Reviving community at Workbar Cambridge

Two people

That’s how few attended the most recent community event at Workbar Cambridge. It’s indicative of the recent lull in community engagement we’ve been experiencing at our coworking space. I can’t point to exact causes, but there are several recent developments that have correlated. We’ve had turnover in organizational occupants, the arrival of a new community manager, and the departure of a few well-connected members (myself included). Now that I’m back at Workbar though, I’m invested in turning things around!

This spring, I’m advising the community management team at Workbar Cambridge on its event offering. We’re aiming to provide value along two key areas. On one side, we’re looking to boost community engagement. On the other, we’re looking to provide professional value. Read on to learn more about our objectives, challenges, and the methods we plan to use along the way.

Objectives: Increase engagement and deliver professional value

Our main driver behind increasing attendance at socially-minded events is to enhance social cohesion among our members. There is a clear rationale for this. Feeling part of a community is one of the main elements that enable coworking users to thrive. At our coworking space, the social ties can be placed in two categories. In the first are social ties among people who work for the same company. These ties are quite strong and are formed overwhelmingly by working together. In the second category are ties between people who work independently, think freelancers and remote workers. These ties have formed organically and exist in a loose network. Through our events, we are striving to connect more independents to each other, and to build bridges between independents and those who work for companies.

Another key value we can provide is the opportunity to grow professionally. Research has shown that professional ties within a coworking space are a significant source of help and guidance, and of valuable business referrals. At our space, members are already unlocking this value through serendipitous encounters and informal connections. Our space has also hosted formal events that have been good opportunities to learn. We are aiming to take it to the next level by better targeting our professional events for our community.

Methods: Optimizing timing & targeting content

As I mentioned, we are aiming to better target our events to our community. There are two key event components we want to optimize: timing and content. In terms of timing, most Workbar members work on completely independent schedules, which makes it challenging to find suitable times for events. This is especially important for social events.

Social events can conflict with the ability of our members to get work done. I’ve experienced this myself. There have been several 4pm happy hours that I have passed on because I hadn’t yet completed my work for the day. To reduce this conflict, we plan to test out later start times.

For our professionally-minded events, there are a couple key methods we plan to use to offer more relevant content. The first is to review our communication history. Currently, members actively send emails to the community when in need of expertise, e.g. for PR or web design. These provide hints as to the content that would be of interest. We can build these suggestions into our second method.

The second method we plan to use is a questionnaire. It will ask members about the content they would be interested to learn. We can pre-populate this list with hints from the community emails mentioned above, and with additional topics we identify as relevant to our members, e.g. SEO. We plan to include a fill-in field for members to suggest their own learning topics, which future visitors can vote on. The questionnaire also allows us to ask for optimal times for our workshops.

In addition to well-worded prompts, we’ll need many responses to make our questionnaire successful. The key will be to maximize its visibility. We know from experience that our internal social network Wobbe is not the most active, so in addition to posting it there, we plan to host the questionnaire on a kiosk at the entrance to our space. This makes it visible to all passersby, and gives our community manager the opportunity to nudge members to respond. With a high response rate, we can get a better sense for the desirability of different types of professional events.

Let’s do this!

With our objectives and methods well outlined, I’m looking forward to further partnering with the community managers at Workbar Cambridge to shape the Spring events calendar. And guess what, we have a great opportunity to test our assumptions coming up: our community manager Sam is hosting a sushi-rolling workshop. It’s starting later than usual, at 5pm, and a good number of members have already signed up! Stay tuned to see how it goes :)., which

Coworking Space Review - Workbar Central Square

Takeaways from a workplace specialist’s experience

The first time I walked in, I knew this place would work for me. Now eight months in, I can confirm that my feeling about Workbar in Central Square was right. Since I joined in June 2018, I’ve made significant progress building my business, and have made great personal connections. Sadly, it’s time for me to take a hiatus, but not before sharing what I liked about this Workbar location and what can be improved.

