What Grownups Want From Coworking
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Steve King
Oct 9, 2012, 11:19:31 AM10/9/12
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Every so often we come across a study that really makes us jealous because we wish we had done it:). What Grownups Want From Coworking, from Serendipity Labs, describes the results of really cool study of corporate workers. It covers what these folks look for in workspaces. The key findings are:
The research indicates corporate knowledge workers rank the top needs as follows:
- Spacious, clean design, natural light
- Location close to home, but not at home
- Quiet spaces, confidentiality, ability to focus
- Reliability of technology and services
- IT security, material and personal safety
- Flexible, inspiring , collaborative spaces
- Accessibility to transportation & amenities
- Social interaction, community, networking
No great surprises but they used a very clever research approach. They recruited 150 corporate workers and for two months they had them load photos of their ideal workspaces into an online forum and engaged them in an ongoing online dialogue about their workplace needs.
I hoping to get more details on the study. I'm sure there were a lot of interesting insights beyond those in the article.
Jerome Chang
Oct 9, 2012, 11:26:47 AM10/9/12
to cowo...@googlegroups.com, cowo...@googlegroups.com
And very interesting: they say these grown-ups prioritized community last.
Jerome
Miles Fidelman
Oct 9, 2012, 11:32:16 AM10/9/12
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Makes perfect sense to me - then again, I'm 58 years old. I've got a
professional community and a network of co-workers. When I look to
renting space, it's not about the people, it's about the facilities -
and maybe about whether it's convenient for meetings among my existing
network.
Jerome Chang wrote:
> And very interesting: they say these grown-ups prioritized community
> last.
>
> Jerome
> www.BLANKSPACES.com <http://www.BLANKSPACES.com>
>> 2. Location close to home, but not at home
>> 3. Quiet spaces, confidentiality, ability to focus
>> 4. Reliability of technology and services
>> 5. IT security, material and personal safety
>> 6. Flexible, inspiring , collaborative spaces
>> 7. Accessibility to transportation & amenities
>> 8. Social interaction, community, networking
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
In practice, there is. .... Yogi Berra
professional community and a network of co-workers. When I look to
renting space, it's not about the people, it's about the facilities -
and maybe about whether it's convenient for meetings among my existing
network.
Jerome Chang wrote:
> And very interesting: they say these grown-ups prioritized community
> last.
>
> Jerome
> <mailto:sk...@emergentresearch.com>> wrote:
>
>> Every so often we come across a study that really makes us jealous
>> because we wish we had done it:). What Grownups Want From Coworking
>> <http://www.serendipitylabs.com/what-grownups-want-from-coworking/>,
>
>> Every so often we come across a study that really makes us jealous
>> because we wish we had done it:). What Grownups Want From Coworking
>> from Serendipity Labs, describes the results of really cool study of
>> corporate workers. It covers what these folks look for in
>> workspaces. The key findings are:
>>
>> The research indicates corporate knowledge workers rank the top needs
>> as follows:
>>
>> 1. Spacious, clean design, natural light
>> corporate workers. It covers what these folks look for in
>> workspaces. The key findings are:
>>
>> The research indicates corporate knowledge workers rank the top needs
>> as follows:
>>
>> 2. Location close to home, but not at home
>> 3. Quiet spaces, confidentiality, ability to focus
>> 4. Reliability of technology and services
>> 5. IT security, material and personal safety
>> 6. Flexible, inspiring , collaborative spaces
>> 7. Accessibility to transportation & amenities
>> 8. Social interaction, community, networking
>>
>> No great surprises but they used a very clever research approach.
>> They recruited 150 corporate workers and for two months they had
>> them load photos of their ideal workspaces into an online forum and
>> engaged them in an ongoing online dialogue about their workplace needs.
>>
>> I hoping to get more details on the study. I'm sure there were a lot
>> of interesting insights beyond those in the article.
>> --
>> Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com
>>
>>
> --
> Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com
>
>
--
>> No great surprises but they used a very clever research approach.
>> They recruited 150 corporate workers and for two months they had
>> them load photos of their ideal workspaces into an online forum and
>> engaged them in an ongoing online dialogue about their workplace needs.
>>
>> I hoping to get more details on the study. I'm sure there were a lot
>> of interesting insights beyond those in the article.
>> --
>> Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com
>>
>>
> --
> Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com
>
>
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
In practice, there is. .... Yogi Berra
Alex Hillman
Oct 9, 2012, 11:35:08 AM10/9/12
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
Of course. They work in corporations where they have coworkers. That's not necessarily what we think of as community, but it fulfills the lower-end of the Maslow's Hierarchy of needs.
