Coworking Office vs. Traditional Office

Coworking Office vs. Traditional Office

For entrepreneurs and established businesses alike, making a decision about office space is no easy task. There are so many options to consider and factors to weigh. Before you begin your search for a home base for your business, it’s critical to determine what you’re looking for: are you going to go with a coworking space or a traditional office?

 

 

 

If you are given the options of an office in a coworking space vs. traditional office work, which suits you better?

 

One of the most important benefits of coworking is its flexibility as compared to traditional offices. At Forge you can rent an office for one year, 6 months or month-to-month. You don’t have to commit to a long-term lease. And your rent at Forge includes things like utilities, internet, professional business address, meeting room credit, and even coffee.

 

Flexible lease options give you the ability to use the space on a short-term basis and to grow or shrink your physical space requirements as needed. Coworking offices can offer a more tailor-made solution when it comes to lease and space requirements.

 

Forge Rooftop Conference Room

 

 

Another perk? You can occupy your fully-furnished space right away. Forge private offices come with desks, chairs, filing cabinet, whiteboard and internet… plus a variety of amenities (like unlimited coffee!) and on-demand meeting space arrangements.

It’s not all about the physical space. Coworking spaces mean you have the opportunity to join forces with people with complementary skills and/or people who require your skills. Working from Forge makes it easy to network and grow your business connections and friendships!

 

Team office at Forge

 

Now let’s talk about traditional offices…

 

Leasing a traditional office usually represents a long-term commitment. Also, you need to think about your upfront costs with a traditional office. When you lease a traditional office, you will have to furnish and equip your space. This may also include expensive investments like building out amenities and meeting rooms.

 

And what about management of the space? You’ll have to take on the task of managing the office which can include maintenance and cleaning.

 

Forge Office For Rent

 

 

Not only that, but you have fewer opportunities to network and collaborate. You have less of a chance of connecting with people from other companies or industries.

 

 

Whether you’re considering a traditional office or an office in a coworking space, make sure the physical space you choose reflects the image you want to project for your clients, potential employees and partners, and the type of business you’re in!

 

 

Interested in touring a private office at Forge? Click below!

 

 

5 Companies In Forge’s Diverse Community

5 Companies In Forge’s Diverse Community

When we give tours of Forge’s workspace we are often asked “What type of companies work in this space?” And we love sharing about the unique companies represented in our community. The Forge community is made up of podcasters, marketers, architects, lawyers, photographers, influencers, nonprofit organizations and much more.

 

If you’re wondering if you would fit into the Forge family, read on. We’re sharing about several of the companies who office out of Forge. I bet you too can find your place in our coworking space!

 

HomeFit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HomeFit is centered on the idea of creating customized fitness solutions adapted to the specific needs of each client. HomeFit’s team of Fitness professionals provide detail-oriented personal training services, and enable you to achieve your most-wanted fitness goals. They analyze your needs, goals, lifestyle, and motivations, then work with you to provide a program suited for you!

 

And here’s the best part… because of the daily time constraints that most of us experience, HomeFit works around your schedule and in the comfort of your own home or office. We loved learning about HomeFit when Matthew Foster, CEO of HomeFit joined Forge!

 

 

 

 

Ranked College Football

 

 

 

 

Forge Member Jake Gillikin is the Founder of Ranked– a brand new app for college football fanatics! In the Ranked app, you can filter games by rank, kickoff time, conference, game rating, and more. And even compare stats and trends side-by-side between teams and players. Users can set up notifications for teams and game info like spreads, tv channel, and kick off time.  If you love college football, you have to check out Ranked.

 

 

Fetch Rewards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fetch Rewards turns all your retail and restaurant receipts into savings. Simply scan any grocery, retail or restaurant receipt after you shop, and save on thousands of popular products throughout the store. Earn points on every receipt or eReceipt you scan. Then turn receipts into gift cards for online retailers, e.g. Amazon, Target, and others! We love having some of the Fetch team working out of Forge!

