[Coworking] Amenities Offered - Feedback

[Farhan Abbasi]

Hi folks,

I'm wondering what trial-and-error you guys have experienced in offering 
different types of amenities. I'm talking the "cool" stuff that can get 
costly but can possibly draw members and allow you to command a higher 
membership price. I have to look at it from an economics standpoint ie does 
it produce higher member prices and/or quicker occupancy.

Has anyone offered the following for free and experienced a direct 
improvement?

- Snacks in kitchen (Mixed nuts, m&ms, cereal, milk, some fruits)
- Beer on tap (Keg)
- Fresh fruit water 
- Awesome coffee machine (not just for coffee but also for espresso, capp, 
coffee, hot choc)
- Color printing/copying (with a limit)
- Notary Public
- Arcades
- Photography studio (Basic setup, no electronics/photo equipment, just the 
lighting hardware and setup).
- 3D Printer / Laser cutter (members pay for materials)
- Lockers (where desk members can store their belongings).

I'm developing a financial model and would be happy to share it based on 
member feedback and my research. 

Farhan

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Re: [Coworking] My morbid curiosity with Coworking Space Closings

[Farhan Abbasi]

Hi Alex,

Glad you did this survey in 2012. Any chance you still have the results?
Farhan
On Wednesday, 19 September 2012 09:19:57 UTC-4, Alex Hillman wrote:
>
>  Excellent suggestion on location data, and the little formatting fix. On 
> their way.  
>
> I've got a dozen or so submissions overnight. Keep 'em coming people. 
>
> -- 
> /ah
> indyhall.org
> coworking in philadelphia
>
> On Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 8:45 AM, rachel young wrote:
>
>
> Hi,
>
> Thanks for starting this, Alex. I'm curious about the results too.
>
> I suggest adding mandatory fields for City, Province/State, and Country so 
> that you can easily search and sort by region. The two entries I just sent 
> were from Toronto, ON Canada.
>
> Also you copied the notes ("It doesn't have to be a eulogy...") from the 
> second last question to the last question. Just a formatting thing.
> r.
>
>
>
> * rachel young*rac...@camaraderie.ca 
>
> *Find us in person:*
> Camaraderie   
> 102 Adelaide St E 2nd Floor
> Toronto, ON  M5C 1K9
> (647) 861-4350
>
> *Find us online:*
> Website/blog  and Newsletter 
> 
> Google+ , Twitter 
> , Facebook , and 
> LinkedIn 
>
> *Be in business for yourself, not by yourself! *
> *Continue the conversations you started on May 27*
> *at FLCTO2 by joining the LinkedIn group .*
>
> *Are you a coworking commitmentphobe? *
> *Try the Coworking Toronto Passport Program 
> *
> *for a day pass to seven spaces for one price.*
>
>
>
>
> On 18 September 2012 22:46, Alex Hillman  > wrote:
>
>  Thanks Chris. Great idea on opening up the closure dates to the future. I 
> don't expect to close the form so we can continue to collect data over time.
>
> I've removed the "required" part of the date fields to allow for more 
> flexible entry and updated the intro. 
>
> More suggestions and sharing welcome :)
>
> -Alex
>
>
> -- 
> /ah
> indyhall.org
> coworking in philadelphia
> build amazing communities: masterclass.indyhall.org
>
> On Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 10:40 PM, Chris DiFonzo wrote:
>
> Alex -
>
> Props for starting this thread. I think the information will be valuable 
> and hopefully help some current owner/operators succeed in spite of 
> adversity.
>
> I think you will get more responses, and perhaps salvage more existing 
> cases, if you include owners/spaces that fear or outright anticipate 
> failure in the next 12 months. 
>
> Btw, If you like we will tweet survey tomorrow.
>
> Best,
> Chris
>
> On Sep 18, 2012, at 10:14 PM, Alex Hillman  > wrote:
>
>  I'm sure I'm not the only person on this group who has google alerts set 
> up for the words "coworking" and, sigh, "co-working". 
>
> Between the number of new space announcements that show up in those 
> alerts, Deskmag's reporting on coworking growth trends, and many amazing 
> success stories that we've all been privy to seeing unfold, there's no 
> doubt in any of our minds that coworking isn't disappearing any time soon.
>
> But speckled in the success stories are sadder ones. Coworking spaces who 
> struggled and failed. 
>
> Another one hit my Google Reader tonight, in St Louis. Hence this email 
> and this project being spurred right now. 
>
> On one hand, the *business of coworking *is susceptible to all of the 
> rules of starting a new business - there's going to be a failure rate. Not 
> every business is meant to be. The rate at which I hear about closings is 
> increasing, but it's hard to tell if it's growing in or out of proportion 
> of openings.
>
> Between coworking spaces that struggle to keep the lights on and coworking 
> spaces that have closed (for good or bad reasons), there's patterns in 
> closures that I personally find very interesting, far more interesting in 
> "new hotness variations" on the coworking models.
>
> The pattern-watcher that I am, I see *some *things, but I need more 
> information to start building a hypothesis that can be proven or disproven.
>
> I can't do this alone. If you've started and closed a coworking space, 
> been a member of a coworking space that struggled and failed, or are simply 
> a passionate observer who saw an unfortunate closing, please take a few 
> minutes to help fill out this survey:
>
> https://indyhall.wufoo.com/forms/coworking-space-closings/
>
> This information is personal and potentially sensitive. I don't expect all 
> of the replies to include names or all of the details. Many people on this 
> list have shared their personal stories before, and we should all be 
> thankful for that. 
>
> The best solution I could come up with is to choose how anonymous you 
> would like to be. 
>
> *1) The name and email address fields are optional and will ONLY be used 
> to reconnect with the submitter for more information.*
> *2) The final re

