On Feb 7, 2010, at 8:06 PM, Jerome Chang wrote: > I have been collaborating with the head of ABCN already. That org is a global > network of exec centers. Coworking technically falls under a niche within > biz centers and I've just proposed to ABCN to create a new, separate group. > We utilize their experience with alliances and therefore their > infrastructure. > > Any thoughts or serious objections?
My own bias would be to move in our own direction because we'll likely disrupt their member's business models and it would be better for us to be purely coworking rather than based on a legacy organization. But again, my bias. On Feb 7, 2010, at 9:49 PM, rachel young wrote: > Well, my first few thoughts were: > 1. Do you mean an actual legal entity that is an association or co-operative, > or more of an unofficial collective? Not sure. Probably needs to be a legal entity because someone somewhere has to take the money, sign up for the facility, pay the vendors, etc. But the less heavy it can be the better IMO. > 2. Regardless of whether it is a traditional or modern concept, what about > the rest of us that are not in the USA? There are so many restrictions for > such organisations that would be great for americans (or just canadians if it > were a canadian co-op, or just british if in england, etc) but useless for > the rest of us. What restrictions do you refer to? > So, if something were to exist, we could only participate if it was > structured as an international association. I'm not sure I understand the specific distinction between an international association and one that is not. If it states it's mission to be international, is that not enough? > > 3. This would also cost money. If the cost of a conference is an issue, then > additional dues, fees, etc would also be an issue, even if they went > exclusively to conference costs. What specific expenses do you envision prior to collecting sponsorships? Legal fees? Can probably get that handled pro-bono. Other? > I do, however, like the idea of some sort of association, if it were > international, and I do love the idea of the association (or co-op, or > whatever) being the organisation that runs the conference. :) BTW, I'm just brainstorming and might be way off base on some of these thoughts and ideas. -Mike On Feb 7, 2010, at 9:49 PM, rachel young wrote: > > Well, my first few thoughts were: > 1. Do you mean an actual legal entity that is an association or co-operative, > or more of an unofficial collective? > > 2. Regardless of whether it is a traditional or modern concept, what about > the rest of us that are not in the USA? There are so many restrictions for > such organisations that would be great for americans (or just canadians if it > were a canadian co-op, or just british if in england, etc) but useless for > the rest of us. So, if something were to exist, we could only participate if > it was structured as an international association. > > 3. This would also cost money. If the cost of a conference is an issue, then > additional dues, fees, etc would also be an issue, even if they went > exclusively to conference costs. > > I do, however, like the idea of some sort of association, if it were > international, and I do love the idea of the association (or co-op, or > whatever) being the organisation that runs the conference. > r. > > > > On 7 February 2010 20:06, Jerome Chang <[email protected]> wrote: > Oh. Traditional is fine. I just thought having much further discussion about > a co-op would be reinventingte wheel. From what I've seen, we have two > related proposals: > 1. National org/network/co-op > 2. National conference > > Forming #1 would assign the people/resources toward creating #1 and at the > same time, create add'l discussions/collaborations/benefits throughout the > year regardless of the conference. > > I have been collaborating with the head of ABCN already. That org is a global > network of exec centers. Coworking technically falls under a niche within > biz centers and I've just proposed to ABCN to create a new, separate group. > We utilize their experience with alliances and therefore their > infrastructure. > > Any thoughts or serious objections? > > > Jerome > > On Feb 7, 2010, at 4:13 PM, Mike Schinkel <[email protected]> wrote: > >>> Sounds like a "traditional" alliance or org that services all coworking >>> facilities. Members pitch in a monthly/yearly amount to an org that >>> returns them benefits, etc. >> >> So, do you think "traditional" is good or bad? >> >> -Mike >> >> On Feb 7, 2010, at 4:16 PM, Jerome Chang wrote: >> >>> Sounds like a "traditional" alliance or org that services all coworking >>> facilities. Members pitch in a monthly/yearly amount to an org that >>> returns them benefits, etc. >>> >>> ______________ >>> BLANKSPACES >>> "work wide open" >>> >>> www.blankspaces.com >>> 5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) >>> Los Angeles, CA 90036 >>> 323.330.9505 (office) >>> >>> On Feb 7, 2010, at 7:44 AM, Mike Schinkel wrote: >>> >>>> Hi all, >>>> >>>> The first thing I thought about when I saw this topic come through was >>>> "Great, yet another expense on top of all the other expenses we have." >>>> >>>> As some of you know we operate Ignition Alley mostly as a service to our >>>> local startup and freelance community and much less to generate a profit. >>>> Attending a conference means probably $1000+ in travel expenses and that >>>> is not attractive. >>>> >>>> But then I thought "This need not be like commercial