I was surfing the Internet recently and found this VERY interesting article describing how the world of work, and office space, is moving toward an open, collaborative, environment.

Large companies are saving money and space by opening up the workspace.  They say that COWORKING is leading the changes and that the traditional office space we now know (a 10 x 10 box with a door) will go away!

YES!  Love it…..

Here is the article so you can stay here….I hope they do not mind.

For the record…it is Coworking, NOT Co-working.

-

Co-working—the latest trend in workplace strategies—could be the catalyst that shakes up the staid office market.

The tradition of “one worker, one desk” may soon be a thing of the past. Companies across industries are eliminating offices, private work stations and cubicles in favor of team-oriented and shared workspaces.

“I think there is going to be a dramatic shift in how we use space,” says Chris Zlocki, managing director of strategy and innovation for corporate solutions at ColliersInternational in Denver.

Despite employees’ ability to work from anywhere, companies, especially knowledge-based companies, are refocusing on the importance of collaboration to foster ideas and innovation. Yahoo brought the issue front and center when it announced earlier this year that it would call its remote workers back to its company offices. Other tech companies, such as Google and Apple, have thrived on the mantra that “innovation doesn’t happen in isolation,” says Richard Kadzis, a vice president at CoreNet Global, an Atlanta-based association for corporate real estate professionals.

Businesses across industries are opting for office space that allows for greater interaction among workers. For example, management consulting firm Accenture completely revamped its offices in Minneapolis last year, replacing cubicles with a flexible floor plan that includes shared workspaces. It also increased its number of meeting rooms and added a café, all to increase collaboration between its employees. In the process, the firm downsized its Minneapolis office from about 70,000 sq. ft. to 41,000 sq. ft.

Such examples raise questions as to whether this new trend has staying power, and if so, how it will impact office tenants’ real estate decisions. Industry data shows that the physical footprint for office workers is shrinking. The amount of dedicated space per office worker has dropped from about 225 sq. ft. in 2010 to 176 sq. ft. in 2012, according to CoreNet Global.

“We have seen a trend toward what companies call a smaller, but smarter workplace,” says Kadzis.

In addition, a 2012 CoreNet Global survey of corporate real estate executives shows that companies are continuing to push for greater space efficiency. Overall, 40 percent of survey respondents said they expect the amount of dedicated space per office worker to be 100 sq. ft. or less in five years, while 29 percent expect the amount of space per worker to be less than 150 sq. ft.

Morphing office space

The shrinking office footprint supports two key trends. First, companies are striving to use real estate more efficiently to get an immediate bottom line impact. Second, it also reflects the shift in how companies are utilizing space differently to accommodate changing work patterns.

Certainly, companies have been testing alternative workplace strategies for years. Concepts such as hoteling, hot desks and home-based workers have been used for more than two decades. Yet to date, those trends have hardly revolutionized the office industry. What is different now is that advances in technology with mobile devices and cloud computing are enabling more flexibility in how and where people work. People no longer need to be tethered to their desks, notes Zlocki.

Shifting demographics also are accelerating change as companies work to accommodate a younger generation of workers. Gen Y, or the new Millennials as this group of teens, 20- and 30-somethings is often called, is a more tech-savvy, socially-centered workforce that has grown up with the concept of using technology to solve problems. Gen Y is not just driving the co-working trend, but they are also fueling a shift to a distributed work day. Unlike the traditional nine-to-five worker, younger professionals are distributing their work over the whole day, from perhaps 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and more of that work is being done outside the office. The more flexible work schedule and telecommuting means that the number of people in an office varies more than if everyone was on the same schedule. This facilitates the sharing of space. Those trends are all influencing the continued evolution in the way people work, and ultimately the shift in demand for the type and amount of work space companies require, Zlocki adds. Those changes are creating a “triple bottom line effect,” where companies have the opportunity to use their real estate more efficiently, as well as improving the work culture and the work environment, he adds.

Staying connected

Co-working is creating demand for alternative workplaces―both in corporate settings and at third-party facilities. For example, workers can use apps such as Liquid Space to find a drop-in location. “You might not be working with anyone from your company, but you will be with like-minded people who also want to be with other people and talk about what they’re doing,” says Kadzis.

Small businesses and entrepreneurs are finding ways to connect with other workers at collaborative business centers such as Mission 50 Workspaces in Hoboken, N.J. Founder Gregg Dell’Aquila launched the collaborative business center about 15 months ago as a pilot program. The 3,000-sq.-ft. center offers a mix of open work stations and common area space along with private “phone booths.” Mission 50 currently has some 160 members who check in at different times to use the shared workspaces. The project has been so successful that Mission 50 is looking for additional space to open one or two new locations this year.

