#71 C20 Podcast - Why is Coworking growing faster in the UK than elsewhere? (Guest: Zoe Ellis-Moore) by SocialWorkplaces.com

Mindspace is one of the biggest coworking operator in Europe, with dozens of locations spread across Germany, The Netherlands, the UK, Poland, Romania or Israel. It is also one of the few pure international brand. Yotam Aroy is the co-founder of Mindspace. during this conversation with Tom Sleigh, from Colliers, Yotam will go through many of the steps that led to transform Mindspace into the coworking giant it is today.

Recording of the panel held in Sofia on November 2024, at the Coworking Europe 2024 conference, entitled "What hospitality industries can teach coworking and how can coworking become part of the family?" Coworking is about people and care, not just about the facility. Hotels and restaurants have centuries of experience in hosting, and coworking operators are increasingly seeking staff with hospitality experience. Why is this, and what can coworking learn from the hospitality industry? What does hospitality truly mean, and how can it be applied to the workspace environment? What does a smile represent? How can we cultivate behaviors focused on personal service and care? How do we anticipate the needs of our clients? When recruiting, how can we identify the right skills? What level of service is appropriate to match the promised value for money? This panel, composed of experienced professionals who have worked in both hospitality and coworking, will help us explore the similarities and key insights that can transform flexible workspaces into places of genuine experience and personal satisfaction. Panelists : Patrick Aström (Helio Coworking), Kristelina Staykova (Entract127), Maria Piovano (The Social Hub), Elena Monserrate (Uncommon)

Coworking spaces in France are proliferating rapidly, particularly in regions with dynamic real estate markets characterized by high transaction volumes and a robust infrastructure of real estate services. This trend is extensively analyzed in the "8ème édition du Baromètre Arthur Loyd," which reveals that areas like Gironde, Rhône, and Bouches-du-Rhône are hotspots for coworking growth due to their mature tertiary real estate markets. These regions benefit from the presence of a diverse professional community and high levels of commercial real estate activities, which provide the necessary environment for coworking spaces to thrive. The demand for these flexible workspaces is increasingly driven by companies and employees seeking adaptable work arrangements, highlighting a shift towards more dynamic work environments that cater to both individual and corporate needs. In metropolitan areas where demand for office space is high, coworking spaces offer a practical solution by providing flexible leasing terms and a community environment that appeals to modern workers and companies.

This AI generated podcast summarize the Study “Längerfristige Auswirkungen von New Work auf die Mobilität der Menschen in Bayern”, published via the Bavarian Business Association at vbw-bayern.de and in PDF format. The findings suggest a cautious approach among Bavarian businesses when it comes to integrating coworking into formal hybrid work policies. This hesitancy contrasts with trends in other European markets, where coworking is increasingly being recognized as a bridge between office and remote work — especially in secondary cities or for decentralized teams. It also emphasize on the fact that despite the rise of hybrid work, coworking remains a fringe option among Bavarian companies, with only 3% offering access to coworking spaces as part of their flexible work policies.

Coworking is a hospitality business where human service and interaction remain a key part of the value provided to the member How to determine the perfect job description in 2023? – What are the functions to be covered? – Is multi-tasking the golden criterion to emphasize or should one move away from it? – What are the soft skills that should be given the highest priority in 2023? How to deal with the departure of key people to whom the community is attached and who embodies the space culture? – Should hospitality and sales responsibilities be assigned to the same individuals? If not, why and how to deal with it? – Can one remotely manage coworking operations? – In what ways can coworking operators attract and retain talent? – How are operators implementing internal mobility programs to enhance the skills of their teams? – Is part-time employment a viable option? Is it advisable to hire talent from within the local communities? All those questions and more will be addressed by best-in-class operators who will share their experience and tips. Naiara Chaler (Attico) Benjamin Nick (Unicorn), Alexandra Livesey (Clockwise), Jamie Apostolou (Second Home). Moderated by Suzanne Murdock, Co-Founder The Hub Newry

A focus on how to create a successfully merged entity looking at strategies, best practices, and considerations for successfully merging between coworking operators, including navigating cultural differences, operational integration, member retention, branding, legal and financial considerations, leadership, and lessons learned. Recorded at Coworking Europe 2023, in Porto. Joao Simoes (IDEA Spaces), Thom Wernke (StartDock).