 

We loved this meme from Fetch’s Instagram account!

 

Focus Creative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most companies mistakenly use stock or low quality images to showcase their business. Your business is a reflection of you – your hopes, your dreams, your visions. And Focus Creative can help you by creating great photos and video you can use in your business marketing efforts so the world sees your business as it really is. They offer professional photography plus visual and marketing consulting.

 

Focus Creative recently won the Campaigns & Elections Reed Award for “Best Use of a Social Platform” with their work on the Patrick McClusky campaign in Homewood. Forge Member Stuart Franco is the Owner of Focus Creative, and we love having him in the Forge community!

 

Check out Focus Creative on Instagram to see the brands they work with!

 

GoodJob

 

 

 

 

 

 

GoodJob simplifies the hiring process by serving companies qualified job-seekers who will fit their company’s culture. The GoodJob algorithm is highly accurate at predicting whether someone is a great match for your position. You can post a job with a short description and key details, and they’ll match you instantly with the top applicants on their platform based on their comprehensive recruitment system. We love having a few of the GoodJob team members working from Forge!

 

We know working from home can feel isolating. Are you looking to make a change? Schedule a tour of Forge! We would love for you to join the Forge community!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top 7 Ways To Get the Most Out of Coworking at Forge

Top 7 Ways To Get the Most Out of Coworking at Forge

 

 

Coworking offers a wide variety of benefits, many of which cannot be found in other work environments. At Forge, we strive to create an environment where you and your business can grow. Here are our top 7 tips on how to get the most out of coworking here at Forge!

 

1. Engage with Others

Take advantage of a space that allows you to network with others by having conversations with those around you, attending member events and learning what others do. Engaging with others promotes both growth for your business and you personally.

 

A spot to work at Forge

 

2. Set a Consistent Schedule

With scheduled work hours you can work around your most productive time. Forge is open 24/7- providing the morning bird and the night owl all with equal opportunities. With a wide range of when you can work, pick a time to so that you can have a consistent work schedule and enable yourself to balance life better.

 

3. Attend Member Events

We have a multitude of opportunities for you to meet others and enjoy doing so. Our member happy hours, breakfasts and lunches connect you with new faces and help you form connections in your workspace. We have so many members make connections with fellow members that help their business grow and we love to see it!

 

 

4. Use the Phone Booths to Take Calls

Here at Forge, we have three phone booths available for you to take your calls in. Hop in a phone booth for a Zoom meeting or phone call as needed! This allows you the privacy of your own space and you never have to worry about being interrupted.

 

5. Conference Rooms

Wow your clients in our beautifully designed conference rooms, and no longer have to meet in crowded coffee shops. Our 5 different sized conference rooms are perfect for holding meetings, whether one-on-one or larger group sizes. A benefit of being a member of Forge is getting discounted conference rooms rates! Easily book a room on our website.

 

 

6. Sign up for Connect

Connect is a virtual networking event that allows you to connect with other business leaders in Birmingham. Do this all from the comfort of your own home or from our coworking space. These weekly meetings allow you to introduce your business to the group, hear from others and most importantly CONNECT!

 

7. Take Advantage of the Location of Forge

Located in the heart of Downtown Birmingham we are within walking distance of amazing restaurants, coffee shops and companies. Being just steps away from the Pizitz Food Hall allows you to treat yourself or your clients!

 

Forge is a coworking business focused on creating a professional, clean and exciting work environment to encourage the productivity of all of our members.

 

If your business is looking for creative opportunities to expand your business and get out of your home office, schedule a tour of Forge!

7 Ways to Increase Productivity While You WFH

7 Ways to Increase Productivity While You WFH

 

7 ways to Increase Productivity While you WFH

Do you enjoy working from home? Even though many of us like the concept of working from home, it’s common for people to feel disconnected from their colleagues and isolated.

 

We know the WFH crowd is looking for ways to stay productive in the same rooms in which we sleep, eat and play… while maintaining a feeling of connection with coworkers.