In addition, co-working is impacting how office space is configured.  For example, individual workstations might have room for a bump-out where workers can have space for a one-on-one meeting, or the configuration might shift with four desks set up with a two-top or a four-top meeting space. Between different work groups, there is more focus on creating break-out spaces or cafés, or more informal areas that can be used as meeting spaces. In addition, companies are adding more conference rooms of varying sizes, ranging from large team rooms to “huddle rooms” that can accommodate smaller groups to allow more meetings to take place within an office. “Collaborative work environments are where the work spaces of today and tomorrow are headed, but with a cautionary note,” says Kadzis.

Companies still need to strike a balance and not build too much collaborative space. It is still important to have dedicated space where people can have privacy to make phone calls or be able to concentrate on “heads-down” tasks without the distraction of other workers, he adds.

 

Most very small businesses (micro-business) or start-ups cannot afford to buy a land line for telephone service.  Not only that, most people (is that an understatement?) already have cell phones.  The need for land lines is rapidly going away, at least for the micro-businesses consisting of just yourself.

Keep up with the times!  ;-)

What I found, in the almost 4 years that AltamontCowork has been in existence, is that Google Voice provides small businesses with an affordable (I suspect FREE is affordable for most) reliable, efficient way to provide your micro-business with an official business telephone number.

Google Voice Features (That I use)

I will just bullet list the features that I find the most useful for me…..there are more.

Click here to sign up for Google Voice.

• My business number forwards to my cell phone (I selected my phone number from a long list of available numbers in my area code).  Example:  One of our former members is based in Rhode Island…they selected a Google Voice number with a local CA 209 area code, and then forwarded that number to their Rhode Island number.  Very cool.
• I could forward the calls to MULTIPLE phones at the same time.  For example, AltamontCowork member JBB Cleaning Services has a Vonage line on their desk.  Their Google Voice number forwards to the Vonage line as well as their cell phone.  If someone is in the office, they can answer the Vonage line, if not, they can answer the cell phone.
• Google Voice has a voice mail capability and a somewhat shitty transcription service…all for FREE.  I get an email, or text, when I get a voice mail or I missed a call.
• I get text messaging that is separate from my cell phones text messaging.
• I can block annoying (or spam) callers.

Conclusion

Start-ups and very small businesses generally answer their own phones.  Google Voice provides an affordable (FREE) and reliable way to present a business telephone number to your callers without exposing (but, be careful…) your personal cell phone number to the world.

-

Coworking = Telecommuting = Telework

AltamontCowork, Tracy, CA,  is the only coworking office space location in the San Joaquin Valley.

OFB of Yahoo

My Definition:

OFB= An OLD FASHIONED BOSS who needs to get out of the way and let the “kids” of today take over and change the world.

Who thought my reviled OFB (see all my articles on telecommuting dating back to…..hmmmm, 1990!!) would look like that?

Truthfully, I had in mind old people like myself:  Wrinkled, set in their ways, backwards, ready to face retirement with glee.  But, wow, my perceptions of who an OFB is has been forever altered….not sure I can recover from this shock to my system.

Wow….shaking head….wow.

Time for OFB’s of all ages to step aside and get with the new world of work.  No sensible purpose is being served going back to the DARK AGES.

You can quote me on that….I’m too old to give a shit.

I started AltamontCowork on May 1, 2009.

Since then, I have gotten quite good at judging (within the first 5 seconds) whether a person walking in the door is going to thrive in a coworking environment, or if a traditional 10 x 10 box office with a door is what they want (not necessarily what they need, but, their minds are closed anyway….).

Let me give an example….but, first.

Coworking is…

Coworking is an open workspace.   Unfortunately, the open style of coworking is a foreign concept for many of us “older” folks (the Tracy, CA demographic of family oriented 35 and older).  Take myself, at 61, as an example.  I grew up dreaming of working in my own office, preferably one with a window.  And guess what?  I achieved that goal….several times.  I succeeded in life.

By contrast….the kids of today (by kids, I mean those under 35 or so) have grown up in an open collaborative work environment.  Open collaboration at school, at the university, and then at work is the norm.  Breaking down the walls (even the low cubicles) is conducive to close collaboration.  Look at Facebook’s workplace, or Google’s…or at the growing number of new high tech companies that are going toward the open workspace concept.  Look at Starbucks.  ”Open” works (as does distributed work, i.e. telecommuting, but, that is another blog).

