With the economy showing a sign of contraction, it is wise for any company to stay frugal and ride it out. Over the past few years, as the economy was growing strong, coworking spaces have gained a lot of traction because of how easily accessible they are while the companies were growing. The opportunities they provide to different companies with the provision of proper working space and helping companies stay flexible during their growth while keeping costs low was tremendous. Coworking spaces have been basically made to allow for the flow of work to remain undisturbed and to allow workers to be as productive as possible.
While freelancers do take up a majority of coworking space (as they do not technically have an office to work in), coworking spaces are also greatly beneficial for startup companies and even for companies in need of an affordable option.
Why is it Such an Affordable Option?
There are many reasons as to why coworking spaces are such affordable and feasible options.
Rent
​For one, the rent is usually very affordable, as it is a shared space. This makes it much more feasible than renting out an entire actual office space. This makes coworking spaces particularly great for companies who need to observe frugality in the short term.
Inclusive of Utilities and Facilities
Another reason why it is so affordable is that coworking spaces already have most of the tools and equipment you would need from a typical office space. Companies generally need to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in their office space for furnishing in order to ensure that productivity and comfort remain at the peak. This also takes time because the design of the office space needs to be taken into consideration, and various factors need to be accounted for (like the workflow). However, with coworking spaces, you get all of the facilities you would need for a fraction of the cost.
Flexibility and the Need for Growth
Coworking spaces are also extremely flexible. This flexibility can allow any company to expand and shrink with great ease. While an office space that is leased by the company may not allow for the growth the company would require to be successful (as people may underestimate or overestimate the rate at which their company grows), a coworking space can allow for this with no obstacles. The facilities and utilities would already be in place; you would simply have to pay some extra rent according to the increase in the space required.
Networking
Your startup is trying to be frugal but grow at the same time. The best way to achieve this is to meet as many people as possible. At a coworking space, you can easily network as well as hosting your own event and networking sessions. 
Conclusion
Thus, coworking spaces can be an excellent way for businesses to save money and get a working space that is both functional and practical. Coworking spaces are highly recommended for startup companies for this reason and a trend is now being seen in the number of startups joining coworking spaces. Be frugal during this time and join our coworking space today. 
References
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/278822
https://management30.com/blog/virtual-office-vs-coworking-space-what-you-should-choose/
https://www.coworker.com/mag/10-ways-coworking-offices-can-save-businesses-money

Nonprofits are often operating on tight budgets. Most nonprofits, unless backed by a sustainable fund, need to be doing more with less with their budgets to accomplish their missions. Office space could be a costly item on the budget sheet, especially for a growing nonprofit, which is why nonprofits should consider a more untraditional type of office, such as a coworking space. 
Coworking is a growing trend all over the world. It's considered a great way to interact with people of different types of work backgrounds while also helping minimize costs. Different types of businesses and start-ups are opting for coworking spaces. So, why should your nonprofit utilize the same space? 
Nonprofits typically faced huge costs that they're unable to cover, given they have less funding available. So either they spend for their cause or for the utilities and rent of the place they are renting. With coworking, nonprofits benefit as there's a lower charge. 
As you can tell, nonprofits can gain a lot through coworking and focus on their mission rather than worrying about paying the rent. San Francisco is home to a lot of nonprofit organizations. How can you find the perfect coworking space for your nonprofit in San Francisco? First, you have to go over certain factors that are relevant to your requirements. 
1. Determine what is required
You need to make a list of everything you require in an office space. This way you can narrow down your search and shortlist those coworking spaces that are in line with your needs. Most of the time, people go for a particular space without getting into the details of the type of environment they want. This can decrease your productivity over time. 
2. Research about the culture
This is a must-do. It's better if you work around the same kind of people and businesses. For nonprofits, it is better to have more socially conscious people around so that you're able to understand each other better and work better as well. 
3. Visit the location
Location, Location, Location! You want to make sure that the location of the coworking space is ideal for your team. Since the transportation cost is high in the Bay Area, you really don't want to stress your team too much about commuting to the office. 
4. Focus on the future
It's important to figure out how you expect your nonprofit business to grow. When you enter into a contract with the coworking space, you need to have a vision of where your nonprofit will be by the end of the term, or you might want to go with a more month-to-month approach. You don't want to be stuck in a situation where you're unhappy with your decision.
5. Cost 
The one reason why you are coworking is to save money. This is so you could use the money to focus 
There are many coworking options available in San Francisco that are great for nonprofits as they offer a great location with extreme flexibility so you can work without any pressure! For coworking spaces for nonprofits, look for those that give you boast supportive communities, down to earth, excellent facilities, and provide you with flexibility! 
Check out our space at Treehouse Society for the needs of your growing nonprofit! We are close to transportation, parking, and our space won't break your bank so you could do more for your mission. 


