\u201cWe\u2019re a relatively small team running a big space,\u201d Becky Thorn from Spacemade<\/a> tells us. \u201cIt\u2019s a challenge being everywhere all at once. We have iPads that check people in, so we can concentrate on providing that 1-1 experience they come to us for.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n iPads are unobtrusive and intuitive to use, and it takes a job that can be pretty time consuming off the community manager\u2019s hands. They\u2019re part of many people\u2019s everyday already \u2013 but what happens when a coworking space introduces something a bit different?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Equipment that integrates seamlessly into the space can allow the people running the space to shine. Equipment that doesn\u2019t work as expected, though, can be incredibly stressful for community managers and coworkers alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Matt Miller from Projects<\/a> found that out the hard way when Projects Lanes opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt was a real challenge when our front door mechanism broke. It\u2019s not like a normal door \u2013 you\u2019ve got different control panels that enable different ways to access the building.\u201d The glitch was something of a blessing in disguise, because it allowed the team to get to grips with the system early on. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to push your tech to the limit in order to understand exactly how it works.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n Projects is integrating technology with the clear intention of helping their members feel a sense of belonging \u2013 and making sure they can easily operate it without help is key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe know that being able to use our tech independently helps our members to feel a lot more at ease in our spaces,\u201d says Matt. \u201cIf they\u2019re struggling to do something that should be simple, like connect a computer to a TV, they tend to get frustrated and sometimes begin to question whether this is the right place for them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As well as making sure they\u2019re installing the most user friendly tech on the market, Projects is creating easy to follow how-to guides for every tech-enabled room. \u201cOur guides are all written by ad-hoc users rather than tech teams. That way they\u2019re free of jargon and person-friendly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s also a place for fun, immersive tech when it comes to building a healthy sense of community in a coworking space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll never forget our launch party, when we brought in a laser maze company to showcase the possibilities for our event space,\u201d Matt reminisces. \u201cThe game had an unexpected side effect: it really brought people together. People were meeting in the queue and cheering each other on, and were genuinely happy for each other when they \u2018won\u2019. Everyone was part of the action.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trey Nelson-Campbell from X+Why<\/a> knows that people join coworking spaces to be with other people, and believes that should remain the focus when it comes to embedding new technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have our own app which allows members to book meeting rooms, and also connect with each other when they\u2019re not in the space.\u201d Nothing can beat the magic of a real-life conversation, though. \u201cWe always promote organic relationships, where members meet at the coffee machine or at one of our breakfasts.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n Trey finds job satisfaction in building meaningful connections with members. Often, that means being there to help solve their challenges as and when they come up. \u201cI like being their go-to person. No need to \u2018raise a ticket\u2019. Let\u2019s keep it old school \u2013 come and see me and we\u2019ll get it sorted out!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n How could wellbeing be enhanced in coworking spaces? There are lots of big ideas being thrown about right now, but perhaps the most impactful could be made possible by detailed data capture and ambient tech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cImagine if you could personalise somebody\u2019s office to exactly how they like it,\u201d Becky muses. \u201cIf members walked into their office and it was the perfect temperature, and their favourite chocolate bar was waiting for them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Tech also has the potential to improve the work-life balance of community teams, by taking over out-of-hours service. \u201cWe don\u2019t want to be working 24\/7,\u201d Becky tells us, \u201cbut we still want people to have a good experience when we\u2019re not here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lots of people are feeling anxious about losing their jobs to their robot counterparts in the future \u2013 but community managers in coworking spaces seem pretty confident that they can never be replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPeople buy from people, not robots,\u201d Trey believes. \u201cAnd community managers bring the vibes. No one can bottle a coworking space\u2019s vibe \u2013 it\u2019s unique and it\u2019s really hard to replicate. You cannot fake it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n They\u2019re not even in a rush to get help with everyday tasks like emailing and social media posts from generative AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m a people person,\u201d emphasises Matt. \u201cI want to be as personal and supportive as I can be. I\u2019m worried I\u2019d regress if I started relying on tech to help me interact with members.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n What’s the future for humans + tech in coworking spaces?<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the demographic of coworking changes, coworking spaces will inevitably become more tech enabled to meet the expectations of their members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYounger people are starting to join our spaces, and they\u2019re very techie,\u201d Becky tells us. \u201cThey expect a space to be tech enabled, because they\u2019ve never known anything different.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s one thing we\u2019re hearing loud and clear from our community managers, though. Coworking is human, and always will be. Technology is welcome to play a supporting role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This article was first published on GCUC.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Spacemade\"](\"https:\/\/www.yardikube.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/101\/2023\/09\/Spacemade-lifestyle-GCUC-blog.jpg?w=1024\")
Tech That Functions Well<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Humans](\"https:\/\/www.yardikube.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/59\/2023\/09\/GCUC-blog-image-3.jpg?w=1024\")
Tech That Helps Everyone Belong<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tech That Facilitates Connection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Foundry](\"https:\/\/www.yardikube.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/101\/2023\/09\/Foundry-xwhy-GCUC-blog.jpg?w=1024\")
Tech That Improves (Work) Lives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Tech That Works With Them (Not For Them)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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