as a sales role, but a sophisticated marketing operation is primarily about communicating.
Personality, style, and emojis have a place in communications, but the north star of a good external communication strategy should be authenticity.
Aim for clear, useful communications over fluff to gain trust, win credibility, and reassure your members that your space is the best place to work.
Member communication happens when your members are perpetually engaged and continuing conversations outside of the channels you establish.
In-person collaboration, the exchange of personal phone numbers, and the picking of member brains after hours all work to connect people within your coworking space.
How can coworking operators foster this third-party communication without being overbearing?
Here are our best practices for improving communication between coworking members.
Want members to connect? Give them some material to spark a conversation.
Workshops, speaking events, and other kinds of coworking events will give your members material to connect with organically.
Breaking the ice isn’t easy, particularly among strangers who are working on separate projects. Interesting subjects can stimulate ideas, foster community, and keep members coming back.
Coworking spaces offer newfound freedom and autonomy to workers. But some structure is a good thing in the workplace.
Some of the best communication happens during social time.
When you create an atmosphere for connection outside of the daily grind, you build bridges to communicate with your members, and for them to communicate with each other.
Social events give people of all backgrounds and experiences a chance to connect on a deeper level. Your business can demonstrate relatability by creating space for communication outside of the work routine.
Community is everything in a coworking business.
Because members always have the option to work elsewhere, creating an atmosphere that evokes a sense of belonging helps with retention — and your bottom line.
Best practices in communication are the foundation of community in a coworking space.
Ultimately, the best communication strategy is the one that works for your business. With the right communications, your community will begin to grow and self-propel. The hum of a self-sufficient workforce that inspires belonging is your goal.
With the right communication strategy at all levels of your business, you can set the stage for some incredible organic growth of your coworking space!
Ready to grow your coworking business? Take a look at Optix features to see if it’s a good fit.
