The generation born with the advent of the new millennium, marked by this technological boom, is the largest group that participates in the workforce. In this context and in the face of candidates whose expectations and motivations now go beyond the issue of remuneration, companies must work harder than ever on their attractiveness and their ability to retain talent.

Being able to attract talent means that the company is always on the right track when it comes to business results, as it helps maintain a competitive edge in its industry. In an environment of constant flow of information and in which countless opportunities are generated in minutes, employees are more demanding than ever and are more willing to go for those who offer better conditions and seek new professional experiences. At the same time, retaining these talents reduces costs, as replacing an employee is always more expensive. In case of dismissal of an employee, the time and money invested in recruiting, interviewing, integrating and training that employee is lost; not to mention that he can go to work for his direct competitor, thus giving him a competitive advantage over his company. Another factor, no less important when it comes to attracting and retaining talent in companies, is the work environment. It is in any company’s best interest to acquire the talent most likely to thrive in its organization’s culture. In a situation where employees are constantly leaving the company, it can be a challenge for those who stay to integrate better into teams, and it will be a bad sign for anyone wanting to apply for that position.

But more than that, being able to attract the best employees improves the company’s performance and productivity; starting from the premise that the more satisfied and committed the employees are, the better their performance will probably be. It is also in any company’s best interest to acquire the talent most likely to thrive in its organization’s culture.

But how to attract and retain these talents?

attraction and retention strategy is increasingly a vital point within companies. This is because it is directly related to the development of solidly competent professionals within the business. Retaining talent means the ability of an organization to keep its employees, that is, when employees choose to remain in the current company, instead of looking for opportunities elsewhere.

To better understand this process, we have selected below some tips that may be useful to entrepreneurs, administrators or human resource managers.

Find suitable candidates for the company profile

The quest for talent retention begins with recruiting the employees that best fit your organization’s profile. When hiring new employees, select individuals who match the company’s culture and who demonstrate a desire to stay for the long term. Check candidates’ resumes to see how long they worked with their previous employers and, if possible, draw conclusions about this. Do not choose new employees based only on their technical skills, it is important to remember that these can be improved, as behavioral skills are more difficult to mold.

Reward the good result

Offering prizes or bonuses is always nice, but recognition of a job well done goes a long way towards building goodwill and loyalty. To retain talent, employees must feel appreciated, respected and valued. Always try to follow your projects and the stage they are in, in addition to trying to find out about the progression of your results. Employees need to feel that their contributions to the business are important. But feedback and praise must be sincere; the best talent is smart enough to know the difference between a sincere appreciation and a false impression.

Bet on flexibility

Allowing employees to work flexible hours makes them mobile. Some ways to do this include enabling remote work and allowing employees to select their designated work hours. Flexible working hours allow individuals to have an optimal work-life balance, leading to greater well-being and improved lifestyles.

Promote more openness in the company

Allowing an environment where employees retain some ownership in company decisions encourages team members to stay with the organization because they feel like an important element within the company and this gives them a feeling of job security. Get their input on rules or changes that might need to be made, and be open to hearing new ideas or suggestions for resolving issues. Be available and open when your employee asks for your guidance. Keep your top talent informed about what is happening with the company, if there are any problems or setbacks, these should also be communicated.

Provide professional development opportunities

Bearing in mind that one of the great expectations for which employees remain in an organization is the possibility of growth, consider the possibility of offering opportunities for professional development. Let your employees know there is room for advancement within the company and let them know what opportunities are available for them to grow. Creating learning opportunities can help employees stay current in the industry and can be a way to help nurture employee loyalty.

Offer opportunities for new graduates

Bet on the creation of programs that stimulate student talent and attract the younger population. Some local companies and multinational companies offer long-term scholarships or mentorship opportunities to help this group of employees improve their skills. Others offer periodic training programs, which allow them to capture and monitor talent with better results in various areas of interest. The simple opportunity to allow students or recent graduates to take a tour of the company allows them to become interested in the work it does and what they will observe and, naturally, want to join the team.

Communicate clearly

Open communication helps employees feel connected to the organization through understanding the company’s goals and vision. Make the company’s expectations and goals clear. Make sure you have job descriptions so employees know what is required of them. If there are changes that need to be made, they must be communicated directly and clearly, allowing employees to master the mechanisms that allow good results to happen.

Working in an organization where you do not agree with its policies or internal attitudes is highly harmful to the mental health of employees. The alignment of values and expectations is important for professionals to carry out their work with the conviction that they are doing something they believe in and that will benefit them and the company.

Employees tend to stay in organizations where they feel appreciated and rewarded for their performance, as well as where they feel more connected to their environment or where they feel they have more potential for career growth and advancement into new positions. É importante, igualmente, sentirem que trabalham para o propósito ao qual se predispuseram a trabalhar e que se sentem felizes ou realizados nessa missão.

FAQ’s

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Although often overlooked ,cyberattacks are frequent and can be devastating to organizations and businesses, and can cause incalculable damage to the business. This can affect any company’s bottom line, as well as its market position and consumer confidence. One of the last major media attacks in Mozambique took place in February 2022 when unknown hackers corrupted and took over information from the pages of government entities, leaving them inaccessible for a long period.

It is important to remember that a cyber attack is any attempt to expose, alter, disable, destroy, steal or gain access to any device or platform without prior consent. Therefore, it becomes necessary to address the new risks arising from the move to a remote work environment, ensuring the necessary technology. At the same time, it is also necessary to anticipate threats to allow an adequate incorporation of security into your operations. Cybersecurity, therefore, must be seen as a strategic partner in business decision-making and essential for the well-being and full confidence of those who work remotely.

Technical and organizational cyber security measures

Taking and incorporating the following technical measures can prove to be quite relevant for remote work security: the creation of a virtual private network, data media encryption, multifactor authentication, network segmentation and protection, and mobile device management . Mobile devices are of particular importance because they often contain private company information that can be affected when moving from one workspace to another, compromising secure exchange of emails, calls or messages or participation in video conferences.