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What I liked

• Office-like aesthetic & feel

• Activity-based neighborhoods

• Behavioral guidelines & great adherence

• Balanced utilization

• External monitors & standing desks

• Ample daylight & outdoor space

• Community of friendly members with similar personalities/character

• Density of local eateries, drug stores, & art/office supply shops

• Great location for accessing Greater Boston

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What can be improved

• Lack of visual privacy for focus work

• Occasional disruptive behavior by members & guests

• Few profession-specific groups/events

• Lack of personal storage

• Dropping air quality on busy days

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Space

One of the main reasons I have enjoyed my time at Workbar has been the space itself. Natural daylight streams in from all sides, supporting my circadian rhythm. The carpeting, furniture, and decor is colorful enough to give energy, yet sober enough to say “this is a place for work”. The one noticeable downside has been that the air quality significantly drops on busy days. Thankfully, the balconies offer a welcome breath of fresh air.

The Commons, my go-to neighborhood within Workbar’s coworking space in Cambridge. I opt for this zone because the buzz of light conversation stimulates my creativity, and because there are plenty of standing desks.

The workstations themselves are satisfactory, especially for divergent work. I have favored working from the high tables that afford standing and sitting. One issue, however, is that the tabletops do not give much visual isolation. I have found this to be a challenge when completing high focus work. When writing, for example, I have been easily distracted by people passing by. This is not always an issue, however. When working on graphics, the openness has been great.

My workstation today. The monitor helps not only for productivity and ergonomics, but also to shield from visual distractions, e.g. the person working directly behind it.

Workbar does a great job of supplying tools and amenities. I have used a secondary monitor every day to support my productivity. The space now even supplies external keyboards. On the amenities side, I’ve been happy with the selection of quality teas and the sparkling water tap. The morning fruits and afternoon snacks have been welcome too. Not all is ideal, however.

One of my bigger struggles with the Central Square space has been the lack of personal storage. While Workbar does offer some lockers for a monthly fee, there is no secure place large enough to leave a 15” laptop overnight. This means I have carried my electronics, chargers, snacks, and documents with me every day. I’ve managed to fit this into two bags, which have been cumbersome to carry, especially when I’ve taken the hour-long bus commute. This also made for a heavy load for the few times I have cycled. Workbar could alleviate this situation and turn it into a revenue opportunity by offering larger lockers, as they already do at their location in Back Bay.

The bags I carry back and forth from Workbar. What’s inside? Laptop, charger, notebook, snacks, clipboard, drawing tablet, comfortable pair of shoes. Not so convenient for my public transit commute, let alone cycling.

An aspect that is not always obvious, but that my coworking space has managed well is the space utilization. From my observation, the flexible seating areas are never more than 65% occupied (generally 4 people to a 6-person bench). Practically, this means that I have almost always been able to find a place to work in my preferred zone, no matter when I arrive. This relieves the stress I have felt in a previous workplace, where there was a high chance all desks were taken if I arrived after 9:15 am. The other benefit of this utilization rate is that it gives us room to think. The workbenches would simply feel too cramped with three people elbow-to-elbow, facing another three.

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Behaviors

A key component of Workbar’s success has been its neighborhoods concept. Workbar has created four activity-based zones in its space: the Study, the Commons, the Switchboard, and the Café. In the Study, no conversations are allowed, and white noise plays overhead to dampen acoustics. This has been a great place for me to seek refuge for high-focus work. In the Commons, conversations are welcome, but phone calls are not allowed. This zone has been my go-to, because it has ample standing desks, and its buzz stimulates my creativity. In the Switchboard, conversations and phone calls are allowed. This is also the only space with desks that have visual dividers. I’ve ventured into this space primarily to take phone calls. In the Café, soft music plays and Workbar’s community managers often host events. This has been a great place to take a break and meet other members.

Workbar’s guidelines for the quietest neighborhood, the Study. Workbar has four working zones, with escalating levels of stimulation. The selection provides choice to support personal preferences and different working modes.

