Looking to make 2025 even more productive?
π Happy New Year all!Β
We’re Syncaroo and during 2024 we helped a bunch of amazing flex space teams eradicate entire to-do lists.
π Five ways they unblocked their teams.Β
(and how to unblock your best people too)
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β Coworking impact.
π New peer group for up-and-coming industry professionals #
A new peer-driven community called FLOC (Future Leaders of Coworking) has launched to support early to mid-career professionals in the coworking industry. Founded by industry peers (Sam Shea, Blaize Randell, Luke Willis and DeShawn Brown) FLOC aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and leadership development among the next generation of coworking professionals.
The community offers a network of passionate individuals, opportunities for collaboration and growth, and a supportive environment for developing leadership skills. FLOC is currently seeking nominations for its inaugural membership class.
π Read this.
π° Coworking news & views.
π₯οΈ Yardi acquires both Deskpass and Hubble #
Yardi has officially announced the acquisition of both Deskpass and Hubble. This strategic move expands Yardi’s offerings in the flexible workspace market and strengthens its existing solutions, including Yardi Commercial, Yardi Kube and CoworkingCafe.
The acquisition will enable Yardi to provide a wider-reaching suite of tools for managing coworking spaces, from operations through to marketing to lead generation and revenue insights.
Questions to ponder:
1. Will commission structures on these platforms change, to bring them more in-line with CoworkingCafe’s no commission approach? And if they do, what does it mean for competitors for each platform like Liquidspace, FlowSpace, Desana, Upflex and Gable?
2. Does this create any longer-term ties between Industrious (who had acquired a majority of Deskpass recently) and Yardi?
3. What does this mean in relation to Anant’s big plan for a global interconnected booking experience?
4. Who will be joining the TWIC podcast to answer these and other Qs for you?
PS Got Qs you’d like answered? Let us know by replying to this email
π Read this.
π¨ Easy email automations for reviews & retention [+templates] #
While most coworking operators focus primarily on marketing-oriented email campaigns, non-marketing emails are equally valuable. And when you automate them, they can help you boost retention, enhance your member experience, and drum up social proof – on autopilot. Talemaker share four types of emails you should be using (along with copy-paste-able templates) and get step-by-step instructions on how to automate them.
π Read this.
π¬ Is mail compliance a growth & retention strategy? #
Sofia Stolberg from PilotoMail shares 3 reasons why coworking spaces are starting to see mail-related compliance as a growth and retention strategy.
In short: it shows you take mail security seriously, it’s a strong differentiator, and well-managed mail subscriptions have very very little churn.
π Read this.
πͺπΈ Aticco confirms ambitious growth plans #
Spanish coworking operator Aticco has confirmed its goal of reaching a cumulative 100,000 sqm of space in Spain and beyond.
This ambitious target reflects Aticco’s rapid expansion and its commitment to becoming a leading player in the European coworking market. The company currently operates 20 spaces in Spain and Portugal, with plans to open new locations in both existing and new markets.
π Read this.
π€ A perfect example of hospitable workspace vs. office #
Alex Latham from The Ministry shares a real life story of a member company asking to come back after moving to a more traditional workspace provider post acquisition. The reason? The team stopped showing up to the office. Why? Their new office space didnβt have a gym, bar, deli, terrace, or any vibe. And, most importantly, the receptionist didn’t even look up when anyone entered – customer service was zero.
π Read this.
π€ Top leadership changes at Tribes #
Dutch based workspace operator brand, Tribes has announced that concurrent with their 10th anniversary, Founder and CEO Eduard Schaepman has stepped down. Taking the helm, is Jasper Bekkering, his co-founder.
This is more significant news than you would typically expect, as Schaepman prided himself on being the face of the business. Literally.
π Read this.
βοΈ A great activity for your next community event: saving a life #
Dayhouse Coworking shared that they recently hosted a CPR training inspired by a member’s brother. He was the only one out of 200 people at a recent event that new how to preform CPR when there happened to be a medical emergency where it was needed to save a life. Now, thanks to a free event led by a local firefighter/paramedic, their Dayhouse members know CPR too. Nice!
π Read this.
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π» Coworking technology.
