Revitalize Company Culture with Virtual Coworking

What is Virtual Coworking? 

Virtual coworking is changing the way we collaborate. It allows people working remotely to work together, breaking down geographical barriers. Whether you like a well-organized setup or a more flexible one, virtual coworking means working alongside colleagues online—not a meeting or a requirement to stay constantly visible. Belonging and accountability are aims, not guarantees.

A 2021 HRNews report on Chargifi’s survey of 2000 individuals working remotely in the US and UK reported that 67% of respondents aged 18–34 found it harder to make friends and maintain relationships with colleagues since working from home. That percentage concerns the younger subgroup, not all respondents. This historical report does not establish current prevalence or demonstrate that virtual coworking improves well-being.

The Future of Coworking with Virtual Spaces

In the future, virtual coworking may be one option for remote and hybrid teams. That can include mixing remote work with going into the office when needed. Virtual spaces may let teams from all over the world work together, bringing a range of different ideas and talents, depending on coordination, schedules, access and shared tools.

Although employees may have greater flexibility in where and when they work, they will still need to be accountable and maintain connections. Virtual coworking might even turn into places where creative individuals from different fields can work together on personal projects. These virtual spaces may also be flexible, so people can set them up the way they like. 

How Virtual Coworking Can Supercharge Company Culture

Building A Sense of Community

In today's world of hybrid and remote work, creating a sense of community aims to help remote employees feel connected, engaged, and productive.

Building a sense of community within the workplace can focus on goals to assess:

• Better employee engagement
• Increased productivity
• Employee retention and loyalty
• Better innovation and collaboration
• Improved wellness and mental health

Effective communication is the key to thriving workplace communities and an important part of virtual coworking. It involves creating an environment where team members can openly and consistently exchange ideas, updates, and feedback. When team members feel valued and heard, albeit virtually, it offers an opportunity to share ideas and coordinate work. Whether through emails, team messaging apps, or regular check-ins, fostering a culture of open communication is key to building a strong sense of community within an organization.

CIPD's engagement guidance notes mostly correlational evidence; it does not test virtual coworking.

Implementation and Promotion of Company Values

Virtual coworking offers a unique opportunity for companies to effectively implement their core values within their teams. By providing a digital platform for team members to interact and collaborate, virtual coworking can serve as an opportunity to put values into action. 

The virtual aspect can make recognition and feedback more convenient, allowing employees to reflect and align with company perspectives. With open and regular discussions within virtual spaces, team members can explore how company values translate into their day-to-day tasks. Optional prompt: “Which team value did shared help express? Would you like recognition or feedback? How?”

Rapid-Fire Tips and Tricks for Successful Virtual Coworking

When approaching virtual coworking, there are several strategies you can implement to be successful. Here are some to get you started:

• Create a routine! Whether it be team-specific or with an accountability partner, having a set routine is crucial to building structure
• Set up a dedicated workspace to minimize distractions and set intentions
• Choose suitable shared tools; the linked Litespace page describes AI recruiting.

Illustrative session: participation and cameras are optional.

1. Agree a purpose, facilitator and time window; check shared-tool access. Offer text-only or asynchronous participation.
2. Open with intentions, then work quietly alongside one another. Keep confidential content off shared screens and sensitive conversations out of shared spaces.
3. Close with progress or help requests. Never judge productivity by attendance or camera time.

NIOSH recommends voluntary, participatory worker-health design more broadly; it does not test coworking benefits.

Key Takeaways

Virtual coworking is changing how we collaborate, offering the potential to boost company culture and productivity. The future of work may involve a mix of remote and in-office work, with virtual coworking as one option.

To supercharge company culture in virtual workspaces, it's crucial to create a sense of community. Achieving success in virtual coworking requires practical strategies, such as establishing routines and choosing suitable shared tools. After a trial, review useful completed work, coordination and voluntary private participant feedback; adapt or stop if the session isn't useful.