SXSW Panel on Federated Coworking
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Chris Stewart
Jul 14, 2009, 10:13:25 PM7/14/09
to Coworking
Good Evening All,
My name is Chris Stewart, and I'm currently a software developer
for an insurance company based near Dallas, Texas. I've been
passionate about coworking for over a year now, and decided to write a
2010 SXSW Interactive panel proposal on Federated Coworking. I was a
panel liaison this year and loved the experience so much that I
decided to put together a panel of my own. The term "federated
coworking" doesn't seem to be used at the moment, but my thought
behind it is the need for greater collaboration and resource pooling
between existing spaces to raise awareness of coworking to the general
population. It appears from reading posts on this forum and elsewhere
about the Starfish/Spider argument that coworking spaces are against
strong top-down organizational hierarchy, and are happy to work
independently from each other apart from knowledge sharing and
occasional meetups. My contention is that we need to respect the
desire for coworking spaces to maintain independent, unique
atmospheres, while at the same time embracing new levels of
connectivity.
From my perspective, federated coworking is an umbrella term used
to represent a centralized authority elected by the spaces to 1)
represent their interests amongst government, business leadership, and
the general public; 2) serve as a collection point for knowledge,
money (to fund awareness and development), and best practices; 3)
provide training to people who want to start a coworking space but
have no idea how to begin; and 4) actively develop new coworking
spaces in partnership with area business and government to house
creative collectives of individuals who will have the benefit of a
comfortable, warm office environment in community with other creatives
without the office politics of a traditional office.
Whether or not the SXSW panel is approved, I believe it's important
that we begin asking tough questions about the future of coworking, as
this movement will not grow to its fullest potential housed in loosely-
connected silos. I'd like to present several plans during the panel on
what federated coworking could look like, and allow the panelists to
debate the pros and cons of each strategy. Instead of making a lot of
noise during the event and then returning to the status quo, we can
make this panel a jumping off point to real-world change in the way we
approach coworking.
I'll add more thoughts on this subject as I listen to your
feedback. Respond to this post directly or contact me via twitter
@socialtopher.
Thanks,
Chris Stewart
Endaris (my iPhone stealth company)
http://www.twitter.com/socialtopher
My name is Chris Stewart, and I'm currently a software developer
for an insurance company based near Dallas, Texas. I've been
passionate about coworking for over a year now, and decided to write a
2010 SXSW Interactive panel proposal on Federated Coworking. I was a
panel liaison this year and loved the experience so much that I
decided to put together a panel of my own. The term "federated
coworking" doesn't seem to be used at the moment, but my thought
behind it is the need for greater collaboration and resource pooling
between existing spaces to raise awareness of coworking to the general
population. It appears from reading posts on this forum and elsewhere
about the Starfish/Spider argument that coworking spaces are against
strong top-down organizational hierarchy, and are happy to work
independently from each other apart from knowledge sharing and
occasional meetups. My contention is that we need to respect the
desire for coworking spaces to maintain independent, unique
atmospheres, while at the same time embracing new levels of
connectivity.
From my perspective, federated coworking is an umbrella term used
to represent a centralized authority elected by the spaces to 1)
represent their interests amongst government, business leadership, and
the general public; 2) serve as a collection point for knowledge,
money (to fund awareness and development), and best practices; 3)
provide training to people who want to start a coworking space but
have no idea how to begin; and 4) actively develop new coworking
spaces in partnership with area business and government to house
creative collectives of individuals who will have the benefit of a
comfortable, warm office environment in community with other creatives
without the office politics of a traditional office.
Whether or not the SXSW panel is approved, I believe it's important
that we begin asking tough questions about the future of coworking, as
this movement will not grow to its fullest potential housed in loosely-
connected silos. I'd like to present several plans during the panel on
what federated coworking could look like, and allow the panelists to
debate the pros and cons of each strategy. Instead of making a lot of
noise during the event and then returning to the status quo, we can
make this panel a jumping off point to real-world change in the way we
approach coworking.
I'll add more thoughts on this subject as I listen to your
feedback. Respond to this post directly or contact me via twitter
@socialtopher.
Thanks,
Chris Stewart
Endaris (my iPhone stealth company)
http://www.twitter.com/socialtopher
Matt Titsworth
Jul 15, 2009, 12:45:05 AM7/15/09
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
Chris,
Sounds like a cool idea that I'd love to talk more about. From what I
understand, there have been steps which are being taken along those
lines of promoting further connectivity between spaces. Being on here
is one of those steps, as quite a number of space
owners/administrators post pretty regularly about all sorts of topics.
There's also alot of collaboration going on between some of the more
truly established spaces. I don't know if you've heard of the
coworking visa, but I'd definitely consider it part of the growth and
evolution of coworking.
Unfortunately though, it's hard to have much of a thought on the
subject without more information. Most of the things you list are
things that I'm sure have been bandied about at one point or another
in different forms, but without some specific thoughts it's hard to
have feedback. I'd love to hear some more specifics though. Also,
We've got a space up here in Richardson called Company|Dallas, and if
you'd like to talk about this in person, please feel free to give me a
shout.
Matthew
mat...@companydallas.com
http://www.companydallas.com
http://www.twitter.com/companydallas
Sounds like a cool idea that I'd love to talk more about. From what I
understand, there have been steps which are being taken along those
lines of promoting further connectivity between spaces. Being on here
is one of those steps, as quite a number of space
owners/administrators post pretty regularly about all sorts of topics.
There's also alot of collaboration going on between some of the more
truly established spaces. I don't know if you've heard of the
coworking visa, but I'd definitely consider it part of the growth and
evolution of coworking.
Unfortunately though, it's hard to have much of a thought on the
subject without more information. Most of the things you list are
things that I'm sure have been bandied about at one point or another
in different forms, but without some specific thoughts it's hard to
have feedback. I'd love to hear some more specifics though. Also,
We've got a space up here in Richardson called Company|Dallas, and if
you'd like to talk about this in person, please feel free to give me a
shout.
Matthew
mat...@companydallas.com
http://www.companydallas.com
http://www.twitter.com/companydallas
Tony Bacigalupo
Jul 15, 2009, 4:05:51 AM7/15/09
to Coworking
Chris,
This is a very interesting perspective and intersects a lot with some
thoughts I've been having about where coworking is going next.
As we discussed in the Regional Whuffie Building SXSW panel, coworking
spaces have become much more important and significant than just
places for people to gather and work; they're becoming hubs of
innovation and economic growth. To that end, we can play an increasing
role in helping our local economies and make a real impact-- and a
discussion about that sort of level of effort is a conversation I'd
love to have.
Where such a conversation might go, though, is an open question-- a
further linking of coworking spaces beyond this group and the Visa
program will be difficult, considering the regional nature of the
spaces and the busy nature of the people who run them :)
But, if we do bring together *individuals* who are interested in
talking about the big picture of things, then that's a good start at
going somewhere interesting.
Tony
This is a very interesting perspective and intersects a lot with some
thoughts I've been having about where coworking is going next.
As we discussed in the Regional Whuffie Building SXSW panel, coworking
spaces have become much more important and significant than just
places for people to gather and work; they're becoming hubs of
innovation and economic growth. To that end, we can play an increasing
role in helping our local economies and make a real impact-- and a
discussion about that sort of level of effort is a conversation I'd
love to have.
Where such a conversation might go, though, is an open question-- a
further linking of coworking spaces beyond this group and the Visa
program will be difficult, considering the regional nature of the
spaces and the busy nature of the people who run them :)
But, if we do bring together *individuals* who are interested in
talking about the big picture of things, then that's a good start at
going somewhere interesting.
Tony
WHERE MMM
Jul 15, 2009, 6:17:10 AM7/15/09
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
Chris,
I like that you threw this out to the group in the manner that you did and I am eager to see more post on your thread as they come in. My main comment would center on that fact that
while I think this is definitely a good idea in concept it is the implementation that would concern me. Perhaps (I) there could be a bit more clarification on the proposal here?
