Checklist for opening a space

Hey all,

CSI is on the cusp of opening its next space and our team gathered to
assemble a checklist of 'things to do' based on past experience. We
have a good list but I wonder if there are any existing examples. I'd
be happy to combine them with our own thoughts and circulate a more
comprehensive document (unless someone out there really nailed it).

I'm thinking of steps from business planning and site selection down
to nitty gritty details like lease agreements, cabling/internet
infrastructure, insurance etc.

Let me know....thanks all!

Eli Malinsky
Centre for Social Innovation
Toronto, Canada

Eli,

If/when you get that list together, mind making a copy public, and able to edit? Wiki style? I think it would be a valuable resource.

Joshua

···

On Thu, Feb 24, 2011 at 2:38 PM, Eli Malinsky [email protected] wrote:

Hey all,

CSI is on the cusp of opening its next space and our team gathered to

assemble a checklist of ‘things to do’ based on past experience. We

have a good list but I wonder if there are any existing examples. I’d

be happy to combine them with our own thoughts and circulate a more

comprehensive document (unless someone out there really nailed it).

I’m thinking of steps from business planning and site selection down

to nitty gritty details like lease agreements, cabling/internet

infrastructure, insurance etc.

Let me know…thanks all!

Eli Malinsky

Centre for Social Innovation

Toronto, Canada

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Agree with Joshua :slight_smile:

···

On Feb 24, 10:39 pm, Joshua Marpet <[email protected]> wrote:

Eli,

If/when you get that list together, mind making a copy public, and able to
edit? Wiki style? I think it would be a valuable resource.

Joshua

On Thu, Feb 24, 2011 at 2:38 PM, Eli Malinsky <[email protected]>wrote:

> Hey all,

> CSI is on the cusp of opening its next space and our team gathered to
> assemble a checklist of 'things to do' based on past experience. We
> have a good list but I wonder if there are any existing examples. I'd
> be happy to combine them with our own thoughts and circulate a more
> comprehensive document (unless someone out there really nailed it).

> I'm thinking of steps from business planning and site selection down
> to nitty gritty details like lease agreements, cabling/internet
> infrastructure, insurance etc.

> Let me know....thanks all!

> Eli Malinsky
> Centre for Social Innovation
> Toronto, Canada

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Yes, for sure I will share what I come up with...so far no responses
so I will at minimum share our own notes...

if you have any notes, even if they are rough, feel free to send to me
at e...@socialinnovation.ca

Eli

This is a great idea and one that would help right now as Mojo
Coworking is gearing up to open on April 1. Someone mentioned posting
your starting list as a wiki that we could all edit. As I'm going
through the process I could easily add to it. Today is buying paint
for interior walls, and calling the electric company to have power
switched over beginning March 1 when I take possession.

···

On Feb 24, 2:38 pm, Eli Malinsky <[email protected]> wrote:

Hey all,

CSI is on the cusp of opening its next space and our team gathered to
assemble a checklist of 'things to do' based on past experience. We
have a good list but I wonder if there are any existing examples. I'd
be happy to combine them with our own thoughts and circulate a more
comprehensive document (unless someone out there really nailed it).

I'm thinking of steps from business planning and site selection down
to nitty gritty details like lease agreements, cabling/internet
infrastructure, insurance etc.

Let me know....thanks all!

Eli Malinsky
Centre for Social Innovation
Toronto, Canada

My checklist seems to get bigger and bigger everyday and I am
struggling with just prioritizing. Like Mojo, we're supposed to get
into our space next week and hope to be open in April. I'd be happy to
share my list and build up a resource for people who are starting out
on the same path.

···

On Feb 26, 5:40 am, Mojo Coworking <[email protected]> wrote:

This is a great idea and one that would help right now as Mojo
Coworking is gearing up to open on April 1. Someone mentioned posting
your starting list as a wiki that we could all edit. As I'm going
through the process I could easily add to it. Today is buying paint
for interior walls, and calling the electric company to have power
switched over beginning March 1 when I take possession.

On Feb 24, 2:38 pm, Eli Malinsky <[email protected]> wrote:

> Hey all,

> CSI is on the cusp of opening its next space and our team gathered to
> assemble a checklist of 'things to do' based on past experience. We
> have a good list but I wonder if there are any existing examples. I'd
> be happy to combine them with our own thoughts and circulate a more
> comprehensive document (unless someone out there really nailed it).

> I'm thinking of steps from business planning and site selection down
> to nitty gritty details like lease agreements, cabling/internet
> infrastructure, insurance etc.

> Let me know....thanks all!

> Eli Malinsky
> Centre for Social Innovation
> Toronto, Canada

pariSoma just completed a move from a 2200 sqft space to a 10,000 sqft
space in the span of 2 days :D. We're really excited, and things are
obviously still getting settled in.

