Co-what? The Dream Workspace

by Andrea Cook   Tweet

Coworking. 

What is coworking?

Good question! 

Wikipedia defines it as: 

Coworking is a style of work which involves a shared working environment, sometimes an office, yet independent activity. Unlike in a typical office environment, those coworking are usually not employed by the same organization^[1]. Typically it is attractive to work-at-home professionals, independent contractors, or people who travel frequently who end up working in relative isolation.^[2] Coworking is the social gathering of a group of people, who are still working independently, but who share values,^[3] and who are interested in the synergy that can happen from working with talented people in the same space.^[4][5] 

My consultancy, The Midas Center offers coworking as one of the solutions to help businesses grow. The TMC Cowork Space is located in a historical downtown building in north central Indiana. It is the first cowork space available in the area and one of the first cowork options in the state. Why is coworking emerging as the dream workspace?

As an independent professional for over ten years, I have experienced the joys of being one of the first to "telecommute" or "work from home." Working from home, once was glamorized. It grew from the detest or opposition of working in a cubical, wasting hours each week commuting and it promised professionals the possibility for flexibility. It was a win-win for both the employee and employer. A significant cost savings in overhead from the eyes of the employer and a means to hold onto working moms, "working from home" quickly became what all the cool professionals were doing. 

However, after converting two of my Chicago homes with unfinished attics into my dream home office spaces, the cool component of working from home wasn't cutting it for me. The flexibility was a mere mirage. I learned that I needed structure. I longed for space, professional space, outside of my home sweet, messy, loud, pug-barking home. When the only days I forced myself to change out of my robe was when I knew a messenger or UPS guy might stop by, I realized that the isolation was a drag and far from cool. 

Robert California isn't the only change to today's office. Coworking is the new ideal workspace for most professionals.

Today, Robert California isn't the only fresh new topic that has come to The Office. There is a paradigm shift for the ideal office. Consider your dream office and what exactly makes a great workspace for you. I've come up with a list of my wish list. Here are the items from my office dream:

My dream office wish list:

- Facinating and inspiring people that I don't have to work for or manage, but, who are available to talk to, learn from, and possibly share work together, on a contractor basis. People who bring community to a solo enterprise operation help balance the highs and lows of entreprenuerial speeds. Being social and in community with others is healthy and provides accountability to brush your hair and not wear sweat pants every day.

- Open, breathable space that I can pop open my laptop, spread out my bag and get to work without worrying about feeling guilty taking the entire 4-top while sharing wifi at a coffee shop.  

On-demand coffee bar at The Midas Center has a new fall drink for co-work members to enjoy. - GOOD COFFEE is a must. Although, I still love the power I feel while holding a Venti Starbucks in my left hand, I have learned that the time and money it takes to keep my Starbucks addiction thriving can be replaced by a relaxed coffee bar of tasty coffee on demand. Sharing a coffee bar offers a new water cooler experience at the office. 

- Whiteboards galore to brainstorm and share lists, messages, sketches, gigs, quotes, favorite tweets and more. Like the adage goes, (as someone once wrote, on a whiteboard), "The creative with the most whiteboards wins!" 

- Full of natural light. Since realizing my own need for office space away from home, the best office space lease I have ever been able to find in my budget is usually a 200 square foot closet lit by either a very small alley window or one light bulb that dangels from a wire out of the corner of the styrofoam ceiling tile. I'd dream of feeling the warm sunshine during the 9 to 5 grind and include a lot of natural light as one of the virtues of the dream working environment. 

- Walking distance to good eats, shopping, etc. One of the best attributes of working in the Loop in downtown Chicago for a number of years is that everything you needed was accessible by foot during your lunch hour. There's something freeing about walking to the post office, the bank, library, office supply store, deli, eateries, book store and more during lunch or when the need arises. That short walk allows you to pass others on the sidewalk, say hello, open doors for one another and smile. Suburbia has lost this art in the midst of Costcos and stripmalls. My dream office space would be cultivated within a downtown pedistrian space.