When moving to remote workplaces, organizational security measures play as important a role as purely technical solutions. This includes creating an information technology security department with clear responsibilities, either with the help of internal employees or external contractors; a defined security strategy; emergency management and implementation of an information security management system. Such an information security management system defines rules and processes for cybersecurity and follows a top-down approach from the management of the company.

The human factor is paramount

For comprehensive and effective cyber protection, awareness, training and, above all, employee involvement must be at the top of the priority list of decision makers and those responsible for corporate security. If classic office workers migrate home office , they also need to become security experts to some extent, either in their own interests or in the interests of the company. In this way, workers should be seen as partners to minimize the risks of cyber-attacks, and for this it is important that they are trained and trained in the identification of risks, such as suspicious links, spam and malicious sites, to minimize damage and ensure business continuity.

Anticipation

The ability to quickly and consistently react to cybersecurity-related incidents, restore operations and minimize the impact of such events is becoming increasingly relevant to business success. In this context, existing mechanisms and processes for data protection, information recovery and backups need to be reviewed and possibly rethought. With regular training and emergency drills, you can ensure that adjustments reach all employees. Another way is to establish a well-experienced security team that employees can identify with and that they can confidently and fearlessly turn to if they have security concerns.

Read also: What is crowdfunding and how to do it?

Integration

Another less important factor in the success of cybersecurity in remote jobs is the security of the people with whom the employee interacts on a day-to-day basis. This means that the most comprehensive security possible cannot be achieved only by improving conditions on one side, but must penetrate all areas of the enterprise or reach all possible devices. Best practices must be practiced and implemented by all employees without exception. A specific example is sharing security knowledge that different people in different areas of work have acquired in the context of their tasks, thus avoiding the retention of important and valuable information for the security of remote work operations. In the end, everyone benefits and security benefits from everyone’s contribution.

Conclusion Working in the cloud , the increase in access points, ransomware attacks and phishing emails are some of the factors related to the security of those who conduct their tasks remotely. Working in a home office environment needs to be accompanied by measures that minimize vulnerabilities and considerably reduce the possibilities of a cyber attack. To ensure security in remote work, information technology managers, as well as employees who use company equipment, must prioritize continuous improvement in security mechanisms to prevent intrusions. This involves training and awareness of users of the company’s devices and networks to minimize flaws that could be used by cybercriminals. Improving the security of personal devices and adopting clear and efficient procedures that help ensure more security in remote work is also of great importance. Another measure involves investing in multifactor authentication, which requires other requirements to access the corporate network, in addition to the traditional login and password. An example of this is sending a code via SMS to access information technology resources. The more care a company takes with information security, the more likely it is to take full advantage of the home office, and for this it is essential that the company’s own employees commit to the defined processes and assume responsibility for ensure the security of your own devices.

FAQ’s

Read also: What are startups?

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The search for an answer to this question reveals how challenging it can be to lead teams remotely. To achieve balance in this approach, it is not enough to simply replicate in-person management models via videoconferencing. It is necessary to rethink processes, routines and, above all, the way in which trust and cohesion are built in a virtual environment.

The main challenges of remote management

Before discussing solutions, it is essential to understand the most common difficulties faced by remote teams. Identifying these obstacles allows us to act with greater precision and effectiveness.

Dispersed and ambiguous communication

Without the informal moments of everyday life, such as spontaneous conversations or non-verbal interactions, communication becomes more susceptible to noise and misunderstandings. Neutral phrases can be misinterpreted and silence is often read as disinterest or disorganization.

One question that remote team managers should constantly ask themselves is: are there defined channels and a clear cadence for team communication? Answering this question will allow you to better structure interaction and avoid misalignments.

Lack of visibility and alignment

In a remote model, the lack of physical contact can make it difficult to see progress on tasks and individual responsibilities. Without effective visual management, it’s common to have questions about who’s doing what and when.

Cultural disconnect

Organizational culture often weakens when distance is maintained. Employees may feel disconnected from the company’s values, which directly affects engagement and motivation.

Inequality in working conditions

Not all professionals have access to the same technical conditions: a stable internet connection, adequate space or appropriate equipment. Ignoring these differences compromises not only performance, but also equity.

Difficulties with self-management

The remote environment demands a high level of discipline and self-regulation. The lack of physical structure can make it difficult to concentrate, organize priorities and maintain a balance between personal and professional life.

Strategies for effective remote leadership

Leading remote work teams is not just a matter of adaptation: it requires a structural change in approach and management style. Some concrete practices should be considered in order to transform challenges into opportunities for improvement and organizational growth.

Define an intentional communication framework

It is essential to establish specific channels for different types of interaction: quick communication, strategic meetings, recording and sharing decisions, etc. Regular meetings, both individual and group, should be implemented to ensure alignment. Feedback should be continuous and two-way. It is also important to ensure that all team members know when, where and how to communicate.

Adopt management tools with transparency

The use of platforms such as Trello, Asana or Jira must go beyond technical adoption. They must be integrated into the team’s daily routine, ensuring visibility over priorities, deadlines and responsibilities in a clear and shared way.

Strengthening organizational culture remotely

Culture is not transmitted by chance; it needs to be cultivated. Certain team habits or rituals, informal meetings or moments of sharing reinforce the sense of belonging. Regularly recognizing and celebrating achievements, as well as implementing integration programs specific to the remote context, are also essential actions.

Ensure technical conditions and real flexibility

All employees must have the resources they need to perform their duties. Flexible working hours must be considered, respecting personal circumstances and time zone differences. Performance assessments must be based on concrete results, not just online presence.

Prioritize well-being and autonomy

It is essential to encourage practices that promote a balance between personal and professional life. Supporting mental health and creating a psychologically safe environment should be part of the organization’s culture. Opportunities for continuous learning and development contribute to the autonomy and growth of professionals.

