lot of (older) people are familiar with the idea of going to a building every day and sit at their own desk for 8 hours or so. This is called YOUR workplace. With some personal stuff to make the working environment more cheerful, and a little more personal (bearable?)
New initiatives are introduced, where you can work at independent locations which do not have any relation with your employer or assignment. Commercial workspaces with free coffee and Wi-Fi. Where the business model is either to rent out meeting spaces (Seats2meet) or based on a small fee (Spaces, HNK, WeWork etc.)
Another concept is that of sharing existing workspaces. Here they looked at the success of Airbnb’s concept and transformed it into the business space area. Renting out existing company workspaces which are presently not used by their own company employees. So why not renting this out to foreign business nomads? Asking a little fee to cover some basic costs, and perhaps it will introduce some interesting leads.
Next there seems to happen another trend where retailers open up their stores to remote workers. A little corner in the back of their store with some tables, chairs and free Wi-Fi. All according to their interior style, and brand extension is doing its work. New traffic is coming in, people start to look around in the store, and unexpected conversations are happening.
Another development is to work at home with some friends. Having the coffee and cookies on the table. Where you can have an interesting discussion, perhaps a more personal conversation and get (honest) feedback about your working-life from people you appreciate.
….. has left the building!
But still the social component is fixed to the building where you are working in. Why not introduce an app that connects not only with people in the same building, but also with other workers in the building next or opposite the street, or in your neighborhood? Where you login to the Connected Working App and see who is working where, which knowledge is closely available, and make a spontaneous meetup or appointment?
Koffie iemand? / Coffee someone?
author: Hans van de Rakt is Happy Business Coach with the passion to formulate a growth strategy which makes you happy!
