The future success of your business should be an essential factor in determining the office space you’re going to rent. Great ideas can’t happen in a cramped, drab, dysfunctional office space. You need the right space to help you create a productive work environment where your business can thrive, so look for a company that’s doing workspace design differently! 

We have several types of collaboration spaces available at The Cannon that will meet your needs and surpass your expectations if you know what to look for.

What Are the Four Types of Collaboration Spaces? 

There are four motives most commonly responsible for bringing together the valuable individuals that make up a company: 

• To share information
• To enhance productivity
• To strategize
• To connect. 

Teams will need different types of spaces to perform each of these activities.

Information Sharing Workspace

This type of collaboration may look like one member of the company standing before their peers to inform and educate them about a new development, policy, or concept. It could also mean a CEO is giving a presentation prepared for a potential investor or business partner. In this instance, a large conference room with a designated presenting space, presentation aids, and tables with forward-facing chairs would create the ideal setting. 

This arrangement creates an ideal environment for intent listening and information absorption, meaning that the attendees of the presentation will get the most out of their time and that the speaker will feel confident in the authority of having all eyes and ears focused on them. Once the presentation is done, the roomy table and comfortable chairs provide the perfect place for follow-up conversations and questions. 

Productivity-Enhancing Workspace

Buckling down and getting it done is a crucial part of any business's success. If nothing is ever accomplished, there will never be any growth or reward for hard work. That’s why teams of individuals working toward a common goal need a space that makes accomplishing anything and everything easier: so nothing is standing in the way of success. 

Spaces conducive to getting work accomplished are usually smaller and more private to encourage focus. In addition to being stocked with standard materials and resources essential to the creative process, they are often comfortable with several places to sit and surfaces to work on. Having a centralized location where all the needs of your employees are met can help them remain at peak productivity for much longer, raising the likelihood of your team achieving their goals and enjoying themselves in the process.

Strategic Thinking Workspace

A space focused on fostering strategic thinking will likely look very different from areas dedicated to information sharing and enhancing productivity. This motive is usually better met by quiet rooms with few distractions; in some instances, depending on how an individual works, a space to move and stimulate the mind is a better fit. Regardless of the personal work styles of your employees, providing an appropriate space for great ideas to form is crucial. 

It goes without saying that quiet, private spaces with minimal distractions are ideal for thinking; the quiet creates an atmosphere for focusing, while the privacy allows ideas to flow freely and without judgment. Adding comfortable chairs and a soothing aesthetic is sure to reduce distractions and creativity-blocking stressors. For more active thinkers, a large area for walking, colorful decor and design, and the hustle and bustle of others can create the ideal circumstances for brilliance as their mind is engaged and able to work at full capacity. 

Social Connection Workspace

While not every company culture is exactly the same, it’s probably a safe assumption that professional networking and connection are very high on most companies’ lists of priorities. Connecting with other people—whether they’re members of your company, experts across different industries, or valued business partners—is the foundation of good business. 

To focus on connecting, open spaces that encourage the free flow of ideas, conversation, and people are ideal. As people move, conversations are overheard, and ideas are passed around, the potential for collaboration work opportunities grows exponentially. Comfortable, spacious settings that allow flexibility for hosting various events are the most desirable for those looking to connect with others in the business world.

What Types of Collaboration Spaces Can I Find at The Cannon? 

The Cannon is a coworking space created with one purpose: to help innovators thrive. We provide networking solutions and workspaces for your business at six locations across the Greater Houston area:

• West Houston
• Downtown Houston
• Post Oak Houston
• Esperson
• Galveston at the MarMo
• Sports + Media 

Our coworking spaces offer everything you and your team need to collaborate on projects to grow your business:

• Large and small conference rooms equipped with state-of-the-art presentation equipment for those looking to share information 
• Comfortable, focused meeting rooms with office resources for smaller teams looking to enhance productivity 
• Quiet, private spaces for the individual or duo who need to contemplate their next steps in a calmer environment
• Outdoor spaces, a gym, and our inspirationally decorated campus for thinkers who work best when they’re physically stimulated 
• Indoor and outdoor open-layout workspaces with easily movable patio furniture to transition from business lunch to company happy hour with ease

At The Cannon, we support our community members’ business endeavors by providing the tools and resources they need to succeed in various types of collaboration spaces. Visit one of our coworking spaces to learn more today!