Can the Metaverse Influence the Coworking Culture?
The meteoric climb of the sharing economy has given coworking a new lease on life. As people increasingly look for opportunities to collaborate and connect, coworking offers an appealing alternative to traditional office spaces. But can metaverse influence the coworking culture and help take coworking to the next level?
Some believe virtual reality could play a major role in shaping the future of coworking culture. However, it’s still early days, and it remains to be seen how coworking spaces will adapt to the rise of the metaverse.
So, let’s explore some potential ways that the metaverse might influence this dynamic and evolving space.
Influence of Metaverse on Coworking
In the past, the internet has positively impacted coworking culture. It has helped to connect people from all over the world and has made it possible to work remotely. The internet has also helped to reduce the costs of running a business. The metaverse is likely to have a similar impact on coworking culture.
The metaverse is in its early phases and it is hard to predict how it will evolve. However, the potential benefits of the metaverse for coworking spaces are clear. Some of the possible ways in which the metaverse can be used are as follows:
Office space in the metaverse
With the inclusion of the metaverse, coworking space owners can hire professionals and create a virtual presence. Many coworking spaces offer virtual memberships right now, and that only provides a physical address. The next step would be to offer office space in the metaverse as well. This would help people connect from all over the world and would make it possible to work remotely.
Virtual events
Presently, the spaces offer virtual events that take place in a digital world. Think about attending international events from the comfort of your home, which you would have missed otherwise. However, people meeting in a digital world won’t have any boundaries as they just need to wear their VR headsets and enter the meeting—no hassle of getting on a flight, booking a hotel room to stay in, and whatnot.
Customization
The metaverse will offer endless possibilities for customization. This would include customizing your office space, events, and even your avatar. For example, you could have a custom-built office space that reflects your company’s branding. Or, you could create a virtual event tailored to your target audience. The possibilities are endless!
Fewer worries
The digital world is much simpler to maintain than the physical world. For example, you don’t have to worry about giving your space a paint job or furniture repair regularly. Moreover, you don’t have to customize it at all. You can just rent it to an interested person and give him access to design it whatever they want to and maintain it for the overall lease tenure.
Opening branches
Unlike the real world, where you have to buy land and then wait for years to construct on it, in the metaverse, you can do it within a few months (maximum). You can easily scale up or down your virtual space to match your needs. Additionally, this would help coworking space owners save on costs and pass on the savings to their members.
Promoting your coworking space
The metaverse can also be used to promote your coworking space. Many coworking brands have started utilizing this feature. They create a virtual tour of the coworking space and use it to attract new members. This way, people can get a feel for the space before they even step foot in it.
Sustainable approach
This can be the most critical change that the influence of metaverse on coworking culture will bring. Coworking spaces are also helping with sustainable goals at present, and with the addition of metaverse, the efforts can be pushed even further. With the help of the metaverse, you can reduce your reliance on physical office space.
Moreover, the fuel used to commute from home to the office can be saved. The amount of electricity used in the operations of coworking can be reduced. The spaces can even minimize the use of air conditioners, heaters, and fridges, which can help maintain the ecological balance.
Will the Metaverse and Coworking Bond be Radical?
The answer is both yes and no. While the changes that the metaverse will induce in coworking are certainly radical, they may not be as disruptive as some people think. Many of these changes are already taking place in the coworking industry. The pandemic has only accelerated the adoption of these changes.
So, while the metaverse may act as a catalyst for these changes, it is not the only reason behind them. In the end, it all boils down to the fact that the metaverse will definitely have a significant impact on coworking culture. How exactly this impact manifests itself in the coming years remains to be seen.
Conclusion
The metaverse is a game-changer, and there’s no doubt about it. It will profoundly impact coworking culture, which is already undergoing a radical transformation. The inclusion of metaverse can also be one of the things that Gen Z would want in coworking space. Therefore, it’s safe to say that only the future will tell how coworking culture shapes up under the influence of the metaverse. Nevertheless, one thing is sure: the impact of metaverse on coworking culture will be significant.
