Why CoworkingNow, Why Poland?

Original post · 15 March 2019

Was it “just another (un)coworking conference” ?

I recall few food-for-thought from last year from the speakers:

1. You need a good partner when setting up your coworking space, and not necessarily a big financial investor. It was Mike LaRosa, highlighting this, that “there may very well be conflicts on vision and expectations with you and your investor. While the investor will help your business with an injection of cash, he will in return set high expectations for profit! Whereas a good partner-in-crime will have a bigger support on your journey to create the coworking space of your dreams”
2. Coworking is not an office, coffee, wifi - coworking is PEOPLE who want to connect and create businesses together. (Claire Carpenter). It’s all about the communities. While I think it is fine to just open an office and rent out those desks to independent professionals or companies, it is a different business, and not coworking.
3. Stand out or die! Pauline Roussel of Coworkies, confirmed the diversity of coworking spaces is rather our biggest strength, and we need to continue to build on this. Keep creating coworking spaces that are unique in style and unique in their communities.
4. There is more men in Polish coworking spaces than women. Based on O4 Coworking’s survey on Polish coworking ecosystem, 66% of coworkers indicated that there are less than 30% of women in their coworking! --- There is absolutely room for improvement in diversity. It’s well-known and proven fact that diversity makes us more creative and successful.
5. Don't buy software before you fix your basics. This was more me endorsing it. You need to fix your basics first before trying to automate stuff. Otherwise you just amplify the problem. This is true not only for management software, but for your social media accounts and website too. First, identify whom you want to address, who is your target audience, where they are, which social media channels are they using primarily? then identify what you want to tell to them, and where you talk to them. Do not just go and open an social media account on every possible channel unless you have a plan.

And few personal observations, including some thoughts why this year’s Coworking Poland conference is a must-visit:

1. Coworking scene in Poland, especially in Warsaw is booming. There are 140+ reported coworking spaces only in Warsaw per our research in Cowork7/24 -- are all these “coworking coworking” or more serviced-offices? I personally think a bit of both, but it doesn’t matter much. There is a huge growth in Poland that makes a Poland coworking conference stand out among others.
2. The appetite for coworking businesses is growing. We see many global/big players are entering the Poland market, and some Polish-origin coworking spaces are planning to expand geographically. This is just great for the total scene.
3. Such a growth in supply comes with a risk of “empty coworking spaces”. Indeed, I confirmed this ugly truth in some of my personal visits to Warsaw coworking spaces. I am hoping and expecting this will change to the positive, and such conferences are great enablers to spread the word and love on coworking.
4. Are small/local/boutique coworking spaces under threat? Absolutely not? Or maybe? I think those who are acting with a mind-set of uniqueness, community and collaboration will benefit and grow more in this very competitive Poland coworking ecosystem.
5. Coworking Spaces will attract and create their own start-up scene. Expect to have new local start-ups that aim to serve coworking spaces, and expect to see more international start-ups, like ours, Cowork7/24, entering the Poland market!

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