Here is how a typical potential new member process works at AltamontCowork.   Oh….I have a sign on the outside of the building which mentions coworking along with what everyone understands:  Office Space.

The Phone Call

“I saw your sign, and was wondering how big the office is you have for rent?”

Flag #1….this person wants an office (the Coworking word did not register), but, I will tell them the “truth” as asked.

“1700 square feet”

This next response is funny, and so predictable.

“REALLY????  For $160 per month????”

Again, I answer the questions as asked.

“Yup”. 

“When can I come up and see it?”

“I am here now, Suite 205, upstairs”

OK, I will be there in a few minutes.”

The Visit

The door bell rings and I let the potential new member in.

Within 5 seconds, I know if it is worth my effort to talk about coworking or not (even though it is not…. I give it a stab, as do current members who happen to be here, but, I already know the result).

Worth the effort:  The potential member comes in (and even though they may say “Oh, I was looking for an office” it is clear that their minds are open), his or her eyes widen just a bit.  They stay and walk around as I talk.  They look in the conference rooms, ask about the members, open the storage room door, the bathroom, ask about the mugs, ask about using the space after hours, the key deposit…..etc. etc.  They may come back.

Brian walked in off the street.  His eyes widened and he paid $5 for the day, then 10 minutes later, paid for a month.  He has been here almost 2 years now.

Earl walked in and immediately loved it.  He has been here almost as long as Brian.

Lucille came back the next day even though she wanted an office.  She has been a member now for over a year.

Not worth the effort:  The potential member comes in and their jaw drops (closed mind = open mouth).  “Where is the office?”.  ”This is the office, this is a coworking location.”  “Oh….well I need to talk with my partner, or, “I was looking for an office”.    The occasional person may be polite and listen to some of my spiel, but most simply turn around and walk out.  “Ok, goodbye”.   I know I will never see this person again, and no matter how hard I try to explain the benefits of coworking for a small business, they will never ever change their minds.  So, now, I just say goodbye.

My Attitude

It used to be, those losses killed me.  I would go back to my coworking desk and wonder (i.e. agonize over) what I did wrong, how could I have convinced them to stay, etc. etc.

I know, now, that nothing I could have said, or done, would have resulted in a sign up.

And you know what?  I have learned that that is a good thing.

Coworking takes a certain state of mind.  A member who can thrive in a coworking environment generally has a collaborative, open,  outlook on working.  They can joke around, argue, help others, bring in stuff to help AltamontCowork (coffee, toilet paper, staplers, paper, ink, beer….)….in short, they become “family”.   The person that I just lost…. is not a coworker and never will be.  If they signed up, they will be gone shortly, they will not participate as a “family” member, furthermore, they may steal or take advantage of our generosity (yes, unfortunately, this has happened).

I now accept that those losses only helped to strengthen the environment at AltamontCowork.  We have, mostly, a caring strong core of coworkers who will go out of their way to help.

I now hand a sheet of paper to potential members along with the information packet and sign-up sheet I normally give out.  On this new sheet of paper is a list:

Coworking is…..

• Community
• Collaborative
• Supportive (give without asking for anything in return)
• Casual
• Green
• Affordable
• Available
• Open (to ideas, learning, and discussion)
• Serendipitous
• Encouraging
• Safe (and, in our case, kid friendly)

It gives the potential new member something to think about when they go home:

 We are different and we care about your success. 

Conclusion

Coworking is changing the way people work.  It is here to stay and will grow exponentially over the next 10 or 15 years.

COWORKING ROCKS!

Coworking is….

+Community

+Collaborative

+Supportive (give without asking for anything in return)

+Casual

+Green

+Affordable

+Available

+Open (to ideas, learning, discussion)

+Serendipitous

+Encouraging

+Safe (and kid friendly)

Telecommuting has been around for a very long time.  I know, I co-wrote the first (and as far I I know the only) telecommuting plan at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in 1990 (or so, I forget).

From that effort, I gained a lifelong love of the potential of remote work.  I am shocked that it has not become more commonplace….but I think I know why: OFB’s (read further!).

A shortened, but still compelling, list of positives for Telecommuting:

1. Increases productivity
2. Saves time
3. Saves money
4. Happier / less hassled employees
5. Employers can hire from a larger pool of employees.
6. Reduces office costs for the employer

On and on….

