In this episode of the This Week in Coworking podcast, hosts Hector Kolonas and Mike LaRosa discuss two major coworking sector mergers. 

The first merger is CBRE's acquisition of Industrious, valuing it at $800 million and forming a new business unit within CBRE. 

The second is Yardi’s acquisition of Deskpass and Hubble, with an eye on creating a cohesive global coworking network. 

The episode also introduces FLOC, a new peer support network for mid-career coworking professionals, aiming to facilitate career growth within the industry. 

Additionally, upcoming deep dive studies from 'Undercurrents' are previewed, focusing on e-commerce, AI, and revenue stacks.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:23 Mega Mergers in Coworking

02:41 CBRE's Acquisition of Industrious

10:39 Yardi's Acquisition of DeskPass and Hubble

18:10 Introduction to FLOC: Future Leaders of Coworking

23:40 Undercurrents and Upcoming Topics

24:26 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode, hosts Hector Kolonas & Mike LaRosa welcome Sam Rosen, CEO and founder of Deskpass, and Will Sandford, Head of Coworking Initiatives at Yardi, to discuss Yardi’s recent acquisition of Deskpass and UK-based Hubble.

They delve into the implications of this acquisition for the coworking industry, the strategic reasons behind Yardi's move, and the future potential of integrating the unique strengths of DeskPass and Hubble into Yardi’s ecosystem.

The conversation highlights the collaborative synergy expected between the companies, the preservation of service quality to current customers, and the long-term vision of creating a unified platform for flexible workspace solutions.

The episode also touches on the operational aspects of the merger and the industry's response to this development.

Chapter

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:43 Big News: Yardi Acquires Hubble and Deskpass

01:36 Congratulations and Industry Impact

02:25 Interview with Sam and Will: The Future of Deskpass

04:08 Yardi's Vision and Strategy

08:42 Technical Integration and Market Impact

17:29 Customer Concerns and Data Security

24:12 Future Plans and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the This Week in Coworking podcast, hosts Hector Kolonas and Mike LaRosa are joined by REIT expert David Auerbach from Hoya Capital and The Daily REITBeat newsletter.

They discuss the fundamentals of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), including their structure, benefits, and impact on coworking spaces.

David explains how various types of REITs function and provides insights into the current real estate market trends.

The conversation also touches on the conversion of office
spaces to multifaceted properties post-COVID and strategies for coworking operators and landlords to form successful partnerships.

Subscribe to free This Week In Coworking updates at https://TWIC.co

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:19 Meet David Auerbach: REIT Expert
02:42 Understanding REITs: A Simple Explanation
05:58 Diverse REIT Investments and Market Insights
13:32 Office Space Trends and Coworking Dynamics
22:28 Advice for Coworking Operators and Landlords
30:16 Future of Coworking and Real Estate
35:03 Conclusion and Farewell

This Week in Coworking: 2025 Trends and Key DevelopmentsIn the inaugural 2025 episode of 'This Week in Coworking', hosts Mike and Hector dive into major trends and stories impacting the coworking industry. They discuss the rising use of crowdfunding in coworking spaces, highlighting a successful campaign by 1000 Satellites in Germany. The episode also covers CBRE's innovative fixed-flex strategy in NYC, embedding Industrious-managed flex space within its financial HQ. The conversation expands to the impact of AI on coworking, potential pitfalls of rigid sales processes, and industry shifts toward nichification. Listeners are encouraged to share their own stories and achievements in the coworking space.

00:00 Welcome to 2025: This Week in Coworking Recap

01:03 Crowdfunding in Coworking: Success Stories and Strategies

03:50 CBRE's Innovative Fixed Flex Strategy

08:14 AI Predictions for 2025: Transforming Real Estate

14:51 Sales Processes and Human Interaction in Coworking

23:14 Wrapping Up: Share Your Stories with Us

In this final recap episode of the year, Mike LaRosa and Hector Kolonas reflect on their experiences at the GWA conference in New York and discuss the exciting trends and insights shaping the coworking industry for 2025.

They highlight the importance of integrating technology, the future of flexible workspaces, and the evolving dynamics of business travel. Tune in for an engaging discussion on what's ahead for coworking and how to stay competitive in the coming year.

Be sure to get next week's newsletter for free at ThisWeekInCoworking.com

Chapters

Meet Dr. Tammira Lucas: The Fairy Godmother of Coworking in Baltimore.

In this episode of This Week in Coworking podcast, we are joined by Dr. Tammira Lucas, founder of The Cube, a unique coworking space that offers on-site babysitting services.

Dr. Lucas shares her journey of supporting women, especially moms, in entrepreneurship through her coworking space, and her extensive work as a professor and venture growth advisor.

She discusses the challenges of providing quality human capital, the importance of sustainable business models, and the intersection of coworking and childcare.

Dr. Lucas also highlights her efforts in building community and fostering generational wealth, her role with TEDCO, and her plans for future expansions, including franchising opportunities.

Tune in to hear about how The Cube addresses childcare obstacles for entrepreneurs and the lessons learned from a recent conference in The Hague on building sustainable cities.

