Is social-collaboration is the future?

With growing popularity of "competitive socialising" and "cohabitant" living and workspaces is collaboration the key to success in the future for all industries?

With various articles landing this week about the expansion of restaurant groups which take a whole new social collaborative 'experiential' approach to the dining and drinking space, the move of creative industries to "in-housing" looking at efficiencies of scale and the continual development of new cohabitant and or social lifestyle spaces - it would appear that opinions are shifting that collaboration over competition, is the key ingredient to future success, creativity and efficiency.

In a world where lines blur between working and non-working life the demand for more social and convenient ways of living, people are seeking property shares, workspace shares and social-collaborative experiences within lifestyle that allow for all of those under one-roof.

So what are the key benefits to the ever growing, forward thinking "social-collaboration" world that we are living in?

Creativity

Out of the box thinking rarely happens when stuck in a rut or following the same patterns and behaviours. Real creativity requires collaboration, different ways and angles of thinking and coming out of your comfort zone. Social-competitive experiences, social-cohabiting and social co-working provides opportunity to get to know people on a deeper level allowing you to work out whether you have the same goals and ambitions, can work creatively together and challenge each other from different positions of opinion, pushing creativity to new bounds. After all, two heads are better than one!

Flexibility

Let's face it, flexibility and work-life balance is important to everyone. So if you can create an environment that allows a person to have multiple experiences within one, it can positively contribute towards wider time management. Agile environments, whether in where you live, work or socialise and an ability to combine all the experiences in one allows for greater freedom and flexibility for wider interests, hobbies and family life whilst continuously encouraging personal growth, collaboration and socialising.

Networking

The opportunity to grow your work and personal network is bigger than ever with the developing co-habitation lifestyle. Living in a 30-something social development myself it presents an opportunity to network and meet others outside of your industry, often from different backgrounds and countries, with varying skill sets, interests and hobbies allowing greater opportunity to learn from others. The opportunity extends even further in the workplace, allowing collaboration and learnings to create great business models, content and experiences by leaning on others who are specialists and niche in their own fields.

Wellbeing

Wellbeing is continuing to make progress as a category that is refining the way we operate in the workplace through to our living arrangements and social lives. Wellbeing is now something at the forefront of any forward thinking company, property developer and the entertainment industry as a whole. Inspiring 'value-added' experiences to individuals lives can massively impact a persons wellbeing, productivity and overall experience and or journey of a brand or company.

Efficiency

Shared resources, space, experiences, utilities, knowledge and more can contribute to lower costs, faster and more efficient solutions. From shared technology, bills, low cost but effective experiences, productivity and output can increase allowing better time management, decreased costs and potentially solutions that add to growth and bottom line. From restaurant and entertainment venues combining multiple experiences at a combined cost (convenient for you and probably more cost effective than a night out in multiple venues, benefitting the venue and resulting in a likely higher spend per head in one place) through to shared living spaces (lower or combined utility bills and added value experiences like movie nights in the cinema room, rooftop summer BBQ and a gym at home) it would appear efficient, nimble and convenient for everyone involved.