Albeit that you are very clear and concise on the SXSW forum there is a lot of activity on the Coworking forefront that is pretty expansive. So for instance what topics would be chosen and while you mention a group process for a shared connectivity there will remain issues that are pertinent to members and site owners for instance that may or may not relate or be of interest on community, tech or governing issues. So I think scale here is the real concern.
As a site owner and one that is looking to collaborate and expand with coworking there is a lot out there that is on a global scale as well. We have a long way to go and while vision is wonderful to have perhaps the first step is more 'in-house' collaboration, committees etc. (ie the recent thread discussion on google maps..)
In my opinion, we must be able to accomplish and systematically address simple issues with task mastering solutions before we open up Pandora's box....
So my suggestion would be that perhaps we contain the coworking 'federation' to some basics that the group would like to vote on and put a committee together so that we can begin an even more cohesive front to this movement that is not only sweeping our country but the glob and will continue to shape our social landscape for many years to come.
I welcome you to comment either in open forum or in private at wher...@gmail.com
Again, I think it is corageous that you dove right in so I hope that my comments are received in an appreciative manner.. I am sure by the group at large for the effort put forth.
Danielle Nicoli
WHERE: Meet, Mix, Mogul
Silverlake/ LA, CA (USA)
Andy Louis-Charles
Jul 15, 2009, 7:23:16 AM7/15/09
to Coworking
Chris,
Thanks for sharing your post.
I think you hit on some good points. Coworking communities do need to
become somehow "networked" in order for them to reach their full
potential. At the same time, I like how you recognized that the
independent spirit of each center (and its members) is at core of the
movement.
That is why I believe any federated efforts need to be in response to
specific community needs vs. creation of a traditional, top-down
"chamber of commerce" type of bureaucratic entity. For example:
1. A Coworking Credit Union - the creation of a cooperatively owned
bank that focuses specifically on lending to freelancers,
independents, startups, coworking members and coworking center owners
would be a valuable instititution for the community ...
http://coworking.pbworks.com/Coworking-Credit-Union
2. Coworking Healthcare - a group rate health insurance plan for
coworking members. Freelancers Union has a program up and running, but
I believe only New York residents are eligible -
http://www.freelancersunion.org/insurance/index.html
3. Coworking Visa - a more structure way to allow traveling coworkers
to use cooperating locations. http://coworking.pbworks.com/CoworkingVisa
4. Coworking Passport - an idea I floated a couple of weeks back where
a network of coworkers could offer urban accomodations to fellow,
traveling coworking members. http://www.airbnb.com/groups/coworking
So, my general thought is that a coworking "federation" could simply
draw attention and bring resources to the growing number of
collaborative efforts among coworking members that are already
starting to blossom.
But those are just my initial thoughts and would love to further
brainstorm on them.
Cheers,
Andy
twitter: @OnCoworking
web: http://www.OnCoworking.com
Thanks for sharing your post.
I think you hit on some good points. Coworking communities do need to
become somehow "networked" in order for them to reach their full
potential. At the same time, I like how you recognized that the
independent spirit of each center (and its members) is at core of the
movement.
That is why I believe any federated efforts need to be in response to
specific community needs vs. creation of a traditional, top-down
"chamber of commerce" type of bureaucratic entity. For example:
1. A Coworking Credit Union - the creation of a cooperatively owned
bank that focuses specifically on lending to freelancers,
independents, startups, coworking members and coworking center owners
would be a valuable instititution for the community ...
http://coworking.pbworks.com/Coworking-Credit-Union
2. Coworking Healthcare - a group rate health insurance plan for
coworking members. Freelancers Union has a program up and running, but
I believe only New York residents are eligible -
http://www.freelancersunion.org/insurance/index.html
3. Coworking Visa - a more structure way to allow traveling coworkers
to use cooperating locations. http://coworking.pbworks.com/CoworkingVisa
4. Coworking Passport - an idea I floated a couple of weeks back where
a network of coworkers could offer urban accomodations to fellow,
traveling coworking members. http://www.airbnb.com/groups/coworking
So, my general thought is that a coworking "federation" could simply
draw attention and bring resources to the growing number of
collaborative efforts among coworking members that are already
starting to blossom.
But those are just my initial thoughts and would love to further
brainstorm on them.
Cheers,
Andy
twitter: @OnCoworking
web: http://www.OnCoworking.com
Jerome Chang
Jul 15, 2009, 10:27:23 AM7/15/09
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
Hello all. Some notes:
1. Advanta was one of the country's 20 largest credit card issuers who
focused on small business. They just closed shop due to all the usual
problems: escalating risk, higher defaults, etc. We freelancers are a
[actuarially] risky group. Still, it'd be interesting to see if
someone with banking/CU experience could vet out the feasibility and
at least document it for all of us.
2. The reason that residents of not necessarily all states are
eligible for health insurance is that every state has different laws
about these group plans. In California, for example, group
"guaranteed" plans are only allowed if you work for an employer. Any
other group plans are just slight discounts, if any, for which you
have to apply and get approved. I heard we were just 4 votes short in
the last state [senate/assembly/?] vote to adopt group "guaranteed"
plans without being "employed by that group.
3. [Mind you, I'm not a web tech...] We could develop a web app that
any coworking website could add to their membership page that quickly
lists other participating coworking visa sites. Who maintains it?
What info does it show? How does a visa traveller prove his/her
membership to that other coworking site? I don't know.
...
5. Reservation/Booking: I see a lot of efforts toward setting this up,
including its sister-features: POS (point-of-sale) transactions,
invoicing, billing, etc. If other coworking sites share the same/
similar system, the coworking visa program would inherently get
structured. The precedent would be the airlines: American Airlines'
Sabre reservation system enables ticketing for many airlines. (For
full disclosure, I'll confess I'm a bit motivated to share my system
[for a price...], since I think I have probably the most complex/
customized memberships out there.)
6. Marketing: a lot of coworking sites, esp the new ones, may want
some help to promote themselves. This could happen with coworking on
a macro/national level (like when national orgs advertise for milk in
general, or cheese, or whatever), or on a regional level (like when
local car dealers use commercials made by headquarters). From SEO,
social media, to traditional ads (print, tv/vids), a lot could be done
collectively for everyone's benefit to raise general awareness for
coworking as a whole. (For full disclosure, I'll confess I'm thinking
of "licensing" out my commercials and I'll change/add text for that
individual coworking site.)
Jerome
______________
BLANKSPACES
"work wide open"
www.blankspaces.com
5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea)
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.330.9505 (office)
1. Advanta was one of the country's 20 largest credit card issuers who
focused on small business. They just closed shop due to all the usual
problems: escalating risk, higher defaults, etc. We freelancers are a
[actuarially] risky group. Still, it'd be interesting to see if
someone with banking/CU experience could vet out the feasibility and
at least document it for all of us.
2. The reason that residents of not necessarily all states are
eligible for health insurance is that every state has different laws
about these group plans. In California, for example, group
"guaranteed" plans are only allowed if you work for an employer. Any
other group plans are just slight discounts, if any, for which you
have to apply and get approved. I heard we were just 4 votes short in
the last state [senate/assembly/?] vote to adopt group "guaranteed"
plans without being "employed by that group.
3. [Mind you, I'm not a web tech...] We could develop a web app that
any coworking website could add to their membership page that quickly
lists other participating coworking visa sites. Who maintains it?
What info does it show? How does a visa traveller prove his/her
membership to that other coworking site? I don't know.
...
5. Reservation/Booking: I see a lot of efforts toward setting this up,
including its sister-features: POS (point-of-sale) transactions,
invoicing, billing, etc. If other coworking sites share the same/
similar system, the coworking visa program would inherently get
structured. The precedent would be the airlines: American Airlines'
Sabre reservation system enables ticketing for many airlines. (For
full disclosure, I'll confess I'm a bit motivated to share my system
[for a price...], since I think I have probably the most complex/
customized memberships out there.)