The main reason for the success of the different zones has been compliance to the guidelines. In the Study, I have heard a conversation only once or twice, at which point a coworker was quick to ask the offending person to quiet down. In the Commons, my neighbors have generally been great about keeping conversations quiet, short, and relevant to their work. This compliance has greatly supported our productivity. I can’t say that everyone has been as sensitive to their neighbors, however.

My ability to get work done has been challenged particularly by the behavior of one organization. Unaccustomed to the culture of our coworking space, upon first moving in, the organization held meetings and conversations at lively volume in areas that had previously been quiet. In addition, their employees tend to speak unabashedly at volume about non-work topics. To their credit, they have learned to adapt. Nevertheless, their operations-intensive focus still creates significantly more verbal interactions than the number that occurs between people who work independently. This imbalance in behaviors has contributed to my decision to take a hiatus from the space. Workbar’s member retention will depend on its ability to match and regulate member behavior.

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Community & Events

Besides the space, Workbar’s other great value has been the community of members. From the beginning, I felt that these are my people. Overwhelmingly, they are kind and interested to get to know their co-workers. They also know not to bother each other when they are heads-down. This community is one of the main reasons I have come to work here, to be in a social environment with people who root for each other.

Another aspect of the community that I have greatly enjoyed is our mutual trust. Two main factors contribute to this. First is the familiarity we have with each other, second is the protection from the outside (our upper workspace is card-access only). Thanks to this trust, many of us leave our belongings unattended when stepping away from our desk. I have yet to hear of someone’s smartphone or laptops being taken. When taken in perspective, this mutual trust is one of the main aspects that differentiates our coworking space from a coffee shop.

An area that can stand to be improved, however, is the rather small degree to which we support each other professionally. One of the challenges is that our fields of practice are so varied. We are software developers, marketers, writers, lawyers, and sustainability entrepreneurs. With little perceptible overlap, the opportunities to help each other with professional matters have not been obvious. This can even stunt conversations. In one of my workshops, I vividly remember one lawyer expressing frustration that no co-worker would engage him in political discussion.

The incongruence in professions also has an influence on the type of the events that are offered at Workbar. The community events have been overwhelmingly social: bagel breakfasts, thanksgiving lunch, happy hours. These have been great occasions to connect with coworkers, but they have offered little professional value. There have been some events, however, that have offered more professional value. These have been primarily hosted by members, and have been less frequent. One example includes a session on optimizing your LinkedIn profile for generating leads. As Workbar continues on, I recommend that it offer more professional-oriented events.

Thanksgiving lunch at Workbar, a great event to get to know fellow members on a more personal level. Workbar offers several such social events, and can stand to improve by offering more events with professional appeal.

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Personal closure

Altogether, I have been very satisfied with my experience at Workbar in Central Square. During my time here, I have been able to build my online presence and my content writing business. I’ve also made great connections. So you might be wondering why I’m taking a hiatus. I’m in an effort to shorten my hour-long commute and tighten my budget, so I’m primarily working from home. I have to admit, though, that I’m not as productive as at Workbar, so I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m back again soon. Maybe I’ll see you there!

*Disclosure: I have not been compensated by Workbar for this review

Five best practices for coworking spaces

40, that’s the number of coworking spaces in Greater Boston today.

And the number is only growing. With so much competition in the space, how can a coworking space set itself apart to attract and retain members? Based on my experience at my own coworking space, I have identified five best practices to follow.

Best practices

· Ensure a desirable physical environment

· Create activity-based zones & matching behavioral guidelines

· Foster social cohesion & trust

· Cater to specific professions

· Ensure behavioral & cultural fit

In terms of space, it is important to allow plenty of natural light, to offer standing and sitting options, and to create spaces for people to socialize. For more depth on such physical elements, including personal storage, I recommend Usher’s The Elemental Workplace. Another key to success is to create activity-based-zones, each optimized for different types of work (e.g. focus, collaboration). Hand-in-hand with creating such zones is to create matching behavioral guidelines, and to actively ensure compliance. Such explicit guidelines help establish behavioral predictability, making it easier for members to choose a space that will maximize their productivity.

