Corporate delocalization and externalization is a trend that is gradually taking root in society. In Spain, there are currently 3,273,849 independent professionals with a National Insurance number, according the report published by the Ministry of Labour. Freelance workers, copywriters and entrepreneurs comprise a group of independent professionals that is giving rise to a new work model. This trend has been directly responsible for the emergence of the co-working phenomenon in USA, a flexible workplace concept that is beginning to catch on in Europe.
The average profile of the independent professional in Spain is that of a male (61.8% of the total) aged between 40-54 working in the service industry; although the number of 25-30 year-olds is on the rise. The aim of co-working is to group together all those independent professionals that want to share a workspace so as to deepen their knowledge, create a community extending beyond professional relations, create synergies and have the opportunity to build something unique.
This pioneering initiative from the States is being developed with help from online communities created via social networks such as Facebook, Google, Linkedin and pbwiki, which reinforce networking. Co-workers use these networks to get in contact with one another and enquire into different workplaces all over the world. In this way, someone engaged in co-working that needs to travel to any destination in world on business is ensured a workplace thanks to the Co-working Visa.
The flexibility of the co-working system makes it possible to work away from home at a very low cost, and means that freelancers do not have to go to the expense of renting a conventional office. Along these lines, the project started up by CINC (Centre Internacional de Negocis de Catalunya), a pioneering company in co-working, located in Barcelona’s 22@ district, aims to satisfy the needs of independent professionals. CINC’s co-working facilities are geared to professionals who work on their own, need daily motivation, enjoy learning new skills, and, board of the daily routine at work, want to start up their own projects.
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Graphic summary of the 1st Galicia in Coworking, held two days ago: http://www.galiciaconfidencial.com/nova/9966.html. (18 March 2012)