- Clean, tidy and organzied space. I like to keep my work junk mail separate from my personal home junk mail. Same things go for my junk and other home and work related items.  

- Mobile work space, connected from anywhere. Some of us understand that the world is not flat anymore. We don't live in a linear space and our workspace doesn't have to rely on wires and clunky work stations. I like to be able to work from anywhere, from the airport to my bedside and all spots in between. By having an on-demand workspace that I can go to for that in between allows me to continue to be mobile and technically agile. 

- Conference room for meetings. Whether I'm in need of a live meeting room for local professionals or a teleconference or video chat, a large private meeting space is needed from time to time. I'd like to have a large meeting space on-demand and my local coffee shop isn't large enough and the library isn't cool enough to conduct a meeting. 

- Modern design. I'm an Apple girl, image and design driven and I have never understood why non-Apple products have historically been beige. I also don't understand why modular office design is navy, black and gray and covered with carpet. I am unable to be innovative and I tend to shut-down creatively speaking when I'm in the midst of that kind of workstation linolium hell. To be creative, I can't be stifled by carpet cubicles and flickering florecent lights.  

What are some of YOUR IDEAL working conditions? Maybe a cowork space is right for you. 

In a nutshell, I've just described the perfect setting for my dream office space. The way to make this dream come true for me was to open my mind and my doors to the world of coworking. Currently, we are seeking like-minded professionals who are looking for similar attributes for their ideal workspace. If you or someone you know would be interested in learning more about coworking, contact me, Andrea Cook or you may follow our facebook page Cowork Space. 

Announcing New Launch of iHEARTplymouth and Co-Editor

With the recent launch of iHEARTplymouth.com, there is a growing need for extra hands to promote our mission: helping businesses and organizations succeed in the marketplace. We are pleased to announce Cam Robertson, as our co-editor to iHEARTplymouth.com.

Cam is a Plymouth High School senior, soon to be graduate upon Friday evening's commencement program. As the president of student council, vice-president of Key Club, nationally recognized speech club leader and recipient of several awards dedicated to student excellence in the community, we are honored to have Cam play an important role in the early phases of iHEARTplymouth.com.

"Community is a huge value to me, and I love to call Plymouth, Indiana my home. At the same time, however, Plymouth is falling behind in this ever growing technological world. I feel like The Midas Center's new media program is just what this community needs to put Plymouth back on the map! And I would be thrilled to be a part of it!" Cam shares about his interest in the new position.

Cam's passion for community and media is evident as he will continue in pursuit of this interest as a student in the public relations program at DePaul University, Chicago this fall. Andrea Cook, The Midas Center owner and editor of iHEARTplymouth.com shares, "One of the most rewarding parts of my career has been getting projects and opportunities that provide jobs and empower other creative professionals. Cam is an emerging leader with many talents and a big future ahead of him. I am confident he will make us all proud!"

In the next several weeks, Cam will be out and about town offering businesses and organizations free advertising and member pages. He will also be popping up throughout town snapping photos and seeking human interest features.

If your business or organization is interested in learning about the summer launch specials including free ad spaces and membership profile services, feel free to contact him by email, coeditor@iheartplymouth.com. You may also send him information, announcements or press releases and he will be sure to help get the word out through iheartplymouth and beyond for you. And, of course, feel free to send just a simple "Kudos to Cam" for his new co-editor position, graduation, upcoming speech tournament or just because youHEARTcam!

About iHEARTplymouth
iHEARTplymouth.com is a fresh and free online media resource for everything you love about Plymouth, Indiana. With community added photos, events, feature stories, reviews and other fun tid- bits like daily fortune cookies and trivial quizes, this social media program is available for everyone: individuals, businesses, nonprofits and any other person or group who wants to get the word out to the community. With eleven targeted groups, readers and advertisers alike can focus their viewership to specific interests such as "good eats," "business to business," "arts and culture," and "sports, fitness and health" to name a few.

