The life of a digital nomad is tough, and it often involves juggling duties between chaotic schedules (which often mean individuals having to adjust to different time zones), often a lack of professional equipment, and demands on the work-life balance. What coping strategies to workers in this category adopt?
A new survey from CoworkingCafe considers what digital nomads are missing from their work environment and how this connects to a growing need for coworking spaces.
‘Digital nomad’ is an employment terms reserved for people who travel freely while working remotely using technology and the Internet. In the U.S., 16.9 million people identified as digital nomads (at least as extrapolated in one industry review by MBO Partners).
To assess what might impede productivity for these professionals, the survey sought the views of 829 digital nomads. This was in order to pinpoint exactly what this workforce demographic is missing in their day-to-day activities, as well as what they would like to find in a coworking space.
According to the survey, when asked what they most needed from an office environment, 48 percent of the digital nomads in our survey chose schedule flexibility. The discrepancy between the regular open hours of traditional offices and the newfound schedule flexibility that came with remote work was highlighted by this metric.
This arises because many digital nomads are likely struggling to find a work area that accommodates their flexible schedule. Following close behind were vies expressed that the clear boundaries between work and personal life (45 percent) – a sign that working from home tends to blur the lines between the two – while the third-most popular option in this category was the need for social interaction (35 percent).
In terms of useful equipment that would help make work easier, 51 percent of digital nomads said they lack a reliable Wi-Fi connection. In addition, 38 percent cited they need access to printers or scanners, and 35 percent reported that additional monitors would also be of great use to them.
With working environments, many digital nomads are normally working from non-conventional spaces, like coffee shops or hotel lobbies that have not been designed with an office-use type in mind. This is perhaps why 41 percent of respondents said they could benefit from a dedicated work area.
In terms of add-ons that would make the workspace better, 34 percent of respondents picked a lounge or recreational area as a beneficial amenity, and a slightly lower percentage (32 percent) chose on-site parking facilities.
When asked about their satisfaction levels with their current work setup, the majority (56 percent) of digital nomads surveyed were neutral. Only 18 percent said that they were happy with their setup, while 26 percent revealed that they were unsatisfied with their work environment.
It follows that 38 percent of respondents said that they were currently seeking a new coworking space to better cater to their work needs; and 31 percent of respondents stated that they were open to the idea of a flexible workspace in the near future.
