After the pandemic, we can say that it is practically unanimous the opinion that life in society has changed. This mainly includes the world of work, that has seen an avalanche of new formats and modalities for the routines of professionals and companies
Strict schedules, rigid offices and unchanging hierarchies have become things of the past. These aspects created space for a new reality, with much more flexibility and real connections.
It is in this scenario of transformation that what I call emergedCO effect. And no, I'm not just talking about sharing a table in the coworking space – despite this market being one of the biggest examples of this phenomenon, as we will see later -, but of something much bigger
This concept is the strength ofCOelaboration, COconnection, COmsharing and workCOon purpose. That is to say, we are talking about a change in mindset, that reflects the appreciation of experiences and sharing instead of the ownership of material goods
Market impact
To understand how the CO Effect works in practice, let's think about some common "rituals" today. We order cars through an app, we stayed in a vacation rental room, we watch our favorite series on a streaming platform, we learn a new language online, we order food for delivery and even buy or sell clothes in an online thrift store. From Airbnb to Uber, from Netflix to Duolingo, do iFood to Enjoei, clearly sharing already permeates various aspects of our lives and, consequently, of the market.
Coworking is no different. Much more than working side by side, these flexible and collaborative environments are the essence of the business. The focus is on providing opportunities for clients and partners to interact and collaborate, ensuring that they are part of a community where networking is organic
There, a marketing professional, for example, you can receive valuable insight or a partnership proposal from another coworker in the area over a simple coffee. This sharing of common areas, events and even informal mentoring stimulate unique exchanges, that can lead to promising opportunities.
That is to say, interaction is what guides the environment, not the bureaucracy of everyday corporate processes. The people who are there, for having multiple perspectives, skills and objectives, they create a true hub of diversity, characteristic that is essential for a dynamic reality like the current one
That's why, it is not surprising that the CO Effect is growing alongside this business. Just to give a small proof of this movement, Fortune Business Insights reveals that the global flexible office market reached $35 billion in 2023 and is expected to surpass $96 billion by 2030
Everyone's responsibility
It became clear that the CO Effect is not just any trend, isn't it? It is something that, literally, is leveraging careers, businesses and lives from a collaborative perspective
It is precisely for this reason that all of us, individuals and companies, we need to act in favor of this idea. Social responsibility is organically integrated into the vision of sharing, motivating a conscious culture in various ways
The very reduction of individual investments and the efficient use of resources in coworking spaces demonstrates this. For stimulating models like hybrid work, these spaces not only help companies save on costs with their own infrastructure, but also driving productivity through optimization and sustainability strategies
It is common, for example, we will see initiatives to reduce energy and water consumption in these environments. Or even lectures and events to promote an ESG (Environmental) culture, Social and Governance, highlighting values that engage responsible entrepreneurship and care for the environment
This sense of community is what makes the magic happen. May it be an invitation for us to embrace the new way of working, to connect and build the future, seeking solutions that are truly capable of addressing the challenges of our time
