Here is Bill MacEwan in the throes of managing the transformation of a space in Vancouver into Workspace - Vanvouver's new Commons. (See the link for details of how Workspace is set up and the offering)
I caught up with Bill last week just after the opening and he kindly answered a few questions about why he took this on and what he hopes for Workspace. My interview is part of a series on what leaders (Link to Jonathan Robinson at the Hub in London) in the Commons movement are doing. I intend to link them all when I have enough for critical mass.
Bill's responses are taken from my notes and are not verbatim quotes
I asked Bill what drove him to take on this large project.
I think that my natural self is that of an entrepreneur. I cannot help but think of cool ideas but I do know what separates the merely cool from the great and the idea of a Commons just made so much sense. Everyone I talked to told me that "This is so obvious - so needed" etc. I could see that if we executed well, that it would have a good chance of succeeding.
The time and the context is right. More and more people are either Free Agents or are being outsourced. They do not have to turn up at the "Office" any more. These trends are powerful and will only accelerate. The pool of people looking for a new place to work in can only expand. As I see it, this group of placeless workers are looking for both a good workplace and also for community. Home is fine but not ideal. The current office space world is not set up to meet their needs either in terms of design or price. This is the context for why the Commons is such a great idea.
We have 16 members from the launch and we have had a huge amount of new media and old media attention. (Bill also has a number of YouTube Videos showing the construction etc)
I think that when we reach critical mass of about 50 members, then we will make the transition beyond offering nice office space at a good price to offering a space that grows community - where the benefits extend beyond simple good real estate to offering people the social environment that they need as creative people. I think that Workspace will become in person what many healthy and creative communities of interest have become online.
We also offer each member a blog as well in the hope that they can via Workspace reach out beyond Vancouver as well. We offer very good value as well. Membership costs between $475 and $425 a month. In Vancouver, $500 gets you not a very nice place. At Workspace you get outstanding space for the basement price. That is how we can cope in a high price market.
How have you marketed the space?
I have only spent $500 on ads. We have used the Internet for everything. We have had tons of free media coverage including the piece in the Globe that talked about the Commons in PEI. One of the best sources has been Craigslist.
How do you staff and service the space?
We have a host onsite from 7am to 11pm 5 days a week. We also sell premium coffee. We do this because we know that the coffee culture is at the heart of community culture. The coffee is at the centre of the accidental meetings that will make our space more social.
(Rob) Funny you should say that but that was how Lloyds and all the great scientific groups began in the 18th century. Our vision of the Commons was taken directly from this idea of a coffee house.
Yes what we seek is interaction and coffee and how it brings people together in accidental groups really helps.
Thank you Bill and good luck