We were lucky enough to move into a space where the previous tenants
were starting their new office from scratch, so there were a lot of
pieces left behind, meaning our cost to move hasn't been outrageous
and we were able to leave a lot of furniture decisions until later.

I've been working on the move for a couple of months, and here are
some takeaways:
- Get your existing community involved early! Show them what you're
thinking, ask for ideas, and give them ownership of some tasks during
the actual move. If they feel like the space is theirs in some way,
they'll bring an even stronger vibe to the community and want to show
your space off more.
- Be flexible in your plans. Inevitably, something takes longer or
shorter or isn't as clean as you expected. Be prepared for this and
don't freak out, your members will understand
- Pizza and beer are the way to any coworker's heart :slight_smile:

Things that need to be planned early:
- Internet (ISP)
- Internet (IT/network)
- Access/security. We called around to around 6 places to get
estimates on security and keyless entry, which has already proven
itself worthwhile.
- Furniture and rough layout. This will definitely change day-of as
you see what the space actually looks like with stuff in it.

Considerations in planning your space:
- Social areas vs work areas. It's easy to try to cram as many desks
in as you can, but what will make your space unique is having a great
place for people to congregate. Mix couches, coffee tables, and
armchairs into your space
- Power/access for your desks. Our space is REALLY well wired (it's
the old Razorfish office) but we still needed to acquire some power
strips
- Storage. For some reason, there can never be enough storage. If you
don't have closets built into your space, take the time to think about
cabinetry, shelves, etc.
- Phone calls. We've taken a couple of old cubicle parts from the
previous tenants and created a few call spaces, but we'll be adding
more as time passes as well.

Just some quick takeaways... I'm sure I'll have more to add as we get
fully up and running here.

Cheers,
Anne
an...@parisoma.com

···

On Feb 27, 8:38 pm, kleverdog <[email protected]> wrote:

My checklist seems to get bigger and bigger everyday and I am
struggling with just prioritizing. Like Mojo, we're supposed to get
into our space next week and hope to be open in April. I'd be happy to
share my list and build up a resource for people who are starting out
on the same path.

On Feb 26, 5:40 am, Mojo Coworking <[email protected]> > wrote:

> This is a great idea and one that would help right now as Mojo
> Coworking is gearing up to open on April 1. Someone mentioned posting
> your starting list as a wiki that we could all edit. As I'm going
> through the process I could easily add to it. Today is buying paint
> for interior walls, and calling the electric company to have power
> switched over beginning March 1 when I take possession.

> On Feb 24, 2:38 pm, Eli Malinsky <[email protected]> wrote:

> > Hey all,

> > CSI is on the cusp of opening its next space and our team gathered to
> > assemble a checklist of 'things to do' based on past experience. We
> > have a good list but I wonder if there are any existing examples. I'd
> > be happy to combine them with our own thoughts and circulate a more
> > comprehensive document (unless someone out there really nailed it).

> > I'm thinking of steps from business planning and site selection down
> > to nitty gritty details like lease agreements, cabling/internet
> > infrastructure, insurance etc.

> > Let me know....thanks all!

> > Eli Malinsky
> > Centre for Social Innovation
> > Toronto, Canada

Hey all,

Okay, so I put our list on a Google Doc, which you can access here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1waBLyi4mbVw8RTqT7QUf3uPx2CA2vCNyBJZBUQytAUI/edit?hl=en&authkey=CIy4vUs

My goal wasn't to create a MasterLis of 'everything to know' about
setting up and managing a space, but instead to create a checklist of
'practical' considerations...the details that sometimes aren't obvious
for those startine new (and which are too easily forgotten by those
who have walked down the road before)...

i'm not sure this format will work for others and I am sure there is a
TON I am missing... please do jump in and add what you can, and
reorganize if you think it would be helpful...

Hopefully some of these notes will be helpful to you..

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1waBLyi4mbVw8RTqT7QUf3uPx2CA2vCNyBJZBUQytAUI/edit?hl=en&authkey=CIy4vUs

Eli Malinsky
Centre for Social Innovation
Toronto, Canada

Anne,

Please feel free to give me a call about your access control and security. I am not a contractor, nor do I enjoy installing wiring, but I speak about access control systems and security at conferences. (And video security, and facial recognition, and digital forensics) (You ever have WAY too many hobbies?) I’d be happy to tell you if you are getting ripped off, and if the systems being installed are state of the art, or state of last decade’s art. :slight_smile:

And no, no charge. I do not make money off of this. I am offering as a favor. (You could offer me a couple of membership days. :wink: ) Not that I’m likely to use them. I’m east coast. But it would be cool to have when I make it over there for conferences and such.

Joshua Marpet

[email protected]

908-916-7764

···

On Mon, Feb 28, 2011 at 1:04 PM, Anne [email protected] wrote:

pariSoma just completed a move from a 2200 sqft space to a 10,000 sqft

space in the span of 2 days :D. We’re really excited, and things are

obviously still getting settled in.

