Hey crew, I have been a bit in the wind but that is because there are some great things on the horizon. A larger relationship with a Fortune 500 company is progressing slowly but positively and we are making a bid on a space in Saint Paul. Look for a less cryptic note next week and get ready to take that next step with us soon.

Stephen Filing

651-336-6806

BringMeTheNews -

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Founded by long-time Twin Cities investigative journalist & television news anchor, Rick Kupchella, BringMeTheNews provides high-level filtration to the unending stream of local breaking stories and information

Hey Coworking Enthusiasts,

Just wanted to say thank you to all who have come to meetings, joined our social groups and have shown interest in coworking here in the Twin Cities. There are also some new spaces coming online in 2010 and we expect to launch April 1st, No Joke.

Anywho, thank you to all and look for coworking in the Twin Cities to be real in 2010.

Steve

Susan Evans, co-founder of Office Nomads in Seattle, was just featured in a nice, splashy piece on the merits of coworking in this month’s Entrepreneur Magazine.  The article focuses on coworking’s rapid growth both internationally (and in your backyard).

Susan was actually the first person I ever spoke with about coworking.  In fact, I interviewed her a little while ago for another Web site I was running some time ago. The concept and her energy & excitement so inspired me I decided to take a whack at launching a coworking facility right here in Akron, Ohio.

Now we’re working on our second facility – Office Space Coworking:  Cuyahoga Falls.  And let’s just say the concept not only works well in Seattle, San Francisco and New York — but even in our little neck of the woods.

Tony Bacigalupo, of New Work City got a nice mention but didn’t see any mention of Alex Hillman of IndyHall in Philly.  Another national leader in the coworking concept.

Anyway it’s a great article. Espousing the merits of being ‘Solo, But Not Alone’. And I’m always excited to see the coworking movement get some props in the national media.

Coworking Facility “The Factory” creates an atmosphere of “working together separately.”

When like gives you lemons make lemon aid, when economic times are tough and leasing space becomes more difficult looking at smaller tenants becomes more palatable and when those tenants are bunched together in a coworking space then everybody wins.

http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2009/11/coworking_creates_potential_fo.html

A few of us met at the Caribou Coffee in Roseville and had some good discussions around whether or not the Coffee Shop CoWorking model had legs enough to stand on its own or was only an add-on to the traditional coworking space, a satellite office if you will. The Coffee Shop CoWorking Model is interesting because it addresses the two biggest problems with coworking. 1. Price and 2. Proximity.

Price is significantly lower due to the small footprint of the space (120 sq. ft. to  216 sq. ft.) and the fact that the space only holds 1 large table 8+ chairs, a wipe board and a multifunctional copy machine. This allows cost to be $25-$50 a month as opposed to $175-$400 a month.

Proximity, with the proliferation of coffee shops in every neighborhood there is bound to be a coffee shop, restaurant, bar or office complex from which the neighborhood could glean space.

Anywho, would love to hear peoples thoughts on the viability of the Coffee Shop CoWorking Space.

Thanks, Stephen Filing

Another example of third places people work from that are getting inundated by overuse and squatters. Again this bodes well for the Coworking movement. We as Americans are notorious for finding a good thing and squeezing the life out of it like Lenny and the bunny from Of Mice and Men. People that stay 3+ hours at a coffee shop buying a single cup of coffee for $2 know they are  abusing the coffee shops generosity and one day when too many people take advantage there is always a backlash and you are seeing some of it. This is not to say what the appropriate time at any establishment is but when overuse, abuse or squatting pushes too hard the business owner will have to push back and that ends up hurting everybody.

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_13592128

It’s very simple: a work space open to every worker away from the home or office. A real work space with its advantages such as a real desk, real connections, business tools and more important real people to talk to, exchange with.

Sorry I have been remiss in not keeping up with more frequent posts. In selling my condo our weekly Wednesday meetings have been tabled for a couple more weeks until I am settled in my new home. We are going to meet at a coffee shop meeting room in Roseville MN next Wednesday at 4pm for about an hour and a half to discuss if that might be another path to explore. This low cost alternative can be developed with independent coffee shop owners or someone who has connections to Caribou or Dun Brothers will need to step up.

2111 Snelling Avenue right across form Har Mar Mall

I miss seeing my friends and colleagues so hope any and everyone can come.

Steve Filing (651) 336-6806

In the last week I (Stephen Filing) have received 4 calls from Baltimore, Madison, Indianapolis and suburban Dallas asking about the direction of our model. We still have a long way to go but when peers appreciate your work and perspective that might mean we are doing something right. Our small footprint makes rent viable, keeps costs low and allows for incremental growth, this is key because with new concepts and ideas adoption occurs slowly until widespread knowledge of the public is reached.  Coworking is moving toward this goal but as most of you know many people are not even familiar with the concept let alone willing to pay for membership. We are getting there, so come along for the ride! Get involved join TCCW and/or come to a Wednesday Open Forum.