People won't prioritize missing something that they don't realize is missing.
I also find it curious that they'd draw the line by age. Loneliness happens at all ages.
Steve, definitely keep us posted on any additional findings that you can get your hands on!
-Alex
Alex Hillman
Oct 9, 2012, 11:39:21 AM10/9/12
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I've got a professional community and a network of co-workers.
BINGO! YOU have that. But there's a LOT of people who don't have this, regardless of their age. And that population is growing, again, regardless of age.
Facilities rentals isn't going anywhere. Coworking is less about where we work and more about how we work, and who we work with.
Here's the reality: coworking isn't replacing anything. It's giving people who never would have considered the pre-existing options a new choice, and it's one that they love.
-Alex
Miles Fidelman
Oct 9, 2012, 12:48:29 PM10/9/12
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Actually, I don't think it's that.
Each time I've left corporate America, to start something new, I've
generally had a team/network in place (in fact, I expect it's pretty
foolhardy to do a startup without one). I simply can't see that it
would be very likely to find a relevant group of people in a co-working
facility - everyone has their own project/agenda. Sure, it's nice to
have folks for conversations over coffee, and if one is lucky, maybe
find some ways to collaborate, but by and large one either brings the
relevant people with you, or they're outside the office, or both.
Maybe it's different for folks early in the careers, but I expect the
numbers in the cited study reflect that folks who are further along
already have their networks.
Each time I've left corporate America, to start something new, I've
generally had a team/network in place (in fact, I expect it's pretty
foolhardy to do a startup without one). I simply can't see that it
would be very likely to find a relevant group of people in a co-working
facility - everyone has their own project/agenda. Sure, it's nice to
have folks for conversations over coffee, and if one is lucky, maybe
find some ways to collaborate, but by and large one either brings the
relevant people with you, or they're outside the office, or both.
Maybe it's different for folks early in the careers, but I expect the
numbers in the cited study reflect that folks who are further along
already have their networks.
Jeannine
Oct 9, 2012, 4:07:56 PM10/9/12
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
Now I am going to have to get firm with you bunch o'hippie kids.
On Tuesday, October 9, 2012 5:39:44 PM UTC+2, Alex Hillman wrote:
The choice between facilities rental and a community is a false choice. I'll take both, thanks, who wouldn't? Where we work is a minimum requirement for any number of independent workers, many of whom do not work in corporations, many of whom work for them. IT security is a deal breaker in any number of professions. And not everybody wants an X-Box 360 at work.
It has to be quiet, sometimes it has to be private. A therapist is not becoming a member if she has to hold therapy sessions in an open floor plan office or have her mail thrown on a pile.
To wit, they are in the Coworking space to work. They would like to be able to relax at work into a diverse community of earned trust, wouldn't everybody? But they are coming to the community from abundance, not from scarcity. From curiosity and a willingness to increase, not from loneliness.
What Miles is talking about in terms of a community is not the people who work in the same company in the same building as he does; he is talking about the community he has built up throughout his lifetime of professional contacts and so forth. Some of them work in the same field as he does, others do not.
How we work and who we work with is inextricably entwined with where we choose to work. At some point you are not a starter any more. At some point you are a go-er.
Now, you bunch of kids, get offa my lawn. :-)
Jeannine,
On Tuesday, October 9, 2012 5:39:44 PM UTC+2, Alex Hillman wrote:
I've got a professional community and a network of co-workers.BINGO! YOU have that. But there's a LOT of people who don't have this, regardless of their age. And that population is growing, again, regardless of age.Facilities rentals isn't going anywhere. Coworking is less about where we work and more about how we work, and who we work with.Here's the reality: coworking isn't replacing anything. It's giving people who never would have considered the pre-existing options a new choice, and it's one that they love.-AlexOn Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 11:32 AM, Miles Fidelman wrote:
Makes perfect sense to me - then again, I'm 58 years old. I've got aprofessional community and a network of co-workers. When I look torenting space, it's not about the people, it's about the facilities -and maybe about whether it's convenient for meetings among my existingnetwork.Jerome Chang wrote:
And very interesting: they say these grown-ups prioritized communitylast.JeromeOn Oct 9, 2012, at 8:19 AM, Steve King <sk...@emergentresearch.com
Veel Hoeden- Where Many Hats Meet!
Oct 9, 2012, 4:49:02 PM10/9/12
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"I simply can't see that it would be very likely to find a relevant group of people in a co-working facility - everyone has their own project/agenda."