Tools that enhance remote work

Although the choice of support tools varies depending on the needs of each team, some solutions have stood out:

– For communication needs, you can adopt tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
– For project management, the most used are Trello, Asana and Jira.
– For storing and sharing data in the cloud, Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive are recommended.
– In the field of collaboration, Notion, Miro and Google Docs offer versatile and reliable solutions.
As for focus and productivity, tools such as Toggl, RescueTime and Focus@Will are often referenced.

Remote leadership is a strategic skill

As you can see, managing remote teams is not just about transferring face-to-face practices to digital. It is necessary to build a new approach, based on structure, clarity and trust. The manager must be able to answer whether his/her organization is prepared to lead remotely intentionally, or whether he/she is simply reacting to the circumstances.

Companies that recognize the potential of remote work and invest in leadership adapted to this model will be better positioned to attract talent, retain motivated employees and achieve sustainable results regardless of the physical location of their teams.

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What is the Digital Nomad Visa?

The Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers from outside the European Union to work in Portugal, without the need for a local employment contract. With this visa, the professional can establish residence in the country and move freely within the Schengen area, making it an attractive option for those who value mobility. Granting the digital nomad visa implies, however, compliance with certain requirements that guarantee the economic viability of the professional during their stay.

Visa Requirements

The main requirements for obtaining the Digital Nomad Visa are as follows:

1. 1. Proof of Income: The candidate must demonstrate average monthly income in the last three months equivalent to at least four Portuguese minimum wages. In 2024, this amount amounts to 3,280 euros per month, which aims to ensure that the digital nomad has adequate means of subsistence.
2. 2. Proof of Means of Subsistence: In addition to the monthly income, it is necessary to prove that the individual has sufficient resources to cover his/her expenses in Portugal, through bank accounts or other assets.
3. 3. Employment or Service Provision Contracts : In the case of employees, the presentation of an employment contract is required. For self-employed professionals, the submission of service provision or partnership contracts is essential to prove economic activity.

Tax Regime for digital nomads in Portugal

Advantages of the Digital Nomad Visa

The visa provides significant advantages for professionals who wish to enjoy the Portuguese lifestyle:

1. Residence and Mobility: The residence permit allows you to move freely throughout the European Union, which is an added value for professionals who wish to expand their horizons within the European market.
2. Quality of Life and Competitive Cost of Living : Portugal offers one of the best climates in Europe and a relatively affordable cost of living, especially when compared to other Western European countries. High-speed internet access and a vast network of coworking spaces ensure ideal conditions for remote working.
3. Infrastructure and Security: Portugal has a modern infrastructure, high security and a welcoming environment, factors that contribute to the quality of life of digital nomads and their families.

Tax Residency and Tax Planning

A key issue for digital nomads in Portugal is tax residency, as this is what determines where income should be taxed. Tax residency in Portugal is granted to any individual who spends more than 183 days per year in the country, which implies the need to declare income, regardless of whether it is obtained in Portuguese territory or abroad.

The Importance of Tax Residency

Tax residency does not depend on the possession of a fixed residence, but rather on habitual residence in the country. If the digital nomad has not submitted the Declaration of Permanent Departure in his/her country of origin and remains in Portugal for more than 183 days, he/she may be considered a tax resident in both countries, resulting in dual tax residency. This situation entails the obligation to declare income in both countries, which may give rise to cases of double taxation, which makes tax planning essential.

Non-Habitual Resident Regime (NHR)

The Non-Habitual Resident Regime (RNH) has been, until its announced abolition, one of the main reasons why many qualified professionals have chosen Portugal. This regime allowed the taxation of income obtained in Portugal at a flat rate of 20% for professions considered to have high added value, such as engineers, doctors or architects. In addition, income obtained abroad could be exempt from taxation in Portugal, depending on international double taxation agreements. However, it is important to highlight that this regime is about to be abolished, requiring extra attention from those who can still benefit from it.

Tax Planning and Compliance

The issue of double taxation, combined with the exchange of information between tax authorities in different countries, requires digital nomads to adopt a clear strategy that complies with the laws of both countries where they may be considered tax residents. Failure to comply with tax obligations, particularly with regard to the universal income declaration, can result in severe penalties, including heavy fines and, in extreme cases, the loss of residence permits. Therefore, specialist tax advice is crucial to avoid mistakes and maximize the advantages offered by the Portuguese regime.

The Digital Nomad Visa in Portugal represents an excellent opportunity for remote professionals who wish to combine work with a high quality of life, while benefiting from an attractive tax regime. However, the key to success lies in proper tax planning, which allows you to avoid double taxation and ensure compliance with legal obligations both in Portugal and in your country of origin. For those seeking a balance between work, freedom and security, Portugal presents itself as the ideal destination, both personally and professionally.

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What are Online Collaboration Tools?

Online collaboration tools are cloud-based platforms that help distributed teams organize, manage, automate, and execute collaborative work. They enable communication, project and task management, and file sharing or storage, regardless of where team members are located. In essence, these tools eliminate physical barriers, allowing teams to work seamlessly and efficiently, regardless of the distance between them.

Project Management Tools

How do you keep everyone on the same page when it comes to complex projects? In these situations, project management tools are essential for collaborative work, as they make it easier to organize, assign tasks, and track progress. Some of the most popular tools in this area include:

10 Teamwork Tools

• – Basecamp : A complete platform that allows you to manage projects, share files, schedule tasks and communicate with your team, all in one place. It is ideal for those looking for an integrated solution.
• – Trello : Uses a Kanban board system , where tasks are organized into cards and columns, allowing a clear view of the project’s progress. Simplicity and intuitive visualization are its greatest assets.
  