π§Ύ What comes right after closing a coworking sale? #
Helga Moreno from Spacebring shares a whole bunch of great tips for nailing new member onboarding. From setting expectations, to building warm welcomes, to measuring success and handling continuous improvements.
π Read this.
π€ How do AI Agents rank in the flex office brokerage market? #
Michael Dubicki explores how AI agents (in flex office brokerage) may score when comparing how much of their function is unique value-add vs "just process". They briefly evaluate areas like building relationships; getting availability/pricing; booking viewings; negotiating; creativity; and keeping in touch?
Interested in where else AI Agents may improve/change/challenge coworking businesses and practices? We’re excited to confirm that an Undercurrents edition on AI Agents has now officially been underwritten and is being scheduled. So, if you’ve used ANY AI Agents in your business? Reply to this email and let us know!
π Read this.
π Platform upgrades UX for their booking platform #
In what has been a busy week for Yardi, they also announced a refreshed look and updates to their Yardi Kube product. This update focusing on their "prospect portal", significantly upgrading the UX and UI for those searching for, and wanting to easily book, workspaces.
π Read this.
π€ Coworking market moves.
π CBRE acquires Industrious to create BOE segment #
CBRE has acquired 100% of Industrious. High level deal points include: 100% acquisition; $800M valuation; Jamie Hodari stays on as CEO and take on global role at CBRE overseeing 95,000 employees managing over 7,000,000,000 sqft of space. The firm will create a new segment called Building Operations & Experience – unifying building operations, workplace experience and property management services.
ICYMI: Since 2020 CBRE had bought roughly 40% of Industious, and given a $100M convertible note. The remainder of the company is being acquired for around $400M.
π Read this.
πͺ© Another iconic nightclub becomes a coworking hub #
Coworking Europe reports on how Hygge are transforming one of Pragues’ most iconic night clubs, Radost FX, into a coworking space. This club, joins other legendary clubs like the Ministry of Sound in becoming vibey workspaces and communities.
What is Radost FX? That’s the club where Rihanna recorded her music video for "Don’t stop the music" – which in other news was released 15 frigging years ago. And yes, I think I’m aging myself with that reference.
π Read this.
π Caddo grows west. #
Tim Slaughter shares that Caddo Office Reimagined have finally found a site in Tarrant County, Dallas Fort Worth. The space will be opening in September and feature 3 rental plans (day memberships, social memberships and offices).
π Read this.
π¬π§ Manchester space expands with an exclusive work club #
A year after opening in a renovated 19th century church, Ministry of Work is on a waiting list for private offices – but has launched a professional work club. Benefits include access to the space’s communal areas, events and vetted community for growth-focussed founders.
π Read this.
π€ UK launches AI hub in London #
Tech Nation, in partnership with Merantix, Husayn Kassai, and Techspace, are launching the London AI Hub to support the UK government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan.
Opening in February 2025, the hub aims to address fragmentation in the London AI ecosystem by providing a central space for collaboration among founders, investors, academics, and policymakers. The initiative draws inspiration from successful models like STATION F in Paris and the Merantix AI Campus in Berlin.
π Read this.
π Coworking conversations.
David Auerbach from Hoya Capital & The Daily REITBeat Newsletter joined the TWIC Podcast to discuss the fundamentals of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), including their structure, benefits, and impact on coworking spaces.
π§ Listen to this.
Jerome Chang joins Kunal Chandiramani on the DeTox Show where he shares his journey of creating coworking spaces that go beyond just desks and WiFiβfostering collaboration, community, and innovation.
π§ Listen to this.
In this episode of the Coworking Values Podcast Bernie Mitchell sits down with Denise Brouder, the instigator of The Science of Flexibility reportβa project shaking up how we think about coworking, enterprise, and the spaces in between.
π§ Listen to this.
Laura Spiller, PhD, joined Jamie Russo on Everything Coworking to share her story of launching a coworking space designed for mental health professionals, the lessons learned, and the community she’s building in Houston via Practice Age Therapist Collective.
π§ Listen to this.
In this week’s Flex Uncensored podcast episode Jamie and Gio dive deep into Self-storage, Coworking and Cowarehousing with David Fisher, Managing Director of Fisher Global Development and Founder of Kefi Spaces and Business E Suites.
π§ Listen to this.
