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We all know what a typical office setup is like: stuffy, constrained, mind-numbing, boring. However, those who have chosen to take the self-employment route (a.k.a. freelancers) and small groups still in the starting stages of their professional endeavor may not have the luxury of having an established business address with the necessary equipment and environment. Here’s a new alternative that answers this particular need (and is now taking off in the Philippines): co-working.

What exactly is co-working? Basically, it’s a setup that enables people from various industries to rent a work space for different durations (daily, monthly, yearly) --- and share that space with folks who are in the same boat. It’s quite different from the leased spaces and serviced offices popping up around the metro: what sets co-working apart from other options is that it fosters community building and espouses creativity without the stringent limits of a straight-up corporate environment. Co-working is increasingly being done by writers, artists, creatives, telecommuters and startups. But while the idea’s fresh and enticing, it may not deliver the same results for everyone.

Pros:

●    Co-working spaces offer both the venue and opportunities for individuals to bounce ideas off one another, get immediate feedback on a wide range of projects, build networks for future projects, and maybe even get in touch with prospective clients and investors.
●    It enables freelancers to get away from the confines of home (or cramped office spaces), and stave off laziness or cabin fever. For freelancers who work in coffee shops, co-working will allow them to escape the din of noisy customers and the expenses for parking and (often unsecured) Wi-Fi access, as well as those obligatory (and fattening) frappes. Oh, and no more scrambling for a vacant power outlet!
●    It gives small firms the work space and equipment they need without the high costs of maintaining an office in a fixed location. For an overview of rental spaces in the metro, click here.

Cons:

●    For freelancers who are still starting out and/or have minimal earnings, the daily/monthly/annual fees for co-working spaces may put a dent on their delicate finances.
●    Because of co-working’s social aspect, some individuals may get distracted easily, and be unable to finish everything they need to do. Those who can’t maintain their focus may have a difficult time with co-working.
●    On the flipside, people who are fiercely independent may not be able to hack co-working. While there is mutual respect among community members when it comes to privacy and working space, there will always be individuals who prefer to be in quiet, formal surroundings during normal office hours --- and have very specific ideas about what type of working environment works for them.

Co-working is already big in the United States and Europe, with many spaces in major cities dedicated to it. Some of the popular co-working venues overseas include Hive at 55, General Assembly and New Work City  in New York; The Coop in Chicago; and Citizen Space in San Francisco, San Jose and Las Vegas. The Global Coworking Blog and Deskmag are also excellent online resources for those curious about co-working and its growth.


We found two places in Makati City that serve as havens for creative minds and untethered workers: co.lab and A Space Manila. Besides the standard co-working amenities (including office equipment, pantry and AV setup), co.lab --- in Legaspi Village, Makati --- already has several collaborative efforts among members under its list of achievements. co.lab also holds monthly meetups (called “jellies”) and workshops/talks (a.k.a. “Spark Series”) dealing with different creative pursuits and the ways to brand/market oneself. co.lab also has flexible VAT-inclusive rates for every type of mobile warrior: the facility has a P500 introductory rate for individuals, a P750 daily rate and an annual rate of P36,000. For corporate meetings, co.lab can accommodate a maximum of eight people and offers different meeting rooms for up to a full workday.

Over at Salcedo Village, there's a new kid on the block (literally and figuratively) going by the name of A Space Manila. An 80 percent occupancy rate by both local and foreign (American, British and Australian) clients is an impressive feat for the month-old co-working venue. For just P6,300 per month, aSpace (run by ethical startup firm Barefoot Ventures Asia) gives each client his/her own workspace, as well as a stocked pantry, a Wi-Fi connection, and assistance from its staff. The other clinchers? Biometric access, a no-contract/no-deposit policy, a P1,000 fee for a 10-hour pass, and additional services for corporate clients (e.g., payroll and website development) for P550/hour.

Want to try out co-working? Visit colabmanila.com and aspacemanila.com to see what these two co-working facilities have to offer! Know of more co-working spaces in Metro Manila? Leave a comment and give us the heads up!

co.lab
4F Optima Building, 221 Salcedo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City
Telephone: 759.5000 loc. 115
Fax: 759.3270
colabmanila.com

A Space Manila
121 Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City
556.9440
aspacemanila.com

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