The Work Boulevard
Coworking spaces have proven to be successful business models in keeping up with an ever-changing workforce. Just look at their growth rates around the world. But where to from here? We interviewed General Manager at The Work Boulevard, Melanie Simpson, for her perspective on how workspaces are evolving in the world of flexible work.
Hybrid work, as we all know, is the future. It offers both the flexibility to work remotely when preferred and the sense of teamwork and purpose that comes with in-person connections. Coworking spaces cater to this balance by offering on-demand workspace usage, whether it’s for an hour, a day or a month. This frees businesses from long-term contracts and gives them the space to grow or downsize when needed.
“At The Work Boulevard, in addition to private offices and coworking lounges, we offer state-of-the-art meeting rooms that can be booked directly online by anyone, whether they are a member or not,” Melanie explains. “Companies with remote or global teams use our meeting rooms for their monthly and annual gatherings. Smaller companies and solopreneurs regularly book our smaller meeting rooms for client meetings and interviews, even if they work from home. On-demand options are the most cost-efficient way to go.
“Hybrid work models allow the flexibility of working from anywhere, without losing in-person connections. The reason coworking spaces like The Work Boulevard are so perfect for hybrid working is because our spaces are intentional. We offer opportunities for intentional social interactions, events and collaborations. We serve as a networking hub in an increasingly isolated world.
“The essence of the coworking value proposition is our ability to offer flexible agreements and flexible office spaces that can adapt along with the evolving needs of the team.”
Technology innovations are changing the way we collaborate. Think of digital communication tools like Zoom and Slack, project management systems like Trello and Asana, and collaborative tools like Loom and Miro. Technology is changing the way we interact in physical spaces, too.
Coworking spaces are increasingly adopting smart office technologies like member recognition software and IoT devices. Automation systems are enhancing efficiency by helping to manage energy consumption, space utilisation and security, providing a more seamless experience for members.
“At The Work Boulevard, we offer 24/7 access for members with private offices, using the latest software to keep our spaces secure,” says Melanie. “We are keen to learn how to put AI to good use in our spaces to better serve our members.”
“Coworking spaces have the unique challenge of attracting both individual freelancers and large corporations. And we’ve found that customisation is key,” says Melanie.
“Customisation allows us to cater to a wide variety of clients. We offer adaptable private office layouts that can be personalised to meet the unique needs of each tenant. We have literally built walls for our tenants. One tenant wanted a tea room in their office. And we made it for them, exactly as they wanted it.
“At The Work Boulevard, we provide beautifully designed spaces for every type of working style: from individual work, brainstorming sessions, calls, one-to-ones, group meetings, or big events. We believe a space should adapt to the needs of the people who use it, not the other way around. We can serve such a wide variety of people because we recognise that different people have different needs - and even one person’s needs change throughout the day, depending on the task at hand.
“Amenities are important, too. We’ve kitted out our spaces in top-quality ergonomic furniture and state-of-the-art technology for the benefit of all who use our space. We serve good coffee too, from Common Man Coffee Roasters. Attention to small things like this makes a big difference to how settled and at home our tenants feel. The personal touches we put into our community events help our tenants connect with each other when they want to.”
“Every year, sustainability becomes increasingly more important,” says Melanie. “We believe that coworking spaces should spearhead the cause, as they constitute a significant sector of commercial real estate in most big cities around the world.
“It’s not about having a green wall or more plants in the office. It’s about becoming more energy efficient and keeping planet-friendly practices front-of-mind for all who come through your doors. We are excited to see solar panels becoming the norm, and are inspired by coworking spaces with excellent recycling services, rooftop gardens and even composting schemes.
“At our Tanjong Pagar location, we are proud to feature Chop Value furniture in our coworking lounge, made of a staggering 550,000 upcycled chopsticks. This beautiful wooden furniture has not only saved vast amounts of single-use chopsticks from ending up in landfill, it has given a sustainable material a new life.
“We believe in fostering a sense of community - not just with each other, but also with the environment.”
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The Work Boulevard offers flexible options for businesses of any size. Affordable coworking passes for solopreneurs, virtual office for remote teams, meeting rooms for important gatherings and customisable private office spaces that evolve alongside you. Contact our friendly team to find the right office space for you.
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