The negatives are mostly in the addled minds of the Old Fashioned Bosses (OFB’s) who need to retire anyway.

1. The notion that work is not getting done unless you are under the scrutiny of your boss is ARCANE.
2. The notion that telecommuting is an employee PERK is LUDICROUS (it benefits the employer and employee, DUH)
3. The notion that a project must be worked on between 9 AM and 5 PM is STUPID.
4. The employer needs to pay for Internet access, a good computer and work space, etc. Actually this is valid.  :-)

See my very short blog entry on Starting a Telecommuting Program for free, in short: Set a deadline for a project, Let the telecommuter do it, Stay connected.  If the project was done on time and within budget…you have started a telecommuting program at your work.  If not, try a new project with someone else, or maybe, you failed.  Correct the mistakes and try again.  Easy as 3.14.

But, there are some negatives for the telecommuter as well:

1. Easy access to the refrigerator
2. The constant need to work any / every hour of the day and night
3. Smelly PJ’s
4. The lack of human socialization (even video conferencing cannot help…. believe me I know probably better than anyone in the world, but, I retired, so I will not get into that).
5. Distractions at home (spouse, kids, pets, laundry, the lawn…..)

Here is where COWORKING comes in for the telecommuter (maybe not the one or two day telecommuter, but, certainly the full-time, or near full-time, telecommuter).

With well over 1,500 coworking locations around the world, chances are pretty good that there may be at least one within a few minutes drive of your home.  If you are lucky, you may have a choice of locations.

Telecommuting at a Coworking location gives you:

1. Free access to the Internet
2. A nice desk to work at….in an office environment. (You leave the office, and work, when you leave)
3. Access to your boss via video conferencing (then again I retired, so no more said on that….)
4. The need to shower and get dressed to go to work.
5. Socialization with humans who are not your spouse or kids.
6. Help with your project if needed.
7. Serendipitous ideas that can help in ways you can never predict.
8. CLOSE to home.  Within 5 minutes of leaving your home, you can be working.  (Increased productivity, save gas, reduce traffic, save the environment, etc.)
9. A happier employee, more refreshed no need to fight traffic, spend extra money on gas, and most importantly, the telecommuter is close to home, kids, spouse when needed.

Summary

The positives of telecommuting at a coworking location FAR outweigh the negatives.  Why not do it?

Start here:  http://Coworking.com

If you are a start-up or a small independent business (or telecommuter), you might not have the resources to rent a traditional (or virtual) office.

If that is true, you may choose to work at home (with all the distractions) or at your local cafe like Starbucks, or in Tracy, CA, Baristas.

Working at a Cafe

The nice thing about Starbucks, or Baristas, is the atmosphere, action, and the cool factor.

The bad thing is that the Cafe can get VERY noisy.  You also have limited space, limited access to power, the WiFi may be unsecured, and increasingly, the Cafe’s really do not want you parking your butt at a table all day long.

Client meetings (or making a phone call) are a hassle since the noise level is high, and there are no conference rooms for privacy.  Also…the Cafe does not have a copier, scanner, or if you still insist on using old technology, a Fax.

Good things are that going to work at a Cafe gets you out of the house (you have to shower and get dressed) and it is cheap.  The only things you pay for are the coffee and food.

For many independents and start-ups, working at a Cafe is a viable option….as long as you don’t get asked to leave.

Working at a Coworking Location

If you need the amenities of an office, but, you don’t have the money to buy, set-up, and maintain the essentials….your local coworking location can be for you.

Coworking locations (there are over 1,500 worldwide) are community based, open workspaces, where the members collaborate and help each other succeed.  Coworking locations offer different packages including 24 x 7 access, and use of the space for large meetings after hours.

The  coworking environment is serendipitous, interactive, and productive.

Unlike the Cafe, you have LOTS of desk space, ample power,  conference rooms for meeting clients, a copier, scanner, the old Fax (if you really need it), free Coffee, free WiFi, snacks, and all the little things an office has: stapler, paper clips, pens, pads, refrigerator,  microwave, clean bathrooms, storage, TV, etc etc.

In short…all the amenities of an office with the cool atmosphere of a Cafe.

Working in a traditional office is isolating (the door is closed), and working at home has distractions.

Coworking provides the best of all worlds….interaction, privacy, resources, and instant help from other members when needed.  And community where we enjoy DonutUP’s, Pizza lunches, Networking gatherings, Business presentations, Christmas parties….etc.