Re: [Coworking] Re: Optimal Desk Sizes / Dimensions

[Farhan Abbasi]

Thanks Jacob!

So would one Vika Amon desk fit 2 people across from each other, or
possible 2 on each side?

On Wed, Nov 19, 2014 at 2:04 PM, Jacob Sayles 
wrote:

> We have the basic Vika Amon tables from Ikea arraigned in pods of 4-8
> desks.  In larger areas we have the larger ones arranged like one big
> table.  Key is flexibility and the pods are spread out so that you are
> always around people, but you can change the noise/heat/activity level by
> switching pods.
>
> We've also made a few of these standing desks by extending the legs with
> black PVC pipe design requires a wall though as they are not very
> stable w/o it.
>
> We have 10K sqft and  something like 125 desks.  I'm happy with them
> although we had to create a piece in the center of the pod to keep them
> relatively straight.  Keeping wires tidy is an ongoing battle.
>
> On Wed, Nov 19, 2014 at 3:03 AM, Will Bennis, Locus Workspace <
> wmben...@locusworkspace.com> wrote:
>
>> Very cool! Thanks for sharing that.
>>
>>
>> On Wednesday, November 19, 2014 5:11:07 AM UTC+1, NODO Cowork wrote:
>>>
>>> Do you know about open furniture? https://www.opendesk.cc/
>>>
>>> El martes, 18 de noviembre de 2014 14:41:35 UTC-6, Farhan Abbasi
>>> escribió:
>>>>
>>>> Hi folks,
>>>>
>>>> I run a coworking space in Boston called Coalition and this community
>>>> provided great info for me when launching. Thank you!
>>>>
>>>> I'm wondering if you folks have experience with an ideal desk dimension
>>>> that optimizes seating (ie getting the most chairs out of the table setup)?
>>>> I have a wide open floorplan (imagine 10,000+ SF) and able to connect many
>>>> tables and chairs together, with people sitting on both sides of each
>>>> table. Looking to get the most out of the space to meet my financial
>>>> hurdles.
>>>>
>>>> I would love to hear:
>>>>
>>>> - The optimal desk size that allows for people to sit side by side and
>>>> across from each other. (Multiple of these tables will be setup next to
>>>> each other or across from each other).
>>>> - Examples of actual desks that you think works? (I would purchase in
>>>> bulk).
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for any of your valuable time!
>>>> Farhan
>>>>
>>>>  --
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[Coworking] Optimal Desk Sizes / Dimensions

[Farhan Abbasi]

Hi folks,

I run a coworking space in Boston called Coalition and this community 
provided great info for me when launching. Thank you!