6. Marketing: a lot of coworking sites, esp the new ones, may want
some help to promote themselves. This could happen with coworking on
a macro/national level (like when national orgs advertise for milk in
general, or cheese, or whatever), or on a regional level (like when
local car dealers use commercials made by headquarters). From SEO,
social media, to traditional ads (print, tv/vids), a lot could be done
collectively for everyone's benefit to raise general awareness for
coworking as a whole. (For full disclosure, I'll confess I'm thinking
of "licensing" out my commercials and I'll change/add text for that
individual coworking site.)
Jerome
______________
BLANKSPACES
"work wide open"
www.blankspaces.com
5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea)
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323.330.9505 (office)
Aaron Lozier
Jul 15, 2009, 10:33:32 AM7/15/09
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
Hi Jerome,
Interesting ideas! I am new to the coworking scene, but I'd like to mention that I am a web developer by trade, with a lot of internet marketing experience, and would be willing to contribute to such a project if someone with a bit more experience (in the coworking movement) were willing to head it up.
Thanks,
Aaron
Interesting ideas! I am new to the coworking scene, but I'd like to mention that I am a web developer by trade, with a lot of internet marketing experience, and would be willing to contribute to such a project if someone with a bit more experience (in the coworking movement) were willing to head it up.
Thanks,
Aaron
Todd O'Neill
Jul 15, 2009, 11:35:27 AM7/15/09
to Coworking
I was talking with one of our drop in visitors yesterday and he asked
if there were any coworking locations in his city (Madison Wisconsin).
I explained that he could go to the wiki and do a search (which I did
for him; Madison-- when will you be up and running?). I also mentioned
there had been work on a Google map listing of coworking locations
around the world but the development on it was dormant.
And that's how we started discussing similar concepts to Chris'
proposal for federated coworking. I explained that to date the
coworking movement has been grass roots, enabled by online and social
media. And that, in my opinion, there needed to be some organizing in
order to move efforts like the Google Map or the Coworking Visa
forward unless some "heroes" come forward to make those and others
efforts happen. I've worked in volunteer and professional associations
for a loonngg time. Heroic action can get things done. And the
disappearance of the heroic actor(s) can cause the great activity to
end (the Google Map.) Our visitor comes from the slow food, community
agriculture movement. He totally got the challenge we face to organize
disparate local communities into one cohesive whole.
This forum is a great place to learn from early leaders and exchange
ideas. It is a great organizing entity. I am indebted to everyone here
for what I've learned. (And likewise guilty about not sharing as much
as I have learned.)
Each of our individual coworking locations have more in common than
are different. What makes us unique is how we take the common elements
and utilize them in and for our communities.
As an international coworking community we may have reached the
tipping point where there needs to be some organization, adhoc or
otherwise. Federation is a nice starting term. And rather than invent
how this is organized I'm sure we can look to other grassroots
movements (food policy, transportation, etc.) about how they
"formalized" their "association" between their local community groups.
Chris, I will vote for your session to be sure. But SXSW does not have
to be the only organizing platform. I have some ideas I'm working on
in that respect. More later.
Cheers!
Todd O'neill
Partner, C4 Workspace
San Antonio, Texas
if there were any coworking locations in his city (Madison Wisconsin).
I explained that he could go to the wiki and do a search (which I did
for him; Madison-- when will you be up and running?). I also mentioned
there had been work on a Google map listing of coworking locations
around the world but the development on it was dormant.
And that's how we started discussing similar concepts to Chris'
proposal for federated coworking. I explained that to date the
coworking movement has been grass roots, enabled by online and social
media. And that, in my opinion, there needed to be some organizing in
order to move efforts like the Google Map or the Coworking Visa
forward unless some "heroes" come forward to make those and others
efforts happen. I've worked in volunteer and professional associations
for a loonngg time. Heroic action can get things done. And the
disappearance of the heroic actor(s) can cause the great activity to
end (the Google Map.) Our visitor comes from the slow food, community
agriculture movement. He totally got the challenge we face to organize
disparate local communities into one cohesive whole.
This forum is a great place to learn from early leaders and exchange
ideas. It is a great organizing entity. I am indebted to everyone here
for what I've learned. (And likewise guilty about not sharing as much
as I have learned.)
Each of our individual coworking locations have more in common than
are different. What makes us unique is how we take the common elements
and utilize them in and for our communities.
As an international coworking community we may have reached the
tipping point where there needs to be some organization, adhoc or
otherwise. Federation is a nice starting term. And rather than invent
how this is organized I'm sure we can look to other grassroots
movements (food policy, transportation, etc.) about how they
"formalized" their "association" between their local community groups.
Chris, I will vote for your session to be sure. But SXSW does not have
to be the only organizing platform. I have some ideas I'm working on
in that respect. More later.
Cheers!
Todd O'neill
Partner, C4 Workspace
San Antonio, Texas
Alex Hillman
Jul 15, 2009, 2:17:43 PM7/15/09
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
I've been sharing a bunch of thoughts regarding the growth of this community, and the fact that online and off, there are a number of major issues.
--
-----
--
-----
Alex Hillman
im always developing something
digital: al...@weknowhtml.com
helpful: www.unstick.me
visual: www.dangerouslyawesome.com
local: www.indyhall.org
What I struggle with is the appropriate forum for this discussion, as this thread is already demonstrating. The wiki isn't it, because it's a cesspool of unorganized information. Emails/mailing lists are difficult, especially with the scale and diversity of THIS list.
SXSW is a good start, because there's an existing critical mass, but it also comes with baggage. I'm not 100% certain where to start, but I do agree that if we don't discuss something to maintain the unity of this group, there's significant risk for all of us as space owners, catalysts, and coworkers as things continue to evolve.
Does anyone have experience moderating large group phone calls? One idea that I've had (and I've heard from others as well) would be some sort of scheduled call between coworking space owners is in order as a starting point. The same thing could be replicated across the other factions/roles (catalysts, coworkers, etc), and then we can start to cross pollenate.
I think that right now this group is too large with too many independent agendas to be a productive, focused working environment, and it makes sense to fragment a bit in order to gain some order.
My response, like Christopher's original post, clearly isn't fully baked. I did want to express that I'd read and agree with some of the concepts, and strongly disagree with others.
What I'd like to see is that before we do ANYTHING, a very finite mission is crafted that we're working towards, that we can refer back to when things (inevitably) get off track. That way, if what we're doing/discussing ever goes against the mission, we have the ability to keep each other in check and either re-orient, or agree to recreate the mission.
Remember, that mission is NOT the same as the definition of coworking.
That's my .02 and a starting point I'd like to offer. Given that myself, Tara, and Tony will be sharing close quarters for the next couple of weeks (and visiting a lot of coworking spaces across the country as we embark tonight on Whuffaoke), I imagine by the end of our journey something will begin to crystalize.
Thanks for igniting this conversation, Chris. I'm fascinated to see where it takes us.
-Alex, IndyHall
--
-----
--
-----
Alex Hillman
im always developing something
digital: al...@weknowhtml.com
helpful: www.unstick.me
visual: www.dangerouslyawesome.com
local: www.indyhall.org
Anca Mosoiu
Jul 15, 2009, 2:42:40 PM7/15/09
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
Hello there,
I've just started up my co-working space in Oakland, Ca, so this discussion is pertinent. I would like to participate in a phone call to get the ball rolling, though I'm no moderator. I can find someone to help us out, though.
My main question when I read Chris's original email was "What is overall mission of a co-working space"? Are we creating co-working spaces because there is empty office space in our building? Or do we have a specific goal in mind when we set all this up? Are we all trying to attract the same audience? Do we have the same (or a similar set) of services that we provide in terms of facility, IT, and amenities?
Do we all have issues with health insurance (or just those of us living in the US)? Do we have the same kind of membership system? What are the advantages and disadvantages of joining up with others in our area and across the world?
I don't have any answers, only questions and speculation.
There are several free phone services that we can use to actually have a conference call.
All we need is a date to make this happen. Any preferences?
Cheers,
Anca.
-=-==-=-=-
Anca Mosoiu
Tech Liminal
www.techliminal.com
I've just started up my co-working space in Oakland, Ca, so this discussion is pertinent. I would like to participate in a phone call to get the ball rolling, though I'm no moderator. I can find someone to help us out, though.