  Shared Calendar Apps
  
  Shared calendars are essential for keeping everyone on the same page. They help to synchronize tasks and deadlines, ensuring that the team is always on the same page. Examples of these tools include:
  
  
• – Google Calendar : It is intuitive and easy to integrate with other Google Workspace tools , allowing you to schedule events and share calendars with your team. Ideal for users of the Google ecosystem.
• – Microsoft Outlook Calendar : Part of Office 365, it offers robust scheduling features and integration with other Microsoft applications. Perfect for Office 365 users.

Instant Messaging Applications

How do you keep communication flowing and in real time? Instant messaging tools allow for real-time communication, which is essential for teams that are not physically together. These tools offer channels for different teams and allow you to control notifications to avoid constant interruptions.

• – Slack : Offers specific channels for different projects or teams, integration with several other tools and an easy-to-use interface. Flexibility and integration capabilities are its strong points.
• – Microsoft Teams : Combines chat, video conferencing and integration with Office 365, providing a complete solution for communication and collaboration. Ideal for those who already use Office 365.
  

Cloud Storage and File Sharing Tools

Cloud storage and file sharing ensure that everyone has access to the files they need and allow you to keep documents safe and accessible remotely. Some apps are.

– Google Drive : Easy to use, integrated with Google Workspace , it allows storage and collaborative editing of documents. Real-time collaboration and integration with other Google tools are its main advantages.

– Dropbox : Known for its simplicity and reliability, it offers robust file sharing and storage features. Ideal for those looking for simplicity and efficiency.

Video Conferencing Tools

How to hold effective remote meetings? Video conferencing tools are indispensable for remote meetings and seminars, offering communication that is closer to an in-person experience. Popular applications include:

• – Zoom : Popular for its video and audio quality, ease of use, and features like screen sharing and virtual meeting rooms. Quality and simplicity are its greatest attributes.
• – Google Meet : Part of Google Workspace , ideal for users of that platform, offering video conferencing integrated with other Google tools. Integration with Google Workspace is its strong point.

While they are certainly important for providing a better impetus and a better work experience, online collaboration tools do not teach teamwork, but rather facilitate collaboration, regardless of where team members are located. For tools to have a significant impact, professionals need to be organized, disciplined, and willing to work as a team. With the right attitude and the right tools, any team can achieve great results, regardless of where its members are located.

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Remote networking is a way to build professional relationships with people of interest through virtual channels, and it’s as important and valuable as any conference or live event you might attend. Remote networking is, contrary to what one might think, more dynamic and inclusive, providing professionals with a greater set of connections, removing the restrictions of time and space, normally brought about by more traditional forms of networking. In addition, remote networking is an important part of any professional’s career development, allowing you to quickly and systematically find potential clients and partners, improve your skill set and keep up with the latest trends in your sector of intervention.

Read also: Remote work productivity: the (high) performance wears casual

7 ways to do remote networking

1. Have an Online Presence

A strong digital presence is important. Digital presence offers you or your brand an ideal platform to communicate with partners or consumers. This aspect, in particular, offers the opportunity to set the narrative about who you are and how you differentiate yourself from other professionals. More than that, having a digital presence allows you to expand your presence to every point of contact you might have with people online. This also includes areas in which you do not have direct control over, such as conversations or feedback about your brand or professional performance on social media. Remote networking and building a strong online presence have many parallels. While this form of networking sometimes involves participating in an online event and meeting people, most of this networking comes from participating in online conversations or forums that interest you, which will allow you to meet other people who are also participating in those conversations.

2. Embrace Social Media

Social media plays an important role in creating networking opportunities, and in communicating and bonding remotely. While there are many widely used social media platforms, the two most recommended for professional interactions are Twitter and LinkedIn. Both the culture of the Twitter and LinkedIn communities are very open, which means that many people are willing to answer questions, interact with others, and generally share knowledge and resources. One of the keys to using social media is to stay active and, even more importantly, respond to other people. The more you can help and contribute as a community member, the more likely you are to get an answer if you post or ask a question. Evidently, using social networks as a networking tool requires considerable effort by the user, however its wide reach and its effectiveness are more than plausible reasons to start building remote networking in this way.

3. Participate in Virtual Events

More and more, webinars, forums, conferences or simply round tables have been taking place virtually all over the world. With most of these events online, there are numerous opportunities to engage with different personalities in your area of ​​interest. Virtual events are a timely way to learn from industry leaders and connect with like-minded professionals. Actively participating in these events is even better as they allow you to have greater exposure to the audience you are really interested in, opening up an opportunity to connect virtually with leaders and participants either by email or other professional social networks. A tip is to always start with an introductory note explaining who you are and why you would like to communicate with these professionals.

4. Value Your Contacts

While networking can mean the need to expand your network of contacts and meet new people, it is important not to forget about your existing network. Another important aspect is to identify relevant people for you, and the connections that they may have with subjects that matter the most to you. Try to stay relevant and nurture existing relationships, and in doing so, you will find yourself in a position that offers gains at the same time that you also gain from people you want to associate with.

5. Make Helping You Easier

Networking requires constant and very careful communication; which presupposes knowing the other or at least putting yourself in their place. If you need any help, advice or a favor, it is necessary to keep in mind that most of the people who make up your virtual network have a life and obligations of their own and are probably busy. Don’t ask too much, instead be sensible and make it easier for people to help you. Instead of presenting problems, look for solutions and ask for suggestions for a given situation.

6. Limit Your Action Space

When it comes to remote networking it is highly recommended to write down some goals in terms of people you would like to be connected to and or associated with, as well as the topics or learning interests you would like to be more connected to. From there, circumscribe your involvement in social media or online communities according to those goals. Although building a professional network remotely is a significant investment, the results can come in the form of business or work opportunities, mentoring, partnerships, as well as unique opportunities to leverage your career, which without this effort might not arise, which makes networking remote an absolutely necessary tool.

7. Take Initiative

By following the steps mentioned above and taking into account the fact that networking, whether remotely or in person, is not something that can be done overnight, you will always have a good starting point for building strong relationships and that can lead you to the opportunities you seek in the future.

