So, what is the coworking value of collaboration?
The easiest way to think about it is collaboration over competition.
The other way to think about it is what we can do together that we cannot achieve alone.
In a coworking environment, collaboration saves time, money, and energy.
Do this by running a coworking space where you encourage members to connect and brainstorm together.
Academic and commercial studies have consistently found that 80% of business referrals come from people sitting near each other in coworking spaces.
If you run a coworking space, seek to connect with other founders, operators, and community managers to share ideas and support.
For example, what is the best coworking space software, or how do I discuss menopause with my members?
BUT: The bit that always confuses people is this:
"Why am I talking to my competition?"
In London, various reports put the number of coworking spaces at around 3000+.
If your target market is guitar players who went to school with Naomi Campbell and like cheesecake, that's a tiny target market.
So, of course, avoid opening a coworking space next door to someone with the same niche target market.
But there are around 8.9 million people in London.
There's a lot of people looking for a place to work.
For coworking space founders, operators, and community managers from small, micro and independently owned businesses, collaboration over competition is one of the most valuable mindsets you can practice.