My main question when I read Chris's original email was "What is overall mission of a co-working space"? Are we creating co-working spaces because there is empty office space in our building? Or do we have a specific goal in mind when we set all this up? Are we all trying to attract the same audience? Do we have the same (or a similar set) of services that we provide in terms of facility, IT, and amenities?
Do we all have issues with health insurance (or just those of us living in the US)? Do we have the same kind of membership system? What are the advantages and disadvantages of joining up with others in our area and across the world?
I don't have any answers, only questions and speculation.
There are several free phone services that we can use to actually have a conference call.
All we need is a date to make this happen. Any preferences?
Cheers,
Anca.
-=-==-=-=-
Anca Mosoiu
Tech Liminal
www.techliminal.com
Chris Johnston
Jul 15, 2009, 4:58:07 PM7/15/09
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
This may be a stupid question but what is the difference between federated coworking and regular coworking?
Christopher M. Johnston
http://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjohnston
Christopher M. Johnston
http://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjohnston
Andy Louis-Charles
Jul 15, 2009, 6:28:02 PM7/15/09
to Coworking
I know this is totally last minute, but I thought I should make the
offer ...
Tonight is the 10th episode of "On Coworking" and we're dedicating the
show to an ad hoc / random brainstorm session based on this "federated
coworking" string.
Chris Stewart (the author of this string) will be joining me, but
anyone can participate by calling-in to 724-444-7444, (call id:
50025). The call is tonight, starting at 7pm EST ... (yes, in about :
30 minutes).
Don't worry if you miss the call, it will be archived and available at
http://www.oncoworking.com .
Look forward to a lively discussion.
Cheers,
Andy
@oncoworking
offer ...
Tonight is the 10th episode of "On Coworking" and we're dedicating the
show to an ad hoc / random brainstorm session based on this "federated
coworking" string.
Chris Stewart (the author of this string) will be joining me, but
anyone can participate by calling-in to 724-444-7444, (call id:
50025). The call is tonight, starting at 7pm EST ... (yes, in about :
30 minutes).
Don't worry if you miss the call, it will be archived and available at
http://www.oncoworking.com .
Look forward to a lively discussion.
Cheers,
Andy
@oncoworking
Chris Stewart
Jul 15, 2009, 8:55:34 PM7/15/09
to Coworking
Hi Chris,
I decided to coin "federated coworking" as an umbrella term to
discuss the development and structure of mutually beneficial working
relationships between coworking spaces beyond the Google Group and
Wiki. Whether or not the term sticks, I wanted to start a conversation
on what it will take to unite on key issues, likes sustainability,
marketing/branding, and core values of the movement. This might step
on some toes, as I'm fully aware of the indepedent and creative spirit
behind each space (otherwise we're just another office building). Far
from compromising that creative spirit, I want to bolster it and
protect it. Andy (@OnCoworking) and I just shared a great conversation
on his podcast about some reasons we should work together and how it
might work. The first thing to do, like Alex mentioned (if I'm
understanding him correctly), is to develop a structure for dialogue
that involves people with a vested interest in coworking's success,
namely the space owners, and the rest of the coworking faithful to a
lesser extent.
On the podcast, I mentioned an article from the Economist (http://
www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13990207) that I read
today, that talked about each state in the United States being an
independent laboratory of public policy, with each one running
concurrently, trying different methods to solve problems, and rising
above or falling below the pack based upon performance. Coworking in
2009 is similar; you have 70-100 (Andy's number) coworking spaces in
the United States running concurrently, trying to solve similar
problems like sustainability, retention, maintaining unique culture,
improving the lives of its tenants and surrounding community. We need
a way to harness the knowledge being developed in these coworking
labs, and a coworking space-developer, coworking space-owned model for
generating and distributing resources.
I loved Andy's idea on a coworking credit union, and my idea on a
coworking Craigslist, as two ways to get started. Recirculating
resources within the coworking ecosystem will benefit every
participating space and their tenants, and create a "virtuous cycle"
as Andy put it that will enable further growth and cultural awareness
of this movement as a new way to work.
By the way, I've launched http://www.federatedcoworking.org with a
barebones WordPress template as a place to post information on what's
happening related to the conversation.
Thanks,
Chris
On Jul 15, 3:58 pm, Chris Johnston <cmjohns...@gmail.com> wrote:
> This may be a stupid question but what is the difference between federated
> coworking and regular coworking?
>
> Christopher M. Johnstonhttp://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjohnston
> >> digital: a...@weknowhtml.com
> >>> San Antonio, Texas- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
I decided to coin "federated coworking" as an umbrella term to
discuss the development and structure of mutually beneficial working
relationships between coworking spaces beyond the Google Group and
Wiki. Whether or not the term sticks, I wanted to start a conversation
on what it will take to unite on key issues, likes sustainability,
marketing/branding, and core values of the movement. This might step
on some toes, as I'm fully aware of the indepedent and creative spirit
behind each space (otherwise we're just another office building). Far
from compromising that creative spirit, I want to bolster it and
protect it. Andy (@OnCoworking) and I just shared a great conversation
on his podcast about some reasons we should work together and how it
might work. The first thing to do, like Alex mentioned (if I'm
understanding him correctly), is to develop a structure for dialogue
that involves people with a vested interest in coworking's success,
namely the space owners, and the rest of the coworking faithful to a
lesser extent.
On the podcast, I mentioned an article from the Economist (http://
www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13990207) that I read
today, that talked about each state in the United States being an
independent laboratory of public policy, with each one running
concurrently, trying different methods to solve problems, and rising
above or falling below the pack based upon performance. Coworking in
2009 is similar; you have 70-100 (Andy's number) coworking spaces in
the United States running concurrently, trying to solve similar
problems like sustainability, retention, maintaining unique culture,
improving the lives of its tenants and surrounding community. We need
a way to harness the knowledge being developed in these coworking
labs, and a coworking space-developer, coworking space-owned model for
generating and distributing resources.
I loved Andy's idea on a coworking credit union, and my idea on a
coworking Craigslist, as two ways to get started. Recirculating
resources within the coworking ecosystem will benefit every
participating space and their tenants, and create a "virtuous cycle"
as Andy put it that will enable further growth and cultural awareness
of this movement as a new way to work.
By the way, I've launched http://www.federatedcoworking.org with a
barebones WordPress template as a place to post information on what's
happening related to the conversation.
Thanks,
Chris
On Jul 15, 3:58 pm, Chris Johnston <cmjohns...@gmail.com> wrote:
> This may be a stupid question but what is the difference between federated
> coworking and regular coworking?
>
>
> - Show quoted text -
Eric Marden
Jul 15, 2009, 11:39:07 PM7/15/09
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
On Jul 15, 2009, at 8:55 PM, Chris Stewart wrote:
> The first thing to do is to develop a structure for dialogue
> that involves people with a vested interest in coworking's success,
> namely the space owners, and the rest of the coworking faithful to a
> lesser extent.
Just wondering why non-space owner catalysts were left off this list,
and members of spaces were kind of delegated to some "lower" status? I
realize that this may just be semantics, but it sounds like there is
something more in the background that is going unsaid. In other words,
is "federated coworking" more about pushing the good ship coworking
forward or about tying individual rafts (spaces) together to keep them
afloat?
Communities are made of members, who galvanize around catalysts, that
either start or promote a space (owner). All three players are needed,
more or less equally, or you won't have a game. This is why starting a
space before there is a coworking community in your city usually
doesn't work.