We were lucky enough to move into a space where the previous tenants

were starting their new office from scratch, so there were a lot of

pieces left behind, meaning our cost to move hasn’t been outrageous

and we were able to leave a lot of furniture decisions until later.

I’ve been working on the move for a couple of months, and here are

some takeaways:

  • Get your existing community involved early! Show them what you’re

thinking, ask for ideas, and give them ownership of some tasks during

the actual move. If they feel like the space is theirs in some way,

they’ll bring an even stronger vibe to the community and want to show

your space off more.

  • Be flexible in your plans. Inevitably, something takes longer or

shorter or isn’t as clean as you expected. Be prepared for this and

don’t freak out, your members will understand

  • Pizza and beer are the way to any coworker’s heart :slight_smile:

Things that need to be planned early:

  • Internet (ISP)

  • Internet (IT/network)

  • Access/security. We called around to around 6 places to get

estimates on security and keyless entry, which has already proven

itself worthwhile.

  • Furniture and rough layout. This will definitely change day-of as

you see what the space actually looks like with stuff in it.

Considerations in planning your space:

  • Social areas vs work areas. It’s easy to try to cram as many desks

in as you can, but what will make your space unique is having a great

place for people to congregate. Mix couches, coffee tables, and

armchairs into your space

  • Power/access for your desks. Our space is REALLY well wired (it’s

the old Razorfish office) but we still needed to acquire some power

strips

  • Storage. For some reason, there can never be enough storage. If you

don’t have closets built into your space, take the time to think about

cabinetry, shelves, etc.

  • Phone calls. We’ve taken a couple of old cubicle parts from the

previous tenants and created a few call spaces, but we’ll be adding

more as time passes as well.

Just some quick takeaways… I’m sure I’ll have more to add as we get

fully up and running here.

Cheers,

Anne

[email protected]

On Feb 27, 8:38 pm, kleverdog [email protected] wrote:

My checklist seems to get bigger and bigger everyday and I am

struggling with just prioritizing. Like Mojo, we’re supposed to get

into our space next week and hope to be open in April. I’d be happy to

share my list and build up a resource for people who are starting out

on the same path.

On Feb 26, 5:40 am, Mojo Coworking [email protected] > > > wrote:

This is a great idea and one that would help right now as Mojo

Coworking is gearing up to open on April 1. Someone mentioned posting

your starting list as a wiki that we could all edit. As I’m going

through the process I could easily add to it. Today is buying paint

for interior walls, and calling the electric company to have power

switched over beginning March 1 when I take possession.

On Feb 24, 2:38 pm, Eli Malinsky [email protected] wrote:

Hey all,

CSI is on the cusp of opening its next space and our team gathered to

assemble a checklist of ‘things to do’ based on past experience. We

have a good list but I wonder if there are any existing examples. I’d

be happy to combine them with our own thoughts and circulate a more

comprehensive document (unless someone out there really nailed it).

I’m thinking of steps from business planning and site selection down

to nitty gritty details like lease agreements, cabling/internet

infrastructure, insurance etc.

Let me know…thanks all!

Eli Malinsky

Centre for Social Innovation

Toronto, Canada

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups “Coworking” group.

To post to this group, send email to [email protected].

To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected].

For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en.

I’m reviving this thread! I’m so thankful to Eli for putting up this checklist all those years ago. 2011!

I’ve recently discovered that most of the coworking resources available for helping you launch don’t actually help you launch. They are checklists but there is no meat on the bones. I’ve just completed the first of 6 sections in my new Ultimate Coworking Launch Sequence. I’m so excited to share it with the world. It’ll be ready in about 10 weeks. If you are interested, you can get on my list and I’ll release a portion of each new section as they are complete. A small part of it will be a checklist but more importantly, it’ll give you thought provoking questions to answer, space to process your thoughts and action items that I consider essential to a successful launch. As with all my resources, it’ll be about the people first!
Link to sign up http://coherecommunity.com/launch-checklist-for-a-coworking-space

···

On Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 12:38:09 PM UTC-7, Eli Malinsky wrote:

Hey all,

CSI is on the cusp of opening its next space and our team gathered to

assemble a checklist of ‘things to do’ based on past experience. We

have a good list but I wonder if there are any existing examples. I’d

be happy to combine them with our own thoughts and circulate a more

comprehensive document (unless someone out there really nailed it).

I’m thinking of steps from business planning and site selection down

to nitty gritty details like lease agreements, cabling/internet

infrastructure, insurance etc.

Let me know…thanks all!

Eli Malinsky

Centre for Social Innovation

Toronto, Canada

Looking forward to it. Signed up for it. Great you keep contributing over so many years. Will you share it on the coworking wiki later?

