Hi everyone! Thought I'd post an update on my coworking adventures thus far. I've taken my core group of migration colleagues through the space to get their thoughts and input. Good news is that they all agree on the changes I want to make in order to make the space more presentable and comfortable to work in. We're doing new floorboards, a fresh coat of paint, new lighting fixtures, chairs and table tops to start with. Two of them also requested private desks which I guess makes setting up that area a priority. My current timeline is to get the place more or less how I want it by September. That way I can take some photos of it for the website.
As a way to vent my enthusiasm I've created a facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/collinscollective). Feel free to throw us a like! >From all the coworking articles/threads/blog pieces I've been reading (I still come here every day) I think it will be important for the space to be able to host a myriad of events and workshops. My space is small, so as Jeannine pointed out earlier it'd be of great benefit if the furniture could be easily moved around when needed. My next goal before opening the space is to merge my existing network of coworkers with another group of people from other industries. I really want the space to be as vibrant and diverse as possible. I've reached out to some university entrepreneurial clubs and have offered the space for them to host events in when it's ready. Let's see how it goes! Any ideas on getting my facebook likes up? Has anyone paid for facebook ads? - Sean On Monday, July 29, 2013 11:08:18 AM UTC+10, Sean Qian wrote: > > Awesome tip Jeannine. That makes a lot of sense. > > For the big 5 person tables I was going to use one giant table top as a > big communal table. It would probably be better to have individual tables > as the picture shows. That way I can push them up against the walls for > events/functions. > > Thank you, > > Sean > > > On Sun, Jul 28, 2013 at 10:33 PM, Jeannine > <flexkantoorkame...@gmail.com>wrote: > >> In choosing your furniture, consider moveability. >> >> My back room looks like this: >> >> <https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IUQqs8hX88Y/UHZ-uj6Z5II/AAAAAAAAB8k/oaa8IOB-jWg/s1600/DSC02635.JPG> >> >> >> >> Or it looks like this: >> >> >> <https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lLoFR6BIILg/T1nvNWrlvlI/AAAAAAAABHA/vzu4C4sEcU0/s1600/DSC01981.JPG> >> >> Or like this: >> >> >> <https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fvAQPmLiQN0/UKINnRq2HtI/AAAAAAAACGg/HxMgukc5w_g/s1600/DSC02768.JPG> >> >> Sometimes it looks like this: >> >> >> <https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MvyZF-Xkh6I/T0kRzv1r2jI/AAAAAAAABDI/IDN9WSHz8RU/s1600/Ruimte%2Bachter.JPG> >> >> At least once it looked like this: >> >> >> <https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RWIQ2aGKHSo/Tw2TSgAV8ZI/AAAAAAAAAzc/_qOC_cFPFTg/s1600/IMAG0343.jpg> >> >> For some reason I cannot find my pictures of the setup with folding >> chairs for classes. In any event, the furniture was built to be able to be >> pushed into various places and make the large room suitable for workshops >> or classes or other kinds of events. That's where we have yoga and >> mindfulness classes and so forth. >> >> The high tables have an up and a downside: people love them for >> workshops but they are not popular for working at a laptop. I think it >> isn't the tables but the bar stools, I got some high chairs with backs >> recently to see if that is it. But mostly folks with the laptops walk >> right through that room and work in the garden out back. >> >> Anyway, in my checkered past I worked in theater and the back room is >> like a set: its atmosphere can be changed at will, it breaks down and >> transforms in about 20 minutes. Those tables look massive but they are >> built hollow and weigh nothing. >> >> All of my desks and tables throughout the space are moveable and people >> can bring in their own furniture and accessories if they like. This does >> require making an inventory when they come in but otherwise it isn't hard. >> Allowing people to decorate the space just as they like when they are >> there makes them want to come back and also increases their investment in >> the space. If you can do it, I do recommend it. >> >> Second Rachel's idea of having local artists hang their