Tom, Thank-you for sharing that insight. This is a totally new idea for me.
Back in the day, I managed a few intranet systems for employers and had thought that intranets were sort of going out of fashion, but I've had my eyes opened recently to that one. We're interested in discovering what seems to work best to help members (part-time or full-time) keep in touch when they're not physically in the space or while travelling elsewhere for example. We're especially concerned that those who're only in a few days a month don't get left out of the "community". What software do you use for your intranet system? And, do you use it purely to facilitate conversations between members (unsupervised) or do you also use it as a sort of noticeboard? Thanks Dawn On Friday, 16 October 2015 10:36:21 UTC+1, Tom Lewis wrote: > > ----What other ways do you extend their membership (aside from a copass or > visa program to other spaces) outside the physical space?--- > > We have found that our intranet system is a major reason those on our > lowest plan stay with us- they only get 12 hours, and our software shows us > that lots of those people hardly ever come in. We were quite puzzled by > this until we asked some of them, and the sentiment we got back was that > for £60 a month (ie less than $100/mo) they got access to 150 other people > on our intranet, a community they could tap into and be a part of wherever > they were- home or here, and that it not only bridged some of the gap when > they were working from home, but it was a great resource for winning work > and getting help. Someone reminded us that they paid £80/mo for BNI > (networking group) and another £40 for LinkedIn, and our community did both > of what they wanted those to do, much better- AND they got 12 hours of > physical access time too! > > The whole "it's the community, stupid" thing can seem a bit like a cliche > sometimes, but it's true. We're not selling a workspace, we're promoting a > lifestyle. Just as well, seeing as if all 150 members turned up here at > once we'd have a major problem our hands (we have 3500 sq ft!) > > Also, Christmas parties. Don't underestimate how much people miss stuff > from when they worked in an office! Our office party is insanely popular, > I think 90% of our members went last year (and they each paid for it). > People miss those things. See also water cooler- we just installed one and > everyone LOVES it! > > On Wednesday, 14 October 2015 12:12:54 UTC+1, Jennifer Kready wrote: >> >> Hello from Round Rock TX - the better outskirts of Austin >> >> I host a Meetup (currently at 200+ members) and ask them several >> questions during their 'sign-up' phase, one being,* "What are the pros >> and cons of working from home?'* With a 20% response rate to date, >> 'Flexibility' is winning out at 51% with quiet and work focus coming in at >> 15%. 'Isolation' is cited as the primary challenge of working from home >> (37%) with time management and distractions being the other two issues. I'm >> also asking this of my 165 member coworking Facebook group. >> >> The physical space can resolve many of these challenges, but then I >> asked, '*What benefits of coworking can be enjoyed when not physically >> coworking?"* How can the cowork be there when the member isn't there? >> Is it only a 'you have to be present to win' approach? We know a benefit >> of coworking is reduced costs through shared resources, so how far can that >> extend? >> >> - Do you group purchase online resources the coworker can access from >> anywhere? I'm thinking time/project management tools, planners, etc. >> >> >> - Do you group purchase local area resources the coworker can access >> when they're not in your space? Say if they don't want to cowork that >> day, >> but want to get out of the house, a coffee discount card or pass, or if >> they need copies, but are at home that day? >> >> - What other ways do you extend their membership (aside from a copass >> or visa program to other spaces) outside the physical space? >> >> - How much is too much added value? Is there such a thing? >> >> Thanks! >> >> Jennifer Kready >> www.EngageCowork.com >> Meetup: Engage for Entrepreneurs & Freelancers >> <http://www.meetup.com/Engage-for-Entrepreneurs/> >> Facebook: WilCo Coworking Connection >> <https://www.facebook.com/groups/WilCoCoworkingConnection/> >> > -- 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/d/optout.
