Trying Out the TEIKUMS Coworking Space

And stereotypes have a particular quality: they flourish and bloom on the basis of ignorance or lack of experience. So this summer I had the opportunity to spend a week working there and to confirm that it is not so bad at all. In the end, I almost didn't want to return to my existing office space - but pragmatism and the bureaucracy of the state regulatory authorities made me do it (a sign must go here and a paper folder there).

In my work as a recruiter and consultant, it is important to be among people, to work with a wide range of contacts at many levels, to be visible and accessible, while also maintaining confidentiality, working individually and for quality rather than quantity. The space and one's sense of wellbeing matter no less, as does an environment that offers various new opportunities.

The TEIKUMS coworking spaces are tastefully arranged with modern furniture in pleasantly muted natural tones, and with a logical layout. I like the fact that there is nothing superfluous. A spacious communal area, divided by transparent glass walls into separate smaller cabinets, which in turn ensure uninterrupted work and a degree of privacy. Each such "glass cubicle" can also be locked with its own key, so personal belongings, computers, and documents can be left safely. Moreover, entry to the building and then to the coworking space itself is by issued chip card.

For small meetings (2–6 people) and business encounters, four meeting rooms are available, in which time must be booked in advance - a booking that is then reflected on the display by the entrance door. The room "Fabula" seemed most suitable for job interviews, and "Epitets" for a BNI HR Power Team meeting. For confidential phone calls - for example, obtaining a reference about a candidate - sound-dampening "phone booths" can be used. A colleague used them successfully: quite comfortable and convenient, and it also creates an opportunity to get up from the computer for a moment during the day, as you need to move to a different space.

A communal kitchen is available where you can drink as much coffee and tea as you like and snack on food you have brought along. Likewise, during work breaks you can chat with other coworking space occupants. The TEIKUMS staff continuously take care of tidiness in the shared areas and also organise communal lunch offerings. I felt slightly awkward leaving a coffee mug unwashed, since in my own office everyone takes care of cleanliness and order themselves. On the positive side, waste sorting takes place (two separate bins).

A shared printer, WiFi, work desks, and chairs - everything you need as a working minimum. You can share news in a closed Facebook group or pin an information sheet or business card on the communal noticeboard. An unplanned conversation happened with a young woman who had posted a note saying she was looking for a new job. I gained a potential candidate; she got advice on better organising the process of searching for a new job.

In TEIKUMS's large seminar hall, interesting meetings and seminars with specialists from various fields are held every week. Receiving a constant stream of notifications, at some point you start to feel - well, it is too much. Possibly with time you would adapt, start filtering information, or simply stop paying attention to posts in the communal closed group. Otherwise it creates a sense of community with everyone - you are part of something larger, broader than your own working team.

If I was sceptical before, I now do not rule out the possibility of one day moving my office to a coworking space. The only thing is that my existing office has already grown into its accumulated belongings - those same document folders, office equipment, coffee machine, household supplies, and so on. The cost of a single coworking space is also not more economical, at this moment, than maintaining a small standalone office. Time will tell. I do not regret having devoted time to breaking one of my own stereotypes and working for a week in a nicely arranged environment with positive people. I recommend you give it a try too!