Re: Partnerships (was PariSoMa and Zipcar)

[Scott Tillitt / BEAHIVE]

Along those lines, when I started BEAHIVE I considered partnerships but haven't yet fully explored any. Although I should say that we opened a 2nd location in our region (40 miles away) by partnering with a regional magazine (who owns the building).

Anyone have any other good examples like PariSoMa's one with Zipcar? Particularly those that are more small-town community focused (local retailers, service providers, etc.).

Thanks,

scott.

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SCOTT TILLITT

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On Dec 22, 2009, at 3:08 AM, coworkin...@googlegroups.com wrote:

 Topic: PariSoMa and Zipcar

"Julian @PariSoMa" <jrnac...@gmail.com> Dec 21 02:22PM -0800 ^

 
Hi everyone,
 
I wanted to let you know about a great partnership PariSoMa has
started with Zipcar. All coworkers can now sign-up for $25 ($50 off
regular pricing), they get $25 of free driving credit, and we have
flat rate fees M - F ($8.75/hr, $54 7am - 7pm, $66 for 24 hours).
 
Zipcar originally didn't give us the flat rates but then called us
back to offer us an even better deal with the flat rates. They have
set us up as a corporate account, and given us our own unique url
www.zipcar.com/parisoma. All I did was contact the local head of
marketing for Zipcar. When people sign-up via the URL we have to
approve them, so it ensures no one takes advantage of the deal.
 
I think Zipcar is a great partner for coworking spaces. We are
starting to look for more partnerships like this to give our coworkers
added bonuses for being part of the community such as our local food
co-op, CityShare, bike stores, etc.
 
I hope some of you guys get involved with Zipcar too.
 
Cheers,
 
Julian

[Tara Hunt]

Totally not wanting to be a big negatory here, but re: Zipcar.

A couple of years ago, Citizen Space did the same 'partnership' with Zipcar but quickly realized that us just getting a corporate account was a much better deal for our members. Instead of $8.75/hour, they got a $7/hr $48/day from 7am-7pm and I can't recall what for the whole day, but the corporate account also got mega weekend deals. (I just logged into my Zipcar account and saw that the prices have changed to the ones Julian reflects - so a corporate account is equivalent now)

Other 'partnerships' we did kind of went the same way...we were super excited about them until we realized that just signing up for bulk discounts or corporate rates would get us better deals (bulk gym memberships, etc.). We just didn't have the volume for most of these businesses to justify giving us something above and beyond their big corporate clients (often with hundreds of employees).

However, the most beneficial partnerships we've found is that startup tech companies tend to want to share their software and gadgets at the space - lots of startups bring by discount and freebie codes in exchange for us to put their fliers/stickers on the commons table. This way members get free software and use of cool new gadgets. We were sponsored by Belkin early on for a BarCamp (lots of power strips) - and then kept these for Citizen Space. And I know that Indy Hall has lots of cool stuff like special happy hour rates at their local haunts, they had Belkin sponsorships, were working on an Ikea coworking thing, etc.

I'd expect that in small towns, these kinds of 'you pat our back, we'll pat yours' deals with similarly sized businesses would go over very well. ie. Local deli - coworking discount (but that means you promote the deli in your space). 

Tara

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[Mike Schinkel]

On Dec 22, 2009, at 9:24 AM, Tara Hunt wrote:

However, the most beneficial partnerships we've found is that startup tech companies tend to want to share their software and gadgets at the space - lots of startups bring by discount and freebie codes in exchange for us to put their fliers/stickers on the commons table. This way members get free software and use of cool new gadgets. We were sponsored by Belkin early on for a BarCamp (lots of power strips) - and then kept these for Citizen Space. And I know that Indy Hall has lots of cool stuff like special happy hour rates at their local haunts, they had Belkin sponsorships, were working on an Ikea coworking thing, etc.

Any interest on this list in negotiating collectively with software vendors for these things?  It'd be easier to have a list of 25 coworking spaces when one of us would go to a tech company than for that tech company to do a deal for just us.

Thoughts?

-Mike Schinkel

Ignition Alley Atlanta Coworking

http://ignitionalley.com

[Tara Hunt]

Probably the best idea. I had started talking with national organizations like Zipcar and Freelancers Union, but got sidetracked by 1,000,001 things. We do have some stuff worked out with Freelancers Union (list your coworking space on their site), but Zipcar was tough because not all spaces (at the time) were near Zipcars.

T

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[Jerome Chang]

I'm interested in the [collective negotiation] list.

Jerome

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Los Angeles, CA 90036
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[Mike Schinkel]

I'm interested in the [collective negotiation] list.

Could we do it as simple as a page on the wiki where spaces can sign up to be interested in collective negotiation (including a list of the types of things they would interested in, if applicable) and then empower any space owner who wants to to talk on behalf of the "collective" to whomever they are interested in negotiating with to do it using the list as support?  This would eliminate any bottleneck/friction of having a "committee" to decide or a central group to do the negotiations.

Maybe we should have a first step to be to email this list to let others know you are (planning to be) in negotiations so that others don't duplicate efforts with the same person in the same companies?  We can then work out the details as we go along?

Sounds like a plan?

-Mike Schinkel

Ignition Alley Atlanta Coworking

http://ignitionalley.com

[Tara Hunt]

Count me in! 

[Mike Schinkel]

On Dec 22, 2009, at 9:35 PM, Tara Hunt wrote:

Count me in! 

Alrighty then!  

I've added this page as a framework for collective negotiation:

http://coworking.pbworks.com/Membership-Incentives

Let the games begin!  :)

[Julian @PariSoMa]

A framework for collective negotiation is a great idea Mike! The
power of many is much greater than the power of one.

I would love to see coworking spaces collaborate together more and
this is a great way to start.

Does anyone have any experience collaborating with other coworking
space in similar things? What do other coworking spaces already have
set-up?

Very happy to see so many people are excited about this.

Happy Holidays,

J./

[Tara Hunt]

Great work on the page. :)

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[Mike Schinkel]

Thanks Julian & Tara!

Happy Holidays and look forward to working with everyone on this in 2010!

-Mike Schinkel

Ignition Alley Atlanta Coworking

http://ignitionalley.com

[WHERE MMM]

I am a bit behind in this discussion but wanted to answer this question specifically. I have worked in community development and creating collaborations for nearly the past 20 years on a regional and national level. This is a fantastic start Mike and we thank you all.

The question that I pose is how do we all want to contribute in a way that will be organized, streamlined and most effective?

Happy Holidays to you all...

Danielle Nicoli
"WHERE" work lounges in Los Angeles 

[Mike Schinkel]

On Dec 27, 2009, at 10:08 PM, WHERE MMM wrote:

I am a bit behind in this discussion but wanted to answer this question specifically. I have worked in community development and creating collaborations for nearly the past 20 years on a regional and national level. This is a fantastic start Mike and we thank you all.

Thanks.  Good to see you on the list again.

The question that I pose is how do we all want to contribute in a way that will be organized, streamlined and most effective?

That's a great question and one that I really don't know the answer to you. I figure it will flesh itself out, hopefully, as we attempt to move it forward.

Happy Holidays to you all...

Yes, happy holidays to all!

-Mike