Reference:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/269806
https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Free+Meeting+Space+For+Non-Profits&find_loc=San+Francisco%2C+CA
https://www.kcsourcelink.com/blog/post/blog/2018/07/31/4-ways-nonprofits-can-benefit-from-coworking-spaces
https://360labsf.com/heres-why-your-nonprofit-should-use-a-shared-office-space/​https://www.nonprofitpro.com/article/5-small-tips-big-nonprofit-growth/

The type of office that people want is a tricky decision, and the fact that it has an impact on the performance makes it worth considering. Open space and private offices have their pros and cons that influence the overall performance of your team. 
It depends upon your industry, employee choice, and job functions to choose the type of office best for you. Some people perform well in an open or shared environment, whereas some of them want private spaces to work efficiently, or their industry's regulations require a private area. It is the job of the employer to find out what suits his/her employees. Considering the pros and cons of both designs might make it easy for him.

Open Space
Pros
An open space can be a factor in breaking the ice between your workforce and the outside world. They can have informal conversations because they are not sitting in cubicles or an office. They can discuss any issues in their work and get recommendations from the fellows or others nearby. Open space also decreases the cost to a great extent and helps establish a more open-minded culture. 
Cons
It might seem to be a desirable option, but an open space can cause a lot of problems as well. It can cause a lot of distractions for everyone and hence decrease productivity. Phone calls, discussions, meetings could generate a lot of noise, and it causes mental exhaustion. A tired person can never work efficiently. 
Private office
Pros
A private workspace lets people work and focus on their work without any distractions. Lesser noise and more peace enhance performance. The workers will have a prestige status that can be used by the company as a perk or an incentive. The workers will have a private space for personal and professional matters. The level of security will be higher. Moreover, the collaboration will be better if a small team uses private space to work together. 
Cons
There will be a lesser collaboration between the employees. A lack of company culture would result in subcultures that are often decreasing the efficiency of your team. There would be lesser innovation and joint collaboration and hence people that might be less friendly towards each other. Private offices result in less transparency. The authority will have to keep a close look at everyone so that they don't involve in anything that is not aligned with organizational goals. A private space would also result in a higher office settlement cost. You will have to pay more for a lesser number of employees, and it will result in a lesser economic efficiency. 
Conclusion
Putting efforts into choosing the right office design might a difficult task, but its result will bring out the unexpected best for you. Take a deeper look at your team to find out more about their needs. Maybe you can conduct surveys to find out what suits them best and then go for one choice. It can either be an open space, a private office, or a combination of both. At Treehouse Society, we have both private offices and open space for your team potentially. Take a tour today!

https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/10689-open-office-vs-private-office.html
https://www.boardandvellum.com/blog/private-offices-vs-open-office-concepts-for-workspaces/

