With the pandemic, contactless business services and global digitalisation are growing more rapidly than ever imagined. The way we do business and provide education has changed significantly, and who knows if this will ever be the same again? Alongside this is the development of software and web applications needed for businesses and formal learning institutions to continue to operate effectively today.
The demand for programmers and developers is growing exponentially, in tandem with the need for these tech professionals to grow and maintain cutting-edge skills, which requires continual learning and development. With so many programming languages and new technologies emerging such as big data multi-cloud, quantum computing, blockchain and rapid app development, etc., coding classes are even more essential to stay on top of your game.
Learn coding for beginners courses and coding boot camps, for example, help graduates enter entry-level software development jobs or up-skill in other areas. Programming teaches people how to solve complex problems by dividing them into manageable chunks of information. If entrepreneurs can learn to create programs, they can also transfer this knowledge into the business world and devise ways of breaking down huge problems into smaller fragments that are easier to manage, and ultimately easier to solve.
Personalised Flexible Learning Models
Seeing this need in the market, the award-winning company, Preface, developed personalised coding and programming education services for forward-thinking individuals, as well as corporate and government bodies in both 1-on-1 and group training formats.
It is not easy to have such a highly flexible workplace, adopting various teaching formats to meet the needs of the client organisations that Preface’s coding tutor deals with. Classified information might be involved and privacy is paramount during Preface’s training sessions. But WeWork’s workplace flexibility, industry-leading security standards and top-notch acoustic design can greatly support training companies like Preface.
Tommie Lo, Founder and CEO of Preface, said ‘Because of the dynamics we have in our business, we would need various functional spaces to be able to perform at our best. For example, we utilise lots of meeting rooms to provide private training classes, common areas for quick team catch-ups and private offices with dedicated meeting rooms for internal business meetings. WeWork has done an amazing job in their space design to balance the level of privacy and flexibility that an educational institution needs.’
Always ahead of the game, Preface wanted to find a healthy space and flexible working model for the team during the pandemic and the resulting ‘new normal’, so they began working from WeWork. With a ‘space that empowers your tomorrow’, WeWork offers flexible workspaces throughout Hong Kong city. WeWork’s flexible workspaces prioritise the health of the community, have increased sanitisation practices and ventilation protocols, modified shared spaces for social distancing and more single occupancy work nooks for enhanced well-being and safety.
Transforming Working Experiences
WeWork has a global portfolio network of flexible workspaces designed to connect people, inspire creativity, and transform the working experience with business solutions for all types of businesses – no matter their size. In fact, according to a new blind study by WeWork, a hybrid workplace model, in which employees have the ability to work in different spaces, will be the way forward post-Covid-19. From a dedicated desk in a shared working space to private lockable offices and self-contained office suites to a completely configurable office floor for more confidentiality – WeWork has a working solution for everyone.
Tommie added ‘We really appreciate WeWork. It is more than just a workspace for us. Their community allows us to be as close as possible to the customers, thanks to WeWork’s large member size. They help us embrace new ways of working and have transformed our operation to become more customer-centric.’
Due to customer segmentation and cost efficiency, WeWork has become Preface’s ‘global office’ and main hub. Preface now has several workspaces across Hong Kong, London and Tokyo to cover their different customer segments. Their employees can now access a professional and safe space within easy reach of their homes.
By reducing the overhead costs of renting traditional brick-and-mortar headquarters, Preface has saved money and could re-allocate these funds to other areas of the business. WeWork offers the flexibility to pay monthly as you go or to arrange longer-term arrangements which are convenient for start-ups like Preface, whose needs will change as they expand. Our highly functional and secure spaces are equipped with several meeting rooms for Preface’s personalised classes, private offices with meeting rooms for internal meet-ups and common open areas.
Alternative Learning Spaces
In fact, the wider education sector has been actively seeking more flexibility and mobility for the way their courses are delivered since the pandemic hit. Take, for example, New York University, which needed to find a solution for a cohort of international students who were unable to travel from China due to travel restrictions. The university’s local Shanghai campus couldn’t handle the overflow, and it needed alternative learning spaces for around 3,000 stranded students. The university didn’t want to sign a long-term lease for a short-term problem.
WeWork provided the university with seven floors of satellite learning space close to campus. WeWork offered a short-term, flexible lease so the university could use the space for as long as the students needed it. WeWork designers worked closely with the university to quickly renovate the new satellite location. Customised classrooms, lecture halls, and meeting rooms are socially distanced but designed to inspire and motivate. Quiet study zones allow for focus, and collaborative workspaces, recreational areas, and lounges offer opportunities to interact with peers and develop new friendships.
WeWork’s global portfolio of flexible workspaces and business solutions is designed to connect, inspire and transform all types of businesses. Start-ups like Preface benefit from the convenience and flexibility that WeWork offers so that they can continue to effectively manage and operate their business in a safe way for all their staff, despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic. If you are re-thinking your workspace, get in touch to learn about WeWork’s adaptive solutions so that we can find a space that fits best for you.
Are you ready to embrace the latest trends in technology? At WeWork, we love new ideas, emerging technologies and fostering meaningful collaborations between our members. Join our global community of like-minded individuals today and connect with entrepreneurs and business owners who are just like you. As a member of our Hong Kong community, you’ll be the first to know about the latest workshops, upcoming events and important industry updates,