stuff on the >> walls, I have a painter's club in the space and they hang unfinished >> paintings to dry. The rest of the members get to see works in progress and >> they like it very well. >> >> Cheers, >> >> Jeannine >> >> On Sunday, July 28, 2013 10:03:17 AM UTC+2, Sean Qian wrote: >>> >>> Thanks again for all the helpful posts Alex, Jeannine and Rachel. >>> Getting friends and potential members to come help in the transformation is >>> a brilliant idea! >>> >>> I love having lots of green in offices so will definitely be investing >>> in some indoor plants. I'm also considering covering half a wall in fake >>> turf but that may be going overboard... >>> >>> Anyway here is my draft mockup of how I envision the space if anyone is >>> interested in having a look. The furniture in there is only to provide >>> scale and layout. The hotdesks in the middle of the space 150cmX60cm each. >>> >>> - Sean >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Friday, July 26, 2013 11:42:31 PM UTC+10, Alex Hillman wrote: >>>> >>>> I'm so glad Jeannine posted this. It may seem simple, but this >>>> co-creation process is powerful. >>>> >>>> Lemme give you a peek into your potential futures: >>>> >>>> In future one, you fill up your new room with all of the "stuff" we've >>>> suggested I'm this thread, and announce "come to my new Coworking space!" >>>> >>>> A week or two pass, and you come back to this list and post like many >>>> others, "where do I find members? How do I get them to understand >>>> Coworking?" >>>> >>>> In future two, you announce "I'm opening a new Coworking space and need >>>> help! Come by at X times to help with painting/building furniture/etc etc. >>>> I'll supply some food and drink for while we work together" >>>> >>>> As Jeannine suggested, the people who show up may not become members >>>> (yet) but they become invested. This helps in two ways: >>>> >>>> -when they describe it to people who might be members, they won't just >>>> focus on the stuff, they'll talk about it as the experience they had with >>>> you co-creating it, they people they met, etc this is an important >>>> virtuous >>>> cycle to kickstart EARLY because it gets harder later >>>> >>>> -it starts to shifts YOUR brain from "me" to "we" which will pay off >>>> long term >>>> >>>> There's a hidden benefit in here, too: if you can't get anybody to show >>>> up and help paint or put desks together...your gonna have an even harder >>>> time getting people to join with paying memberships. Consider this >>>> participatory soft launch a litmus test for if you have people who >>>> actually >>>> want the thing you've set out to create. >>>> >>>> Most importantly, though...this stuff is fun. Making things is >>>> rewarding. Making things other is 10x rewarding. Don't forget to have a >>>> good time. >>>> >>>> :) >>>> >>>> -Alex >>>> >>>> -- >>>> /ah >>>> indyhall.org >>>> >>>> >>>> On Fri, Jul 26, 2013 at 9:03 AM, Jeannine <flexkanto...@gmail.com>wrote: >>>> >>>>> About the soft launch: >>>>> >>>>> One of the best things I did when we moved to the second space was to >>>>> open while it looked like this: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> <https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sk0zQxV_2bM/Tv8qaUmzf1I/AAAAAAAABVQ/UIVwWMCuzr8/s1600/IMAG0312.jpg> >>>>> Yes, I know, the tragedy of child labor, terrible, isn't it? >>>>> >>>>> Aaanyway. I didn't do this because I was so clever, I did it because >>>>> we needed to keep running. So the members I already had worked around >>>>> it. >>>>> And told their friends and put it on their Facebook and you know, more >>>>> people came to help. Many did not become members, but they did become >>>>> supporters and some of them are still hanging around. Don't limit >>>>> yourself >>>>> to recruiting new members, the power of working together is not in who >>>>> you >>>>> know, it is in who they know, the second circle if you like. >>>>> >>>>> Going through transitions together makes for a stronger bond. >>>>> >>>>> But without a coffee maker you are totally lost, my friend. During >>>>> construction a keg or a crate depending on local taste does not come >>>>> amiss. >>>>> Throw a couple of construction parties :-) >>>>> >>>>> Cheers, >>>>> >>>>> Jeannine >>>>> >>>>> On Friday, July 26, 2013 7:10:48 AM UTC+2, Sean Qian wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks for all