I'm wondering if you folks have experience with an ideal desk dimension 
that optimizes seating (ie getting the most chairs out of the table setup)? 
I have a wide open floorplan (imagine 10,000+ SF) and able to connect many 
tables and chairs together, with people sitting on both sides of each 
table. Looking to get the most out of the space to meet my financial 
hurdles. 

I would love to hear:

- The optimal desk size that allows for people to sit side by side and 
across from each other. (Multiple of these tables will be setup next to 
each other or across from each other). 
- Examples of actual desks that you think works? (I would purchase in bulk).

Thanks for any of your valuable time!
Farhan

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[Coworking] Re: Job title for the co-founder / main operator

[Farhan Abbasi]

Thanks everyone, i went with Co-Founder, Manager

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[Coworking] Re: What does coworking has in common with the craft brewing movement?

[Farhan Abbasi]

I would love to hear from folks on this list as to why they feel new coworking 
spaces in their vicinity is a good thing, as opposed to a possible threat.

Imagine I was an investor in your space. Would you tell me as an investor there 
are financial benefits to having a competing space open nearby? How so? Does 
the market increase? I understand how it may create a hub in your area and thus 
attract more companies in the future, but what if a competitor opens in a 
different area of your city but is still a viable alternative for your 
customers? Is it because there's plenty of demand to go around? 

I LOVE the brotherhood we have, but even brothers have rivalries and though 
it's good to be friendly, sometimes they can impact your financial health - so 
just want to hear from folks their perspective.

Have any of you been impacted by a competitor negatively or positively? 

Farhan

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[Coworking] Job title for the co-founder / main operator

[Farhan Abbasi]

Hi folks,

Anyone willing to share their thoughts on good business card titles for 
someone who partly owns the coworking business and is the primary contact? 
I will already hire a community manager / office manager. But I need a 
title for me, who will be there for things like sales, marketing, growth, 
and things the community manager won't be available or able to handle. My 
clients will be a mix of traditional professional services (legal, 
finance), and creative, tech, health sciences, etc. Mainly startups, 
independent consultants, and small companies. 

I am curious what the raw thoughts are from this community.

Thanks!!
farhan


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[Coworking] Re: Any tips on how to find discounted furniture / showpieces?

[Farhan Abbasi]

Tawnie, really great idea. I'll call a couple places when I'm ready and let 
you know what they said!

On Wednesday, 15 January 2014 18:49:55 UTC-5, Tawni Aaron wrote:
>
> You could work with a local furniture store that you would like to feature 
> some of their pieces in exchange, they get their line featured to your 
> clients.  Could be a selling benefit to them.  Could be short term, as to 
> not over-use / maintain the pieces for sale Also, featuring different 
> lines, manufactures, artists... Each month or so, keeps your space looking 
> fresh and interesting.  This would work best with only certain items; art, 
> tables, some seating - things that will maintain "almost new" for re-sale.
>
> It would take a bit of work to go this rout, it's worth a discussion - I 
> have not done this but, planned to for a future space...
> Best to you,
> Tawni
>
>
> On Friday, January 10, 2014 2:32:01 PM UTC-8, Farhan Abbasi wrote:
>>
>> Hi folks,
>>
>> I'm starting a new coworking space in Boston, and hoping to get tips from 
>> this awesome community as to how you were able to find discounted furniture 
>> and crazy show piece items. I mainly need lounge chairs, work stations, and 
>> show piece / accent items.
>>
>> As for show piece items, think random vintage antique non-functional 
>> stuff like gondola lifts, antique water pump, over-sized steering wheel, 
>> etc. 
>>
>> Also - any ideas on cool vintage items that would be cool??
>>
>> Farhan
>>
>

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Re: [Coworking] Any tips on how to find discounted furniture / showpieces?

[Farhan Abbasi]

Dope, will do, and will send pics once I do - thanks Alex!

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[Coworking] Any tips on how to find discounted furniture / showpieces?