In terms of community, coworking spaces can drive retention by fostering social cohesion and trust. These desirable characteristics arise when coworkers get to know each other well. Hence, the key is to create moments to socialize. One way is to host social events, such as lunches and happy hours. The other is to create spaces away from workstations where people will spontaneously gather, e.g. kitchens and coffee machines. The effectiveness of such spaces grows as incentives to visit them arise. Hence, putting out snacks at specific times, or offering complimentary coffee goes a long way to foster social cohesion. Similarly, the effectiveness of social moments in creating trust can be increased by facilitating icebreaker activities.

Another key opportunity that coworking spaces should consider is to actively target specific user groups. Among several benefits, hosting a critical mass of a certain type of professional increases the viability of offering targeted services for a fee. We can imagine, for example, offering a workshop for copywriters on pitching content to prospective clients. Such content can be arranged by community managers, and delivered by external service providers, who are sure to be attracted by a group of target clients assembled together. The potential to make revenue is there. In my own efforts to launch a mastermind group at my coworking space, the majority of my participants were willing to pay a fee.

Another benefit of a coworking space tailored to certain professionals is member retention. Retention in this case is driven by multiple factors, one of which is a match in behavioral & cultural profiles. Hosting groups with similar working styles minimizes the potential for behavioral conflicts, in turn driving productivity. Another factor driving retention is the value of the community itself. As members of related professions get to know each other, they are highly likely to support each other. In my case, I have asked my fellow writers for advice on pricing a proposal, and have received help from visual designers on converting graphic files. Belonging to such a supportive group is a great incentive for members to stay at a coworking space.

Now, for many spaces it may not be financially viable to focus only on a specific type of professional. There may simply not be enough of such people to fill a space. Nevertheless, coworking spaces should actively build sub-communities of related professionals within their larger coworking ecosystem. Better not to leave this completely up to members. Not all people are naturally outgoing, neither will all immediately see the value of connecting. The true value of communities of professionals can be realized only when actively maintained, ideally by the community management team.

The best practices above have been identified through my experience coworking at Workbar, primarily from the Central Square location. In the eight months I have spent here, WorkBar has greatly contributed to my ability to get things done. Read more about my specific experience on Medium.

*This article was originally published on LinkedIn

Coworking Space Review - BUILT

Are you a young firm outgrowing your first digs? I recommend you consider joining BUILT, a new coworking space in the Boston area. I had the chance to spend a couple days at BUILT, and it promises to be a good place to set anchor and develop the core of your business. Here’s how it lines up on my criteria for a great workplace.

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Positives

• Physical environment

• Ergonomics

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Room for improvement

• Support for activity-based-working

• Community & events

• Location

• Tools & amenities

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Physical space

BUILT is an inviting space. It is well-lit and evokes the clean aesthetic of luxury retail. This white, black, and marble scene could leave some with a cold feeling, but BUILT is planning to bring in art to liven up the space. BUILT also has an outdoor space, which I love. It is well-shaded, providing a great place for eating lunch or having a chat in the warmer months.

BUILT provides some variety to support activity-based work, but can do more truly embrace it. There are effectively three types of workstations: white desks, kitchen tables, and phone booths. The many white desks are medium-sized, and provide ample space for a laptop and papers. I love that they are height-adjustable, although the slow manual crank presents somewhat of a barrier. The chairs at these desks are a solid rendition of the standard office chair, on wheels with several postural adjustments. The two phone booths are fantastic for placing calls. They provide good acoustic isolation, and despite being small, they don’t make me feel claustrophobic. The two round kitchen tables promise to be a good place to chat with a coworker, or to get some quick work done away from others.

BUILT’s two phone booths on the ground floor. Great acoustic isolation without claustrophobia.

What I feel is missing are places for collaborating informally with others. While BUILT has three formal conference rooms, there is not yet a whiteboard in the open area to work out problems. BUILT is also lacking lounge areas that support informal exchange or individual reflection & relaxation. Not to be outdone, BUILT is planning to add these areas in the future. Altogether this forms my evaluation that BUILT is best suited for focus work.