 

“Before the coronavirus, an estimated 43% of Americans worked from home at least some of the time.” 

– Gallup

 

 

 

 

1. Keep a morning routine.

 

If you normally start the day off with a workout, walk, quick meditation or taking a shower, keep that routine. Don’t start responding to email or Slack when you first wake up! Get up and have a morning routine like you normally would if you were going into the office.

 

2. Choose a dedicated workspace in your home.

 

Even though we hate to admit it, productivity suffers when we work from bed. Be sure to set up a designated work area at a desk or even at your kitchen table instead of lounging in bed. It will help to cue your body that it’s time to be productive!

 

3. Set up in a spot with some natural light.

 

A 2018 study found that people working in naturally-lit spaces reported less eye strain, headaches and drowsiness. And a recent poll of workers showed that we all crave natural light in our workspace more than perks like gyms or cafeterias, per Harvard Business Review.

Work near a window at home- it could even help you sleep better at night!

 

 

4. Pick up the phone and turn your camera on.

 

As much as you may not want to pick up the phone or turn on your laptop camera, you’ll get more done if you connect with coworkers vocally and visually. Consider calling your coworker instead of writing a super long email sometimes. Even though you’re working from home, it’s important to keep building those relationships.

 

5. Take a walk at lunch!

 

A 2020 study found participants reporting “better concentration and less fatigue in the afternoon” after just 15 minutes spent strolling in the park. Most of us know that taking a walk is good for us but it’s often overlooked when you have other tasks on your plate.

 

A spot to work in Forge

 

6. Adjust the sound.

 

For a lot of people, it’s too quiet at home. There’s no office buzz going on around them, and they miss it. For others, playing music — especially with headphones in — can help cut out the noise from family members or roommates who might also be working or schooling from home.

 

7. Be patient with yourself.

 

Try to be flexible and understanding as you find your rhythm and dial into working from home. Even if working from home is only a temporary arrangement for you, you’ll be glad you did.

 

If you’re tired of working from home, we have the Summer Special just for you! Join in the month of May or June, buy one month get one month FREE!

 

5 Reasons Why Working From Home Kills Productivity

5 Reasons Why Working From Home Kills Productivity

While the trend of working from home has been a reality for the past few months, it may come as no surprise that levels of productivity rise once you ditch the remote workspace. Working from home can lead to distractions, isolation, and can even create bad habits that affect your future goals.

#1 – You are isolated from a community

 

Some of the most important factors in an office environment are the ability to communicate with other individuals while also having connections with other colleagues and peers. Working from home hinders your ability to further connect and network with others. 

 

#2 – It reduces your motivation to work

 

When working from home, the line between work and play begins to relax as there is less of a routine, causing a tiff between a healthy work/life balance. A lack of productivity will cause your workload to grow and ultimately create an unhealthy environment for success.

 

 

#3 – Bad habits are easy to accumulate when working from home

 

Some simple bad habits can add up and end up causing problems with productivity. Examples like being unhygienic, having the TV on in the background, or wasting company time can seem like small issues but when packed together, can cause many problems.

 

#4 – Isolation can lead to deeper problems

 

As we’ve recognized from this past year, isolation can not only lead to not being productive but can also lead to mental health risks. A lack of feedback, encouragement, or even the random bathroom break socialization can hinder development in the workspace.  

 

#5 – Too many distractions

 

In opposition to the point above, there is a lack of isolation from family members (or pets) in the house, causing further distractions that you would not occur in an office environment.

 

Forge Coworking

 

One solution to alleviating these problems is to join a coworking space. Forge is a coworking space in downtown Birmingham in The Pizitz. We can alleviate the pains of working from home by providing you a safe and sanitary environment for peak productivity. In a recent survey of Forge members, 100% of members saw an increase in productivity as well as 76% of growth in their business. Join the community and let’s build Birmingham together. 

 

Learn more about Forge Membership

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