To what extent is the community manager and the hospital vibe the best asset of a coworking space? – What are the most effective tips and tricks to create a socially engaging environment within a coworking space? – How to determine the right set of values? – How can one encourage meaningful connections and interactions among members to foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose? – Are there specific activities or initiatives that have been successful in promoting a vibrant and inclusive community within coworking spaces? – How to balance the need for social interaction with the varying preferences and work styles of different members within coworking spaces? – How can community managers ensure that information flows smoothly and that members are well-informed about events, opportunities, and initiatives? – Do you actively involve members in shaping the coworking community and fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment? – How do you teach your team to address conflicts or challenges that may arise within the community, while maintaining a positive and supportive environment? – How do you assess the success of your community managers’ efforts in creating a socially enabling environment and fostering a sense of common purpose? – What metrics or indicators can be used to evaluate the strength of the community and the level of member engagement? – How can technology and digital platforms be effectively leveraged by community managers to enhance community engagement and communication? Cecilia Berglund (Baltigruppen), Nikolay Bonev (Campus X), Robert Beddries (Betahaus Hamburg), Maria Svensson Wiklander (Gomoronn). Moderated by Claire Carpenter, Founder of Creatingconnections.org

Shared revenues, profit sharing, co-financing, management agreements, franchising… Many legal asset-light options exist nowadays to lower the financial risk and build partnerships with landlords. Partnerships with landlords can speed up coworking brand’s expansion while it can also be a very effective way for Real Estate operators to enter the world of flexible services, making their facilities more appealing to future tenants. During this panel discussion, participants will share their experience with implementing the different models, underlining the advantages from the Property owners’ perspective. – What are the main differences between the different models? – Why sign up with a coworking franchise brand rather than sign up for a profit-sharing agreement? – How to assess the proper added value of flexible services and amenities in a building? – What share of the total revenue generation can or should it represent, as opposed to traditional leasing revenues? – How can the right balance be found between short-term gains and long-term costs? – What are some common legal pitfalls to be aware of, and how can they be mitigated? – How can operators effectively communicate the value and benefits of coworking spaces to conservative landlords who may have limited familiarity with the concept? – What level of guarantee should be reached to initiate a productive discussion with a conservative landlord? – How can coworking operators proactively address potential challenges or conflicts that may arise during the lease agreement, ensuring a smooth and successful partnership with the landlord? This conversation will focus on the practices and arguments that maximize the chances of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement between a landlord and an operator. John Milhado (Office Improvers), Ian Chitsungo (VentureX), Romain Mefret (Bureaux&Co), Ashok Balabhaskarane (Wojo). Moderated by Emma Swinnerton, Head of Flexible Workspace EMEA at Cushman & Wakefield. Recorded at the Coworking Europe 2023 conference, in Porto.

Portugal has become a magnet for digital nomads who more and more consider long stays in the country to enjoy the Portuguese lifestyle. This growing population of international workers needs to integrate into the local economy. What are the best practices and best approaches to do so seen by Portugal experts and practitioners? The conversation will be the opportunity to go through it addressing all the benefits and challenges. Here are some questions the participants will be asked: What initiatives can coworking spaces implement to help integrate remote and hybrid workers into local communities? Should coworking spaces actively communicate about the net economic benefits that international workers bring, or should this remain a task for the authorities? How important the positive economic impact can be for the local economy? Could it bring international new opportunities for Portugal workers, SMEs, and startups? Can coworking spaces provide safe spaces for skilled refugees seeking to join the workforce? What role do language support and communication play in facilitating the integration of foreign digital nomads? How can coworking spaces measure the success of their efforts in integrating foreign digital nomads? The rise of remote work and hybrid work models has enabled workers to break free from the constraints of location and work from anywhere. However, as the number of remote workers continues to increase, new challenges have emerged. Gonçalo Hall (Digital Nomad Association Portugal), Ines Petiz (Synergy Cowork), Debora Nabais (Second Home) Moderated by Julianne Becker, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Coconat Recorded at the Coworking Europe 2023 conference, Porto (November 2023)

Recorded in Porto, at the Coworking Europe 2023 Conference, on November 29th. A testimonial on the challenges and triumphs of managing and growing a coworking business in war-torn Ukraine. With : - Ilia Keniigshtein (Creative States, Ukraine). - Anastasiia Gavrilova, Board member of the Ukrainian Coworking Association - Team Lead Ukrainian chain NAT COWORKING - Anastasiia Kachan, co-founder and Supervisory Board Member, Ukrainian Coworking Association. - Vika Zhurbas, Ukrainian Coworking Association The Keynote file can be downloaded on https://socialworkplaces.com/product/coworking-in-ukraine-2023-cwe23/