the responses. Everyone has be so helpful and >>>>>> insightful! >>>>>> >>>>>> I get more and more excited about opening up the space every day. >>>>>> >>>>>> There are a lot of renovation plans I want to implement at the place >>>>>> before I open it to the public but in the meantime my core group of >>>>>> friends >>>>>> want to start using it asap. >>>>>> >>>>>> I've decided to go ahead with a 'soft' launch with them. They'll >>>>>> receive significantly discounted rates with the understanding that the >>>>>> place will be "evolving" as they're in there. >>>>>> >>>>>> This is my to do checklist for getting the place up and running: >>>>>> >>>>>> Power points for each workstation >>>>>> Wifi internet connection >>>>>> Some lockers or lockable filing cabinets >>>>>> Coat of fresh paint >>>>>> Digital door lock >>>>>> Fridge >>>>>> Chairs >>>>>> Lighting >>>>>> Website >>>>>> Printer/Scanner >>>>>> Google calendar >>>>>> >>>>>> Thing I already have: >>>>>> >>>>>> Desks >>>>>> Power + Water >>>>>> Kettle + Microwave >>>>>> >>>>>> Anything I've missed? >>>>>> >>>>>> On Friday, July 26, 2013 4:34:32 AM UTC+10, Jeannine wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I also have a small space and started in an even smaller one. >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> 1. So far, I think I'm going to have 3 membership packages - an all >>>>>>>> access pass, 3 days a week, and the casual 1 day a week. How can I >>>>>>>> keep a >>>>>>>> track of who comes in and when? Is the only solution to >>>>>>>> purchase/create >>>>>>>> some kind of management software like Nexudus or Cobot? I'd like to >>>>>>>> not >>>>>>>> have to sit at the front desk all the time. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I use Google Calendar, it works very well. For folks who are less >>>>>>> savvy I do the bookings for them, they just send me an email. >>>>>>> Otherwise >>>>>>> they just send me an invitation for the booking and I accept it or >>>>>>> don't, >>>>>>> to confirm availablity. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I have a strippenkaart, it's what the Dutch used to use for the bus. >>>>>>> They pay in advance for 8 or 10 visits, and these can be used >>>>>>> whenever. >>>>>>> It ranks in booking after people with a regular booking, so they can't >>>>>>> cancel folks who always come on Tuesday or what have you. But that has >>>>>>> not >>>>>>> yet been a problem. A lot of writers, programmers,a dn other people >>>>>>> who >>>>>>> work on project basis like it a lot, they can come every day for a week >>>>>>> and >>>>>>> then not again for awhile. I don't have a time limit on mine, in a >>>>>>> larger >>>>>>> space that might be necessary. >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> 2. Let's say the office has 85m2 of usable workstation space after >>>>>>>> the kitchenette is taken out, how should I calculate how many members >>>>>>>> I can >>>>>>>> there at any one time, and how many members I can have there overall? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I played it by ear. You can in a small space. At about 50% >>>>>>> occupancy I went looking for a bigger space. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> 3. Should I concentrate my advertising/marketing towards other >>>>>>>> migration agents or similar professionals or be more broad? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Go broad, it's more fun. Nothing like sharing office space with a >>>>>>> circus or a theater group. Yes, really. >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> 4. What are some must have things? Photocopier/Printer? Couches? >>>>>>>> Water tank? I will supply a small fridge, microwave. coffee machine, >>>>>>>> kettle, tea and coffee beans. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Printer and here a scanner. >>>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>> 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**. >>>>> For more options, visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/**groups/opt_out<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 a topic in the >> Google Groups "Coworking" group. >> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/coworking/yQTlu6qD1HU/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/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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