Re: [Coworking] Fostering community across multiple locations
Hi We have three locations in Toronto and it's definitely been a challenge to have 'vibrant' cultures in each. But I think it's important to acknowledge that having different cultures in different spaces is a-ok. I think the concern happens when you expect a uniform culture across all locations. Each space will have its own unique culture - a reflection of location, community, staff, space, etc. I do think the idea of offering a different flvour to each space makes sense as a way of anticipating this... Eli Malinsky Centre for Social Innovation Toronto // New York City On Tuesday, May 13, 2014 12:23:05 PM UTC-4, Andy Soell wrote: Thanks Jacob, that makes sense. Were we to move ahead with this opportunity, it would definitely be a goal down the road to recombine into a single space—I’m kind of viewing this as an opportunity to allow the community to continue to grow without needing to displace our existing members. We aren’t *full* in our existing space, but we’re definitely over 50% capacity and continuing to grow. On May 13, 2014, at 12:18 PM, Jacob Sayles ja...@officenomads.comjavascript: wrote: Susan and I went down this road and pulled back. We tried to open another location under the assumption that we could give both spaces the care we give our first location. After about a year we got our first negative yelp review and it stung because it was true. Our assumption was seriously challenged and we decided to regroup at our current location. I'm not saying you can't open two locations, but this was our experience. The really tricky part was finding people to talk to about it and get advice. Traditional logic is that bigger is better and growing is good. But if you are trying to build a home, multiple houses doesn't necessarily get you there. Jacob --- Office Nomads - Individuality without Isolation http://www.officenomads.com - (206) 323-6500 On Tue, May 13, 2014 at 8:41 AM, Jerome Chang jer...@blankspaces.comjavascript: wrote: I would have the new one focus on something different, like more event space(s), meeting rooms, cafe seating or whatever. Have a reason for people to want to visit both. *JEROME CHANG* *Mid-Wilshire* 5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) | Los Angeles CA 90036 ph: (323) 330-9505 *Downtown* 529 S. Broadway, Suite 4000 (@Pershing Square) | Los Angeles CA 90013 ph: (213) 550-2235 On Tuesday, May 13, 2014, Andy Soell aso...@gmail.com javascript: wrote: So, an amazing opportunity has fallen into our laps that would allow us to open a second coworking location a couple miles away from our existing location. We make a pretty heavy emphasis on community here, so I've never been super keen on the idea of multiple locations (versus expanding to larger spaces as needed) but for a variety of reasons this new space makes a lot of sense. We're contemplating it, but I wanted to check with any other space operators to find out any advice / tips / pitfalls related to multiple spaces, specifically as it relates to making sure the community doesn't become fragmented. -- 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 coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- *Downtown* 529 S. Broadway, Suite 4000 (@Pershing Square) | Los Angeles CA 90013 ph: (213) 550-2235 *Mid-Wilshire* 5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) | Los Angeles CA 90036 ph: (323) 330-9505 http://www.blankspaces.com/http://www.yelp.com/biz/blankspaces-downtown-la-los-angeles-2https://twitter.com/BLANKSPACEShttps://www.facebook.com/blankspacesdtlahttp://www.linkedin.com/company/blankspaces?trk=top_nav_homehttp://vimeo.com/blankspaces -- 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 coworking+...@googlegroups.com javascript:. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com --- You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups Coworking group. To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/coworking/e8t6ixK2LBc/unsubscribe. To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to coworking+...@googlegroups.com javascript:. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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
Re: [Coworking] Fostering community across multiple locations
I would have the new one focus on something different, like more event space(s), meeting rooms, cafe seating or whatever. Have a reason for people to want to visit both. *JEROME CHANG* *Mid-Wilshire* 5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) | Los Angeles CA 90036 ph: (323) 330-9505 *Downtown* 529 S. Broadway, Suite 4000 (@Pershing Square) | Los Angeles CA 90013 ph: (213) 550-2235 On Tuesday, May 13, 2014, Andy Soell aso...@gmail.com wrote: So, an amazing opportunity has fallen into our laps that would allow us to open a second coworking location a couple miles away from our existing location. We make a pretty heavy emphasis on community here, so I've never been super keen on the idea of multiple locations (versus expanding to larger spaces as needed) but for a variety of reasons this new space makes a lot of sense. We're contemplating it, but I wanted to check with any other space operators to find out any advice / tips / pitfalls related to multiple spaces, specifically as it relates to making sure the community doesn't become fragmented. -- 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 coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.comjavascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','coworking%2bunsubscr...@googlegroups.com'); . For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- *Downtown* 529 S. Broadway, Suite 4000 (@Pershing Square) | Los Angeles CA 90013 ph: (213) 550-2235 *Mid-Wilshire* 5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) | Los Angeles CA 90036 ph: (323) 330-9505 http://www.blankspaces.com/http://www.yelp.com/biz/blankspaces-downtown-la-los-angeles-2https://twitter.com/BLANKSPACEShttps://www.facebook.com/blankspacesdtlahttp://www.linkedin.com/company/blankspaces?trk=top_nav_homehttp://vimeo.com/blankspaces -- 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 coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [Coworking] Fostering community across multiple locations