One of BUILT’s three conference rooms.

Community & Events

As BUILT is still new, much of the feel of the community is yet to be determined. Current tenants at BUILT include an accounting firm, an architecture firm, and an urban planning firm. Freelancers and individuals form a negligible presence. As I observed, interactions between existing tenants are subdued. They work primarily silently, with some internal conversation here and there. When taking a phone call, people have been good at using the phone booths. This solidifies my judgment that BUILT is a good place to focus.

In contrast, BUILT’s events are much more lively. Every Tuesday, BUILT hosts a Founder’s Talk, focusing on a different topic relevant to entrepreneurs each week. I attended one of these talks in October, which focused on startup KPIs. The content was valuable, and the discussion was interactive and lively. This liveliness, however, has yet to carry into the day-to-day atmosphere.

This leads me to say that if you’re looking for a place to focus on building the core of your business, BUILT could be a great match. If, however, you’re looking a place to meet others, collaborate, and exchange ideas, I would look somewhere else. Note that this judgment is subject to change, since the culture will shift as more members join.

A Founder’s talk at BUILT. Bringing together a lively community of entrepreneurs over valuable content every Tuesday evening.

Location

BUILT’s location provides some advantages, but also presents challenges that cannot be overlooked. BUILT is located in Huron village, a primarily residential, well-to-do neighborhood in Cambridge, Massachusetts. BUILT’s immediate neighbors include a few high end furniture and design stores, as well as a Chinese restaurant. Presence of others types of businesses, such as finance and technology, is negligible. Food offerings around BUILT exist, but are sparse. In short walking distance I found a couple sandwich places, one pizza shop, and one Chinese restaurant. I could not locate a grocery store nearby. Altogether, this makes getting a healthy, inexpensive lunch nearby challenging.

The BUILT space.

BUILT can be tedious to access by public transit. You should plan at least 20 minutes to walk from the nearest equidistant subway stations: Harvard and Porter Square. Another option is to take the bus; BUILT is served well by four bus routes running from Harvard Square. This location can also make it challenging to travel from BUILT to meet others closer into the city.

A high-end vintage home furnishing store across the street from BUILT.

Parking around BUILT is available, although is not the most convenient. There are more than a dozen 1- and 2-hour parking spots within a block, which tend to be occupied. For clients and collaborators driving to visit you at BUILT, this could be plenty. But if you’re spending a whole day at BUILT, you will likely be spending 10-15 minutes every couple hours to move your car, or risk a $25 parking ticket. If, however, you have a Cambridge Resident parking sticker, you are in luck, since there is plenty resident parking nearby.

Equipment & Amenities

BUILT provides a satisfactory, though limited set of equipment & amenities. There is an enterprise printer and standard office supplies, such as post-its, paper and staples. BUILT provides coffee, hot water, and a limited selection of tea, though no major snacking options. Beyond these offerings, it is up to each member to supply their own. For example, if you like to work with a secondary monitor, as I do, you’ll need to supply your own. This can be worth it if you work from BUILT multiple days per week and elect for a dedicated desk.

Leaving your belongings at the space is possible and safe. This is primarily for members with dedicated desks, since personal storage options do not exist yet. All entrances to the space are card-access-only, making theft difficult. Moreover, the space is small and members know each other, making it even hard for a would-be thief to act inconspicuously.

Conclusion

BUILT has the potential to be a great workplace for young, growing firms looking for a place to call their own, a place where they can focus on building the core of their business. For freelancers and individuals looking for strong community and a well-connected location, though, I would recommend a different workplace. BUILT has that “make it your own” vibe. You’re invited to bring your own tools, your own snacks, and make suggestions to enhance the space. So have a look and consider making BUILT the permanent address for your growing business. The space would be happy to have you.

Photos courtesy of BUILT.