Read also: How to work remotely: the balance of the new labor paradigm

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Translated from English, the concept designates co-work, that is, collaborative work. Imagine working in a rented office (per year, month, week or even hour), with dozens of professionals from other companies, from different areas of activity – or not at all – and (perhaps) diverse professional functions, with different business missions and objectives, but sharing the same infrastructure, logistics and services inherent to the normal and fluid functioning of the space. That is … coworking.

The creation of the term, in 1999, is attributed to the North American game creative Bernie DeKoven, at a time when, little by little, side by side with the computational development, a new model of the work environment germinated, in a component remote / online, to the extent of the so-called “normal” work.

With the Internet providing the fertile ground to receive the foundations of teleworking, as we know it today, it was up to the entrepreneur Brand Neuberg, in 2005, to give the first practical answer to those who were wondering about what coworking is.

In San Francisco (United States of America), Neuberg created, in a kind of residential loft, Hat Factory, the first coworking space designated as such. The contract started with three workers from technological areas, initially called “9 to 5 group”, but opened doors to independent professionals who needed a headquarters to develop their activities and who sought to share knowledge and experience.

What is coworking: changes, evolution and profiles

The stage represented a change to the concept, which started to illustrate, more, a collaborative physical space, after being first associated with an external online work environment in the extension of the traditional company.

Many coworking hubs were founded by entrepreneurs from various business areas and, equally by the so-called “nomads” of the technological universe, in search of alternative facilities to work.

The evolution, the particularities and the rules of the labor market took care of the rest. And that is why, today, we are witnessing the proliferation of coworking spaces (with meeting rooms, training units, social areas, high-speed Wi-Fi, printers, air conditioning and other extras – such as a car park or public transport in the immediate vicinity – in addition to the work points themselves).

All over the world, both in the most developed and developing countries, new projects are born every day, like mushrooms, with distinctive factors, which give an answer, not to the doubt about what coworking is, but to a demand growing, diversified and full of specificities.

Although the profile knows some variations, from country to country, the statistics say that, in general, the vast majority of coworkers who use the available spaces are men (two thirds of the total), between twenty and thirty some years old (the average is 33/34 years old), who entered (four fifths of them) in the work world with a university education behind them.

These are, above all, independent professionals (more than 50 percent) linked to creative industries, new media and technologies, that don’t have to “poke the point”. At least in the traditional way …

(In) certainties, challenges and advantages …

But, little by little, the profile of coworkers is changing and there are countries in which employees make up more than 30 percent of the total users of coworking spaces.

We got used to seeing the collaborative work centers occupied by entrepreneurs, micro-enterprises, small business employees, some of them local and / or regional, but the number of national and multinational companies that see in coworking a capable solution, full of support resources, flexible, and tailored to the different strategic stages that have been outlined.

Because? Because the new model of work carries advantages, and also because of the unpredictability of new public health phenomena with social and economic impact …

That is why, thinking about productivity and the control of multiple variables, countless companies, brands and projects seek to reduce costs – if not with all employees, at least with a part -, namely with equipment and logistical resources. In the long run, the indirect and operational cost of any activity ends up allowing for even greater optimization.

Consequently, the number of institutions and people asking about what is coworking and about what challenges, benefits and characteristics the model carries is constantly increasing.

What is coworking? It’s creativity, synergy and networking

Of course, there are jobs that are not compatible with telecommuting (or remote work) and work functions that are not compatible with the concept. Secretary and / or office metiers, however, can enjoy the magic of the Internet to give virtual, digitized expression to the sharing of ideas, experiences, decisions, using tools such as videoconferences, remote servers and platforms of shared data.

In reality, we are witnessing the formation of a new paradigm of workspace, which even increases with professionals who have had enough of working alone, at home, without the possibility of stimulating creativity, networking (increasing the network of contacts), create job synergies or increase business opportunities.

On top of that, especially in the millennial generation (the great dynamo of work for many organizations) who do not have many doubts about what coworking is, the number of professionals who prefer to be evaluated for the fulfillment of objectives and deadlines for carrying out tasks is exponential, instead of working hours.

Moreover, one of the trends in the current job market is the need to adapt to the changes taking place, this is if companies want to attract and continue to retain talent. Job satisfaction and productivity come in threading …

Flexibility that leads to balance

It is not surprising, therefore, that recent studies by human resources companies place the option of remote work in the top spot, whether part-time or full-time, in surveys conducted at university.

More than that, flexible working has seen record growth across the globe in recent years. And it is predicted that it will be able to grow even more, in the next five years, in a percentage that some specialized reports note that it can easily reach 30 percent.

Flexibility is therefore a watchword and, in a professional context, it turns out to be the one that best combines work with life and personal and family goals. Balance is key, and, in this particular, coworking turns out to be an ideal solution.

Arriving here, we ended up realizing that coworking is much more than the concept closed in itself: it is not just a way of working based on the sharing of an infrastructure, where there may be professionals who do not necessarily work for the same company or in the same activity and / or function.

What is coworking beyond the fundamental…

In order to go further on what coworking is, and to differentiate themselves from competitors, several operators offer concepts with innovation factors and value-added proposals – in line with the typology and requirements of market demand.

Some provide the necessary support to start each business, even helping customers – the future coworkers – to choose the best location for the workspace in the available offer, developing even the interior decor in detail. Other operators add support in recruiting and training the workforce that will work in the coworking space.

In another way, there are coworking brands, with a strong international presence, which place the marketing and sales team not only promoting their collaborative work centers but also forwarding business opportunities to their respective customers (coworkers, understand ), which involves, in some instances, forwarding leads online. And there are market promoters offering, in addition, solutions for offices and virtual meeting rooms.

Even in countries where the offer of collaborative work centers is large and diverse, the market is far from saturated and there is still a significant margin to innovate and make a difference for many businesses.