- Eric Marden
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
http://ericmarden.com
Chris Stewart
Jul 16, 2009, 9:21:39 AM7/16/09
to Coworking
Hi Eric,
I like your grouping of members and "catalysts that either start
or promote a space." It was never my intent to treat members as a sub-
class within the community, as spaces exist for their members. When
discussing the future of coworking, and ways that individual spaces
can work together to benefit the entire ecosystem, I wanted to make
sure that we recognize the voice of people who have a vested financial
and sweat equity stake in these spaces. During the @OnCoworking show
last night, Andy and I talked about the need for space owners to
discuss this topic with their members so that everyone's voice is
heard. With 70-100 spaces potentially needing representation in the
conversation, it's my thought that we're going to run into logistical
issues if everyone involved in every space talks about this on the
same forum at the same time. I'm only pointing out, like Alex and
others have mentioned, that we need to define a structure for the
conversation that allows everyone's sentiments on their issues to be
heard while maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio. I don't claim to
have a definitive answer on how this should be accomplished, though I
keep thinking about the Continental Congress and the ability for each
space to elect representatives to bring their needs to the wider
group. It's our first task to discuss, starting here on this post and
elsewhere on the group and wiki, that will launch the actual
conversation on federated coworking.
I truly hope I'm not stepping on too many toes, and readily admit
that this is a delicate issue for many individuals. Yet, it's an issue
that must be faced sooner rather than later, so the people who care
about coworking (that includes everyone, from people who care about
the movement like myself, to members, to catalysts) steer the
conversation, and we don't allow some outside organization or media
spin to define it instead. This conversation should benefit all of us,
members and catalysts alike, by ushering in a new framework for unity
and deeper collaboration. If it doesn't, the conversation needs to
evolve until it does.
Thanks for your thoughtful response, Eric.
- Chris
I like your grouping of members and "catalysts that either start
or promote a space." It was never my intent to treat members as a sub-
class within the community, as spaces exist for their members. When
discussing the future of coworking, and ways that individual spaces
can work together to benefit the entire ecosystem, I wanted to make
sure that we recognize the voice of people who have a vested financial
and sweat equity stake in these spaces. During the @OnCoworking show
last night, Andy and I talked about the need for space owners to
discuss this topic with their members so that everyone's voice is
heard. With 70-100 spaces potentially needing representation in the
conversation, it's my thought that we're going to run into logistical
issues if everyone involved in every space talks about this on the
same forum at the same time. I'm only pointing out, like Alex and
others have mentioned, that we need to define a structure for the
conversation that allows everyone's sentiments on their issues to be
heard while maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio. I don't claim to
have a definitive answer on how this should be accomplished, though I
keep thinking about the Continental Congress and the ability for each
space to elect representatives to bring their needs to the wider
group. It's our first task to discuss, starting here on this post and
elsewhere on the group and wiki, that will launch the actual
conversation on federated coworking.
I truly hope I'm not stepping on too many toes, and readily admit
that this is a delicate issue for many individuals. Yet, it's an issue
that must be faced sooner rather than later, so the people who care
about coworking (that includes everyone, from people who care about
the movement like myself, to members, to catalysts) steer the
conversation, and we don't allow some outside organization or media
spin to define it instead. This conversation should benefit all of us,
members and catalysts alike, by ushering in a new framework for unity
and deeper collaboration. If it doesn't, the conversation needs to
evolve until it does.
Thanks for your thoughtful response, Eric.
- Chris
Krista
Jul 16, 2009, 12:09:20 PM7/16/09
to Coworking
In my opinion this sounds very authoritarian and bureaucratic. I'm
not against coordination, or the spirit of what you are wanting to
do. But I think the way you are proposing going about it is a missed
opportunity. Coordination is being approached in a different way
these days. For example, this google group is a lot more
communication amongst it's members than most industries have, and it's
for free.
First, I'd recommend you do not use the word "Authority" to describe
the idea. Think more along the lines of some kind of service you can
provide that people would find worth their time and money to pay for.
Instead of focusing on creating an organization that operates above,
and benevolently on behalf of, coworking operations. More of an
independent enterprise/profit center that also serves the dual purpose
of the kind of coordination you envision. Some sort of
'infrastructure' service that saves businesses time and money. Rather
than having some Authority that they all blindly push money to and may
or may not know what ever becomes of it. Many industry organizations
that I've been involved with who operate with the top down 'you must
pay me so that I can help you as I see fit' model just spend all their
time trying to figure out how to make more money to pay for
themselves, so they can "do more".
I don't think anyone needs some new layer of bureaucracy to sit there
on top of everyone's heads and point fingers about who should be doing
what. That's what coworkers are trying to get away from in the first
place. Instead create some kind of organization, like google did or
twitter does or mozy does, that provides a service that everyone finds
useful, and thus represents all the users in this industry by the
nature of what it does. And it's all a voluntary business transaction
that people choose to make because it provides a directly useful
service.
not against coordination, or the spirit of what you are wanting to
do. But I think the way you are proposing going about it is a missed
opportunity. Coordination is being approached in a different way
these days. For example, this google group is a lot more
communication amongst it's members than most industries have, and it's
for free.
First, I'd recommend you do not use the word "Authority" to describe
the idea. Think more along the lines of some kind of service you can
provide that people would find worth their time and money to pay for.
Instead of focusing on creating an organization that operates above,
and benevolently on behalf of, coworking operations. More of an
independent enterprise/profit center that also serves the dual purpose
of the kind of coordination you envision. Some sort of
'infrastructure' service that saves businesses time and money. Rather
than having some Authority that they all blindly push money to and may
or may not know what ever becomes of it. Many industry organizations
that I've been involved with who operate with the top down 'you must
pay me so that I can help you as I see fit' model just spend all their
time trying to figure out how to make more money to pay for
themselves, so they can "do more".
I don't think anyone needs some new layer of bureaucracy to sit there
on top of everyone's heads and point fingers about who should be doing
what. That's what coworkers are trying to get away from in the first
place. Instead create some kind of organization, like google did or
twitter does or mozy does, that provides a service that everyone finds
useful, and thus represents all the users in this industry by the
nature of what it does. And it's all a voluntary business transaction
that people choose to make because it provides a directly useful
service.
Erica Douglass
Jul 20, 2009, 1:47:17 AM7/20/09
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
Hi Andy,
Re: coworking credit union: Why not just use Lending Club, Prosper, or one
of the other P2P lending sites to facilitate this? I have a relationship
with Lending Club, so if you need something specific from them, feel free to
ping me and I can pass it on to their team.
Thank you,
Erica Douglass
Are you on a quest for financial freedom? Check out http://www.erica.biz/
for candid conversations about entrepreneurship, investments, and wealth.
Trent
Jul 20, 2009, 10:14:52 AM7/20/09
to Coworking
Chris, I like the idea a lot. We just opened up in Flower Mound
(Dallas-Fort Worth Area). We are seeing the gaps in public knowledge
of coworking but everytime I present it light bulbs light up. I have
not had anyone, even banker types, say this was not a winner concept.
I am a building Architect (not IT) and am seeing the bridge of how
Coworking feeds "sustainable" communities. Lets get it out there in a
larger pool of influence and community and see where it goes. Put me
on the panel or lets get together and discuss.
Trent Clark
SmartOffice, smartoffice.pro
469-322-1482
(Dallas-Fort Worth Area). We are seeing the gaps in public knowledge
of coworking but everytime I present it light bulbs light up. I have
not had anyone, even banker types, say this was not a winner concept.
I am a building Architect (not IT) and am seeing the bridge of how
Coworking feeds "sustainable" communities. Lets get it out there in a
larger pool of influence and community and see where it goes. Put me
on the panel or lets get together and discuss.
Trent Clark
SmartOffice, smartoffice.pro
469-322-1482
Chris Stewart
Jul 20, 2009, 9:11:52 PM7/20/09
to Coworking
Hi Krista,
I appreciate your pointing out the elephant in this conversation,
which in my mind is the concern about institutionalizing coworking
according to a single agenda and limiting diversity within the
community as a consequence. Perhaps "centralized authority" was too
strong? This is something we should discuss. Is there a need for a
unified voice to represent coworking? A voice unified by values
(Collaboration, Creativity, Independence, etc.), not agenda? I believe
the answer is yes. However, how we approach this is a matter of
further discovery and reflection. The Google group and wiki aren't
going away; they will always have their place, and will remain an
important resource for all of us. It's my personal contention that we
shouldn't stop at the Google group and wiki, though; further
connectivity through partnerships that benefit everyone, space owners
and members alike, is a way that we can move forward toward improving
the way independents and startups work together. Whatever is developed
from this discussion will be totally opt-in. This will be in contrast
to large office space companies who sweep in and market themselves as
coworking spaces without support from the community.