Miles- I know everyone brings a different viewpoint and needs to coworking spaces, but I can't possibly disagree (respectfully) with this more.
Would I go to a coworking community to recruit potential team members for my new company? Not likely. But not because there aren't awesome people there who could fit the bill, but because it's not a talent/temp agency; it's a place where people go to work together. I don't go to a coworking space (or own one) because I think it's a good way to find my next employees, I go there because it's the place where I can make my ideas a reality... with other people. Is it possible that after working with people at a coworking community I could find someone there that I'd like to hire or start a company with, absolutely, and I have seen it multiple times in my own space. But the reason for being there is different: go seeking talent for your work vs. go to work amongst other talent.
All that said, some of the most relevant, dynamic, driven, AND collaborative people I have ever met HAVE been in coworking spaces. The "co" in these spaces is built on the fact that they are working on their own things BUT ALSO plugged into the things others are working on, sometimes even to the point of putting themselves on the line to help them be successful. If not, then it is not a community (inherent with relationships, trust, shared meaning, and a focus on progress) but a space (a place where people can gather). You can find similar "spaces" anywhere... coffee shops, stadiums, or subways. But communities are different. Those who gather there invest in each other, through relationships, time, and sharing of themselves.
I know I can't speak to the experience you have had at whatever coworking spaces you have interacted with, so please don't take this as criticism. I just think there is more to coworking than you are giving credit by painting with such a broad brush.
Thanks & God Bless,
Joel Bennett
Chief Dreamchaser
Veel Hoeden
Will Bennis, Locus Workspace
Oct 10, 2012, 6:16:12 AM10/10/12
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Cost isn't anywhere on the list. Should we say cost doesn't matter as much as any of those other items on the list to choosing a work space?
This discussion reminds me of a classic psych study on "confirmation bias" (the tendency to favor evidence/arguments that confirm your pre-existing beliefs and to disfavor evidence/arguments that don't). Researchers took two groups, one pro-death penalty and one anti-death penalty, and had them both read (fake) research articles about the topic. The result: after reading the articles, both groups became more polarized, more convinced of their original position, than before reading the discussion. The documents themselves facilitated that polarity by providing a lot of evidence on both sides. Those in favor of the death penalty presumably took the arguments in favor to heart and added to their existing arsenal of evidence and arguments that supported their stance, while systematically ignoring or discrediting the arguments and evidence on the opposing side. Those against presumably did the same thing but for the other side.
The problem inherent to pretty much all scientific research (and less systematic observation as well) is that the answers we get depend on subtle differences in the questions we ask, how we ask them, who we're asking, and who's doing the asking. A study driven by the need to submit photos of workplaces may simply not elicit a lot of discussion about community (or cost). Researchers particularly interested in physical (and not social) aspects of office space can easily compound that by asking about the physical and not the social features of the pictures (or providing a selection of non-social pictures for the participants to choose from, etc.). People working for corporate America may think more about office politics than community when they consider the people in their office, or alternatively -as Alex suggested--they may already have an office community in a way that is rare for independent workers but common for company office workers.
Two take home messages (IMHO): (1) you're making a big mistake if you think the results of (even some of the best) couple of studies tell you what is or isn't important to work-place design. If there's one truism from the short history of social science it is that subtle differences in study design affect outcomes. An entire study like the one cited here made thousands of those simple choices about design and context (mostly implicit) which are essential to what they found. (2) Most of us get from studies the parts of it that reinforce what we already know (or think we know) and ignore (or find flaws in) the rest, and maybe that's how it should be: any one study is just a partial, and somewhat distorted, picture of the world, interacting with each of our individual vastly larger and more diverse collection of (partial and somewhat distorted) pictures of that world. I'd go with my history of evidence and reason over the findings from a single study any day of the week. And so should most of those who disagree with me. :)
Alex Hillman
Oct 10, 2012, 6:23:05 AM10/10/12
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You can't seem me from there, but I'm giving you two thumbs up.
Anca | Tech Liminal
Oct 10, 2012, 11:39:07 AM10/10/12
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I think the people in this study (Corporate Employees) simply re-imagined their current workspace, but nicer and without their pesky coworkers, for this study.
Anca.
On Oct 10, 2012, at 3:16 AM, Will Bennis, Locus Workspace wrote:
Cost isn't anywhere on the list. Should we say cost doesn't matter as much as any of those other items on the list to choosing a work space?