This session is a panel recorded on December 2nd, 2021, during the virtual Coworking Europe Conference. Title : "Updating the coworking community concept ? - How to create human chemistry, senses of sharing, belonging and the right contacts friendly environment" Community has long be said to be at the core of the coworking experience. Feeling part of a community come though through weak or strong links. Create the right atmosphere to sparks human contract is more an art than a science. What are the tricks and tips ? How to develop the right storyline to which members feel connected ? How to install a feeling of being surrounded with peers with whom it's good to have fun and/or fruitful business conversations ? Participants : Zsofi Toth (Puzl Coworking, Budapest) Suely Figueiredo (Talent Garden, Vienna) Michala Hrnčiarová (Coworking Cvernovka, Bratislava) Vika Zhurbas (Coworking Ukraine, Kiev) Moderated by Candela Fonte, Salto

We are seeing more spaces in shopping centres. And shopping centres owners are more and more looking to integrate coworking spaces within their walls, while they look for more diversification, as e-commerce takes an ever greater share from the traditional retail sector. Why? How? How much? What are the challenges? In this discussion, we will look for the perspectives of both the Shopping Centres' owners and the coworking operators. With Tom Whittington (Director of Retail & Leisure Research at Savills), Caroline Meeder (Head of Department Office and Residential Management ECE), Clément Goutagny (Head of Innovation & Business Development at Mercialys)

Keynote - Latests data and trends on the Coworking Industry in Europe, by James Rankin (Instant group). Presentation given on December 1st, at the Coworking Europe 2021 Virtual gathering.

Panel - Bigger players, international operators, new providers profiles coming from other industries are entering the coworking playground. Have independent operators, active locally for some years, have an advantage? As the coworking demand is growing, is the tide rising all ships, bog or small? Or are there specific strategies and approaches to be put in place in order to create specificities? Is the future for independent spaces local boutique offering and an even stronger effort to build community identities? Or can independent operators be as ambitious and anyone, locally or nationally? The panel is supported by LiquidSpace. https://liquidspace.com/ With Manuel Zea (Coworking Spain, Madrid), Stefan Yazzie Herbert (House of Bandits, Vienna), Claire Carpenter (The Melting Pot, Endiburgh), Ricki Dorman (LiquidSpace, San Francisco).

Companies are rapidly embracing hybrid working models and reconsidering the office capacities they need. A growing number of them are turning to flex workspace operator to propose flexible solutions letting them optimize the management of square meters while proposing more activity based workplace solutions and comfort. The session was produced during Coworking Europe 2021 Virtual on Dec 2, 2021, and is supported by Upflex. https://upflex.com/

How Flex Workspace and coworking access shall become a must in the toolbox of HR and recruitment managers at the time of the distributed workforce. No flex and human hospitality driven solution available, no or less appeal to attract future talents ? With : Adrian Bodis (Immofinanz / myhive) Michal Rudzinsky (108 Agency) Jakub Fekiac (Edgar Baker) Supported by https://myhive-offices.com From Bratislave, Slokavia, recorded on December 2nd, 2021, at Coworking Europe 2021 Virtual.

What corporate companies are already planning now and how operators should prepare for the increased demand for flex office solutions. By the Frankfurt based experts of AllOfficeCenters' co-founder Thomas Schulz. Presented at Coworking Europe 2021 Virtual, on Dec 1st.

Mark Gilbreath is the CEO of LiquidSpace, one of the largest real-time flexible office spaces network. LiquidSpace is a partner of Coworking Europe 2021 Virtual. Mark gave this fascinating presentation over the evolution and innovation within the coworking and flexible workspace market (Dec 2, 2021). The worl of work is re-inventing everywhere.

Gamedy Mbaye is the COO of Vibration Workshare, an independent coworking operator based in Fribourg, a 40.000 inhabitants town in between Lausanne and Bern, two major urban areas of Western Switzerland. The Swiss public transportation is worldwide famous for its punctuality and effectiveness. Hence, it makes a lot of sense to settle coworking spaces between bigger cities. A coworking member can meet a partner or customer anytime in one of the metros located closeby. Founded in 2017, Vibration has since then opened up three additional locations, in Neufchâtel and Vevey, two other towns at the crossroad of bigger urban areas. Gamedy Mbaye is confident for the future and plan to grow the network of spaces further as the awareness regarding the coworking services and alternatives to daily commute to big city centers related to a presence at the head office are better known in Switzerland, after the Covid pandemic.