Virtual coworking spaces are online spaces that bring like-minded people together with the primary aim of improving individual output. But they do so much more than that, bringing a wide range of benefits to participants that go well beyond the boundaries of productivity.
But let’s begin by explaining what it is and how it works.
Unlike traditional coworking spaces where individuals share a physical location, such as a coworking hub, virtual coworking spaces operate entirely online.
Individuals connect with the group digitally via tools like Zoom, Skype, Facetime, or similar. Although you are not physically in the same place, you can see your co-workers and they can see you on screen, creating a sense of working together, collaboration, and connection.
In short, they offer a simulated office experience but with a difference. Well organised, they can offer real structure and purpose, with dedicated coworking sessions and small windows to network and socialise with your peers.
So, who are they for?
Virtual coworking sessions are a great option for those people who work from home or live in very remote locations, and whose output and ability to focus is compromised and impacted by the typical home distractions such as spinning washing machines, barking dogs, and even screaming kids, especially during the school holidays.
They offer a solid framework that is designed to create important separation from work and home and provide unequivocal opportunity for focussed working, improving productivity and driving accountability.
But they are also an easy route to some valuable human connection and interaction. A great way to tackle loneliness and isolation, and the perfect platform to build relationships and even make some great friendships.
What are the benefits of virtual coworking?
There are many benefits to working with others virtually, including:
Providing opportunity to continue to build your professional network despite working from home, alone.
Gaining instant access to a pool of like-minded people.
Achieving a sense of belonging by being part of a special community.
Improving your accountability by setting your tasks for the day, committing to the group, and delivering.
Increasing your productivity with focussed working time designed to combat offline distractions.
Providing opportunity to troubleshoot in real-time by having the chance to ask the group or individuals for support using online chats or during the networking breaks.
Learning from each other, by sharing experience, expertise, and knowledge.
Banishing loneliness and isolation by creating the sense of working in an office surrounded by people.
Enjoying networking and socialising opportunities in agreed breaks.
How the MCN does it
We run coworking sessions every Tuesday from 09:30 to 12:00 for our members.
It’s important to us to create something our members can truly rely on and trust to be there when they need it. They’re free to join, and very popular with our members.
The structure we’ve created (and tested) is much more aligned to a typical working day in the office.
We start with some friendly introductions or chatter. We then move onto agreeing our priorities for the day, and committing to delivery in the time allocated – it really does drive accountability and give you focus.
Cameras are always left on, to create that sense of working in an office environment, and participants are asked to go onto mute when the first coworking session commences so we don’t disturb anyone. The online chat facility allows everyone to stay in touch throughout the session or ask questions or seek advice.
At the end of that first session, the MCN host lets everyone know we’re moving into a 15-minute break.
With cups of coffee or tea in hand, a vibrant chat then takes place. There’s a lot of laughter, love, and support in the Zoom room, and it provides a welcome and refreshing break.
Then it’s back into another dedicated coworking session before a final wrap up and goodbye until the next week.
Our virtual coworking sessions are making such a difference to the lives of our members.
Here is just some of the feedback we’ve received:
I work entirely from home, and rarely get the chance to talk to people both in and outside the home. Several days can pass without any human interaction, which further exacerbates that sense of feeling disconnected from your organisation and work colleagues. Of course, there are business meetings. But not every day or even every week and mostly virtual. And as you’d expect, they are all inevitably and understandably, about business-related issues. The coworking sessions are different. Their unique structure supports both focussed working (and I get so much work done) and dedicated opportunities to network with your fellow coworkers. They’ve added a richness to my life, and really made a difference to my mental health. I genuinely look forward to them every week.”
Rebecca Thompson, BFBS Social Media Manager and Military Spouse
The structure [of the virtual coworking session] was great. A little time to get to know each other with blocks of focus time so we were having a better and more healthy balanced working schedule. It is so easy to get carried away or lose focus when working on your own at home, so this was a great way to concentrate and be productive.
Helen Williamson, Financial Planner, RAF Veteran and Military Spouse
Conclusion
Virtual coworking is a great option for those people who work from home and are struggling with home distractions, loneliness and isolation, and lack of human connection, all of which are affecting their productivity and output.
They are particularly great for anyone who has a transient lifestyle, particularly military spouses and partners of serving personnel who don’t have access to a physical coworking hub and find themselves based in the middle of nowhere.
All in all, a great substitute for the real thing with a whole host of important benefits.
Why not join us? Take a look at our Events Schedule and Sign Up
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