Since you are sharing a space with a ton of other people in a coworking space, you sometimes feel like it is hard to make modifications to it. However, that’s not true. You can always add some things to personalize the space and have a personal attachment to the experience. There are ample of items available on the internet that you can purchase that either directly or indirectly enhance your productivity. 
Planners
Planners are essential to get your everyday to-do list going. Journals and planners help you keep a check of your progress and see whether you’re able to complete your tasks within the due time or not. It also helps to make deadlines feel more real. 
Shiatsu Back and Neck Massager
You want to be able to do your work comfortably and feel like you are getting massaged while your work is getting done. Check out our favorite one here. 
Succulent plants
Plants always bring a lively feel to any room! Your coworking place will seem like a much better place to work in if you have small plants around, especially on your desk! Succulent plants require less water and care, so you won’t have to worry about added responsibility.  
Comfortable and noise-canceling headphones
It could get a tad bit noisy when you’re in a coworking space. This usually lowers your productivity if you get distracted easily. Invest in some noise-canceling headphones and play calm music to ensure better productivity and zero distractions! Here is a thread from Reddit that might help you get the best headphones for your bucks. 
Gadgets organizer
There are so many gadgets these days that you need to take with you to work. Whether it’s your phone, laptop, tablets, or any other device, you can easily place them in a gadget organizer to have a clean and tidy place to work in. Your desk won't be a mess, and you’ll get work done quicker! Here is a list of the best gadget organizers. 
Charging dock
Is your phone always running out of battery? A charging dock is here to save the day! Charge your laptop, phone, or any other gadget by getting yourself a portable charging dock from Amazon! No more lags in your work from now on. 
Photo frames
A personal touch to your workplace is always a great way to make you more productive. You want to feel connected to the work you do, and there’s nothing better than a photo frame with a picture of your loved one! Cheap Pete's Frame Factory is our favorite store in SF for framing! 
Footrest under desk
If you’re sitting in the same spot for a long duration, your feet are eventually going to be tired. Get rid of aches and stay focused by getting a footrest under your desk! Check this one out! 
Drawer organizer
Is your desk too messy? Well, it’s time to invest in a drawer organizer to keep all the extra items tucked away in your drawer. You can find under the desk drawers at Amazon that can keep all your items organized. 
Desk calendars
Desk calendars are a great way to stay on track. They help you remember important dates and allow you to plan for any event!


It’s important to have customized and personalized items on your desk and around you at coworking spaces. They boost your energy and allow you to work better with better focus!


Reference:
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7456-workspace-design-productivity.html
https://www.workandco.co.za/11-tips-to-help-you-with-productivity-in-a-coworking-space/
https://snacknation.com/blog/increase-productivity-at-work/
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/featured/50-ways-to-increase-your-productivity.html

With the recent climate change around the world, it has become a necessity to reduce carbon footprint.
What Is a Carbon Footprint?
A carbon footprint is known as greenhouse gases produced by human activities. A carbon footprint can be a broad measure of the actions of an individual, a family, an event, an organization, or even an entire nation. It is measured as tons of CO2 emitted per year, or other CO2-equivalent gases, including methane, nitrous oxide, and other greenhouse gases.
Carbon Footprint Contributors:
The main contributor to carbon footprint is the burning of fossil fuels like petrol, gasoline, and diesel. Other contributors are the consumption of red meat, fast fashion, and using disposable plastic.
How to reduce your carbon footprint is the real question. Here are some ways which might help you to reduce.
Coworking:
Coworking itself is very environmentally friendly. Think about it, instead of renting out space for only your company and waste a ton of resources; you share the space with others. You don't have to buy TVs for your own conference rooms. It creates an eco-friendly work environment. Check out more reasons on our other blog. 
Say No To Fast Fashion:
Fast fashion is described as trendy clothes at lower prices. With the fast-changing trends, the companies make sure to produce a new collection every week, unlike the past years where it was just two collections per year. This massive production causes water contamination in the form of hazardous chemicals. You can avoid it by choosing alternatives like reusing your old clothes frequently and swapping clothes from your friends and cousins.
Use Public Transport
It is one of the most effective ways of reducing the carbon footprint. Using public transports can benefit from excessive consumption of fuel. Moreover, it helps to curb the traffic concerns and smog reduction. If you do not prefer public transport so, try to go for a hybrid or electric car.
Stop Using Plastic:
Plastic is also a contributor to the carbon footprint. It takes a lot of oil and natural gas to produce plastic. You can reduce by trying other alternatives like use paper bags and cloth bags instead of plastic bags. Avoid using disposable plastic cups and plates. Buy metal straws instead of plastic straws. These little efforts can make a more significant difference.
Avoid That Beef:
Just by decreasing your intake of red meat, you can help the environment in various ways. Beef is known to produce much more carbon dioxide emissions as compared to chicken. Choose plant-based diets like vegan or vegetarian instead of animal-based foods because it has twenty times more carbon emission. However, if you can not avoid meat, then choose chicken and fishes instead of beef. You can also educate people about the connection between meat and climate change and help them to encourage in reducing beef intake.
If you are one concerned human being, you will at least try to change such habits because of which our mother nature is compromised. You can also educate people over wastes and its potential destruction to the world. You can address people to choose sustainable options in life. These little efforts by an individual can certainly make a greater and effective difference.
References:
https://timeforchange.org/what-is-a-carbon-footprint-definition/
https://www.coworkingresources.org/blog/sustainable-coworking-spaces
https://iqoffices.com/toronto-shared-office-spacesare-green-eco-friendly-solution/
https://www.nationalexpresstransit.com/blog/why-is-public-transportation-good-for-the-environment/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/06/choosing-chicken-over-beef-cuts-carbon-footprint-surprising-amount/
https://www.naturespath.com/en-us/blog/7-ways-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint/