Miles Fidelman
Oct 11, 2012, 12:13:10 AM10/11/12
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Ok... I'm 58 years old, have worked in corporate America, small
business, shared space, and home office. I kind of see where the study
results are coming from and expect that other older folks would agree.
So far, nobody else has agreed, BUT.... nobody else has given their
ages! How about including age and career status (early, mid, late) when
reacting to the study!
Anca | Tech Liminal wrote:
> I think the people in this study (Corporate Employees) simply
> re-imagined their current workspace, but nicer and without their pesky
> coworkers, for this study.
>
> Anca.
>
> On Oct 10, 2012, at 3:16 AM, Will Bennis, Locus Workspace wrote:
>
>> Cost isn't anywhere on the list. Should we say cost doesn't matter as
>> much as any of those other items on the list to choosing a work space?
>>
>>
>> >>> On Oct 9, 2012, at 8:19 AM, Steve King
>> <sk...@emergentresearch.com <javascript:>
>>
>> >>> <mailto:sk...@emergentresearch.com<javascript:>>
>>
>> >
>>
>> > --
>>
>> > Visit this forum on the web athttp://discuss.coworking.com<http://discuss.coworking.com/>
>> <http://discuss.coworking.com/>
>>
>>
>
> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
> Anca Mosoiu
> an...@techliminal.com <mailto:an...@techliminal.com>
> (510)220-6660
business, shared space, and home office. I kind of see where the study
results are coming from and expect that other older folks would agree.
So far, nobody else has agreed, BUT.... nobody else has given their
ages! How about including age and career status (early, mid, late) when
reacting to the study!
Anca | Tech Liminal wrote:
> I think the people in this study (Corporate Employees) simply
> re-imagined their current workspace, but nicer and without their pesky
> coworkers, for this study.
>
> Anca.
>
> On Oct 10, 2012, at 3:16 AM, Will Bennis, Locus Workspace wrote:
>
>> Cost isn't anywhere on the list. Should we say cost doesn't matter as
>> much as any of those other items on the list to choosing a work space?
>>
>>
>> >>> On Oct 9, 2012, at 8:19 AM, Steve King
>>
>> >>> <mailto:sk...@emergentresearch.com<javascript:>>
>>
>> >>> <mailto:sk...@emergentresearch.com<javascript:>>> wrote:
>>
>> >>>
>>
>> >>>> Every so often we come across a study that really makes us jealous
>>
>> >>>> because we wish we had done it:). What Grownups Want From Coworking
>>
>> >>>> <http://www.serendipitylabs.com/what-grownups-want-from-coworking/<http://www.serendipitylabs.com/what-grownups-want-from-coworking/>>
>> >>> <mailto:sk...@emergentresearch.com<javascript:>>> wrote:
>>
>> >>>
>>
>> >>>> Every so often we come across a study that really makes us jealous
>>
>> >>>> because we wish we had done it:). What Grownups Want From Coworking
>>
>>
>> >>>> , from Serendipity Labs, describes the results of really cool study
>>
>> >>>> of corporate workers. It covers what these folks look for in
>>
>> >>>> workspaces. The key findings are:
>>
>> >>>>
>>
>> >>>> The research indicates corporate knowledge workers rank the top
>>
>> >>>> needs as follows:
>>
>> >>>>
>>
>> >>>> 1. Spacious, clean design, natural light 2. Location close to home,
>>
>> >>>> but not at home 3. Quiet spaces, confidentiality, ability to focus
>>
>> >>>> 4. Reliability of technology and services 5. IT security, material
>>
>> >>>> and personal safety 6. Flexible, inspiring , collaborative spaces
>>
>> >>>> 7. Accessibility to transportation & amenities 8. Social
>>
>> >>>> interaction, community, networking
>>
>> >>>>
>>
>> >>>> No great surprises but they used a very clever research approach.
>>
>> >>>> They recruited 150 corporate workers and for two months they had
>>
>> >>>> them load photos of their ideal workspaces into an online forum and
>>
>> >>>> engaged them in an ongoing online dialogue about their workplace needs.
>>
>> >>>>
>>
>> >>>> I hoping to get more details on the study. I'm sure there were a
>>
>> >>>> lot of interesting insights beyond those in the article.
