Building a Coworking Team

The 2019 conference deck presented Ashley Proctor’s framework for building and managing a coworking team. It began by asking operators to clarify what they intended to achieve through hiring, identify which responsibilities had to remain with leadership, and determine which work could be delegated. The presentation described several organisational models, ranging from a sole proprietor and community animation team to paid staff, contractors, boards and advisory groups. It mapped the work of a coworking space across marketing, member services and community management, facilities, technology, events, fundraising, accounting, partnerships and strategic direction. The deck recommended documenting essential processes, emergency procedures and day-to-day operations in a regularly updated operations manual, with a physical copy kept in the workspace. It also encouraged operators to assess efficiencies and alternatives before adding salaried employees, including software, automation, support services, independent contractors, member participation and collaboration with other organisations. Its hiring process covered workforce planning, job promotion, application review, telephone and in-person interviews, online and social-media checks, references or background checks, and negotiation of the offer, contract term and compensation. Overall, the presentation treated team design as a choice shaped by operational needs rather than a single prescribed staffing model.

Key findings

• Coworking responsibilities included marketing, community management, facilities, technology, events, fundraising, accounting and strategic direction.
• The deck recommended maintaining a regularly updated operations manual covering daily work, emergencies, frequently asked questions and discovered solutions.
• Suggested alternatives to salaried hiring included software, automation, support services, independent contractors, member participation and external collaboration.

Presented by Ashley Proctor, Creative Blueprint, at Coworking Europe 2019