Cheers
Thilo

···

On Monday, June 12, 2017 at 3:43:27 PM UTC-5, Angel Kwiatkowski wrote:

I’m reviving this thread! I’m so thankful to Eli for putting up this checklist all those years ago. 2011!

I’ve recently discovered that most of the coworking resources available for helping you launch don’t actually help you launch. They are checklists but there is no meat on the bones. I’ve just completed the first of 6 sections in my new Ultimate Coworking Launch Sequence. I’m so excited to share it with the world. It’ll be ready in about 10 weeks. If you are interested, you can get on my list and I’ll release a portion of each new section as they are complete. A small part of it will be a checklist but more importantly, it’ll give you thought provoking questions to answer, space to process your thoughts and action items that I consider essential to a successful launch. As with all my resources, it’ll be about the people first!
Link to sign up http://coherecommunity.com/launch-checklist-for-a-coworking-space

On Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 12:38:09 PM UTC-7, Eli Malinsky wrote:

Hey all,

CSI is on the cusp of opening its next space and our team gathered to

assemble a checklist of ‘things to do’ based on past experience. We

have a good list but I wonder if there are any existing examples. I’d

be happy to combine them with our own thoughts and circulate a more

comprehensive document (unless someone out there really nailed it).

I’m thinking of steps from business planning and site selection down

to nitty gritty details like lease agreements, cabling/internet

infrastructure, insurance etc.

Let me know…thanks all!

Eli Malinsky

Centre for Social Innovation

Toronto, Canada

Angel,
I’m trying to subscribe, but nothing happens when I click the subscribe button… actually, the button doesn’t activate at all…

Cecilia

···

On Monday, June 12, 2017 at 4:43:27 PM UTC-4, Angel Kwiatkowski wrote:

I’m reviving this thread! I’m so thankful to Eli for putting up this checklist all those years ago. 2011!

I’ve recently discovered that most of the coworking resources available for helping you launch don’t actually help you launch. They are checklists but there is no meat on the bones. I’ve just completed the first of 6 sections in my new Ultimate Coworking Launch Sequence. I’m so excited to share it with the world. It’ll be ready in about 10 weeks. If you are interested, you can get on my list and I’ll release a portion of each new section as they are complete. A small part of it will be a checklist but more importantly, it’ll give you thought provoking questions to answer, space to process your thoughts and action items that I consider essential to a successful launch. As with all my resources, it’ll be about the people first!
Link to sign up http://coherecommunity.com/launch-checklist-for-a-coworking-space

On Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 12:38:09 PM UTC-7, Eli Malinsky wrote:

Hey all,

CSI is on the cusp of opening its next space and our team gathered to

assemble a checklist of ‘things to do’ based on past experience. We

have a good list but I wonder if there are any existing examples. I’d

be happy to combine them with our own thoughts and circulate a more

comprehensive document (unless someone out there really nailed it).

I’m thinking of steps from business planning and site selection down

to nitty gritty details like lease agreements, cabling/internet

infrastructure, insurance etc.

Let me know…thanks all!

Eli Malinsky

Centre for Social Innovation

Toronto, Canada

Hi Cecilia!
I see your name on the list so whatever happened, it worked!

Angel

···

On Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at 6:46:19 AM UTC-6, Cecilia Neher wrote:

Angel,
I’m trying to subscribe, but nothing happens when I click the subscribe button… actually, the button doesn’t activate at all…

Cecilia

On Monday, June 12, 2017 at 4:43:27 PM UTC-4, Angel Kwiatkowski wrote:

I’m reviving this thread! I’m so thankful to Eli for putting up this checklist all those years ago. 2011!

I’ve recently discovered that most of the coworking resources available for helping you launch don’t actually help you launch. They are checklists but there is no meat on the bones. I’ve just completed the first of 6 sections in my new Ultimate Coworking Launch Sequence. I’m so excited to share it with the world. It’ll be ready in about 10 weeks. If you are interested, you can get on my list and I’ll release a portion of each new section as they are complete. A small part of it will be a checklist but more importantly, it’ll give you thought provoking questions to answer, space to process your thoughts and action items that I consider essential to a successful launch. As with all my resources, it’ll be about the people first!
Link to sign up http://coherecommunity.com/launch-checklist-for-a-coworking-space

On Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 12:38:09 PM UTC-7, Eli Malinsky wrote:

Hey all,

CSI is on the cusp of opening its next space and our team gathered to

assemble a checklist of ‘things to do’ based on past experience. We

have a good list but I wonder if there are any existing examples. I’d

be happy to combine them with our own thoughts and circulate a more

comprehensive document (unless someone out there really nailed it).

I’m thinking of steps from business planning and site selection down

to nitty gritty details like lease agreements, cabling/internet

infrastructure, insurance etc.

Let me know…thanks all!

Eli Malinsky

Centre for Social Innovation

Toronto, Canada