Get more show notes and links here.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

01:01 Dr. Tamara Lucas' Journey to Coworking

03:07 The Unique Coworking Model

10:32 Challenges and Solutions in Coworking

15:26 Connecting Students and Entrepreneurs

18:48 Supporting Underserved Communities

26:14 Expansion and Future Plans

28:43 Real Estate and Strategic Advice

32:00 Global Perspectives on Coworking

35:30 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of 'This Week in Coworking,' host Hector Kolonas welcomes Tashi Dorjee, an experienced creator and 'flexpert' from Sydney, Australia.

They dive deep into Tashi's journey from founding TwoSpace, navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, to his current role as Head of FlexSpace Solutions in APAC at JLL. Tashi shares his insights on the evolving perception of flexible workspaces within the corporate real estate sector and offers valuable advice for operators on working with landlords. 

They discuss innovative strategies, including bespoke white-label solutions under the 'Civis' brand and the importance of extending services beyond traditional coworking spaces to maximize value and tenant satisfaction. Tashi also emphasizes the power of personal branding and content creation in building trust and influencing potential clients. 

Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with practical takeaways and forward-looking trends in the flexible workspace industry.

Chapters & Highlights

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:35 Tashi Dorjee's Background and Journey

02:00 Transition to Corporate Life at JLL

03:51 Flex Space Solutions and Market Insights

09:30 Innovative Concepts in Flex Space

14:41 The Civis White Label Solution

18:59 Global Reach and Future Plans

36:50 Building Trust Through Personal Branding

42:21 Closing Remarks and Future Episodes

Hosts Hector Kolonas and Mike LaRosa recap the latest This Week In Coworking newsletter and coworking trends, including a groundbreaking 2.5 million euro bond by Workland in the Baltics and how Coworking Whistler doubled their revenue just by implementing software.

They also discuss the integration of Hubli with Amadeus and reflect on the growing focus of coworking spaces similar to subscription business models. Additional highlights include included.co’s new partnership with BuiltFirst for coworking perks and the intriguing Water Street Associates coworking space at the former AIG headquarters.

Links to discussed summaries:

🇱🇻 Baltic operator taps property-backed bonds to expand: https://thisweekincoworking.com/week-49-2024/#item4545

💸 Indie operator doubles revenue by implementing software: https://thisweekincoworking.com/week-49-2024/#item4546 

✈️ Global business travel platform gets meeting space bookings: https://thisweekincoworking.com/week-49-2024/#item4532 

🎟️ Making coworking even more valuable with $250k+ in perks: https://thisweekincoworking.com/week-49-2024/#item4547 

🎨 700k sqft former AIG NYC HQ repositioned: https://thisweekincoworking.com/week-49-2024/#item4534 

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Holiday Spirit

01:28 Big News in the Baltics

04:15 Doubling Revenue with Software

10:25 Corporate Travel and Workspace Integration

14:04 Exciting New Perks Program

20:40 Disney Plus Spain's Coworking Sitcom

23:22 Luxurious Workspace at WSA

26:35 Conclusion and Upcoming Podcasts

As the coworking industry continues to grow and evolve, marketing strategies for coworking spaces must adapt to stay competitive and relevant. 

In a special episode of the This Week in Coworking podcast, host Hector Kolonas sat down with coworking marketing experts Cat Johnson (Cat Johnson Co), Reuben Lau (Spacefully), and Taylor Mason (Talemaker) to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities for coworking spaces in 2024 and beyond. 

They discuss the shift towards on-demand services, leveraging personal and brand narratives, and the critical role of data and analytics. 

Tune in for invaluable insights on how to make your coworking space stand out in 2025 and beyond.

Chapters.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:31 Meet the Coworking Marketing Superheroes

00:58 The Evolution of Coworking Marketing

04:04 The Importance of Brand and Community

05:15 Trends and Predictions for 2025

14:21 The Power of Storytelling in Coworking

18:10 Content Strategies for Coworking Spaces

20:02 Sales and Automation in Content

20:29 Celebrating Member Successes

21:32 Ad Spend and Revenue Strategies

23:34 Leveraging Data for Personalization

24:52 Balancing Data Tracking and Workload

25:49 The Role of AI in Content Creation

31:36 Building Personal Brands in Coworking

38:48 Marketing to Diverse Stakeholders

40:42 Final Thoughts and Future Trends

In this episode, Hector Kolonas sits down with Sarah Travers, the CEO of WorkBar, to discuss her extensive career in the coworking industry, starting from her 15-year tenure at IWG to her strategic role at PropTech company WorkFrame and finally leading WorkBar since 2017. Travers shares insights into WorkBar's unique coworking model, its regional density, member reciprocity, and commitment to the Boston community. The conversation also touches on the evolution of coworking spaces, the importance of strong landlord relationships, and WorkBar's strategies for future growth. Travers offers valuable advice to aspiring community managers and highlights the value of coworking in nurturing innovation and productivity.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:39 Sarah Travers' Career Journey

03:23 The WorkBar Experience

08:44 WorkBar's Unique Model

14:37 Landlord Relationships and Management Agreements

20:44 Supporting Local Businesses

32:08 Future Plans for WorkBar

35:38 Advice for Aspiring Community Managers

37:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts