Why Coffee shops are for coffee, not Coworking
It’s estimated that around the world, two billion cups of coffee are drunk every single day. And as good coffee is what keeps most of our brains fuelled, working from a local coffee shop can be an attractive choice for anyone working remotely.
Coffee shops have a long history of inspiring creativity. JK Rowling famously wrote the first Harry Potter book from The Elephant House café in Edinburgh, while numerous literary greats, from TS Eliot to Jack Kerouac, claim to have written their best work from a humble coffee bar.
However, If you need to focus on an important project, then the frequent comings and goings of customers, babies in buggies, and noise from coffee machines and smoothie makers could be distracting. There can also be security issues when using a public Wi-Fi network.
As the world forges ahead with the Working from Anywhere (WFA) concept, adopting a hybrid model, IWG looks at modern coworking facilities’ advantages over working from a coffee shop.
It’s all about the connection
While many cafés and bars welcome the solitary worker – they make the place look busy, buy coffee and snacks, and generally add to the buzzy atmosphere – not all proprietors appreciate lengthy stays when using electricity and Wi-Fi for the price of a cup of Joe. And remember, not all Wi-Fi networks are created equally. Poor Wi-Fi connection can be the scourge of productivity.
When Alec Daniels sat down at his local coffee shop, no one would have taken the 86-year-old for a hacker. But within less than 17 minutes, Alec had taken over the cafe’s public Wi-Fi hotspot and distributed phishing emails to everyone connected to the network [*].
The good news is that Alec is an ethical hacker (a hobbyist who hacks to highlight cybersecurity vulnerabilities). The bad news? Not every hacker is here to help.
Whether logging on to check your bank statements or working remotely from a cafe, hotel, or airport, using public Wi-Fi poses security risks that few people take seriously. Cybercrime has been on the rise since 2020
“All our IWG coworking locations, including Regus, Spaces and HQ in South Africa, are equipped with secure, high-speed Wi-Fi networks and have access to printers and scanners (as well as the all-important coffee!) – not something offered in the local Starbucks. Working from a local coworking space can be a safe, secure solution to any cybersecurity concerns,” says Joanne Bushell, MD IWG, South Africa
Get a buzz from creativity, not caffeine!
One of the main reasons people prefer hybrid working, and operating across several locations, is the energising atmosphere of an office. Modern coworking areas are designed with productivity and professionalism in mind.
“Our locations are light, well-ventilated, and equipped with ergonomic desks and chairs. Plus, the coffee is always freely available, and working alongside like-minded folk in a buzzy environment will get those creative synapses firing once again,” adds Bushell
Let’s get social
One of the main perks of working in a smart, professional coworking space is the opportunity to network.
Modern flex space attracts large organisations, entrepreneurs, digital startups and freelancers who are adopting the hybrid work model and those moving from restrictive lease-burdened buildings. More often than not, collaboration opportunities will pop up.
More convenient than your local coffee shop, the locations are available 24/7, offer in-house support, both technical and administrative, and have enhanced data security. Desks, coworking spaces or meeting rooms can be booked by the hour, day or week, and most locations have a café and a barista-style coffee bar in-house.
Now, who fancies a coffee?
About IWG PLC
IWG is the global leader in hybrid work solutions and workspace brands. We create personal, financial, and strategic value for businesses of every size, from some of the most exciting companies and well-known organizations on the planet to individuals and the next generation of industry leaders.
They all harness the power of IWG's hybrid working platform to increase their productivity, efficiency, agility, and market proximity. IWG’s unrivalled network coverage includes approximately 3,500 locations across more than 120 countries, and 83% of Fortune 500 companies are amongst our growing customer base.
Through our brands, including Regus, Spaces, HQ and Signature, we help millions of people and their businesses to work more productively. We provide the world's leading hybrid work platform with professional, inspiring and collaborative workspaces and digital services, all available via the IWG app.
For more information:
Visit www.iwgplc.com and for more information on partnering with IWG, see:
https://www.iwgplc.com/develop-a-location
