Starting The Perfect Co-Working Space

With unemployment still plaguing much of the US, many Americans have struck out on their own, determined to occupy a position with 100 percent job security: CEO and Founder. But like any other enterprise, working with others can bear better results than working alone, even when you are a one-man operation. Whether you want to split a company fax line with other business owners or just need a buzzing office environment to stay focused, many entrepreneurs have found the answer in 2011: co-working.
Co-working spaces allow small, entrepreneurial businesses the ability to share expenses, network and own a piece of their very own office. According to a report from co-working experts at DeskMag.com, the number of co-working spaces worldwide increased by 17 percent between February and May. Many entrepreneurs have even started their own co-working spaces as a way to earn extra money for future business endeavors. And with a few technology additions, you can be one of them. But where to start? The guide below will help you set up your new office with a few essential tech tools you can't be without.
Encrypted Wi-Fi and Cloud Storage: Co-working spaces are great for networking and sharing business secrets. But if you want those secrets to stay inside the walls of your new office, you will need an encrypted, secured wi-fi network and effective, mobile storage. This way, companies can both share and protect information with ease. Your fellow entrepreneurs will be able to share access, print, and send a fax on the go.
Fax And E-Mail Software: Many co-working spaces are inhabited by freelancers like web developers and graphic designers. The ability to send large files over e-mail is important. Most free e-mail platforms will not cut it, due to file transfer restrictions. And if your fellow business owners are interested in sending mass e-mails to contact lists, bounce-backs could cripple your servers. But getting online fax and email tools that work together to provide failover can protect against server crashes and ensure that, when you send a fax or e-mail, it gets where it is going.
Stocked Office Areas: Like any normal office, co-working spaces have to be set up for people to entertain clients, eat lunch and grab a cup of coffee. Make sure that you establish inter-office relationships by offering activities and giving workers places to congregate. This will make it feel like a corporate office, only better because it is owned by proud entrepreneurs chasing their dreams.