What will be the future of coworking? Seven possible developments, some of which we've seen happen already. Presented in Bruxelles @ Coworking Europe 2010. By Cowo, the Italian network of 47 coworking spaces.

1. @
Bruxelles, 19-20 November 2010, by Massimo Carraro and Mattia Sullini
The future of coworking?
7 Cowoideas.
(Some of which we’ve seen happen, already).
A presentation by
Massimo Carraro, founder of the Cowo® network
Mattia Sullini, coworking space owner in Florence, Italy
lunedì 15 novembre 2010

2. Bruxelles, 19-20 November 2010, by Massimo Carraro and Mattia Sullini
@
In the future, coworking...
...will exist in most companies,
giving purpose and meaning to idle spaces.
lunedì 15 novembre 2010

3. Bruxelles, 19-20 November 2010, by Massimo Carraro and Mattia Sullini
@
Case study: the 47 coworking spaces by Cowo.
Started in February 2009, in less than 2 years Cowo has brought to coworking 47 companies
(small and medium-sized, in all fields of activity) all over Italy.
This was done in our spare time, working without budget, and through the web only.
We have found that there’s enormous demand for:
- loose collaborations
- human sharing experiences
- sustainable business (where money comes 2nd, and relationship 1st)
- purpose-oriented networking
Coworking can be the platform for all this, to the great advantage of:
- coworking community
- startups ecosystem
- nomad workers
lunedì 15 novembre 2010

4. Bruxelles, 19-20 November 2010, by Massimo Carraro and Mattia Sullini
@
...will be free during major events.
In the future, coworking...
lunedì 15 novembre 2010

5. Bruxelles, 19-20 November 2010, by Massimo Carraro and Mattia Sullini
@
Case study: free coworking during Milano Design Week, april 2010.
During the world-renowned Milan Design Week of 2010,
Cowo has offered free coworking in 2 Milan spaces,
to offer the benefits of coworking to journalists, visitors, professionals
who came to visit the most sought-after design production of the world.
Coworking has supported the kermesse providing:
- space
- connectivity
- networking possibilities
Take-out for Cowo:
- lots of new prospects
- reinforced interest towards coworking
- more networking for the existing Cowo community
lunedì 15 novembre 2010

6. Bruxelles, 19-20 November 2010, by Massimo Carraro and Mattia Sullini
@
...will serve as marketing platforms
for selected products and services,
addressing the peculiar (and hardly reachable)
nomad workers’ target.
In the future, coworking...
lunedì 15 novembre 2010

7. Bruxelles, 19-20 November 2010, by Massimo Carraro and Mattia Sullini
@
Case study: the marketing book distributed through Cowo spaces.
The founder of Cowo published a marketing book in early 2010.
The first presentation was made through +30 coworking spaces throughout the country, providing:
- word-of-mouth among the coworking community
- connections for future personal presentations
- one marketing workshop
...and what about technology and telecommunication products?
lunedì 15 novembre 2010

8. Bruxelles, 19-20 November 2010, by Massimo Carraro and Mattia Sullini
@
...will be public and free, in every city.
In the future, coworking...
lunedì 15 novembre 2010

9. Bruxelles, 19-20 November 2010, by Massimo Carraro and Mattia Sullini
@
(No case study here, yet).
We do know our friends at LaCantine, in Paris, have a participation from the Mairie de Paris.
So, why shouldn’t we have a free coworking in every City Hall, in every major airport, in every hospital?
Very low investment + high media attention = high return on votes... any politician in the building?
lunedì 15 novembre 2010

10. Bruxelles, 19-20 November 2010, by Massimo Carraro and Mattia Sullini
@
In the future, coworking...
...will be paid with talent.
lunedì 15 novembre 2010

11. Bruxelles, 19-20 November 2010, by Massimo Carraro and Mattia Sullini
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As easy as that:
As we write this, someone is writing code for Cowo, and will be paid with deskspace.
lunedì 15 novembre 2010

12. Bruxelles, 19-20 November 2010, by Massimo Carraro and Mattia Sullini
@
...will be used for communication purposes,
such as to liven up an office furniture
showroom.
In the future, coworking...
lunedì 15 novembre 2010

13. Bruxelles, 19-20 November 2010, by Massimo Carraro and Mattia Sullini
@
Case study: Cowo coworkers actually working inside showroom.
Some of our coworkers accepted to work in the showroom of Lago office furniture,
providing to create a live and ‘real’ atmosphere inside the showroom.
The event lasted one week and produced:
- media attention
- meaningful connection with the company, for all coworkers
- interesting product feedback by qualified professionals
- free workspace for whoever volunteered
lunedì 15 novembre 2010

14. Bruxelles, 19-20 November 2010, by Massimo Carraro and Mattia Sullini
@
...will give birth to online communities which
will work as job marketplaces.
In the future, coworking...
lunedì 15 novembre 2010

15. Bruxelles, 19-20 November 2010, by Massimo Carraro and Mattia Sullini
@
Case study: the NomadWork social network.
People from 20 countries are joining an online community focused on working and coworking.
They are free to introduce themselves together with link to their website, news about themselves, professional bios etc.
Of course everyone can connect to each other,
and network for whatever purpose they like, including marketing themselves.
lunedì 15 novembre 2010

16. Bruxelles, 19-20 November 2010, by Massimo Carraro and Mattia Sullini
@
Thank you for being part of such a great
community!
coworkingproject.com
nomadwork.ning.com
Massimo Carraro
max@monkeybusinessmilano.it
Mattia Sullini
mattia@meta-works.it
lunedì 15 novembre 2010