Jerome, I'm glad to hear you say that, because the spaces are very different; Our existing space is very raw--concrete floors, exposed ductwork, very open, slightly echoey--and the new one is much more modern and plush. I can see a lot of our existing members working at the new location on the days they have client meetings, because the space is significantly more impressive. I think the challenge is to ensure that new members who sign up primarily for the second space have a good reason to come down to the less polished one. On May 13, 2014, at 11:41 AM, Jerome Chang jer...@blankspaces.com wrote: I would have the new one focus on something different, like more event space(s), meeting rooms, cafe seating or whatever. Have a reason for people to want to visit both. JEROME CHANG Mid-Wilshire 5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) | Los Angeles CA 90036 ph: (323) 330-9505 Downtown 529 S. Broadway, Suite 4000 (@Pershing Square) | Los Angeles CA 90013 ph: (213) 550-2235 On Tuesday, May 13, 2014, Andy Soell aso...@gmail.com wrote: So, an amazing opportunity has fallen into our laps that would allow us to open a second coworking location a couple miles away from our existing location. We make a pretty heavy emphasis on community here, so I've never been super keen on the idea of multiple locations (versus expanding to larger spaces as needed) but for a variety of reasons this new space makes a lot of sense. We're contemplating it, but I wanted to check with any other space operators to find out any advice / tips / pitfalls related to multiple spaces, specifically as it relates to making sure the community doesn't become fragmented. -- 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 coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- Downtown 529 S. Broadway, Suite 4000 (@Pershing Square) | Los Angeles CA 90013 ph: (213) 550-2235 Mid-Wilshire 5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) | Los Angeles CA 90036 ph: (323) 330-9505 -- Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com --- You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups Coworking group. To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/coworking/e8t6ixK2LBc/unsubscribe. To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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 coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [Coworking] Fostering community across multiple locations
Hi Andy! Between Creative Blueprint and Foundery we had 3 locations within walking distance of eachother here in Toronto. Each location is very different. One is used for raw, messy work (arts based maker space) and has a strong creative community of artists and designers. Another is a more traditional coworking office environment but with the added value of an event space and art gallery, for our diverse community of freelancers, startups and entrepreneurs. The 3rd location became a hybrid of the two models, a mix of creative workspace and more traditional coworking facilities. Some of our members stick to one location where they feel they have a tribe. Others move between the locations, using different facilities for different projects or stages in their development (client meetings etc). This set up worked well for a long time, and still works for us. But I've been looking for ways to make improvements, and I noticed our members would all come together for events and I came to realize, they all REALLY like eachother, and like being around eachother even though they may be working on completely different things. After a few years, I also started feeling overwhelmed with managing 3 of everything. 3 community managers, 3 hydro bills, etc. etc. There just seemed like a lot of waste. It sorta hit me while I was buying our 3rd vacuum cleaner... We had an opportunity to move in early 2014 and so we began combining our communities into one space. I liked the happy little accidents so much that we are now also going to move all of our members from the Queen West location into The Foundery Buildings for July 1st. So we are now going from 3 independent locations into one building as we expand. I'm really excited about reconnecting these communities. I must mention that the layout of our building helps. We have 3 floors, each 5000 sq ft. It makes it easier to keep the event space separate from our designated desks, and although we are working with an open concept, we can have artist studios and coworking space next to eachother, but not interfering with eachother. Some spaces just can't accommodate that. Our community remained strong between 3 locations because of the walking distance between them. We are all neighbours in the community as well. We also have the benefit of a central event space that connects us all, and we share community lunches. There were benefits of maintaining independent locations (like having 'something for everyone', and being able to try out something new on a smaller group), but also pitfalls (I like to be hands-on in the community and was wearing thin juggling 3 independent communities). You know your members best Andy - if there is something for them at each location and they are willing to travel for it, or if you already have enough members to fill 2 locations, you can support more than one space. Ashley Proctor Creative Blueprint Foundery Toronto, Canada On May 13, 2014, at 11:32 AM, Andy Soell wrote: So, an amazing opportunity has fallen into our laps that would allow us to open a second coworking location a couple miles away from our existing location. We make a pretty heavy emphasis on community here, so I've never been super keen on the idea of multiple locations (versus expanding to larger spaces as needed) but for a variety of reasons this new space makes a lot of sense. We're contemplating it, but I wanted to check with any other space operators to find out any advice / tips / pitfalls related to multiple spaces, specifically as it relates to making sure the community doesn't become fragmented. -- 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 coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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 coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [Coworking] Fostering community across multiple locations
