The vital role of a Community Manager in a Coworking Space
Coworking office spaces are a part of the revolution taking the corporate world by storm and changing the game. They are more in demand than ever, especially considering the pandemic and the rise of people choosing to work from home. If you’re wondering “what is a coworking space?” then the simple answer is they are a workspace design of the future. It’s a shared area that provides a range of facilities and amenities to all sorts of individuals, start-ups, and entrepreneurs.
At these spaces, you can walk-in at any time and work in gorgeous and relaxing settings, book conference rooms for group meetings or workshops, and luxuriate with delicious food and state-of-the-art entertainment when you need a break. A community manager in a coworking space ensures that everything is running smoothly and that everyone is comfortable. They provide a seamless experience and play a vital role in the office space’s functioning. There is no overstating how crucial they are – here are some of their roles and responsibilities so you can get a better idea of what they do!
Space and Organisation
Community managers are in charge of the day-to-day organisation of the coworking space. These are daily but vital work without which the space wouldn’t function. It includes making sure all the desks and conference rooms are cleared and ready, ensuring all the equipment and utilities are functional, keeping the inventory stocked and so on. Community managers are also responsible for overseeing different vendors, ordering supplies to restock, and calling professionals for help as needed. It requires a lot of meticulous planning and organisation on their part.
People Management
An essential part of coworking office spaces is to help make new clients feel comfortable and welcome in the space. The community manager is in charge of greeting them and making introductions as necessary. They are also crucial in helping the clients settle down and become part of the working group. In case of any issue or interpersonal conflict, the person to reach out to is the community manager who will find you a solution. In this case, the community manager will need to be aware of the intricacies of the social dynamics at play and navigate and guide others through them. Ideally, they should be seen as impartial, fair, and approachable.
Community Engagement
Community management is about increasing clients’ engagement and encouraging them to come together as a community. The goal is to form a tight-knit group where everyone feels at ease, and there is an increase in collaboration and productivity. This can be done through organising various group activities, scheduling interesting talks with leading experts, conducting relevant workshops etc. Increased community engagement also helps to retain clients and maintain healthy group dynamics. It’s also important to note that if you prefer not to get involved and focus on your work, it is acceptable.
Sales and Marketing
Coworking spaces are ever-growing, and regular engagement with social media is needed. The community manager also overlooks the space’s sales and marketing, making sure it remains optimal. Strategies for acquiring new members such as conducting real and virtual tours, offering a free trial period, getting endorsed by influencers, incorporating trends such as ‘hot desk’ etc. may be used. It is also up to the community manager to determine which clients fit in well with the existing dynamic and who to take on. Preferably, they also make sure that there is an appropriate mix of start-ups, entrepreneurs, and individuals coming to work.
As you can see, community management requires an exceptional individual to determine the result for any coworking space. They oversee and enable its daily functioning, and choose what kind of atmosphere and organisations to cultivate. Community managers frequently have to be versatile, detail-oriented, efficient, charismatic, socially-conscious, and friendly. It is challenging but rewarding work as you see the coworking space take shape and flourish before you. If you’re interested in coworking office spaces in Chennai, check out Two Trees Workspaces in the heart of the city. It’s beautifully designed, with lush green gardens and terraces, state of the art facilities, and an in-house cafe. Most importantly, it is run by our expert community manager.
