business center vs coworking space

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rachel young

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Jul 16, 2010, 7:29:57 AM7/16/10
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Here's an article from the executive suite industry encouraging them to be more like coworking spaces. 

"The difference is in their approach to the workspace, the client, and how they present their solution to the entrepreneur.  Take a look at their approach and think about how you can modify your space, approach, and procedures to enter the co-working movement."

Business Center versus Co-Working Space - http://www.officingtoday.com/index.php?news=467

r.

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Alex Hillman

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Jul 16, 2010, 9:06:22 AM7/16/10
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Articles like this are why I have no concern about competition from
exec suites.

There is no instruction to "put the people in your workplace at the
center of your functional universe". Even if there was, it's not in
the business they run's best interest to do so. It's simply a
different business with some of the same resources in play.

-Alex

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coworking in philadelphia

sk...@emergentresearch.com

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Jul 16, 2010, 12:42:23 PM7/16/10
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We're seeing strong interest on the part of exec suite companies and
operators of business centers in coworking. So far this consists
mostly of studying the movement and experimentation.

As Alex points out, these firms currently target a different market.
They see their client base as corporations and/or small businesses.
They don't tend to think of freelancers, independent workers, or
people as their market. They are also pretty uncomfortable with the
community aspects of coworking and how they would provide it. The
"drop-in" nature of coworking is also challenging to most, both in
terms of facilities and business model.

Most are also serious spaces that aren't fun, social or energizing
places to work. It is really interesting to us how often "fun,"
"social" or something close to them comes up in our interviews with
coworking facility users. This cultural difference already appears to
be one way the workplace market is segmenting.

Several exec. suite companies are starting/planning on starting their
coworking efforts by focusing on traveling and telecommuting employees
that work for their corporate customers. This is closer to their core
business.

I agree with Alex that most of these firms will not be directly
competitive with coworking facilities. But I do think they will
compete on the margins with their existing spaces. I also think we
will see some exec suite firms attempt to enter the traditional
coworking market by opening dedicated coworking facilities, or
coworking spaces in their existing facilities.

Quick disclosure: We aren't getting funding from any exec. suite or
business center company, nor are any clients of Emergent Research.
Given our current research agenda, we feel this would be a potential
conflict of interest. However, we are talking to these firms to get
their views and perspectives on coworking and the more general trends
around the changing workplace.

Steve
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KSY - Jokkolabs Dakar SN

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Jul 17, 2010, 5:13:08 PM7/17/10
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Thanks Rachel,
For me coworking is totally different as there is a community approach
that can't be done by a exec suite company...
I was part of the Regus world programme: a 220$ card that gives you
access to the lobby, wifi access and coffee (and all the facilities if
you pay for it at a discount price)...they also offer in Senegal
office shared that is a step on the coworking road!
But believe me, there is no interaction within the regus community :-)
and finaly I prefere to take my coffee at Starbuck or anywhere else.

More than the community, event, etc...I believe that we share some
value that's makes what we call the contributive economy.
Karim

On 16 juil, 16:42, "sk...@emergentresearch.com"

ruyoung

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Jul 18, 2010, 9:08:36 AM7/18/10
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Hi,

I can usually tell who was used to working from executive suites, and
specifically who thought the executive suite suited them and who hated
it, by their initial reaction when walking in the door. Body language
and facial expressions can often tell me so much more about what they
are looking for than even what comes out of their mouth first. There's
a Regus or other executive suite in pretty much every mid-size or
larger city in the world. They've really saturated the market with
isolation. Maybe that works for them. [ shrug ]

By the way, welcome Karim! You just opened Jokkolabs? Be sure to add
your space to the list at http://coworking.pbworks.com/ (Africa is
down near the bottom)
r.



On Jul 17, 5:13 pm, KSY - Jokkolabs Dakar SN <ksy.open...@gmail.com>
wrote:

ourspace...@gmail.com

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Jul 23, 2010, 8:37:24 AM7/23/10
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Due to fact that there is a really hole-in-the-wall executive office
space, in Fort Wayne, I have received a few calls from companies whom
are looking to for short-term options. Thus, I am hoping to provide
more high-end offices at some point in time, with the forethought of
allowing these entities to fold into the coworking community.

Jodi Dean, Founder
jo...@ourpacefw.com
www.ourspacefw.com
260.255.6341
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