14 May 09 Community Working

Coworking is a great word. It’s got instant gravitas. It gets people thinking. But inevitably the comparisons are drawn and the conversation becomes ‘So, it’s just like a serviced office then?’. I can hear the collective sigh as coworking community members scream out in virtual pain. If coworking is anything, it is ‘community working’. You’d be hard-pressed to find any community (let alone natural light or fresh air!) in a serviced office.

I strongly believe that in order for a coworking facility/space/service (all such boring corporate words) to be successful, it needs to start and end with community. I want this site to engage a tribe; to fire up those passions and craft a better world for ourselves. There’s so much theory behind coworking from an economic perspective, and just as much again on actually running a space. To me, those things are straight-forward; boring almost. From an administration perspective, it’s 21st century micro property development. Boring! The interesting part is envisaging the possibilities of what we, together as a community, can accomplish.

Coworking could spark new ideas in your own business.  It could forge new partnerships. It could improve productivity and happiness. It could help you achieve work/life balance whilst still pursuing your dreams. It enables previously unviable business plans to leap from the page. It turns a coffee addiction into a social addiction. It is what you want it to be. But behind every one of these thoughts, dreams and ideals is the common thread of community. Without it, it’s just space… nothingness.

Tags: community, community working, coworking, coworking melbourne, mantra, site update