The sector has, in fact, several events that elect the proposals that, here and there, are distinguished in the areas of operation, and raising to another level the goals that define what is coworking.

Coworking is the new normal, for millions around the world

With the nuances of each country and community, it is certain that, for millions of workers spread over six continents, flexible work and coworking are seen as the new normal in their respective careers, and a key factor in the evaluation of new job opportunities. career. More: between seeing the increased holiday allowance and having the power to choose in the work environment, some studies point out, more than half of the workers prefer the second option …

Flexibility – which teleworking and coworking allow – currently plays a critical role in today’s working reality.

Now, it is changing. Even due to unforeseen factors – such as the pandemic caused by Covid-19 -, which is opening furrows in coworking spaces to receive new growth seeds, with greater security, including cybernetics.

The global public health and sanitation crisis allowed us to realize that the meaning of the workspace underwent an irreversible change in 2020, as it was disconnected from a specific geographic location.

Henceforth, there are no doubts for many specialists, it will be the era of the hybrid office and teleworking will emerge as the standard modality. Which, on a planetary scale, will compel thousands of companies to provide employees with efficient work tools, safe and adjusted to new needs.

The spaces that specialize in collaborative work are at the forefront of preparation and adaptation to be made, in response to the challenges that lie ahead. Which will eventually imply a new update to the concept of what coworking is all about.

On the verge of a new era for what coworking is all about?

But, after all, what is at stake?

Now, a study by Ricoh Europe focused on the issue: small companies are 42% more likely than large companies to lose employees due to technological frustrations related to teleworking. As such, as small business owners continue to recover from the effects of the global pandemic, professionals expect the employer to offer a modern mixed approach to how – and where – they work.

At a time when business continuity is at stake, it was found that about a third of employees did not have adequate technology to collaborate with colleagues in teleworking. Conclusion aggravated by the fact that a quarter claims not to have the necessary tools to deliver results to customers while working remotely.

Companies, especially small ones, do not have time to waste on the path of digitalization, towards hybrid solutions for remote work. And this transformation is expected to imply, at the same time, a new approach in terms of security, since they have significantly changed the parameters to protect business.

Cybersecurity is a critical factor

Coworking spaces, as areas technically and technologically prepared and imbued with a great motivational spirit, are privileged solutions to meet new challenges.

One of them, critical, is cybersecurity. Because in the era of the “hybrid office”, as Konica Minolta recently noted, cybercrime has quickly adapted to the new reality of the workspace and has begun to tackle unsafe work at home processes.

Concomitantly, there is a new type and a new wave of people discovering what coworking is.

In addition to representing a safe, efficient and sustainable compromise between the traditional office and homeworking, coworking is, more and more, the safe haven to deal with frustrations arising from difficulties with technology and the inability to collaborate effectively. when telecommuting – a symptom that is demotivating about a third of employees, according to studies by some international technology companies.

Now that you’ve learned more about what is coworking, and the brave new world that revolves around collaborative work, don’t hesitate to visit the CoWork Lab spaces and schedule a visit.

FAQ’s

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The facilities were – nothing more, nothing less – a loft converted into a collaborative work area, which regularly received three professionals from technological métiers (the 9 to 5 group) and other independents eager to share knowledge and know-how.

From that time onwards, coworking centers gradually proliferated throughout the world and assumed the basic characteristics we know today: work spaces that provide all the infrastructure and services of a normal office (organization, logistics, secretariat, cleaning, high-end telecommunications speed, meeting rooms, cafeteria/canteen etc.), in an individual or group environment, for which professionals pay (monthly, weekly, daily or even hourly, depending on their needs) to carry out their work activities.

For many, it is a way to get rid of the many different expenses of a conventional office, to have the support to support the activity they need, or even a way to obtain a business/fiscal address. Anyway, a matter of cost-benefit. Including for companies.

For others, the option, after overcoming the doubt about what a coworking space is, presents as an opportunity to eliminate the isolation of remote work and, at the same time, enhance networking, through close contact with professionals from different business areas.

What is a coworking space – the question for which architects and designers give new answers

The specifics of the functioning of collaborative spaces have already motivated us to write more than one article, here in this Cowork Lab’s digital stronghold. We have already covered the advantages and disadvantages of telework, and, additionally, we have followed the routes of productivity at work from distance.

We have also seen how the pandemic situation caused by Covid-19 is giving rise to a growing demand for spaces suitable for remote work and instilling in managing organizations new ways to make the installations sanitary safe and, in the threading, even more functional and efficient , productively speaking.

In fact, the number of those asking what is a coworking space in the current context is increasing. Side effects of the new coronavirus on the job market are among the reasons.

More than that, architects and designers, who, through experience felt on their own skin over decades, are well aware of the advantages of teleworking and are appropriating the new teachings, born of the pandemic, to (re)design spaces and buildings of coworking, with full responses to new challenges.

This change has just started, but the contours of engineering and architecture (interiors) for well-being adaptation to the new reality are already visible.

Read also: How to work remotely: the balance of the new labor paradigm

An example from London…

In London, Paddington Works, for example, is being pointed out as a paradigm of what a coworking space in the post-pandemic is.

In addition to the facilities being designed to provide versatile and agile environments, to meet the requirements of various activities, the structure incorporates constructive details that have health as a concern.

The air circulation system is one of them: the filtration system, which is antiviral, carries 25% more fresh air into what is considered normal. On the other hand, the luminaire has intelligent LEDs, which adapt the color temperature of the lights throughout the day, to match the biological cycle of its occupants (and enhance resource savings and the preservation of the environment)…

To the air quality and good natural (and artificial) light are added details that lead to a subdued aesthetic and practically irreproachable acoustics.

With two floors, the building displays a mix of environments. Private offices, shared studios, meeting rooms, a multipurpose auditorium (which simply looks like a huge set of wooden steps, adaptable to different circumstances), where each step houses a set of drawer tables, which support laptops and office material.