Since its summer 2010 launch, the site has received up to 800 visits in one day and over 10,000 pages have been visited in one month. With a variety of advertising options, it is the most affordable and effective advertising opportunity to reach a local viewership.

iHEARTplymouth.com is published by Go Green Media, a subsidiary of The Midas Center. Go Green Media is a grass roots publishing service dedicated to help local communities grow and thrive. Based on eco-friendly practices, Go Green Media provides publications that are paper- and ink-free, reducing waste materials. All of Go Green Media publications are proudly hosted by a service that is 100% WIND POWERED, another earth-friendly practice. Go Green Media creates the opportunities for small businesses and organizations to promote their unique products and services to local communities. For more information on how Go Green Media can help your community grow and thrive, contact Andrea Cook, Go Green Media owner at info@iheartplymouth.com.

EXTRA EXTRA: iHEARTplymouth.com Read it. Write it. Share it. Live it. Love it.

Indy Green Fest and More

Andrea Cook, Indiana’s Green Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist, business owner and community enthusiast demonstrates a passion for eco-friendly activities spanning from her company's strong portfolio of green clients, her love of re-purposed creative furnishings, special mom-n-daughter time growing worm farms and her latest entrepreneurial endeavor that she hopes will paint the town green: Project Green Building.

Learn more about this green-venture at this weekend's Indy Green Fest. Event will kick off with the Indiana Green Awards Gala Dinner at the Hilton Gardens in Indianapolis on Thursday evening. Indy Green Fest will take place at the Indiana State Fair Grounds, March 26th - 28th. For more information on this green-filled event, visit http://greenfestindy.com.

Presenting, “A Girl and Her Green Dream”
Indy Green Fest, Seminar Room
11:30 a.m., Sunday, March 28th
A small town girl with a big vision called Project Green Building shares her dream of taking green mainstream. Join her in the journey as she shares her plan to purchase a distressed downtown property and renovate it into a green building for the sake of awareness. Hear more about the obstacles and her plan to spread the words "reduce, reuse and recycle" through living, working, building and learning in her community.

Culver Wesley United Methodist Church, Latest Client to Go Live!

The Midas Center is pleased to announce the most recently launched web site created for Culver Wesley United Methodist Church. This site was created to give the church an online presence so that they may provide information about their programs and ministries throughout the community including the church's preschool, Kid's Club and Thrift Store.

Pastor Larry Saunders was interested in a site that was budget-friendly and had the functionality for updates and content changes while maintaining a striking and sophisticated image of the church's personality online. Pastor Saunders is leading the communication efforts in social media with a recently created facebook site for Culver Wesley Methodist Church. Interested in being a fan? Check them out >>

Kudos to Small Businesses!

An article published in Tribune Business Weekly salutes small businesses and their investments in the community that help not only fuel the economy, but also stabilize it in economic downturns. The entire article makes bold remarks in support of the small business. Some of the stated statistics made us feel proud as a small business owner, and we'd like to pass it along to you in hopes that you may also find them interesting and encouraging.

- "The backbone of the U.S. economy is not made up of stocks and bonds and large employers. The vital component that supports our economic health is small business."

- "According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, small businesses have accounted for 64 percent of new employment since the mid-1990s. They employ more than half of all private sector employees and pay 44 percent of total U.S. private payroll."

- Small businesses are "innovators, producing 13 times more patents per employee than large employers do."

- Phil D'Amico, director of business growth for St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce claims, “Small business really is, especially in our region's case, the driving force of our economy.”

- D'Amico also states, "not only do small businesses strengthen the local economy, they also contribute significantly to the strength of the community as a whole."

- Small businesses create 80% of the jobs in St. Joseph County, with the exception of government and schools.

Congratulations to you small business owners!

For the complete article, you may visit >>