[AshSimmonds]

Currently transitioning from office life to entreprenuerial/freelance (?) life, and I hate to say it, but the days I'm not at work work I miss the incidental social aspects - sausage-fest as they are.

So, tonight was chatting to another friend who is in a similar boat, and we both know several people who feel this way, so...

Would it be feasible to set up a central shared workspace for say 6-12 spots in an open office area, where it's all hotseats so that people like me can just turn up at will?

Is this a tenable arrangement in the long term? I have at least 6 friends who would qualify to do this. I imagine I would turn up 2-3 days a week, just for a scenery change from my lounge and for that familiarity feeling.

We (well, I) would want a swanky office around Rundle Hutt or Gouger - anywhere you can conveniently go to lunch or in a moment of stress look out the window and just people watch for a while.

Thoughts?

[andecorp]

Currently transitioning from office life to entreprenuerial/freelance (?) life, and I hate to say it, but the days I'm not at work work I miss the incidental social aspects - sausage-fest as they are.

So, tonight was chatting to another friend who is in a similar boat, and we both know several people who feel this way, so...

Would it be feasible to set up a central shared workspace for say 6-12 spots in an open office area, where it's all hotseats so that people like me can just turn up at will?

Is this a tenable arrangement in the long term? I have at least 6 friends who would qualify to do this. I imagine I would turn up 2-3 days a week, just for a scenery change from my lounge and for that familiarity feeling.

We (well, I) would want a swanky office around Rundle Hutt or Gouger - anywhere you can conveniently go to lunch or in a moment of stress look out the window and just people watch for a while.

Thoughts?

Even though you are self employed, you still need the office environment, otherwise, working from your couch will end up making you complacent and greatly affect your work ethic.

[TEZZA]

I have to go to work to feel at work and be productive. I know people who can work from home but I never have been able to do that as I have too many distractions at home. I need to get dressed for work and go to my business. Depends of course what you do. I have some friends who are IT guys. They could work out of the local coffee club or the back of a van.

[AshSimmonds]

Even though you are self employed, you still need the office environment, otherwise, working from your couch will end up making you complacent and greatly affect your work ethic.

It's not that, funnily enough.

I've done work from home for extended periods plenty of times, and my work ethic to get shit done is rampant as ever, however I've changed socially somewhat - I notice on days like today when I spent 12 hours alone I got antsy throughout the day - I wanted to go downstairs to Hungry Jacks just to talk to the waitresses or customers or hobos for a couple minutes - anyone.

Nowadays I'm just more social, I actually *want* to go out for lunch every day, to have random people come up and chat about life and shit in between hardcore coding sessions... this is stuff I used to avoid.

In the end though, you're right, in a roundabout way.

At a *real* desk I'll do more actual work. I'll slack off and do random shit, but have been too long indoctrinated into structured workspaces to ignore.

[AshSimmonds]

I have to go to work to feel at work and be productive. I know people who can work from home but I never have been able to do that as I have too many distractions at home. I need to get dressed for work and go to my business. Depends of course what you do. I have some friends who are IT guys. They could work out of the local coffee club or the back of a van.

I'm struggling between inspiration and socialisation.

Seven years ago (wow!) I was given 6 months "off" to deliver a project black-ops style (ie, govt too cheap to hire proper developers), I actually worked 15-20 hours a day for those 6 months, and delivered an outstanding product.

Problem is nowadays I spend too much time with friends to do such a thing.

But what I've noticed is that the more time I spend alone developing my businesses, the more time I spend socialising.

So I figure, if I spend a decent portion of my development time ALSO socialising - ie, in this shared workspace - will it be more efficient?

But mostly - what are the pitfalls?

[anotherforumuser]

There are offices like that already in place in the city with shared receptionists etc to take calls. Its all a matter of what size set up you want as to where you would all fit in.

[anotherforumuser]

Or grab something like this and fill it how you wish, its only $40 a week between 6 of you.
http://adelaide.gumtree.com.au/c-Unit-House-Real-Estate-office-space-commercial-real-estate-Executive-Office-Hindmarsh-Square-W0QQAdIdZ350779714

[CortinaD]

There are loads of services offices in the city or cheap rooms.

[mhh]

Serviced offices offer flexibility but are expensive (I used to use one in Perth).  Also, the other tenants there may or may not be interested in socialising. Taking on a regular lease in your own space  with some buddies will usually require someone to guarantee the lease - which is a pain for the nominated tenant when one of the group wants to leave or can't pay their share.

When I started my business nearly 20 years ago, I got a sweet deal from a firm of accountants who had too much space and were willing to rent me an office and a carparking space.  It was month-by-month and involved no paperwork and' as I grew, I just took (and paid for) the extra space.  I bought admin support by the hour as I needed it. I was welcome at their Friday drinks and got to hang out with accountants in the kitchen.  I got more work referred from my landlord than I was paying in rent too.  It gave me the break I needed to start my business.

I'd see if you can find a hole in the wall in one of the firms in the East End - PR, web design, etc - who might like a little bit of rent.

[CortinaD]

Level 30 for Higher Steaks - http://www.servcorp.com.au/locations/adelaide/westpac-house