All designed so that it is possible to form small communities (), with the right to rest areas, kitchen and social space. This is because clustering can promote distance between people, so that, if necessary, it is possible to contain/minimize the spread of any disease.

Despite having been “thrown to paper” even before the pandemic by Covid-19, the project already included contactless hand sanitizer devices and other antimicrobial accessories…

The building was built to provide a healthy and happy professional experience, but also to allow for a business culture indoors, despite the fact that its inhabitants are working remotely.

Read also: Remote work productivity: the (high) performance wears casual

What is a coworking space… in addition to an anywhere office

In addition to being an example of what a coworking space is, Paddington Works is being considered an almost perfect exercise of the concept of anywhere office, which calls for the appreciation of the simplest details and which the pandemic highlighted as more vital for good – general seating: a walk in the park, conversations with co-workers, among others.

Now, with hybrid work on the rise, and probably to remain on the rise in the years to come, and with the business fabric realizing the advantages of remote work, sector experts estimate a growth in coworking spaces in eminently residential areas of cities , all over the world, so that employees can work close to their homes, or in areas with good transport access.

It should be noted that, some surveys and reports, worked on the second wave of the pandemic attest that, in the next three years, almost 30 percent of companies believe that more than 70% employees will continue teleworking (the ratio was only 10 % before Covid-19…).

As for the employees of this business fabric, close to 45% expected to be working remotely, more than half of the working week. Hence, a rapid growth of hybrid collaborative workspaces is expected.

In addition to this scenario, due to remote and/or hybrid work, the vast majority of companies (in dozens and dozens of countries) managed to save on expenses with real estate assets, expecting even greater savings in the years to come.

The end of “normal offices”?…

” There is no evil that does not bring good “, goes the saying… Which, in the present case, means nothing more than the ability of human ingenuity to reflect on the imposed change and undertake improvements to positively impact attitudes and habits, whether in the work environment or in the economy of human resources.

Far from signifying the end of traditional offices, the pandemic crisis has come to over-expose the changes that are already being felt in the interior design and workflow of the so-called “normal” spaces. By the way, coworking spaces have been, little by little, opening this window of change, due to the increase of teleworkers in the world. And that’s why we see more and more people asking what a coworking space is – in an attempt to understand the differences in the sector’s market and find out which one is best suited.

It doesn’t seem like it, but the recent history of architecture of a more commercial nature demonstrates how the work spaces we know as such have undergone, in terms of spatial organization and use of technologies and equipment, through several profound transformations. And we are going through another period of rupture with the “past” – still our present, the present one!… Thanks to the popularization of remote work.

Anyway, if there’s one thing right it’s… the unpredictability of change.

A mere example: on the eve of the eye of the pandemic hurricane, a paper by the MIT – Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Future Work signaled remarkable advances in the fields of robotics, autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence, and without the world and the market of have been “turned inside out” by increasing automation.

Well, a 2021 study by the consultancy McKinsey estimated that 6% of workers may need to find new jobs soon due to automation and the pandemic…

And there are those who say that this is merely the beginning!

Did you like our article about what is a coworking space? It provides an insight into the present in the domain and gives a glimpse into the future of shared workspaces in the world. But in Mozambique, and more precisely in Maputo, the country’s capital, you will also find reference coworking offices, meeting your needs. See Cowork Lab’s offer…  

Additional information

Pedro Ferreira

CoWork Lab

ola@cowork.test

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But, after all, what is artificial intelligence?

According to The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, artificial intelligence (AI) is the theory and development of computer systems capable of performing tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision making, and translation between languages. Essentially, artificial intelligence is the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks normally associated with humans. Artificially intelligent machines or applications can remember patterns of behavior and adapt their responses to match those behaviors or promote changes in those same behaviors.

With all that said, we can ask ourselves: how does artificial intelligence affect work?

Artificial intelligence is already deeply embedded in everyday life and work. There are several AI-based features that companies use, from personal digital assistants, smart home appliances, online shopping and payments , accounting and work control applications, factory robots, among others, and the trend is for an exponential increase in the adoption of these tools. At the same time, artificial intelligence has the potential to produce enormous economic benefits for companies and one of the trump cards that it carries with it is increased productivity . In addition to greater productivity and cost reduction, there are other advantageous variables that include reliability, ease of solving complex problems and innovation.

As for the labor market itself, there is a consensus that artificial intelligence will affect the quality of work more than the quantity itself, therefore not being a threat to jobs, but requiring greater adequacy of specialization on the part of workers. For example, in the human resources sector , artificial intelligence, in addition to automating routine tasks such as payroll , is transforming the way recruitment is carried out by filtering profiles , selecting CVs , pre-select candidates and even schedule interviews. This makes the process much more efficient, saving intervenients a lot of time and consequently reducing the costs associated with these processes.

New trends in artificial intelligence

There are different poles within the field of artificial intelligence, which have a profound influence on how we work now and how we will work in the future: Machine Learning, that allows machines to learn through data pattern recognition, further reducing human intervention and allowing the use of larger datasets, Robotics, which allows the automation of physical tasks remotely or by algorithms or sensors, and Natural Language Processing, which allows machines to understand, generate and respond to human language ; are among those that show the most possibilities for growth

It is within this group of trends that companies are looking for intelligent automation tools to solve business challenges and increase productivity, efficiency and accuracy, thus benefiting their business. In digital marketing, for example, the biggest trend when the topic is artificial intelligence is the growing focus on providing personalized services. To do this, artificial intelligence makes use of analytical data from the online activity of people searching for specific keywords. This level of personalization is guaranteed to provide a better experience for customers, which directly increases revenue for the companies that benefit from it. As machine learning gets better at understanding what people want in specific cases, AI will become less of a sales tool and more of a digital “companion”.

Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies are also tools which are making possible an internet in which people can entering into gaming and other entertainment or work environments, known otherwise as metaverses . Shared virtual spaces mingle with those of the physical world, thereby transforming collaboration, communication and even training.

