Supercharge Your Hybrid Team with Virtual Coworking

As the future-of-work takes shape in this post-pandemic era, it’s clear that the office as we knew it has changed forever. Hybrid workforces are now on the rise, bridging the gap between remote and in-person work arrangements. 

As businesses adapt to this evolving landscape, one crucial aspect that demands attention is seamless collaboration and communication. This is where virtual coworking comes in. 

This blog explores:

• What is virtual coworking?
• The value of virtual coworking for hybrid teams
• How to effectively implement virtual coworking into your hybrid work model 
• Future insights

What is Virtual Coworking?

Virtual coworking is like an online shared workspace. It allows people to connect, collaborate, and work together, all in a digital format. It's a bit like bringing the feel of a regular coworking space into the virtual world.  

Workers can choose to engage in silent coworking sessions or more collaborative ones, from anywhere, at any time.

What this means for hybrid workforces is having the means to connect remote and in-person team members in a seamless manner. No more disjointed workforces. 

The Value of Virtual Coworking for Hybrid Teams

Equal Participation and Inclusivity

Virtual coworking ensures that every team member, regardless of their location, is united at work. It facilitates collaboration and fosters a sense of belonging amongst workers who may feel isolated. Virtual coworking ensures inclusivity by:

• Enabling real-time communication via video conferencing, chat, and collaboration tools.
• Encouraging engagement through features like screen sharing, document collaboration, and virtual whiteboards.
• Breaking down geographical and distance barriers for instant connectivity. This enables remote employees to feel like an integral part of the hybrid team, just as if they were in the same room.
• Building stronger relationships. It facilitates informal interactions and water-cooler chats that can help team members build stronger professional relationships and better employee morale. 

Seamless Transition Between Work Models

Hybrid teams often switch between various work models. These include:

• Working from home
• Working from the office
• Working on the go (for example while traveling)

Virtual coworking platforms provide a consistent interface, making it easy for employees to transition between these work models without losing productivity. Litespace takes this a step further with its hybrid flexibility feature, which allows coworkers to coordinate their hybrid schedules with other team members, managers, or for meetings, and plan whether to sync up in-office.

Resource Sharing

Virtual coworking enables the sharing of resources, documents, and ideas in real time. It eliminates the need for typing long emails or sending large files back and forth between remote and in-office employees, which can become a hassle if done frequently. Coworkers benefit directly from streamlined collaboration, which can lead to better productivity.

Support for Hybrid Culture

Maintaining a cohesive company culture can be a challenge for many hybrid workplaces. Your goal should be to bridge the gap between remote and in-person employees, fostering a shared sense of identity, values, and purpose. 

Virtual coworking spaces facilitate team-building activities, knowledge sharing, and informal interactions, all of which are essential for nurturing a strong organizational culture.

Learn more about how to leverage virtual coworking for improved productivity and workplace culture.

Implementing Virtual Coworking for Hybrid Workforces

To make virtual coworking successful within your organization, consider these practical steps:

1. Choose the Right Platform

Select a virtual coworking platform that aligns with your company's needs and culture. Ensure it offers features like video conferencing, document sharing, and chat functionalities.

There are a range of low-cost and even free platforms to choose from. A few great examples include:

• Slack: A great tool for dispersed teams. Enables efficient collaboration through “Huddles” where coworkers can have spontaneous discussions or live working sessions for side-by-side teamwork.
• NexGen Office: Seamlessly blends remote and in-office work experiences with interactive virtual office floors, one-click video conferencing, advanced chat and file sharing, and more.
• TeamFlow HQ: Provides a virtual sales floor solution that empowers sales development teams to enhance performance through real-time demo listening, live coaching, and seamless integration with popular dialer systems.

2. Provide Training and Resources

Offer training sessions and resources to familiarize employees with the virtual coworking platform. This will help them make the most of its features.

3. Establish Usage Guidelines and Etiquette

Define clear guidelines for using virtual coworking spaces, emphasizing respectful and productive interactions. Encourage adherence to these guidelines to maintain a positive atmosphere.

• Respect designated quiet zones
• Be mindful of background noise
• Participate and engage actively when needed
• Stay professional! 

4. Monitoring and Adapting

Regularly assess the usage and effectiveness of virtual coworking for your hybrid work model. Gather feedback from employees and make necessary adjustments to improve the experience continually.

What Does the Future Hold for Virtual Coworking?

With the increasing adoption of digital communication tools, virtual coworking is undeniably promising for businesses looking to embrace hybrid work models. Here's a glimpse into what the future might hold for this innovative approach to collaboration:

Integration with AI

The reality is that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is all around us, and its applications and usage will continue to grow. Early adopters have recognized this, with many using AI as an assistive productivity tool, while others have figured out complete automation of tasks. 

As virtual coworking gains traction over time, expect new features such as:

• Chatbots promptly resolve common queries
• Predictive analytics optimizing work schedules based on individual preferences and peak productivity hours
• personalized content recommendations fostering continuous skill development and knowledge sharing. 

Global scalability

Virtual coworking's future holds immense potential for companies to expand their reach. With a well-established hybrid virtual coworking system in place, businesses can explore opportunities to monetize this service under their own brand. A great example of this is Starthub Coworking, which grew their membership by 900% with virtual office services. 

Building a community is no easy task. It requires time, resources, and constant provision of value to keep members engaged. But if done correctly, it can be a lucrative way to generate additional revenue streams beyond just your hybrid teams.

‍Ready to see how Litespace can transform your hybrid work model? Book a demo call today and discover how we can make your transition into the future of work smoother than ever.