>>
>> >>>> --
>>
>> >>>> Visit this forum on the web
>> athttp://discuss.coworking.com<http://discuss.coworking.com/>
>> >>>> , from Serendipity Labs, describes the results of really cool study
>>
>> >>>> of corporate workers. It covers what these folks look for in
>>
>> >>>> workspaces. The key findings are:
>>
>> >>>>
>>
>> >>>> The research indicates corporate knowledge workers rank the top
>>
>> >>>> needs as follows:
>>
>> >>>>
>>
>> >>>> 1. Spacious, clean design, natural light 2. Location close to home,
>>
>> >>>> but not at home 3. Quiet spaces, confidentiality, ability to focus
>>
>> >>>> 4. Reliability of technology and services 5. IT security, material
>>
>> >>>> and personal safety 6. Flexible, inspiring , collaborative spaces
>>
>> >>>> 7. Accessibility to transportation & amenities 8. Social
>>
>> >>>> interaction, community, networking
>>
>> >>>>
>>
>> >>>> No great surprises but they used a very clever research approach.
>>
>> >>>> They recruited 150 corporate workers and for two months they had
>>
>> >>>> them load photos of their ideal workspaces into an online forum and
>>
>> >>>> engaged them in an ongoing online dialogue about their workplace needs.
>>
>> >>>>
>>
>> >>>> I hoping to get more details on the study. I'm sure there were a
>>
>> >>>> lot of interesting insights beyond those in the article.
>>
>> >>>> --
>>
>> >>>> Visit this forum on the web
>>
>> >>> --
>>
>> >>> Visit this forum on the web
>> athttp://discuss.coworking.com<http://discuss.coworking.com/>
>> >>> --
>>
>> >>> Visit this forum on the web
>>
>> >>
>>
>> >>
>>
>> >> --
>>
>> >> In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
>>
>> >> In practice, there is. .... Yogi Berra
>>
>> >>
>>
>> >> --
>>
>> >> Visit this forum on the web
>> athttp://discuss.coworking.com<http://discuss.coworking.com/>
>> >>
>>
>> >>
>>
>> >> --
>>
>> >> In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
>>
>> >> In practice, there is. .... Yogi Berra
>>
>> >>
>>
>> >> --
>>
>> >> Visit this forum on the web
>>
>> >
>>
>> > --
>>
>> > Visit this forum on the web athttp://discuss.coworking.com<http://discuss.coworking.com/>
>>
>> >
>>
>> >
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
>>
>> In practice, there is. .... Yogi Berra
>>
>> --
>>
>> Visit this forum on the web
>> athttp://discuss.coworking.com<http://discuss.coworking.com/>
>> >
>>
>> >
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
>>
>> In practice, there is. .... Yogi Berra
>>
>> --
>>
>> Visit this forum on the web
>> <http://discuss.coworking.com/>
>>
>>
>
> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
> Anca Mosoiu
> an...@techliminal.com <mailto:an...@techliminal.com>
> (510)220-6660
Piotr Boulangé
Oct 11, 2012, 5:03:21 AM10/11/12
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
We also have to remeber that not only questions and a person who asks them are important, but also the ORDER in which they are asked.
I will bet, that if we start a poll with a question: how many friends/ colleges do you have? It Will impact (significantly) the entire research. I also guess that the number of friends will be correlated with the importance of the answers...
Well, this would be my approach ;)
I will bet, that if we start a poll with a question: how many friends/ colleges do you have? It Will impact (significantly) the entire research. I also guess that the number of friends will be correlated with the importance of the answers...
Well, this would be my approach ;)
Jeannine
Oct 11, 2012, 5:15:48 AM10/11/12
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
Hi, Miles,
Oh, I understand it, and I'm 46 years old and was a lawyer before I entered into another adventure in my life by immigrating to Europe. :-).
But I really think it's a broader issue, and I think you inparticular might (if we are lucky) have some really useful insights about how community develops while models of employment are changing because of the addition of IT. And as the market for Coworking broadens (it's not just for knowledge workers any more!) I think it wil be intresting to see things develop.
Studies quite aside. if you have anything else to add, don't be shy, I would love to hear what you think.
Jeannine
work@
Oct 11, 2012, 6:26:33 AM10/11/12
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
This list is identical to the list we have in our business plan ... it must be true all the insights correlate.
It is missing this .... because it was a corp study, work security is missing... an actual coworking space is not a corp space hence people need to find and complete work.
consultants and professional freelancers are the key clients. They need point 3 + training/workshop spaces for around 12 people.
Their also needs to be an active pipeline of new business to make the ecosystem functional ( this would not be needed in the same way in a corp space, but has parallels)
Regards J/reigatehub
It is missing this .... because it was a corp study, work security is missing... an actual coworking space is not a corp space hence people need to find and complete work.
consultants and professional freelancers are the key clients. They need point 3 + training/workshop spaces for around 12 people.
