A few weeks ago, Derek Neighbors gave me with a brilliant analogy for the spectrum of coworking spaces.
Restaurants. The title of "coworking space" is about as descriptive as "restaurant". Both are places that people go to do things with or around other people - one to work, one to eat. The problem is that the term "restaurant" doesn't describe much about the experience. You don't know what style of cuisine, anything about the price point, or the dress code (if there is one). There are merits to fast food (convenience), fine dining (experience) and a dive bar, but they need those more unique descriptors to know what you're getting. Coworking, by itself, doesn't help the most important person - our members - find what they want. That's still up to us. The core values help, but by virtue of being core values they're also open to interpretation. I personally think we don't hold them tight enough or share them loudly enough, but I don't think we solve that simply by saying "hold them tighter" or "share them louder". But going back to Chad's original question, "can a model multiply and still stay true", and to use Derek's restaurant analogy, I think it's time to think like a restauranteur. -Alex -- /ah indyhall.org coworking in philadelphia On Mar 18, 2013, at 9:33 AM, Chad Ballantyne <c...@thecreativespace.ca> wrote: > Hi Bobby, > > Here is a link to core values which have historically defined a true > coworking space. > http://dangerouslyawesome.com/2011/10/coworking-core-values-series-translated/ > > The other well circulated definition is the Coworking Manifesto originated by > Gangplank in AZ, USA > http://wiki.coworking.com/w/page/35382594/Coworking%20Manifesto%20(global%20-%20for%20the%20world) > > Other than that, certain coworking space have added their own unique flavours > to this bace mix. > > For us, we are excited about re-claimed spaces, re-used materials/resources > and with a social enterprise bent. So Creative Spaces (if they multiple > elsewhere) will lean in that direction. > > The uniqueness of the core values is that any sector can adopt them. They > are not tech or business reliant. Artist coworking, Culinary coworking, > etc... if they adhere to the core values, they are a coworking space. > > The question I'm asking is can a specific coworking model multiply and each > space still stay true? > > > Chad Ballantyne > 705.812.0689 > c...@thecreativespace.ca > > <TheCreativeSpace-door-decal.png> > > > > > > Barrie's Coworking Community > Perfect for small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs. > 12 Dunlop St E, Barrie Ontario, L4M 1A3 > Memberships start at $25/mth > www.thecreativespace.ca > 705-812-0689 > > On 2013-03-18, at 5:39 AM, Bobby Liu wrote: > >> Hi Chad >> >> As I'm researching into starting a space in Hanoi, Vietnam, I do agree with >> you that it has to stay 'local'. with Regus also trying to move into this >> space, not surprising, it will eventually become commercial, if it's not >> already; case-in-point, this article >> http://www.businessinsider.com/startups-are-getting-sick-of-nycs-dirty-overcrowded-coworking-spaces-2013-3. >> >> >> I think new spacers want to know what are the criterion necessary to >> differentiate coworking space to virtual office/business centers, and what >> is the compelling reason and 'commandments' that make a coworking communal. >> >> While at present, from my searches, most spaces at IT-related, at varying >> degrees. Can a space for artists also be known as coworking space? In other >> words, perhaps some form of definitions, for example, the ways to build >> communities. >> >> It's really not too difficult to call any space a coworking space, I've come >> across a cafe as listed under coworking. As correctly pointed out by you, >> and in general for Western spaces, there's a culture and the sense of >> community. This may not necessarily true for spaces available in Asia. >> >> Without making things too complicated, what are the general standards of a >> coworking space? If these minimal few credos can be worded and agreed by >> pioneers in the industry, then we'd have a 'launch kit'. Of course, >> evolvement will certainly take its course in changing the landscape but the >> core has to remain. Anyway, just my own 2-cent, as I too, ponder the >> intricacies of starting a space, yet at the same time, grappling with the >> true spirit of one. On an aside, all said, funding will be nice...haha... >> >> >> >> On Monday, March 18, 2013 8:47:09 AM UTC+7, creativespace wrote: >> We feel like we're still figuring this all out, but along the way we've had >> a number of cities ask us to come and consult on starting up a space and a >> few have asked about sharing our brand and model. And so were embarking on >> possibly planting new spaces. Of course we believe whole heatedly that it >> starts with a community of committed individuals and needs to become a space >> that reflects the community and it's culture. So we're trying to figure out >> how to help these spaces with a "launch kit", but stay out of the way as >> they "become." >> >> We haven't even solidified any compensation model for the brand and our >> time. We don't want to nor do we think we should franchise. We just think >> we could leverage partnerships, sponsorship better as a branded collective, >> while still continuing to support and help grow the global movement. >> >> A cool byproduct of all this is the gov. funded innovation spaces and small >> business enterprise center programs have started seeking us out at the same >> time. So now were talking about a public/private relationship that keeps >> the coworking space grassroots and locally owned, while the gov. programs >> find a more sustainable and economical home for their accelerators. Our >> hope is that if this flies, the startups may choose to stay local as well, >> considering they are surrounded by others to collaborate. >> >> Anyone else multiplying themselves? >> >> >> Chad >> >> -- >> 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/groups/opt_out. >> >> > > > -- > 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/groups/opt_out. > > -- 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. 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