AltamontCowork started in Suite 203 on May 1, 2009.

The membership grew slowly, but, at times, the functions we needed to support (DonutUp’s, Pizza parties, Tweetups, Rotary club meetings, etc) filled the small open space.

I forget when, but, Suite 205 was available and we moved.

Suite 205 was open, large, and was able to host LARGE gathering, meetings, as well as give members more space for their desks and collaborations (but…it is open…ie no walls…).  Not everyone liked the open coworking space, but, those that gave it a try (of the current members: Earl and Brian) found out how great coworking is for a small business person.

After 1.5 years in Suite 205,  it was not yet supporting itself, and we had to move back to Suite 203…..to save money.

NOW….we have the opportunity to move BACK to Suite 205 for the SAME PRICE as Suite 203.

This could be a good time to again grab the LARGER space especially for our members who bring in groups of people after hours for classes, training, presentations, etc, but, also for the rest of us who just want more elbow space.

Here are some pictures of Suite 205:

I was surfing the Internet today and spotted this very interesting article on how coworking is better than working virtually.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/dailymuse/2012/05/26/5-reasons-co-working-is-better-than-working-virtually/

-

Is This Fun?

This is 2012….

There are any number of jobs that can use any number of remote access technologies (from ubiquitous high-speed Internet access to document application sharing to video conferencing to IP voice to plain old email…and everything in between) that allow employees to TELECOMMUTE / TELEWORK effectively, efficiently, and productively…….from virtually anywhere.

Why is it not happening?

Well….for one there are still those Old Fashioned Bosses (OFB’s) out there that insist you are not working unless you are cultivating your farm under the OFB’s nose.  Secondly, I will bet that if you approached your OFB to TELECOMMUTE / TELEWORK they would think you would never get out of your PJs and play / goof-around more than work.   They also think (stupidly) that TELECOMMUTE / TELEWORK is a PERK.

Arrrghhh…..the OFB’s need to retire already!

TELECOMMUTE / TELEWORKING is easy to start.  Lots of experts want to charge you thousands and thousands of dollars to institute TELECOMMUTE / TELEWORK at your place of business. Here is a link to my blog entry telling companies how they can start a TELECOMMUTING / TELEWORKING program.  It is EASY, it is FREE…all it takes it a bit of forward thinking and the desire to improve one’s business (save money, increase moral, increase productivity, improve quality….and the list goes on and on).

For all those 205 / 580 / 680 / ACE train commuters streaming into the Bay Area everyday from the Central Valley there is an option available right here in Tracy, CA.  Ask your OFB if you can spend one or two days a week TELECOMMUTING / TELEWORKING from an OFFICE in Tracy, CA.  Not from home….not from Starbucks…..not from Barnes & Noble….an OFFICE.

A COWORKING OFFICE.

For $160 per month (per person) your employer has a place for all their long distance commuters to the SF Bay Area to work CLOSE TO HOME!   WiFi and wired Internet access included, so are power strips, desks, and coffee.  The employee (YOU!!) can work…longer….harder….and be happier and healthier when that 3 to 4 hour commute is no longer an option.  If you start work at 8 AM….you can roll out of bed at 7:30 AM instead of 4 AM and still get to AltamontCowork by 8 AM.  Once there….you will be greeted with an available desk, a hot pot of coffee (your own personalized mug), donuts, fruit, and friendly coworkers.

Need to video conference?  You happen to have one of the most

knowledgeable video conferencing experts in house (ME!)  and screaming FAST Comcast business class Internet access to support HD video conferencing if you so desire.

Need to meet with clients?  Use one of our two conference rooms.  One has a public computer and a couch the other a TV / DVD / VHS.  Each has whiteboards for brainstorming ideas!

In short….AltamontCowork was founded by an engineer who wrote the first TELECOMMUTE / TELEWORK plan at Lawrence Livermore National Lab and then had a successful career designing and implementing state-of-the-art IP based video conferencing technology for Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s ESnet.

With over 1000 coworking locations worldwide, we can connect you to a coworking location worldwide (for three days for free) while you are on travel.

Remote work is our mantra….our expertise….our passion.

TELECOMMUTERS:  Talk to your OFB (or YB….young boss?) and tell them about the benefits of TELECOMMUTING / TELEWORKING.  Tell them about COWORKING in Tracy, CA were you can save gas, help save the environment, save money and increase productivity.

Coworking = Telecommuting = Telework

-