About
This page was created in response to this discussion on the Google Groups.
The Idea is Simple
Create a list of spaces that agree to participate in offering 3rd party products and services at a discount to their members and then having space owners or their members independently approach any companies they like to negotiate on behalf of the collective.
Note: None of this creates any legal relationship with any spaces or between spaces and any 3rd parties. This is all ad-hoc and the offers need to be made, promoted and consumed in good faith by all parties.
How to Negotiate
We'll figure what works best as we go along but we'll start with this approach:
- If you are a space owners or a members of space, approach any business that makes sense to you. If you plan to approach them in advance, send an email to the coworking list letting those on the list know you are planning to have discussions and update the Negotiations Inprocess section below.
- If you are a space owner or member of a space and are having an unrelated conversation with someone when the idea comes up but you don't finalize the details send an email to the list about the discussion and also update the Negotiations Inprocess section below.
- Once details have been finalized add the details to the Available Incentives section and send an email to the list with details of the deal and a link to the section and of course remove the no longer relevant info from the Negotiations Inprocess section.
If you need to actively get others involved in negotiations contact the person listed at each space in the Participating Spaces section.
Appropriate Offers
What make appropriate offers? It's hard to say, but we'll know it when we see them. Anything that coworking members might need to purchase is a good candidate. Use your judgement.
What Discount?
Let's not waste people's time with a deals they can find elsewhere, ok? If you are going to negotiate a discount make sure that you can't google to find an equivalent. A good rule of thumb might be 50% off for soft goods (software, SAAS services, etc.) or 50% off the margin normally made for hard goods (i.e. if a company sells a computer bag for US$100 but sells it to their retailers for US$70 then an appropriate discounted price might be $85.)
Participating Spaces
The spaces listed below have agreed to participate in (most) offers made by to their members that have been negotiated by other coworking spaces on behalf of those listed. This will typically include making the offers available
Available Offers
This is the list of offers currently available to members of coworking spaces:
- Add the details about your offer here.
Negotiations Inprocess
If you are negotiating with a company for a special offer, be sure to email the coworking list and also add details to the list here so others can be aware you are working on it. Adding your intentions here will help minimize multiple negotitators and thus vendor confusion and also allow others to contact you with help on the specific offer:
- Enter the details of your negotiation here, i.e. what, who, when, etc.
Offers Wanted
Interested in seeing a special offer but don't have the time to negotiate it? List the details of your idea and/or add your support to the idea:
- Add the details of the offers you'd like to see here.
Footnote!!!
- Be sure to include a link to your coworking space and your name and email address.