Please post your ideas on how we can work together in a better
fashion; this is the place to begin brainstorming ways to work
together for everyone's benefit while maintaining independent
atmosphere and creative control within each of the spaces represented
here.
Thanks for your insight,
Chris
I appreciate your pointing out the elephant in this conversation,
which in my mind is the concern about institutionalizing coworking
according to a single agenda and limiting diversity within the
community as a consequence. Perhaps "centralized authority" was too
strong? This is something we should discuss. Is there a need for a
unified voice to represent coworking? A voice unified by values
(Collaboration, Creativity, Independence, etc.), not agenda? I believe
the answer is yes. However, how we approach this is a matter of
further discovery and reflection. The Google group and wiki aren't
going away; they will always have their place, and will remain an
important resource for all of us. It's my personal contention that we
shouldn't stop at the Google group and wiki, though; further
connectivity through partnerships that benefit everyone, space owners
and members alike, is a way that we can move forward toward improving
the way independents and startups work together. Whatever is developed
from this discussion will be totally opt-in. This will be in contrast
to large office space companies who sweep in and market themselves as
coworking spaces without support from the community.
Please post your ideas on how we can work together in a better
fashion; this is the place to begin brainstorming ways to work
together for everyone's benefit while maintaining independent
atmosphere and creative control within each of the spaces represented
here.
Thanks for your insight,
Chris
Patrick
Jul 21, 2009, 8:02:32 AM7/21/09
to Coworking
Hi,
Like other commenters already, I'm of two minds on this. Sounds
interesting initially but then do we want to officialize things like
that? Really not sure. You're right, a more appropriate place to
discuss this is needed. Maybe more a Camp on the side in Austin than a
panel though?
A couple of things:
- I've mentioned this in other similar threads but the whole providing
services aspect probably wouldn't work internationnaly, different
laws, different needs. I think that aspect is more US centric because
of the number of spaces and, well, we just don't need some of those
things in Canada and Europe. I know Tara mentioned previously that it
could simply be optional but I think it should be investigated in a
bit more details before anything is even organized and maybe it's a
more structured US group for common services and a larger, more
starfishy group for international awareness and collaboration?
- On the group aspect, I don't know about international regulations
and how it could work but for another project I've been investigating
COOPs here in Québec/Canada and there is a format for a member owned
COOP that offers services. Members who own the organizations + members
who subscribe to services. Again, I'm still uncertain about the need
for such a thing but a COOP model might be an interesting avenue if
people want to go in a more structured direction.
Patrick
station-c.com
Like other commenters already, I'm of two minds on this. Sounds
interesting initially but then do we want to officialize things like
that? Really not sure. You're right, a more appropriate place to
discuss this is needed. Maybe more a Camp on the side in Austin than a
panel though?
A couple of things:
- I've mentioned this in other similar threads but the whole providing
services aspect probably wouldn't work internationnaly, different
laws, different needs. I think that aspect is more US centric because
of the number of spaces and, well, we just don't need some of those
things in Canada and Europe. I know Tara mentioned previously that it
could simply be optional but I think it should be investigated in a
bit more details before anything is even organized and maybe it's a
more structured US group for common services and a larger, more
starfishy group for international awareness and collaboration?
- On the group aspect, I don't know about international regulations
and how it could work but for another project I've been investigating
COOPs here in Québec/Canada and there is a format for a member owned
COOP that offers services. Members who own the organizations + members
who subscribe to services. Again, I'm still uncertain about the need
for such a thing but a COOP model might be an interesting avenue if
people want to go in a more structured direction.
Patrick
station-c.com
Ryan Price
Jul 21, 2009, 8:59:58 AM7/21/09
to Coworking
Hello everyone. I'd like to point to a few external examples that can
help lend some structure (or lack thereof) to this discussion.
Firstly, anyone participating in this thread who has not yet read The
Starfish and the Spider should go and do so now... I'll wait. The
audio version is only 5.5 hours long... It really nails the "federated
yet united" idea - the story about Alcoholics Anonymous' attempts to
centralize should be a very telling case study.
Second, I suggest you take a look at what the folks at Fractured Atlas
have already conjured up. RE: Health Insurance and centralized
services that don't get in your way. They are an association that
provides support services for artists and arts groups.
In their home state of New York, they have a few health care options
available, and in most other states, they just default to Aetna with 3
pre-selected plans. They also do liablility insurance if, for example,
you need to run a big event.
http://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/healthcare/
Fractured Altas can also act as a non-profit surrogate if you need
501c3 status, but you may only need it one-time, or don't have your
status yet. They even work with the person donating the money and make
sure you are using it for the activity you promised. Accountability++
The other things they provide are clearly demarcated on their site,
but among them are access to training (mostly online, like tips for
running your business, much like Indy Hall's videos), discounts on
software and resources, a social networking site, and a few other
things. At the same time, there are several social networking sites
for artists, they don't claim to be canonical, they just want to
provide for their members.
http://www.fracturedatlas.org/
The organization is VERY lightweight. I think they have 10 people in
the office at most, but they are serving a national member base. They
don't try to make policy decisions or tell artists how to run their
business, or give them a cohesive mission. That is up to each
individual.
My point is to not think too hard about this - take the Akim's Razor
approach. What is the absolute minimum required to create a connection
between coworking spaces who opt in to the federated plan? What are a
few things that can be done to reduce duplicate efforts?
People who tend to create movements - space catalysts - often feel
that they are the only person in the universe who has had the idea -
how do we make those people feel welcome and unique in the face of a
national / international body with membership dues and rules and...
and... and... and...
Then there is the obvious bike shed problem, which is why the
discussions about an "official" coworking social networking site tend
to be so circular. It's hard to get all these people to agree on the
right way to create something - let alone a bank.
http://groups.google.com/group/coworking/browse_thread/thread/3d1b2cfa56ad7033/a93945fd2f65dc6b?lnk=gst&q=website#a93945fd2f65dc6b
http://www.bikeshed.com/
I'm not claiming to be infallible over here, I get really excited
about the possibility of making life easier for other people who are
fighting the same battle, and I start thinking the big thoughts all
the time.
My question would be "How can we make the Visa program something so
amazing that it ends up spawning this organization by its very
existence?" i.e. will there reach a point that Visa is centralized,
and we are able to use that as a thread to tie the rest of this stuff
together? Visa is the one thing most everyone seems to be able to
agree on, aside from the core values. So maybe that's where this
discussion should start.
Peace,
Ryan Price
CoLab Orlando
Orlando, FL
rpr...@ryanpricemedia.com
@liberatr
help lend some structure (or lack thereof) to this discussion.
Firstly, anyone participating in this thread who has not yet read The
Starfish and the Spider should go and do so now... I'll wait. The
audio version is only 5.5 hours long... It really nails the "federated
yet united" idea - the story about Alcoholics Anonymous' attempts to
centralize should be a very telling case study.
Second, I suggest you take a look at what the folks at Fractured Atlas
have already conjured up. RE: Health Insurance and centralized
services that don't get in your way. They are an association that
provides support services for artists and arts groups.
In their home state of New York, they have a few health care options
available, and in most other states, they just default to Aetna with 3
pre-selected plans. They also do liablility insurance if, for example,
you need to run a big event.
http://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/healthcare/
Fractured Altas can also act as a non-profit surrogate if you need
501c3 status, but you may only need it one-time, or don't have your
status yet. They even work with the person donating the money and make
sure you are using it for the activity you promised. Accountability++
The other things they provide are clearly demarcated on their site,
but among them are access to training (mostly online, like tips for
running your business, much like Indy Hall's videos), discounts on
software and resources, a social networking site, and a few other
things. At the same time, there are several social networking sites
for artists, they don't claim to be canonical, they just want to
provide for their members.
http://www.fracturedatlas.org/
The organization is VERY lightweight. I think they have 10 people in
the office at most, but they are serving a national member base. They
don't try to make policy decisions or tell artists how to run their
business, or give them a cohesive mission. That is up to each
individual.
