Hi Richard,
Yeah there is different something there. I'd love to hear where you net
out.
I dont have a physical space but have had *many* talks with physical spaces
in my area about leveraging our model or even white labeling what we have
for their own members.
The problem has been twofold:
(1) Cultivating community is a lot of work and most people don't want to do
it.
(2) Vetting. I have a long application + interview process for who I allow
in my space. It selects for the *type* of people who would be great in our
community. Most of the physical spaces I've consulted with let in anyone
who can pay. There is no prerequisite other than that. So there isn't a
shared motivation to connect.
The owners want community but often their members don't. They want a place
to work away from their kids and then they want to leave. In other words:
they dont have the problem that virtual coworking solves (isolation).
I still think there is an opportunity to collaborate, but I haven't found
a way to make it work yet.
If you have ideas I am ALL ears.
- M
Post by Neil WeaklandMargo,
Thank you! I love the idea and you have a firm grasp on creating
remarkable offerings. As our space is just 5 months old in a rural
community this virtual coworking has touched a nerve and I'm going to
explore how I may add this into the mix as most of our members to date have
been utilizing 5 and 10 day passes which makes it challenging to build a
cohesive community.
Do you also have a physical space? Have you considered vetting other
Coworking spaces to offer up The Arena as a value add?
Richard
Post by Neil WeaklandYes, they teleconference in, the experts or professionals are ALL from
outside our area. The event is more about sharing ideas and networking. It
doesn't matter if other spaces do this because I'm not competing with other
spaces outside my area.
Post by Margo AaronRichard: Yeah so when you're in the business of offering added value to
your members *beyond* merely offering them physical space, you're
programs are part of your USP. While collaboration is wonderful, you're
effectively telling your future customers, "it doesn't matter which
coworking space you're apart of, you'll get this benefit either way."
Instead of saying, "This is why you should be a member *here*."
Neil: Maybe I misunderstood. I thought you said the experts
teleconference in, right? So, you wouldnt be confined to people in NE Ohio.
Post by Neil WeaklandThanks Margo, unfortunately my network of professionals from outside
the Northeast Ohio area is growing thin, which is why I posted here. I
thought that in the spirits of coworkign and sharing other spaces might do
something similar and we could exchange local professionals from my area
for business leaders and entrepreneurs from theirs.
Post by Margo AaronThis is awesome Neil!
We do something similar in my space. I have someone come in
(virtually) and do what's called "Office Hours" - they speak for 30-45 mins
about their area of expertise (usually something members are struggling
with - podcasting, sales, SEO) and then members can hit them with their
questions for the next 15 mins.
I also record them and keep them available for members in a "video vault."
We've had no problem finding experts since people are generally
excited to talk about what they know and get exposed to a new audience. So
far, I've relied exclusively on my personal network, which is what I'd
recommend to you before you reach out to other coworking spaces. Let this
be a benefit of *your space exclusively. *
My two cents :)
- Margo
Post by Neil WeaklandI've started a monthly event in my coworking space for networking and
sharing outside of our area. I've been calling it the Canton Connect
Innovator lunch. I arrange for a startup founder or high level professional
from a company to teleconference with my coworkers and local interested
parties. It lasts an hour and has been a great experience so far. We've
exchanged information on remote jobs, how we've been approaching new
technologies, what our local tech scene is like, and more.
I'm interested in finding more people to be our guests. I thought
that some of the other coworking spaces would be good places to find
startup founders and the like. Maybe if other spaces are interested we
could set up a contact list of people who would be interested in being
guests to other coworking spaces?
Here are the last two Canton Connect announcements
https://cantonworkspace.spaces.nexudus.com/en/blog/read/699348651/september-canton-connect-innovator-lunch---joe-zenas--ceo-of-the-thinkwell-group
https://cantonworkspace.spaces.nexudus.com/en/blog/read/666508843/meet-tech-and-industry-professionals-from-outside-canton-at-the-canton-connect-innovator-lunch
Thanks,
Neil Weakland
Canton Work Space
http://cantonworkspace.com
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Margo Aaron
That Seems Important <http://www.thatseemsimportant.com/>
Want smart people to bounce ideas off of? I have some.
<https://www.arenavirtualcoworking.com/>
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*Ten Below Coworking*
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