A trend back to the office is emerging for 2026. More working hours will be spent with colleagues in the office to promote business success. Infrastructure and soft factors will be key for accelerating business in 2026:
- Flexible offices
- Entrepreneurial thinking
- Accelerated decision-making
Coworking spaces address these factors. Flexible offices, professional meeting rooms and a productive working environment are the hard factors for a successful return to the office. Your own corporate culture, quick decisions and entrepreneurial thinking will flourish in coworking spaces.
tl;dr: 2026 will be characterized by a trend back to the office to accelerate business. Coworking spaces can facilitate the success of this movement through providing infrastructure and soft factors.
The office as an accelerator for business decisions
One of the main reasons for returning to the office is acceleration. At Nutrion's coworking spaces, we have direct insight into business practices and the topic of acceleration is very much at the forefront for us. For many entrepreneurs, managing directors and CEOs, lengthy coordination via calls and online meetings is no longer viable. Decisions must be made when the market offers potential, not afterwards. That is why we consider acceleration to be one of the main drivers of the return to the office.
Having your own office enables you to accelerate your business practices in a targeted manner. Decisions can be made immediately and agreed upon in person. There are no delays or waiting loops when everyone in the team is present. Companies that make quick decisions can more easily leverage market potential, further creating a positive dynamic within the team.
Shared success as an incentive
Most CEOs rely on incentives to get their teams back to the office. The literature mentions salary increases, promotions or preferred projects for employees who come to the office more often.
However, there is little mention of the fact that employees also suffer from tedious corporate processes and lengthy online calls. In practice, it is clear that teams enjoy working together successfully and realizing their potential. It should come as no surprise that one of the most important incentives for returning to the office is shared success. This success is particularly noticeable and contagious in coworking spaces.
In 2026, the teams that will flourish are those that work together and quickly achieve their successes in person.
Sources and links for further information
Reasons for returning to the office from Resumebuilder
Among companies that require more office attendance:
- 64% cite a desire to strengthen corporate culture
- 62% expect higher productivity
- 45% want to use office space more efficiently
https://www.resumebuilder.com/3-in-10-companies-will-eliminate-remote-work-by-2026/
Key findings from Machtoffice
- Three out of ten companies plan to completely abolish remote working by 2026 – full-time office attendance will become mandatory.
- Hybrid models will remain dominant, but companies will strive for stricter attendance policies from 2026 onwards – in particular, significantly more mandatory office time.
Fortune's conclusion
Executives are counting on a clear return to full-time presence by 2026, coupled with incentive systems rather than coercion.
https://fortune.com/2023/10/16/office-return-rto-ceos-hybrid-remote-work-5-days/