Their also needs to be an active pipeline of new business to make the ecosystem functional ( this would not be needed in the same way in a corp space, but has parallels)
Regards J/reigatehub
Sabrina
Oct 11, 2012, 6:26:53 AM10/11/12
to cowo...@googlegroups.com
I went to the article Steve referenced, and almost the last sentence states, “Interestingly, according to secondary research, independent creative class workers also consistently named the same needs, but ranked their importance in almost the exact opposite order.” So according to the article, their research showed the difference in priorities depends to a large degree on whether you are a corporate worker or an “Independent, creative” worker.
As others have pointed out already, corporate workers do already have a substantial professional network built in, and so the physical space is what they are paying attention to. I have found it interesting to consider whether your priorities may differ depending in part on where you are in your career or your age, which is what Miles was saying.
If you stay in the same location and keep the same job all your life, then I suppose it is true that you build up a network that you use and benefit from, and so you might not prioritise meeting new people in your workplace. I guess that is the typical corporate career path, or if you stay in the same industry or type of job. All of which supports the first list of priorities, in which community comes up last. But if you do change careers and or locations, then the network you have may be less useful, or certainly you need to build up a new one as well, in which case the physical space you work in might seem less important than the new connections you want to make. And no matter what your career is, if you are the kind of person who thrives on meeting people who are completely out of your range of experience, then the place with connections will be more important.
So personally, I don’t think it is about whether you are a “corporate” or “independent, creative”, or whether you are older, or in any particular stage of your career, it is about your needs as a worker and a person, and what options you have for choosing your workspace to meet those needs. For me the rise of coworking spaces in all their diversity is what is fantastic, and that there are more and more choices, no matter what your needs are. No one type of space is better than another, if there are people for whom the space works. And if you move somewhere where there isn’t the type of working space you need, then there are communities of people to help you get started building what you want. :)
Oh, I am over 50, have worked for small start-ups, corporations, mid-size national companies, government agencies, and NGOs all in the same industry. I recently moved from the US with my lifetime of contacts and industry knowledge to England, where I know very few people. For me, it is all about community building, and creating a new network. But then, it always has been, and it always will be.
Antonia Lim
Oct 12, 2012, 4:37:37 AM10/12/12
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When I first read this I thought, hey that makes sense. But having looked at the vision and philosophy of the coworking place I'm working for now, and how I was using similar spaces when I wasn't working, I have to say that it is pretty impossible to have a one place that caters for a broad audience such as the coworker. Even if you start to segment the audiences, over time, their needs and preferences will change.
For me, that is pretty much daily! I'm no stranger to the "junk food coworking" habit, and when I was in between jobs, I would go to a few different spaces each week; one for doing admin, one for doing a bit of programming, one for social. Some days I want to talk to people, other days I just want to put my headphones on and jam.
I guess it means that coworking spaces may soon have to find their own particular audience and appeal to them, or be ultra flexible and perhaps have quiet areas, social areas, skill-sharing areas, loud areas, etc. Either way, no space will ever be the right one for everyone and as such with other services and products, will continue to further segment.
Victor
Oct 13, 2012, 4:53:18 PM10/13/12
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Steve, thanks very much for sharing this. I could easily envision you having written this study. We are currently working to better address this issue at Laptop Lounge in Walnut Creek. The most interesting part of the article to me was the difference in priorities between corporate knowledge workers and independent creative class workers. In Walnut Creek, I'd venture to say we have more "grown-ups" than in the urban centers. In telling our story, we have been trying to put an emphasis on community. Perhaps this is the wrong approach for our community. We offer many of the top preferences of these "grown-ups". Perhaps we should put more emphasis there. Not sure Alex Hillman would agree. Appreciate your thoughts.
Best regards,
Victor Mataraso
Founder/President
Laptop Lounge
Best regards,
Victor Mataraso
Founder/President
Laptop Lounge
Alex Hillman
Oct 13, 2012, 4:57:46 PM10/13/12
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I'd say you should go do your own homework about what your local "grown ups" want from the experience instead of basing it on somebody else's research. :)
-Alex
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Alex Hillman
Oct 13, 2012, 5:18:53 PM10/13/12
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p.s. that's not coworking advice, that's just straight up business business advice.
You can spend all of your energy avoiding death and still leave success to luck. It's like whack-a-mole or some other carnival game for businesses. Guess the customer win a prize!
Or you can do your homework, and be in touch with your potential members.
What you provide is based on what they need, not what you want them to need.
-Alex
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