COMMUNE could offer a clue to how we’ll all work in the future
It may look like another inner west hipster cafe but Commune could offer a glimpse in to the future of work in Australia.
WITH its exposed floors, arty furnishings and liberal sprinkling of Macs you could be forgiven for thinking Commune is just another inner west hipster cafe.
In actual fact the Erskineville business, brainchild of Sam Ali, could be a forerunner of the way we’ll all work one day.
Commune offers desk space, mainly to workers from the creative industries, either full-time or by the day and Mr Ali believes the popularity of the business signals a change in how people work.
“From what I’m seeing a lot more people are starting small businesses,” he said.
“Also a lot of people are moving out of working 9 to 5 for a boss and realising younger that they want to fulfil their dreams rather than spending their life working for one person and retiring.
“It seems people are accepting that the corporate office space is not necessarily the most productive space and I think bosses are being a lot cooler about people going in to these shared spaces to get inspiration.”
A recent trip to America has inspired the entrepeneur to consider adding accomodation to the package in the future and he said hand-picking the people who use the space ensures a wide skill set and mutually beneficial environment.
“It comes down to not just the people that you pick for the space but also making sure everyone is of the understanding that we all have clients that have a variety of needs,” he said.
“If you’re doing video work but they are looking to do a re-brand there will be someone in-house that can offer that service.
“It’s that idea that keeps everyone happy and making money, when it works it works really well.”
All of Commune’s full-time desks are currently occupied but there are desks available by the day.
Mr Ali said these provided a great way for people just starting out as freelancers or looking to spend the day out of thier office without the distractions inherent in working from home.
