Jumpstart Magazine July/August 2014 | Page 44

42 JUMPSTART JUMPSTART WHAT’S MISSING FROM HONG KONG’S COWORKING SCENE? By Yana Robbins If you are running a coworking space or thinking of opening a new one, you need to ask yourself this one important question – what can you offer that makes you different? NICHE COWORKING SPACES As Hong Kong’s coworking scene continues to grow (it grew to nearly 30 new spaces in 2 years, wow!), old and new spaces alike will face greater competition and will need to look for ways to innovate. Innovating is about rethinking all the existing rules of work, combining old and new in unexpected ways, and about being aware of the changing needs of workers in the 21st century. If you are running a coworking space or thinking of opening a new one, you need ask yourself this one important question – what can you offer that makes you different? Here are some of the most interesting coworking trends happening at the moment, across the globe. COWORKING SPACES WITH DAYCARE “Being at work means being away from your toddler, unless that is you combine the office and childcare.” Fast Company, Jan 2014 In recent years, considerable importance has been placed on achieving harmony between raising a Experts family and having a career. Coworking spaces with childcare areas are, as a result, proving to be increasingly popular, not least because they help improve the work/life balance of busy parent-entrepreneurs. There are now a number of such places around the world that popped up in recent years. • Officreche.com, UK • Third Door, UK • Rockzipfel, Germany • 47Ronin, Japan • NextSpace, US COWORKING SPACES WITH ON-SITE ACCOMMODATION While most business can be managed online, there will inevitably be occasions where travel is necessary. Coworking spaces that provide on-site accommodation offer a wonderful perk for entrepreneurs who don’t want to commute far after a long day at the office. • 47Ronin, Japan One of the most exciting trends that the world is seeing at the moment is the rise of entrepreneurs who are turning their hobbies and unique skills into businesses. Often, however, these workers don’t have a large startup budget, and will be actively seeking space where they can develop their business without investing in working space of their own. Crafties and Dim Sum Labs definitely have the right idea! Here are some examples niche coworking models around the world: • Eco-friendly and sustainable coworking spaces – GreenSpaces, New York, Denver, Colorado. • Women-only coworking spaces – InGoodCompany, New York. HeraHub, San Diego. • 3-D coworking Space – Mak3d is a a coworking space for 3-d designers. • Coworking space with religious flair, run by a pastor in Minnesota, called Lydia’s Place. Their tagline is “god works in collaborative ways” – brilliant! Pastor Scott Simmons “sees a unique alignment between this emerging cooperative work culture and the mission and goals of people of faith.” COWORKING SPACES WITH INCREDIBLE PERKS Many entrepreneurs will agree that wanting a better quality of life is why they went into entrepreneurship in the first place. Here are some examples of coworking spaces that are adding incredible ‘extras’ to improve the quality of life for their members. • Fitness + coworking. Brooklyn Boulders - this space in Massachusetts, USA, has an on-site gym and a climbing wall. • Video blogging studio, dry cleaning services, massage day. Free Range, Chicago. Wonder if they got these ideas from Google? • Height-adjustable desks from Awesome HQ, New Zealand. • Coworking + yoga? Both are hot items at the moment, so why not combine them? Bread and Yoga, Manhattan. • Highly-exclusive (read expensive!), luxury coworking space with on-site restaurant and posh environment. $1,600 USD. Neuehouse, New York. They plan to open 20 locations around the world by 2020. • On-site infinity pool. Pack your bags and move to Singapore to join HiredTurf. • Organic garden with vegetables in Brussels, Belgium at Factory Forty. • Meditation and massage room, at CityCoHo, Philadelphia. PET-FRIENDLY COWORKING SPACES Many workers don’t like leaving their four-legged friends alone at home while they go out to work, a fact that is definitely being recognized by coworking spaces. Wouldn’t it be nice to bring your pet to work with you? “I really think more offices should be petfriendly as it really improves the vibe of the place—gives the place more life and a fun attitude!” David Walker, Conjunctured. “In June, Trupanion launched a )