[Farhan Abbasi]

Hi folks,

I'm starting a new coworking space in Boston, and hoping to get tips from
this awesome community as to how you were able to find discounted furniture
and crazy show piece items. I mainly need lounge chairs, work stations, and
show piece / accent items.

As for show piece items, think random vintage antique non-functional stuff
like gondola lifts, antique water pump, over-sized steering wheel, etc.

Also - any ideas on cool vintage items that would be cool??

Farhan

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[Coworking] Re: San Francisco

[Farhan Abbasi]

Ashley, I just visited NextSpace and WeWork, both are right in the heart of 
SF, and a block from each other. NextSpace on 28 2nd Street seems to have 
more availability. If he goes, talk to Thomas at 415-513-0456. If he goes 
to WeWork (156 2nd St), talk to Asia (unsure of the spelling but that's how 
it's pronounced).

Either way, I would appreciate it if you mention "FRO who owns a coworking 
space in BOSTON" mentioned it. Good karma!

Your colleague is in good hands in SF.

fro

On Wednesday, 8 January 2014 14:38:06 UTC-5, ashley wrote:
>
> Hi All!
>
> I'm sending one of my favourite Foundery members to San Francisco for the 
> month of February.
> He's looking for a great coworking space downtown.
> The space doesn't necessarily have to be part of the visa program...
>
> I've never been to SF, so which space would you recommend? Why?
>
> Ashley
>
> Foundery
> Toronto, Ontario
> ash...@foundery.is 
> www.foundery.is
>
>
>  
>

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[Coworking] Coworking owner visiting SF coworking spots

[Farhan Abbasi]

Hi Folks!

I own a new coworking space in Boston and seek to visit spaces while in SF
this morning. Purpose is to get inspired, get advice on what works, and
maybe even talk to owners or customers if allowed the opportunity.

Any suggestions or introductions? I'm in Montgomery and Market right now
and head to SFO at 12:30pm.

Thanks!!
Farhan
617 251 8581

On Monday, January 6, 2014, wrote:

>   Today's Topic Summary
>
> Group: http://groups.google.com/group/coworking/topics
>
>- Jelly Flyers? <#143669be40d4652d_group_thread_0> [1 Update]
>- Shout out to coworkers in Egypt, Armenia, or 
> Georgia!<#143669be40d4652d_group_thread_1>[3 Updates]
>
>   Jelly Flyers?
>
>Job Sonnentag 'j...@alaskazone.com');>> Jan 05 08:33PM -0800
>
>Hi Merrie,
>
>I think Steve's advice to focus on getting your "doer" and independent
>friends to come is a great idea. If you don't have the network of
>friends
>yet, get out to some events: maker 
> ...more
>
>Back to top <#143669be40d4652d_digest_top>
>
>   Shout out to coworkers in Egypt, Armenia, or 
> Georgia!
>
>Tricia Chirumbole  'cvml', 'tri...@investorswithoutborders.net');>
>> Jan 05 10:59AM -0500
>
>Hi Uli!
>
>Great to hear from you :) I checked out your Rasheed22 and the
>harassmap
>project - awesome! I had a feeling there'd be some interesting stuff
>going
>on in Egypt.
>
>The project I am 
> ...more
>
>Back to top <#143669be40d4652d_digest_top>
>
>
>Cristina Santamarina 'cvml', 'plastidecorve...@gmail.com');>> Jan 05 03:14PM -0800
>
>Hi Tricia,
>
>My name is Cristina, I live in Germany and I work at Cobot <
>http://cobot.me>,
>an app to manage coworking spaces, and at the coworking wiki<
>http://wiki.coworking.com>, 
> ...more
>
>Back to top <#143669be40d4652d_digest_top>
>
>
>Tricia Chirumbole 'cvml', 'tri...@mojocollaborative.com');>> Jan 05 06:19PM -0500
>
>Thanks so much Cristina!
>
>I will definitely check out the link you provided, as well as make
>sure to
>update it with any finds that I may come across!
>
>I have felt for a while that coworking 
> ...more
>
>Back to top <#143669be40d4652d_digest_top>
>
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