Tara, I think that, indeed, you are attached to the concept and rightly so...That's not a bad thing. I use the word "concept" intentionally here. While folks could get overly tied up in semantics, I think the key here is that you have grown a concept that you have consistently been referring to as "coworking" in a new definition of the word. After all, the word coworkers certainly doesn't refer to coworkers in a "coworking" setting as you and your fellow visionaries have developed the concept (I use the term develop intentionally, as well, instead of define)... Note that I just used coworking as an adjective, a descripive that further defines a noun...
Think about branding for those who took marketing courses or simply are into the history of capitalism - don't call a tissue a Kleenex, it's a Kleenex tissue... Band-aid was originally a brand name that lost it's exclusivity because of its generic use. The amazing thing here is that the founders of this concept so wanted to both share the concept while being able to put their own personal vision into it, they didn't think of their rights to the word "coworking" as a part of their new concept. They could have made some whole logo that would have further protected their use of that "word" and offered its use to folks for a fee. Instead, they chose to share their concept and use the term coworking freely and openly, be it noun, verb or adjective, as a generic term (in marketing terms) for the concept that several changemakers (I like that term, too) have turned into successful entities (don't like that word, sounds like a creature from another planet!)... Citizen Agency, Indy Hall, Cubes and Crayons. It seems to me that your definition has been incredibly inclusive. In fact, I wouldn't be including it, referring to it in my business plan, and as I promote my new business, if your definition wasn't so broad... I suggest that it can be used grammatically in different ways, noun, verb, and indeed, my favorite the adjective - thus, ADJECTIVE: "You haven't heard of Cubes and Crayons? It's a coworking space that is perfect for the professional mom." OR, VERB: "I'm coworking at Citizen Hall next week since I'm going to be in town and I hope I will meet some of the founders!" OR NOUN: "So, coworking is this cool movement whereby folks who are working on their own business or project can get out of their jammies, skip the coffee shop, and head to work for the day or everyday in a place set up to work around people of like values, doing their own thing but working in a really creative, supportive environment." One last comment, and I apologize if I've gone on too long... It is a good thing, your solid use of the term - you've coined a new meaning which is amazing in this world of cluttered but wonderful new concepts. My new business is going to be a.... triple-bottom-line enterprise, financially-self-sustaining nonprofit, social enterprise, L3C, For Benefit... There are more terms referencing the type of business that I plan to start than I can shake a stick at and it is a total problem for me... Whatever you call it, my vision, mission, objectives, they are all the same. But, my choice of terms could stop my worthwhile concept before I can even get it off the ground. You guys are on the right track... While the conversation is a good one in a self-analytical way, remember that the most important concepts or words relate right back to your intentions which relate to your values. I'll stop now! Best to all who embrace the coworking concept! (I could call it the coworking movement, but being a mom, the term "movement" will forever refer to a bodily function and does not bring to mind a pretty picture at all!). Nancy Social Entrepreneur Ipswich, MA temp website/blog: http://twsblog.wordpress.com/ --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
