‘Coworking spaces are the new third place’

Jenny Schäpper, Swiss entrepreneur, networking expert and co-founder of two coworking companies – Flesk and BüroLokal Coworking in Wil (SG) – explains how this works in practice and why it's worthwhile.

What is Flesk's concept?

I had the idea of connecting the many coworking spaces in Switzerland into one large network and simplifying access for employees back in 2015. However, the project was only fully implemented later, together with my business partners from Ubique.

The pandemic was both a significant turning point and driving force. Suddenly, many companies realized that flexible working is not only possible, but even more efficient in certain situations. We wanted to harness this new openness.

With Flesk, you can easily book a workspace or meeting room via app at over 170 locations throughout Switzerland – whether spontaneously or in advance, without subscription obligations or long-term commitments.

And the best part: It's not just traditional coworking spaces involved. Companies, organizations and hotels also make their spaces available. This creates a diverse, vibrant network of workplaces – local, professional, inspiring.

Which locations does the Flesk network include and can anyone use them?

We're now really represented throughout all of Switzerland – from Geneva to the Rhine Valley, from Basel to the Engadin. There's still room for improvement in Ticino, but just today we added a new location in the Maggia Valley – the network continues to grow.

Our app is available in German, French and English, and basically anyone can use it. You sign up, buy credits in advance, and then you can get started – completely without long-term commitments.

Many employers now also purchase subscriptions for their employees – for example, the Canton of St. Gallen. Employees there can use our workplaces throughout Switzerland free of charge. This suddenly makes coworking not just an option for self-employed people, but also for traditional employees in public service or corporate structures. And that's exactly our goal: making coworking accessible to everyone – simply, flexibly and sensibly.

How can employees and companies benefit from flexible working, e.g. in coworking spaces?

Coworking brings together people who would never have met otherwise. In our space in Wil, students from HSG work alongside experienced project managers, creatives, self-employed people or retirees who are active in voluntary work. Natural exchange develops – at the coffee machine, during lunch or just in between.

For many, the coworking space is the so-called "third place" – alongside home office and company office. Each of these models has its strengths and weaknesses. At home it can get lonely, in the office you're sometimes too heavily involved. Coworking offers space for both focus and encounters – and that's exactly what makes it so exciting.

I believe we need all three places – and the freedom to choose depending on the task and life situation. That's modern work.

Companies now want to see their employees back in their own offices more frequently – are you experiencing this too?

Yes, of course – we've noticed this trend too. Many companies want to physically "bring back" their employees. But it quickly becomes apparent: there simply isn't enough space anymore. In the meantime, teams have grown, workplaces have been reduced or meeting rooms have been repurposed. Suddenly it gets tight.

This shows: 100% presence in the company office is neither practical nor contemporary today.

The Canton of St. Gallen is a good example of how coworking becomes a concrete solution: Around 80% of bookings via Flesk there are for meeting rooms. This shows that there's apparently a lack of sufficient suitable space internally – whether due to space shortage, growing teams or simply missing rooms.

Instead of permanently renting additional space, they use our network. This way they can offer their employees professional environments for meetings or concentrated work – flexibly, efficiently and without fixed costs.

In such cases, coworking isn't a nice-to-have, but a very pragmatic answer to new requirements.

What will the future of work look like (regarding premises)?

Already today there's a variety of possibilities for working flexibly – whether in the home office, coworking space or on the go. Many employees are already using these options, though still rather individually. In the future, this will become more established – and become the new standard for many.

We're currently seeing a transition phase – with leaders, mostly from the baby boomer generation, who strongly emphasize presence. This is understandable, since their leadership style comes from a different time. But the world has changed – and future generations of leaders will live new forms of work quite naturally.

Fixed office spaces won't disappear, but more flexibility is needed, more shared use, more "shared economy". I know companies that say: We could use other people's spaces – and others could use ours. That's exactly the future. Sharing resources instead of having to own everything yourself.

But not everyone can use this. What about employees who have to be on-site?

Yes, that's an important point. A cook, a pilot or nursing staff will still have to work on-site in the future. But: Even in such professions there are administrative tasks – and new possibilities arise there.

We have, for example, field service employees from major distributors who work with us before or after customer appointments. It could also be craftspeople who write their quotes with us, prepare invoices or document their construction sites.

In Australia I once met a dairy farmer who came to a coworking space every two weeks to do his bookkeeping. That totally impressed me – but also shows how diverse mobile working is today.

What challenges and opportunities arise from the flexibilization of working time and spaces?

One challenge is certainly that boundaries blur. Those who work flexibly are more often "on". This can be exhausting if you don't consciously counteract it.

At the same time, there's also a huge benefit: I can work when I'm most productive – and where it suits me at the moment.

Another advantage: Those who work close to home save time, money and stress. Instead of being stuck in traffic, I have more time for more important things like family, sports or local engagement.

For companies, in turn, it becomes easier to find good people. The recruitment radius expands – and suddenly people who don't live in the usual catchment area also apply. This makes the difference in times of skilled labor shortage.

And last but not least: Flexibility can keep people in professional life longer. Those who don't have to commute daily might stay active for a few more years. We all benefit from this – socially and economically.

How does flexible working change the traditional relationship between employer and employee?

I clearly see a change. Away from hierarchy, towards self-responsibility. Employees no longer want to be controlled, but empowered. And they can do that too – primary school children already learn to work in a self-organized way at school today.

The role of leadership is changing: Away from the boss who decides everything and needs to know everything – towards a coaching role. Someone who accompanies with experience, but doesn't dictate everything.

I'm a big fan of role-based working. People take on roles that match their strengths – and have decision-making scope within that role. Not everything needs to be approved from "above". This way knowledge is better distributed and decisions are made where they belong: with the experts at the "front".

Will teamwork disappear through self-determined working?

Not at all – on the contrary. Today more than ever we need swarm intelligence. We need to think together, develop together, and then everyone can continue working in their own rhythm.

Teamwork becomes more agile. It's less about "9 to 5 together in the same place", but about meeting regularly – in workshops, meetings or sprints – and then continuing to work decentrally.

I firmly believe: Good teamwork also functions over distance – when there's trust, clear roles and good tools. And a bit of courage.

Is there anything else you'd like to tell employees?

Yes, absolutely: Just try coworking with Flesk once. Many don't know it yet or have inhibitions. That's why we offer vouchers for a free trial day or trial session – it's like a tasting. You test whether you like it.

And even if you don't know anyone, that doesn't matter, because during breaks or lunch there's always the opportunity to get into conversation with others.

Thank you very much!