COVID-19

Workshop 17, Rosebank Firehouse. Image supplied.

COVID-19: Considering the impact the virus is having on working communities

(Partner Content) How can we shift the focus and use COVID-19 to innovate and move forward?

COVID-19

Workshop 17, Rosebank Firehouse. Image supplied.

COVID-19 is on everybody’s lips. It’s at the top of our thoughts and is the topic of just about every single conversation. 

The global pandemic has brought with it fears about the future and concerns about how the economy, and the world in general, will cope with the slowdown and shutdown of businesses across the world. 

The impact on social businesses

There are certain businesses that, in essence, are social. Restaurants, for example, will be hit hard with the COVID-19 outbreak. Social-distancing is the new norm, and social gatherings cannot carry on as they have done in the past. Co-working spaces, such as Workshop17, need to rethink what they can do to help their clients feel connected at a time of physical disconnection.

So, what can businesses that rely on being social do to combat the devastating economic effects of the virus? 

As the founder of Workshop17 said, “It is easy to be supportive when things are easy, but how can we make this difficult time easier and more useful for ourselves and our clients?”

A positive spin on isolating in the time of COVID-19

A social community such as Workshop17 has implemented ways for the people who use their spaces to feel connected, even when practising social-distancing. Instead of viewing the isolation as gloomy, many South Africans are embracing the ubuntu mentality as they enter this unknown era. 

Companies have created platforms that allow employees to feel connected. Employees are encouraged to listen to podcasts – Workshop17 releases podcast ideas daily for their clients to listen to in isolation – and to remain ‘attached’ to one another despite the physical distance. 

Several businesses have announced that they will be offering free services during lockdown. The internet is abuzz with ideas for people to listen to audiobooks, exercise, learn an instrument, hear their favourite musician, bake bread, and even practise ballet online. The online community really has brought a sense of togetherness at this time. 

Innovating, not just making ends meet

Management styles are being adjusted as companies get used to the idea of their employees working remotely. It is believed that jobs that prior to the COVID-19 outbreak were not considered remote jobs, have proven to be just that. Once the pandemic has abated and life has begun to return to normal, there will most likely be a large number of people who will opt for working remotely as the benefits of this are revealed and experienced firsthand. 

Companies are considering what innovative measures can be put in place for now, and the future, that will enable their businesses to not only stay afloat, but to thrive in the uncertain economic future. People’s mindsets should not be focused on what has gone wrong, but rather on what opportunities the COVID-19 isolation ruling holds.

What the future holds

So positive about the future are the people at Workshop17, that a new co-working space is being built in Rosebank. The space is due to open in September, and will be the largest of the Workshop17 spaces.  

At the Harrington Street space, certain walls will be soundproofed and an infinity wall is being built so that a media hub can be shared by creatives looking for studio space. 

During the COVID-19 lockdown

Workshop17 spaces will be closed from 4pm on Thursday and will only allow members in should they require an essential service and if have made prior arrangements.

Everyone is encouraged to stay up to date with webinars and the Entrepreneur Toolbox where they will share helpful apps, working from home tips etc. for Workshop17 members and other coworking communities. 

Workshop17 is committed to continue doing member networking and help sessions as well as ‘online blind dating’. They’ve matched people up from the same industries and had them blind network in the spaces even though they’ve never met before. These 15-minute sessions have turned into 60-minute sessions, and they bring a real sense of community.  

The Workshop 17 podcast and blog will continue to offer support to their members and the wider co-working community.