My point is to not think too hard about this - take the Akim's Razor
approach. What is the absolute minimum required to create a connection
between coworking spaces who opt in to the federated plan? What are a
few things that can be done to reduce duplicate efforts?
People who tend to create movements - space catalysts - often feel
that they are the only person in the universe who has had the idea -
how do we make those people feel welcome and unique in the face of a
national / international body with membership dues and rules and...
and... and... and...
Then there is the obvious bike shed problem, which is why the
discussions about an "official" coworking social networking site tend
to be so circular. It's hard to get all these people to agree on the
right way to create something - let alone a bank.
http://groups.google.com/group/coworking/browse_thread/thread/3d1b2cfa56ad7033/a93945fd2f65dc6b?lnk=gst&q=website#a93945fd2f65dc6b
http://www.bikeshed.com/
I'm not claiming to be infallible over here, I get really excited
about the possibility of making life easier for other people who are
fighting the same battle, and I start thinking the big thoughts all
the time.
My question would be "How can we make the Visa program something so
amazing that it ends up spawning this organization by its very
existence?" i.e. will there reach a point that Visa is centralized,
and we are able to use that as a thread to tie the rest of this stuff
together? Visa is the one thing most everyone seems to be able to
agree on, aside from the core values. So maybe that's where this
discussion should start.
Peace,
Ryan Price
CoLab Orlando
Orlando, FL
rpr...@ryanpricemedia.com
@liberatr
Tony Bacigalupo
Jul 21, 2009, 2:01:16 PM7/21/09
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
I'm dipping my toes into what seems a river of conversation here, but hope I can make a brief contribution.
Phone: (888) 823-3494
Email: 3...@nwcny.com
Web: http://nwcny.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/nwc
1. I second everything Ryan said, especially the Starfish and the Spider and the AA example in particular.
2. I maintain that "coworking" is a concept that we all subscribe to, and any physical organization around that concept is simply our attempt to make the intangible tangible.
To that end, it is just about impossible to create any "official" constructs in relation to the coworking movement from the "center" or the "top", since there isn't one. At this point, the movement is largely out of the hands of event the folks who got it started in the first place... because it represents something bigger.
My point is, if you want to start something coworking-related, go for it-- but it's best to think of it as an independent project that supports coworking but does not purport to be an authority on the subject.
The Coworking Visa project is a good example of this. It's opt-in, and doesn't rely on anything but the cooperation of whoever wants in.
So I'll +1 for keeping it simple and not trying to make it more than it has to be. Start with what is reasonable and avoid the things that are going to take weeks & months to figure out unless absolutely necessary.
And rock on!
Cheers,
Tony, on the road with Whuffaoke!
Tony, on the road with Whuffaoke!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Work City - Coworking NYC style.Phone: (888) 823-3494
Email: 3...@nwcny.com
Web: http://nwcny.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/nwc
Clay Spinuzzi
Jul 22, 2009, 10:23:10 AM7/22/09
to Coworking
Right, think of the group as less of a centralized authority and more
as an overlay that potentially connects the spaces. The Starfish and
the Spider is a decent first read, but it's also useful to read about
terrorist and insurgent networks, since they're also using this sort
of distributed structure. Also, there's a great recent report on the
future of cloud computing (reviewed here:
http://spinuzzi.blogspot.com/2009/05/reading-identity-in-age-of-cloud.html)
that discusses how tech trends are pushing organizations to be more
distributed.
Although the association may not be so positive, you might think of
this unifying organization as less like the Congressional Congress,
more like al-Qaeda. That is, its function would be to find shared
goals and enable reciprocal connections, not to centralize decision-
making or authority. That model would probably work better for
coworking, since coworking spaces are so radically different. Our two
active CW spaces in Austin, for instance, are radically different in
terms of atmosphere, clientele, mission, and even their relationship
with capitalism. But they do find common ground in the ideas of
autonomy and flexibility that underlie coworking.
I like the idea of the panel a lot, as long as it can be an open-ended
discussion. I'd attend it!
For what it's worth, I've proposed a panel too, but it's about
distributed work in Austin, with coworking as one component. Will
circulate the title when it comes up on the Panel Picker. CS
as an overlay that potentially connects the spaces. The Starfish and
the Spider is a decent first read, but it's also useful to read about
terrorist and insurgent networks, since they're also using this sort
of distributed structure. Also, there's a great recent report on the
future of cloud computing (reviewed here:
http://spinuzzi.blogspot.com/2009/05/reading-identity-in-age-of-cloud.html)
that discusses how tech trends are pushing organizations to be more
distributed.
Although the association may not be so positive, you might think of
this unifying organization as less like the Congressional Congress,
more like al-Qaeda. That is, its function would be to find shared
goals and enable reciprocal connections, not to centralize decision-
making or authority. That model would probably work better for
coworking, since coworking spaces are so radically different. Our two
active CW spaces in Austin, for instance, are radically different in
terms of atmosphere, clientele, mission, and even their relationship
with capitalism. But they do find common ground in the ideas of
autonomy and flexibility that underlie coworking.
I like the idea of the panel a lot, as long as it can be an open-ended
discussion. I'd attend it!
For what it's worth, I've proposed a panel too, but it's about
distributed work in Austin, with coworking as one component. Will
circulate the title when it comes up on the Panel Picker. CS
Christian
Jul 24, 2009, 1:09:14 PM7/24/09
to Coworking
I think some of the conversation has highlighted some important
topics.
1. Coworking is not really federated so much as confederated. I think
by the nature of those who start these businesses, as well as those
who frequent them, a loosely-tied organization is always going to be
preferential to a central authority.
2. The best way to give solid weight to a set of loosely bound members
is the same in this case as in any other social networking enterprise:
develop and provide a set of tools to ease and empower collaboration
and cooperation between members, always keeping in mind the need for
flexibility to accommodate the varied needs of the coworking
community. This can be the mapping tools, scheduling tools,
promotional tools, and visa/passport tools.
3. It will really take an individual or smaller scale coordinated (ie,
heroic) effort to develop and maintain the set of tools required.
I think we see evolution every day in coworking, in terms of it's
scope and acceptance, as well as the social and economical benefit
that others have mentioned. I agree that certain amounts of unified
social and technical architecture might be called for in order to
share the experiences and lessons that can allow all coworking spaces
and ideas to benefit from one another.
topics.
1. Coworking is not really federated so much as confederated. I think
by the nature of those who start these businesses, as well as those
who frequent them, a loosely-tied organization is always going to be
preferential to a central authority.
2. The best way to give solid weight to a set of loosely bound members
is the same in this case as in any other social networking enterprise:
develop and provide a set of tools to ease and empower collaboration
and cooperation between members, always keeping in mind the need for
flexibility to accommodate the varied needs of the coworking
community. This can be the mapping tools, scheduling tools,
promotional tools, and visa/passport tools.
3. It will really take an individual or smaller scale coordinated (ie,
heroic) effort to develop and maintain the set of tools required.
I think we see evolution every day in coworking, in terms of it's
scope and acceptance, as well as the social and economical benefit
that others have mentioned. I agree that certain amounts of unified
social and technical architecture might be called for in order to
share the experiences and lessons that can allow all coworking spaces
and ideas to benefit from one another.
Chris Stewart
Aug 12, 2009, 6:34:51 PM8/12/09
to Coworking
Good Evening Everyone!
Just wanted to post a quick message letting you know that SXSW has
pushed back Panel Picker voting to Monday, August 17th. I'll need all
the help I can get from the community to rally support on the panel
picker page from the Federated Coworking panel. Supposedly there are
over 2200+ panels in competition on the Panel Picker for SXSW
Interactive 2010, so developing a robust dialogue on the panel page
will be critical. While this thread has been dormant for a while, this
discussion is far from over; in fact, things have been ramping up to a
fever pitch over the past two weeks. I'm going to post a follow-up
here or on a brand new follow-on thread as soon as my schedule allows
before voting begins Monday. Remember: I want to bring some answers to
the larger web community during SXSW, so this is the place to discuss
how coworking spaces can work together to improve sustainability and
improve the experience of their members.
