Flexibility is key for new generation of coworking in Singapore

Dr Biz • October 28, 2020

Coworking in Singapore is growing as more and more workers choose to go freelance and smaller companies choose to cut expensive business premises in favour of more cost effective office space. As part of Dr Biz’s new series celebrating our vibrant, dynamic and diverse client base, we spoke to the founders of one of Singapore’s most successful coworking spaces, workbuddy, who explained that – for their diverse customer base – total flexibility is the most important thing.

How did you get started?

The number of spaces offering coworking in Singapore have tripled since 2015, partly due to rising office rents and partly to meet the need for flexible working. However, we discovered that despite the proliferation of coworking space options, many people were still sticking to their local café or working from home, because coworking space memberships still required them to commute or commit to year-long contracts. People don’t want to pay for unused space. We thought that there must be a way to enjoy all the benefits of coworking spaces AND get the flexibility people need. That’s when we thought of a monthly membership that offers an all-access pass to a variety of locations – and workbuddy was born.

What does workbuddy offer members?

We found that what most professionals really value nowadays is flexibility. Having the choice to work close to home one day, close to their child’s school the next, or to be near their clients or their gym, makes a big difference. It helps with work-life balance and productivity (less time commuting). Our members are people who thrive when they have the autonomy and flexibility to design their day around what’s important to them. We offer five visits a month for $129, or unlimited visits for $299. With that, members can choose from more than 30 beautiful spaces for coworking in Singapore, book a hot desk, check in and get to work! The membership is on a rolling monthly basis, so they can cancel anytime.

What is the biggest benefit of a co-working space?

Freelancers love workbuddy because they can say goodbye – once and for all – to noisy cafés with shaky Wi-Fi, distracting home offices with attention-seeking cats, and long commutes to client meetings. Time is money! But one of the benefits they love most is having a community to connect with. Their workbuddy pass gives them access to networks of people coworking in Singapore all over town, so they can meet fellow freelancers, new partners and new clients easily.

What other groups do you support?

For expats, settling into a new country is stressful because they’re taking their kids into school while setting up their house while learning the ropes at their new company. Work-life balance goes out the window. A workbuddy pass makes the process a whole lot smoother, because they can stay productive in a professional workspace near home, and still pop out quickly to watch their washing machine being installed. And when dropping their kids off at a brand new school, they can reassure them that they’re working right nearby. They can also build their social and professional networks quickly by attending coworking in Singapore events across town.

What sorts of office spaces can people get access to with Workbuddy?

We’ve partnered with a variety of awesome spaces offering coworking in Singapore. Members can centre themselves in the CBD at Servcorp’s lush Marina Bay location, or The Executive Centre’s swanky space in Frasers Tower, for example. Or they can enjoy the peaceful, minimalist designs at SPACES in the Paya Lebar Quarter or the charming shophouse neighbourhood around The Working Capitol in Chinatown. The views from the Hive Carpenter’s rooftop café are pretty sensational, too. There’s so much to choose from! With workbuddy, you can get the best of Singapore’s co-working spaces and work where you want, when you want, without having to commit to a long contract. It’s a pretty sweet deal.

Do you think coworking in Singapore will get bigger?

The way we work is changing. There are more part-time employees, freelancers and remote workers than ever before. Fixed office spaces are no longer appropriate for companies with fluctuating headcounts who need to keep costs down and stay agile. It’s all about innovation and collaboration – which co-working spaces are great for. We think all this is summed up nicely in Forbes Magazine’s article “Flexible Working: The Way of the Future” article. It says: “Gone are the days of working in a traditional office setting from 9 to 5, where cubicles separate colleagues and the only social interactions occur around the water cooler. The rise in co-working spaces around the world have left more people yearning for work environments that are collaborative, inspiring, and stimulating.”

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