Coworking and shared spaces have become more common over recent years. Entrepreneurs are opting for this kind of environment as it gives them a better ground to start and a more fertile ground for their companies to grow in. Coworking is getting popular, considering the massive demand for them as it offers a more flexible space for a company in the midst of growing and expanding. 
As coworking seems like the answer to managing costs and ensuring a company runs efficiently, startups and freelancers are signing up for coworking. Another question arises, how do you increase the value of your coworking membership? 
Attend Community Events
​Attend the community events hosted at your coworking space. That's how you get to know other members. This also creates a friendlier environment and a way to collaborate in the future. 
Bring Your Favorite Work Accessories
Have a favorite wireless mouse? Favorite pair of air pods? Favorite mug? Bring them to make yourself more productive at a coworking space. You could even bring your favorite plant if you think it is going to make your work better. 
Manage Distractions
It’s easy to get distracted when working in a shared space. But there are things you can do to decrease the noise and ways of interactions. For example, you could go into a phone booth or a meeting room to get some me-time. At Treehouse Society, we even have a meditation room to clear your head before you head into work again. If you can't get a private room, you could even face a wall in the basement to make sure you get work done. 
Gossip a Little
Well, maybe not too much, but chitchat in the kitchen with other members at lunch to not only connect and learn what others do but also get some insight into what is popular in society. Pro-tip: the best time to gossip is getting coffee or while having lunch in the kitchen. 
Create A Routine
Instead of rolling into work whenever you want to as it is so tempting for a freelancer or a startup without structure, create a routine. Set a time to get into work so you can set your mind to expect to work when you are at a certain location at a certain time. 
Host Events
Host an event for your company at the coworking space to create a community for your customers and users. Launch party, discussions, workshops, to name a few ideas for your company to host to create community, and generate some traction for your company. Our coworking space membership comes with event space hours for your company. 
Peer Pressure
You want to be productive if your surrounding is filled with productive people. Sometimes, a coworking membership is valuable in that way. Especially if you are a freelancer lacking motivation at home, a coworking space should be where you go to get work done. 

There's a lot of value in joining a coworking space; for example, you have a secured space to work and increased productivity from others working around you. However, just adding a few things to it would make it that much more valuable. 

Reference:
https://www.coworkingresources.org/blog/8-ways-to-attract-freelancers-to-your-coworking-space
https://www.coworker.com/mag/10-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-coworking-space
https://catjohnson.co/16-creative-ways-market-coworking-space/