Some promising tools

There are several artificial intelligence applications being presented to the market in recent times, however, we highlight some that represent a true disruption within the work environment. Among these, we list ChatGPT which is a powerful tool to help all types of professionals handling text content and much more.. ChatGPT saves time and efficiency by automating the writing of documents, emails and gives answers to whatever the user wishes. It responds to user requests quickly and efficiently. Another outstanding application is DALL-E , which is an image generation tool using artificial intelligence . It allows generating images from textual descriptions, which facilitates the creation of visual content especially for social networks, advertising campaigns and product presentations. IBM Watson is another application that offers solutions based on artificial intelligence to improve the work environment. It allows companies to automate and optimize the management of human resources, being able to optimize all issues related to the health and safety of employees in their workplaces.

In conclusion, we can say that companies integrate technological tools related to artificial intelligence to facilitate the missions assigned to employees. In this way, professionals can get rid of certain time-consuming and, above all, low-value-added tasks, thus allowing more time for employees to focus on more strategic and profitable actions, in turn improving the results presented, as well as increasing the well-being in the work environment.

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Personal branding refers to the process of creating and managing reputation and a recognized personal image, so that your audience clearly understands who a particular person is and what they have to offer. It’s a combination of how someone presents themselves in various media and how customers remember them after offering a service. These two capacities establish specific characteristics for professionals and for their image in the market. Furthermore, this process involves creating and developing a brand statement, whether personal or corporate, as well as other forms of self-presentation and digital marketing.

Both offline and online means are important for the personal branding . Offline is a surefire way to get and keep customers. Online is suitable for anyone who wants to reach a global level. If a professional wants to be considered as a person of influence, he will need a strong personal brand, which will help him to stand out from other competitors The personal branding can also be used to demonstrate knowledge and skills about your areas of expertise.

In short, the personal branding means establishing and maintaining a personal brand. The focus of the brand, therefore, is not a product or a service, but a person. For this, the professional must have an image of self-confidence and mastery of skills in their area of expertise .

PERSONAL BRANDING FOR EMPLOYEES

In principle, a personal branding strategy can work for both self-employed and employed people. . Anyone who has built a clear personal brand as an employee can be offered more jobs, be perceived differently by their superiors, and thus make a faster and better career.

PERSONAL BRANDING FOR ENTREPRENEURS

For entrepreneurs, personal branding depends on two factors . Firstly, the size of the company, and secondly the type of services it provides. Large companies with strong product brands tend to be less dependent on the founder’s or director ‘s personal brand . For them, it may make more sense to invest in marketing their product than to place the CEO as a person at the center of its marketing. On the other hand, small businesses, and especially freelancers, benefit to a greater extent from personal branding. Here, the entrepreneur is often the brand itself. Small businesses usually sustain themselves in the name of the founder and many entrepreneurs even provide their services personally.

SKILLS AND PERSONALITY IN PERSONAL BRANDING

Generally, in their marketing, entrepreneurs and other professionals rely almost exclusively on their skills and knowledge. However, skills are not the only important thing. Personal branding also means showing personality. Questions like: “Who am I?” “What differential do I bring in the market?” “What is the story behind who I am?” belong to the fundamentals of personal branding. This means that your personality also includes your values. What beliefs do you have? What are your goals? What do you stand for outside the context of your business? All this makes a person and, therefore, can be an important factor in building your personal branding .

PERSONAL BRANDING AND POSITIONING

Positioning lays the groundwork for building your personal branding . Before you start making your personal brand known through social media, you should have defined your positioning in a clear and focused way. Especially when your clients work with you as a person, it’s important that the personalities match. That’s why it’s so important to stay authentic when building your personal brand. One of the great benefits of personal branding is that it helps attract the right customers who share the same values.

NETWORKING AS A REPUTATION INDICATOR

A big key factor when it comes to personal branding is your online presence.. What, as a professional, do you present about yourself on social media? Can you build an online reputation? What can be found about you and your company on the internet? Which social networks do you use and what content do you share on them? Are you regularly publishing articles and giving valuable tips? All of these contribute to your online reputation. The personal branding is now a digital issue.l. With that in mind, you could explore ideas like having a personal blog, a podcast where you can regularly talk about your topic, and maybe even answer questions related to your service; having your own YouTube channel can also be helpful for personal branding. On the one hand, they are great channels to present your competence and experience, on the other hand, they offer a good opportunity to show your personality and thus strengthen your personal brand.

WHAT TO DO BEFORE BUILDING A PERSONAL BRAND?

Before dealing with strategies for building your personal brand, it’s important to develop a clear positioning for yourself. What benefit does this bring to customers or service users? What space do you want to occupy in the minds of your target audience? If a professional initiates the other steps of the personalization process branding before clearly defining your positioning, you run the risk of not sending a clear message with your brand and thus not creating a robust image in the minds of your target audience.

HOW TO BUILD YOUR PERSONAL BRAND?

It is important not only to talk about your product or service, but also to offer a “ making-off ” view that allows you to see the backstage environment and thus create curiosity among your audience, while offering some insights into how certain processes are performed.

Discovering what makes your message unique is also crucial, while positioning yourself clearly on social media, contributing with your voice and vision in discussions related to your area of expertise , always with self-confidence and knowledge.

The construction of the personal brandingis an ongoing job and requires constant testing and improvement. You need to carefully prepare your positioning to reach the right people with your personal brand and deliver the right message. It is also important to bear in mind that the results of your personal branding work may take a few months or years to produce the desired effects. Therefore, relevance and patience are the key. It is necessary to create a long-term vision and goals when thinking about developing your personal brand.

Looking to work on creating an emotional bond with their customers, using storytelling to find an impactful and convincing narrative, an entrepreneur can better achieve an emotional connection with their brand and also tell a story about themselves as a person.

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