Susan and I went down this road and pulled back. We tried to open another location under the assumption that we could give both spaces the care we give our first location. After about a year we got our first negative yelp review and it stung because it was true. Our assumption was seriously challenged and we decided to regroup at our current location. I'm not saying you can't open two locations, but this was our experience. The really tricky part was finding people to talk to about it and get advice. Traditional logic is that bigger is better and growing is good. But if you are trying to build a home, multiple houses doesn't necessarily get you there. Jacob --- Office Nomads - Individuality without Isolation http://www.officenomads.com - (206) 323-6500 On Tue, May 13, 2014 at 8:41 AM, Jerome Chang jer...@blankspaces.comwrote: I would have the new one focus on something different, like more event space(s), meeting rooms, cafe seating or whatever. Have a reason for people to want to visit both. *JEROME CHANG* *Mid-Wilshire* 5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) | Los Angeles CA 90036 ph: (323) 330-9505 *Downtown* 529 S. Broadway, Suite 4000 (@Pershing Square) | Los Angeles CA 90013 ph: (213) 550-2235 On Tuesday, May 13, 2014, Andy Soell aso...@gmail.com wrote: So, an amazing opportunity has fallen into our laps that would allow us to open a second coworking location a couple miles away from our existing location. We make a pretty heavy emphasis on community here, so I've never been super keen on the idea of multiple locations (versus expanding to larger spaces as needed) but for a variety of reasons this new space makes a lot of sense. We're contemplating it, but I wanted to check with any other space operators to find out any advice / tips / pitfalls related to multiple spaces, specifically as it relates to making sure the community doesn't become fragmented. -- 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 coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- *Downtown* 529 S. Broadway, Suite 4000 (@Pershing Square) | Los Angeles CA 90013 ph: (213) 550-2235 *Mid-Wilshire* 5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) | Los Angeles CA 90036 ph: (323) 330-9505 http://www.blankspaces.com/http://www.yelp.com/biz/blankspaces-downtown-la-los-angeles-2https://twitter.com/BLANKSPACEShttps://www.facebook.com/blankspacesdtlahttp://www.linkedin.com/company/blankspaces?trk=top_nav_homehttp://vimeo.com/blankspaces -- 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 coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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 coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [Coworking] Fostering community across multiple locations
Thanks Jacob, that makes sense. Were we to move ahead with this opportunity, it would definitely be a goal down the road to recombine into a single space--I'm kind of viewing this as an opportunity to allow the community to continue to grow without needing to displace our existing members. We aren't *full* in our existing space, but we're definitely over 50% capacity and continuing to grow. On May 13, 2014, at 12:18 PM, Jacob Sayles ja...@officenomads.com wrote: Susan and I went down this road and pulled back. We tried to open another location under the assumption that we could give both spaces the care we give our first location. After about a year we got our first negative yelp review and it stung because it was true. Our assumption was seriously challenged and we decided to regroup at our current location. I'm not saying you can't open two locations, but this was our experience. The really tricky part was finding people to talk to about it and get advice. Traditional logic is that bigger is better and growing is good. But if you are trying to build a home, multiple houses doesn't necessarily get you there. Jacob --- Office Nomads - Individuality without Isolation http://www.officenomads.com - (206) 323-6500 On Tue, May 13, 2014 at 8:41 AM, Jerome Chang jer...@blankspaces.com wrote: I would have the new one focus on something different, like more event space(s), meeting rooms, cafe seating or whatever. Have a reason for people to want to visit both. JEROME CHANG Mid-Wilshire 5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) | Los Angeles CA 90036 ph: (323) 330-9505 Downtown 529 S. Broadway, Suite 4000 (@Pershing Square) | Los Angeles CA 90013 ph: (213) 550-2235 On Tuesday, May 13, 2014, Andy Soell aso...@gmail.com wrote: So, an amazing opportunity has fallen into our laps that would allow us to open a second coworking location a couple miles away from our existing location. We make a pretty heavy emphasis on community here, so I've never been super keen on the idea of multiple locations (versus expanding to larger spaces as needed) but for a variety of reasons this new space makes a lot of sense. We're contemplating it, but I wanted to check with any other space operators to find out any advice / tips / pitfalls related to multiple spaces, specifically as it relates to making sure the community doesn't become fragmented. -- 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 coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- Downtown 529 S. Broadway, Suite 4000 (@Pershing Square) | Los Angeles CA 90013 ph: (213) 550-2235 Mid-Wilshire 5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) | Los Angeles CA 90036 ph: (323) 330-9505 -- 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 coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- Visit this forum on the web at http://discuss.coworking.com --- You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups Coworking group. To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/coworking/e8t6ixK2LBc/unsubscribe. To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- 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 coworking+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
