Choosing A Hospitality Approach To Differentiate Co-Working Spaces

Companies that try to be everything to everyone in the co-working sector don't survive. To differentiate their offering from their competitors, co-working leaders are turning to a hospitality mentality. Among the notable names in this sector are: Venture X, Carr Workplaces and Premier Workspaces. These companies elevate their brands because they focus less on physical offices but more on providing a level that is exceptional for their clients. Carr Workplaces is a pioneer in providing a service that is essentially an additional division of clients' teams. Carr Workplaces provides a range of services to businesses, including event planning, research and notary services. They also offer office organization, travel arrangements, dining reservations and office organization. This allows clients to concentrate on their businesses. In early 2020, the company took its approach to extremes when the pandemic decimated co-working spaces across the country. Select Office Suites is another company that offers turnkey solutions. It has three locations in New York City. It promotes collaboration and community by providing lounges and cafés that foster communication between tenants. The staff can answer the phones, offer concierge service, manage IT, plan meetings, and provide refreshments. The offices are described by clients as a warm and professional environment that encourages productivity. Venture X is a U.S.-based company with over 50 locations worldwide. It uses a franchise model where each location is owned and operated locally by entrepreneurs. The result is that owner-operators are more likely to build relationships with tenants and provide a service culture that values hospitality. These locations offer upscale amenities and a more expensive price point. This is specifically designed to attract enterprise-level businesses. Workplacesuites is a well-established business that has 23 locations in Texas, Georgia and Texas. It targets customers who are looking for office space in a mix of modern, trendy, and traditional settings. Congenial offices encourage productivity and a sense of community without imposing a shared or temporary square footage mentality. The staff on-site greet guests, arrange catering, IT support, and quick Internet. All aspects of the service, from coffee service to presentation equipment, are coordinated. Premier Workspaces offers furnished offices and suites in 90 locations throughout the country. They also offer on-site management, administrative support, and mail distribution. There are many challenges to overcome when bringing a service-first, hospitality-oriented sensibility to coworking. Ashley K. Buckner is chief operating officer of Carr Workplaces. Hospitality-minded coworking companies can face challenges in getting to know their customers. "Without this, they only support them on a surface level, which is something anyone can do. We exist to make clients feel at home and have a positive effect on their workdays.