I am adding this post from Dina Lynch Eisenberg here, because it (being added from email i think) looks to me as though it landed in its own thread instead of this one.
And Dina has something to say. :-) _______________________- What a fascinating conversation. I'm a new space catalyst on the block in the process of creating my own space. So, I'm thinking a lot about these issues. I really appreciated the article, Alex. It demonstrates something I really like about this coworking community- the willingness to look at itself and desire to improve. Two of the most essential tools for building lasting relationships. As I talk to folks what I realize is there doesn't seem to be a process for listening and capturing feedback from members in an organized way. Yes, folks have newsletters or whiteboards, however, I get the sense that there's an interest in keeping interactions more organic, is that true? There are ways to preserve community while creating systems for growth that are laid back yet effective. There are ways of listening and communicating as a group that should be explored by space catalysts and owners. Seems to me that the writer viewed this in an 'either or' context. Either we keep our values or we make money. There's a third option. Why not an AND approach? Coworking is growing at a phenomenal rate so there's no stopping the drive towards monetization, and I don't think we should try if the goal is to change the climate of working. Design ways to instill and refresh values in members (and owners) while building a financially viable business. Design is part of space considerations. It should be part of community communication and engagement, too. It occurs to me that someone who enjoys running a space might have the right intentions and values but not have the emotional intelligence and communication skills to foster a healthy community. Maybe that's a place to start. Thanks so much to you, and that brave person, for sharing this. -- Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