conferences, it could >>>> be in run like coworking itself as a collaborative for the benefit of >>>> those who participate and not as a way for someone to make money." So at >>>> a very high level I'd like to propose the following without having worked >>>> out all the details: >>>> >>>> -- Create a coworking facility co-op >>>> -- Each facility that wants to can participate in the co-op >>>> -- The co-op runs the conference >>>> -- Co-op members work to get sponsors >>>> -- The co-op markets to economic development agencies, chambers of >>>> commerce, and major corporations[1] for paid attendance >>>> -- Co-op members get their cut of the profits which help them pay to >>>> attend the event >>>> >>>> Thoughts? >>>> >>>> -Mike Schinkel >>>> Ignition Alley Atlanta Coworking >>>> http://ignitionalley.com >>>> >>>> [1] Major corporations are starting to look to the coworking model to be >>>> greener in facility use and to maximize worker/space density to cut costs. >>>> >>>> On Feb 3, 2010, at 10:30 PM, rachel young wrote: >>>> >>>>> >>>>> I think an annual coworking conference is a great idea, something >>>>> dedicated to coworking, not tacked on to another event. Something where >>>>> we could focus on coworking and community issues, meet each other, see >>>>> one another's cities and spaces. I'm in! >>>>> >>>>> There would have to be a lot of value to it in order to bring these >>>>> already busy and stretched folks our of their spaces for a few days, >>>>> though, something that could leverage our buying power for, I dunno, >>>>> office furniture or health care benefits or travel discounts or >>>>> something. Something where we can not only have those providers/suppliers >>>>> sponsor the event to offset costs, but to provide real value that would >>>>> be worth traveling for. >>>>> >>>>> I've been involved in a few organisations that are spread across multiple >>>>> timezones or parts of the world, and they have decided on location in >>>>> similar fashions, which is basically that host cities post their >>>>> proposals and the community votes on where it should be, perhaps one vote >>>>> per coworking facility. We can build in assurance that it won't always be >>>>> in the same cities or parts of the country all the time so that people >>>>> in, say, the west coast don't alwyas have to travel to the east coast. >>>>> (ie, establish general zones and ensure the annual event rotates between >>>>> zones) >>>>> >>>>> Anyway, I think it is certainly worth exploring, and being an event >>>>> planner I am all for it. >>>>> >>>>> I put your suggested starting topics onto a wiki page >>>>> (http://coworking.pbworks.com/Coworking-Conference), which I think would >>>>> be better to collaborate from there. I do think that this would take some >>>>> time to plan out properly (and give folks some time to save up some >>>>> money), so if you were thinking of escaping the winter conditions in the >>>>> next few months, then perhaps sxswi is your better option for this year. >>>>> r. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> rachel young >>>>> [email protected] >>>>> (416) 801-0196 >>>>> >>>>> Find us in person: >>>>> Camaraderie >>>>> 102 Adelaide St E, 2nd Floor >>>>> >>>>> Find us online: >>>>> camaraderie.ca/blog >>>>> twitter.com/camaraderie >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Woodie Neiss <[email protected]> Jan 30 09:49AM -0500 >>>>> >>>>> Anyone want to get together for the first International Coworking >>>>> Community Annual Meeting in ummm let’s say a warm, sunny place like >>>>> Miami? Sort of a one day event where we could discuss best practices, set >>>>> some protocols for future coworking locations and formally organize >>>>> ourselves so that we can leverage our combined power? >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Suggested topics to discuss (feel free to edit/add to/delete/etc) >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> 1) Keys to success >>>>> >>>>> a. pricing >>>>> >>>>> b. Serivices to offer >>>>> >>>>> 2) Managing the bottom line >>>>> >>>>> a. Financing the start up >>>>> >>>>> b. Negotiating lease agreements >>>>> >>>>> c. Managing monthly expenses >>>>> >>>>> 3) Marketing & PR >>>>> >>>>> a. Building awareness >>>>> >>>>> b. How to generate more buzz >>>>> >>>>> c. The power of meet-ups >>>>> >>>>> d. Leveraging your chamber of commerce >>>>> >>>>> 4) Creative suggestions from some of our winning locations >>>>> >>>>> 5) How to formally organize ourselves into an International organization >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Perhaps we could all complete some surveys prior, and then present the >>>>> results at the meeting as well? >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Regards, >>>>> Woodie >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> 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. >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> 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. >>> >>> >>> -- >>> 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. >> >> >> -- >> 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. > > > -- > 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. > > > > -- > rachel young > [email protected] > (416) 801-0196 > > Find us in person: > Camaraderie > 102 Adelaide St E, 2nd Floor > > Find us online: > camaraderie.ca/blog > twitter.com/camaraderie > > > -- > 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. -- 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.
