The Silicon Valley culture is alive and well in different parts of the globe, and it didn’t miss out on Indonesia.
Experts now consider the Southeast Asian nation as the next digital technology frontier for a variety of reasons. One, it is a country of no less than 250 million people, a good percentage of which are educated and young professionals. Unlike another Asian tech giant that is China, Indonesia is more liberal in its policies and access pertaining to the Internet and, in particular, e-commerce.
Indonesia also boasts of a growing middle class. Using the 2012 database of household population and expenditures, by 2020, at least 16.5 million will be considered affluent – a huge increase from 6.6 percent in 2012. The biggest group will be the middle class, which will grow to 68.2 percent from 41.6 percent.
Along with the growth of the tech startup scene are the fascination, interest, and use of co-working spaces in Indonesia.
THE BEGINNING DOESN’T BEGIN IN INDONESIA
Co-working spaces may sound new for a lot of startups and foreign investors, and some may believe the idea came from Silicon Valley companies. The concept, however, began many years ago.
It started as a work-related idea where people collaborate to complete a task or a project, aided by burgeoning technologies such as the Internet. By 2005, the word began to become synonymous with a physical space shared by various workers, who may be working with a team or independently. These people have access to shared amenities, which may include utilities, such as the Internet and telephone.
By 2007, there were at least 75 co-working spaces around the world, but most of them were in either Europe or North America.
From then on, its history has become more complex. It remains unknown how it began in Southeast Asia. Many contend it sprang in Singapore and then spread to nearby countries like Indonesia, which is less than 2 hours away from the city-state.
UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS
The definition of a co-working space in Indonesia is no different from anywhere else. The idea is simple: there’s one huge office with amenities shared by all users. These workers may be individuals or teams.
But an Indonesian co-working space may have certain features. These include a dedicated office (which is ideal for those who work as teams).
Either way, many startups prefer a co-working space for the following reasons:
Domicile
In Indonesia, no business can run without a legitimate office address, and this cannot be shared with that of a residence. In other words, your business must be within a commercial building.
Renting an office, however, can be expensive. Moreover, it’s possible one cannot maximise the space or it’s not enough for a future expansion. A business owner may find it difficult to leave and settle for a bigger space if he or she is bound by a rent agreement.
Co-working spaces are cost-effective since payments are flexible. You can pay a flat rate, which is usually for a month, or length of use per day. You may also spend based on the number of persons using the facility. In the end, regardless which method you pick, you have a legal business address.
Speed of Setting Up an Office
Opening an office should not be complicated. In fact, it usually takes only a few days in several countries. In Indonesia, because of bureaucracy and other forms of a business barrier, having an Internet connection set up may take a week.
A co-working space in Semarang, which we are about to open, for example, means an immediate business operation as the utilities you need are already available.
Access to a Business Environment
Most of these co-working spaces are within strategic locations. They are within business or financial districts. They are near entertainment centres such as shopping malls, restaurants, or hotels. You may even get a co-working space in Bali, which means the beach is merely minutes away from the workplace.
Fulfillment
People who participate in the co-working movement tend to be happier and more satisfied. The social connections they build help them find meaning in their jobs, provide opportunities to help, and give them the feeling they belong somewhere. Because of these, they are more motivated and eager to learn. Furthermore, they offer a space that can help workers separate their professional and personal lives.
HOW TO FIND SUCCESS IN A CO-WORKING SPACE
Co-working spaces are not for everyone. Those who find social connections awkward may struggle here. If you’re operating a business that requires a high level of security, then it’s not a good idea to have strangers around.
But many startups enjoy the benefits or advantages of co-working spaces in Indonesia, and they do because they keep in mind the following tips:
1. Always consider the value of the facility.
It’s so easy to pick Indonesian co-shared offices that are cheap, but these are not always worth the money. Many of them may be far from the city centre. Travel costs alone can offset the savings.
On the other hand, choosing a co-working space in Jakarta that offers a call or mail handling service may compel you to spend more, but these are sensible add-ons, not to mention you’re within the business hub of Indonesia.
2. Know the environment.
Keep in mind that a co-working space is a social facility. At any given time, you will be surrounded by other users, many of whom you may not know. It’s best to choose a facility that also screens applicants. Further, to make the experience even more pleasant, pick a space frequented by individuals who share the same interests as you.
3. Get a co-working space that is scalable.
Many foreign investors in Indonesia begin in a co-working space. It allows them to set up a business fast and easy. But businesses grow. If you’re thinking of using this type of space for as long as you can, pick an Indonesia shared office that provides flexible plans. These may include an open-seating package, a dedicated or private office, or a dedicated desk.
CO-WORKING SPACE IN INDONESIA WITH CEKINDO
Cekindo, a foreign investor’s business solutions partner in Indonesia, offers the following benefits for its co-working spaces:
Work in an office space located in the country’s premier destinations such as Jakarta, Bali, and Semarang
– Find everything you need, from the airport to the hotels and entertainment centres, only a few metres away from the office
– Take advantage of a growing list of business amenities, which include function rooms, private offices, dedicated desks, strong wireless connection, spacious lobbies, overflowing coffee, food, fax machines, telephones, scanners, and a whole lot more
– Grow your business quick, easy, and convenient with our wide range of services such as company registration, representative office setup, background checks and due diligence, business visas, and work permits
– Be more efficient with the help of our office staff who can manage call forwarding and handling, as well as mail handling
– Choose your preferred setup (we can also personalise your co-working experience – just inform us what you need)
Cekindo provides more than a co-working space in Indonesia. We offer you a reliable and fast business service to make sure your entry into Indonesia will be efficient and pleasant.
Email us at reception@cekindobusinesscenter.com to know more about co-working spaces in Indonesia.