Thanks for your contribution to this conversation,
Chris
Just wanted to post a quick message letting you know that SXSW has
pushed back Panel Picker voting to Monday, August 17th. I'll need all
the help I can get from the community to rally support on the panel
picker page from the Federated Coworking panel. Supposedly there are
over 2200+ panels in competition on the Panel Picker for SXSW
Interactive 2010, so developing a robust dialogue on the panel page
will be critical. While this thread has been dormant for a while, this
discussion is far from over; in fact, things have been ramping up to a
fever pitch over the past two weeks. I'm going to post a follow-up
here or on a brand new follow-on thread as soon as my schedule allows
before voting begins Monday. Remember: I want to bring some answers to
the larger web community during SXSW, so this is the place to discuss
how coworking spaces can work together to improve sustainability and
improve the experience of their members.
Thanks for your contribution to this conversation,
Chris
Chris Conrey
Aug 17, 2009, 4:42:27 PM8/17/09
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
Chris,
As I'm sure you saw by now (if not you will by clicking this link: http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/ideas/view/4729?return=/ideas/index/4/q:coworking#comment-21931 )
One of the guys here with me at Gangplank commented and offered to be on your panel with you as a dissenting voice - either he or I would make a great choice for this as we have some very different ideas of what Coworking should be about (some of the other folks on the list can probably attest to that after meeting us at SXSW last year).
On Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 7:13 PM, Chris Stewart <social...@gmail.com> wrote:
Chris Stewart
Aug 18, 2009, 8:11:44 AM8/18/09
to Coworking
Hi Chris,
Thanks for letting me know! I'm going to post some concepts on what
federated coworking could look like, based upon discussions with a few
space owners and Andy Louis-Charles on his podcast @OnCoworking. I
suggest that anyone interested in the ideas being presented on this
thread and on the SXSW panel picker (http://bit.ly/FedCoPanel) check
out Episodes 10 and 13 (available now), and Episode 14 (when it's
released).
Thanks for posting on the panel page,
Chris Stewart
@socialtopher
Thanks for letting me know! I'm going to post some concepts on what
federated coworking could look like, based upon discussions with a few
space owners and Andy Louis-Charles on his podcast @OnCoworking. I
suggest that anyone interested in the ideas being presented on this
thread and on the SXSW panel picker (http://bit.ly/FedCoPanel) check
out Episodes 10 and 13 (available now), and Episode 14 (when it's
released).
Thanks for posting on the panel page,
Chris Stewart
@socialtopher
Chris Stewart
Aug 20, 2009, 1:50:23 PM8/20/09
to Coworking
Hi everyone,
Voting on the panel is underway at http://bit.ly/fedcopanel.
Please visit the panel picker page, sign-in, and vote! Here's a few
examples of the services that can be created using the federated
coworking model, based upon brainstorming between myself and Andy
Louis-Charles (http://www.oncoworking.com):
1. Co-Sourcing: A job board specifically targeted to
independents and startups operating in coworking spaces. For example,
let's say there's a startup at CoHabitat that's looking for a PHP rock
star. No one at CoHabitat can meet their need (hypothetically
speaking, of course), so they turn to this site and discover that the
person they need actually coworks out of OpenSpace in Charlottesville.
Instead of turning to eLance or Craigslist, and gambling on someone
they've never met before, the startup knows that this is a real person
that's been validated by their space, which lends a healthy level of
trust to the relationship up front. Also, the work they provide to the
PHP freelancer keeps money flowing within the coworking ecosystem,
boosting sustainability for everyone involved. Not to mention that
this could also drive membership at participating spaces, since access
to the service would be limited to members only. The site will take a
relatively small fee for its service (compared to other sites) in
order to become sustainable itself, and not a burden to coworking
spaces. This is the low-hanging fruit of Federated Coworking,
requiring a very small effort in comparison to the benefit it will
provide to everyone.
2. Co-Learning: At this point, coworking spaces are primarily
targeting individuals who are already employed, whether independent or
working full-time as virtual employees, and desire a physical
workspace other than their home or Starbucks. In order to redefine
what it means to work, ultimately making coworking the norm, we need
to lower barriers to entry that are keeping people out of the space. A
new educational model is needed to train these knowledge workers with
the skills and disciplines needed to become sustainably independent,
entrepreneurial, or working full-time for a company that champions
virtual commuting. Let's call the model Co-learning: it will involve a
combination of video training, peer learning, introduction to startup
tech culture, and team formation within the context of coworking
spaces. There will be at least two learning tracks: Skill, knowing
"how" to do something, and creating a group deliverable that's
commercialized during each course; and Culture, putting people from
various skill tracks together bypersonality, goals, and skill level to
create a core team for a product or service, whether the concept is
generated from within the group or contracted by a client (someone
willing to take a risk on a young group to gain cheap labor and
support the coworking ecosystem). Co-learning will on-ramp people into
coworking who would otherwise find it difficult to make the transition
on their own, by incentivizing the model in a way that makes
sustainability attainable.
I'm out of time today, but I'll post more concepts related to
federated coworking as they come together. Please riff on these ideas
and help me hammer out the kinks.
Thanks in advance for your feedback,
Chris Stewart
Voting on the panel is underway at http://bit.ly/fedcopanel.
Please visit the panel picker page, sign-in, and vote! Here's a few
examples of the services that can be created using the federated
coworking model, based upon brainstorming between myself and Andy
Louis-Charles (http://www.oncoworking.com):
1. Co-Sourcing: A job board specifically targeted to
independents and startups operating in coworking spaces. For example,
let's say there's a startup at CoHabitat that's looking for a PHP rock
star. No one at CoHabitat can meet their need (hypothetically
speaking, of course), so they turn to this site and discover that the
person they need actually coworks out of OpenSpace in Charlottesville.
Instead of turning to eLance or Craigslist, and gambling on someone
they've never met before, the startup knows that this is a real person
that's been validated by their space, which lends a healthy level of
trust to the relationship up front. Also, the work they provide to the
PHP freelancer keeps money flowing within the coworking ecosystem,
boosting sustainability for everyone involved. Not to mention that
this could also drive membership at participating spaces, since access
to the service would be limited to members only. The site will take a
relatively small fee for its service (compared to other sites) in
order to become sustainable itself, and not a burden to coworking
spaces. This is the low-hanging fruit of Federated Coworking,
requiring a very small effort in comparison to the benefit it will
provide to everyone.
2. Co-Learning: At this point, coworking spaces are primarily
targeting individuals who are already employed, whether independent or
working full-time as virtual employees, and desire a physical
workspace other than their home or Starbucks. In order to redefine
what it means to work, ultimately making coworking the norm, we need
to lower barriers to entry that are keeping people out of the space. A
new educational model is needed to train these knowledge workers with
the skills and disciplines needed to become sustainably independent,
entrepreneurial, or working full-time for a company that champions
virtual commuting. Let's call the model Co-learning: it will involve a
combination of video training, peer learning, introduction to startup
tech culture, and team formation within the context of coworking
spaces. There will be at least two learning tracks: Skill, knowing
"how" to do something, and creating a group deliverable that's
commercialized during each course; and Culture, putting people from
various skill tracks together bypersonality, goals, and skill level to
create a core team for a product or service, whether the concept is
generated from within the group or contracted by a client (someone
willing to take a risk on a young group to gain cheap labor and
support the coworking ecosystem). Co-learning will on-ramp people into
coworking who would otherwise find it difficult to make the transition
on their own, by incentivizing the model in a way that makes
sustainability attainable.
I'm out of time today, but I'll post more concepts related to
federated coworking as they come together. Please riff on these ideas
and help me hammer out the kinks.
Thanks in advance for your feedback,
Chris Stewart
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