A great first week at Workbar

I’m coming to the end of my first week at WorkBar in Cambridge's Central Square, and I’m happy with my decision to have joined this coworking space. In my previous article, I described that I joined Workbar for four reasons: its activity-based work zones, its inviting physical space, its location in a buzzing neighborhood, and its social potential. I’m glad to report that Workbar is living up to its potential to be a great workplace, and that there are a couple ways to make it even better. Here’s how:

Comprehensive activity-based areas

Workbar’s different working zones suit my working style well. I have been setting up my base station from a standing desk in the conversation-friendly Commons area, and have frequently hopped over to different zones for specific tasks. For example, I have used the whiteboard to develop a framework, and have organized my writing from a booth by the window. I’m now sitting in the no-conversation Study to write this article.

Inviting physical space & bigger lockers

The quality of the lighting is excellent. The large vertical windows provide ample natural lighting and pleasant views of Cambridge and Boston. I also appreciate the abstract artwork spread across the office walls. There are some points for improvement. I have noticed the quality of the air dropping in the afternoon, but have taken advantage of the balconies for a refresh. I was also looking forward to storing my work items in a locker, to lighten my commute and to support mindfulness at home, but was disappointed to find the lockers were too small to fit my 15” laptop. So a tip to Workbar, arrange for larger lockers and I’m happy to pay for one. Perhaps others will be too :).

Vibrant location

I very much enjoy the density of local businesses in Central Square. I have been satisfied with the quality of the local eateries, including Whole Heart Provisions and Mainely Burgers. I’ve also been happy to pop into Rodney’s Bookstore for inspiration, and to visit University Stationery to pick up my favorite colored pen. The buzz of the neighborhood energizes me, and I’m looking forward to exploring the surroundings further.

Social potential

Thanks to a couple key social events, as well as the general openness of the Workbar members, I have already made meaningful connections. At a career coaching session this past Monday, I met the founder and intern from startup Piccles, and accompanied them that same afternoon to lend a hand with a user test. At the Martini lunch on Tuesday, I met a software developer who gladly connected me with a co-worker who is also passionate about social psychology in the workplace. I have met several other members, and am looking forward to how we can collaborate.

Workbar at Central Square is proving to be a great home base for my workplace well-being practice. I feel well in the space, I’m easily able to find focus, and I already feel like I belong to the community. Maybe I'll even find a place to store my work items soon. Stay connected!

This article was originally published on LinkedIn.

Why I chose Workbar

With the knowledge I gained from my Master's thesis about what makes a great place to work, I visited several coworking spaces last week to find one to call home. After exploring the range of options from downtown Boston up to Cambridge, I decided to join the last space I visited, Workbar in Cambridge's Central Square. Here's why:

Spacious and inviting interior design

Workbar's 5th floor space in Central Square receives great natural light from its large windows, and is outfitted with carpet and sound absorbing surfaces to reduce noise. There are also enough standing desks and external monitors for enthusiasts like me.

Workbar provides ample standing desks and external monitors for members to use.

Range of activity-based zones

With its no-conversation Study zone, its phone-friendly Switchboard area, and a range of spaces in between, Workbar provides great support for different activities and different personal preferences. I’m looking forward to using the phone booths, the large whiteboards, and the balcony!

Workbar's workspace is divided into three zones: the no-conversation Study, the quiet-conversation Commons, and the phone-friendly Switchboard.

Bustling neighborhood

Between two world famous universities and just down the street from several leading technology firms, Central Square promises to be a great place to explore opportunities as I build my future. The neighborhood also offers casual, authentic lunch options to satisfy a foodie like myself.

Workbar sits right in Central Square, a neighborhood with many eateries and small businesses. And the office is just steps away from the T, Boston's subway system.

Social potential

With its active community managers, the networking website Wobbe, and a range of social and professional events, Workbar holds promise for connecting people who can benefit each other. I’m looking forward to getting to know others whom I can provide value to and learn from.

Workbar prominently display community events and members who are present, providing good opportunities to connect with others.

It’s my second day here at Workbar Central Square, and I'm eager to experience how this space meets my expectations. Stay tuned for updates!

This article was originally published on LinkedIn.