Body: Council Type: Document Meeting: Committee Date: 2019 Collection: Agenda Attachments Municipality: Frontenac County
[View Document (PDF)](/docs/frontenac-county/Item Attachments/Agenda Item/2019/November/2019-032 Community Development Advisory Committee Coworking Takeover Week Challenge/Coworking Takeover Week Challenge.pdf)
Document Text
Report 2019-032 Committee Information Report To:
Chair and Members of the Community Development Advisory Committee
From:
Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development
Date of meeting:
November 14, 2019
Re:
Community Development Advisory Committee – Coworking Takeover Week Challenge
Recommendation This report is for information only. Background Earlier this year, Frontenac County partnered with Rural On Purpose and Vandeross Ltd, local business consultants, to undertake a national challenge event “Coworking Takeover Week” from May 6-10, 2019, hosting in six communities across Canada. The goal of the challenge was two-fold:
- Encourage local business owners to open up their space for the challenge week as “Coworking Vendors,” and
- Recruit freelancers, home-based workers, consultants, or anyone who wants to be connected in an entrepreneurial ecosystem to make use of the above spaces during the challenge week. Discussion The challenge is meant to be a test of desirability - for the community and for people thinking about getting into the coworking space. This event was small, innovative, community led, and lean with a different approach to attract the new workforce needs, in a sustainable/profitable model for local businesses to leverage. Participating freelancers benefit from options, participating businesses benefit from an additional income stream,
and the community benefits from the innovation (potential employment, business growth, lead generation, millennial attraction, and new community profile offering.) Attached to this report are survey results and supporting information describing the Coworking Takeover Challenge. Results of the Coworking Takeover Challenge 2019 are shared by Rural On Purpose at this blog post. Vandeross Ltd will brief the committee on the challenges, benefits and lessons learned from the project at Community Development Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for November 14, 2019. Strategic Priorities At its meeting on June 19, 2019, County Council approved Frontenac County Strategic Plan 2019-2022. This project is aligned with the intent of the priority listed below. Priority 1.2: Refine and invest in efforts to accelerate economic development — to grow businesses, attract more visits and expand the tax base. The goals of the Coworking Takeover Challenge align with County efforts to grow businesses by providing new business streams and to attract or discover new workfrom-home businesses that are moving to Frontenac County or who are considering it. Financial Implications There are no financial implications associated with this report. Organizations, Departments and Individuals Consulted and/or Affected Township of Frontenac Islands Frontenac Ambassadors Vandeross Ltd. Rural On Purpose
Information Report to Community Development Advisory Committee Wolfe Island Farm to Table Tour September 12, 2019
Page 2 of 2
County of Frontenac 2069 Battersea Rd. Glenburnie, ON K0H 1S0 T: 613.548.9400 F: 613.548.8460 frontenaccounty.ca
For Immediate Release: April 17, 2019 Coworking Takeover Week explores a new way to work in Frontenac County Frontenac County business community connects with freelancers and home-based workers GLENBURNIE – Freelancers, entrepreneurs and home-based workers in and around Frontenac County will be taking over the town during Coworking Takeover Week, a special event designed to test the interest of Coworking in rural communities and bring attention to the growing group of independent professionals in the local workforce. Local businesses will be creating temporary workspaces for people to use during the Coworking Takeover Week, providing opportunities for home-based workers to meet, collaborate and work alongside other freelancers and remote workers. The Coworking Takeover Week is a Rural On Purpose Challenge Event that runs from May 6-10, 2019 initiated by Vandeross in partnership with the County of Frontenac. “With this challenge, existing businesses have an opportunity to explore coworking ‘add-ons’ that can potentially increase their bottom line, while at the same time build a support system around freelance workers that will make the County of Frontenac very attractive to independent professionals looking for a place to live,” says Mary Doyle, Cofounder and Program Developer for Rural on Purpose. Business owners, home-based workers and community members can get involved and participate by going to www.coworkinfrontenac.com to find out more. “Through the Rural on Purpose initiative Vandeross and the County of Frontenac partnered to create Cowork in Frontenac a pilot to identify the need for coworking within the four municipalities. Our goal is to bring together existing business with those working in isolation and providing access to resources such as reliable internet services, networking opportunities and business support,” says Ella Vanderburgt, Cofounder at Vandeross. The majority of our workforce is predicted to be freelance within a decade. Seventy-four percent of millennials are currently freelancing. Coworking is a trend that is driven by millennials in the workforce. Global Coworking spaces are projected to grow from 14,411 in 2017 to just over 30,000 in 2022. “More and more we find that people are working from their homes, so it has become important to let remote workers and entrepreneurs know they have places to connect in our communities. The Coworking Takeover Challenge is a great way to start thinking about how we can be freelance friendly,” said Richard Allen, Manager of Economic Development at the County of Frontenac. About Rural on Purpose pilots Rural communities are dealing with certain challenges that are systemically global, like youth retention and attraction, aging workforce, declining populations and the changing nature of work. A new way
forward is needed that relies on the collective insight and intelligence of our communities. The Rural on Purpose pilots are collaboration projects with rural communities worldwide designed to test concepts and serve as a resource for future-focused program development. To learn more go to www.ruralonpurpose.com. About Vandeross Vandeross aims to inspire and nurture business communities by providing high impact mentoring and training programs that fuel entrepreneurial success. They support the development and growth of startups and existing businesses and facilitate collaboration throughout entrepreneurial communities. To learn more visit www.vandeross.com. About Frontenac County Frontenac is a region of nearly 4,000 square kilometers surrounding the City of Kingston and includes the townships of North Frontenac, Central Frontenac, South Frontenac and Frontenac Islands. Residents enjoy incredible quality of life in one of the most naturally beautiful parts of Ontario. Businesses here benefit from strategic access to major urban centres. To learn more visit www.frontenaccounty.ca. -30For more information contact Ella Vanderburgt, Co-Founder, Vandeross Tel: 613-777-2200 ella@vandeross.com Marco Smits, Communications Officer, County of Frontenac - Corporate Services Tel: 613-548-9400 ext. 305 msmits@frontenaccounty.ca
COWORKING TAKEOVER 30 DAYS 36 COMMUNITIES APRIL 15, 2019
CHALLENGE
www.ruralonpurpose.com/challenge
COWORKING TAKEOVER WEEK 36 communities will see their downtowns turned into FREELANCE FRIENDLY centres with workspaces, services and mentorship for freelancers, remote workers and homebased entrepreneurs during the week of MAY 6-10, 2019.
DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES EARN EXTRA INCOME Downtown businesses will be invited to participate and provide an option for visiting coworkers. Benefit? Free marketing opportunity as well as the ability to test out a potential new income source.
HOME-BASED WORKERS COMMUNITY and COLLABORATION Home-based workers get a chance to leave their home offices and work in a variety of creatively designed spaces with supports and networking opportunities during the Takeover Week (as well as provide valuable feedback for future development).
COMMUNITY RESIDENT ATTRACTION The towns themselves get an opportunity to showcase their communities in a unique marketing event that positions them to attract independent professionals to live, play and WORK in their towns!
COMMUNITY LEADER COLLABORATION Community groups, organizations, clubs, businesses, residents all get an opportunity to become involved in any way that fits with their capacity and interest. The Coworking Takeover Challenge is an inclusive event that encourages support and volunteers from the entire community.
GLOBAL NETWORK RURAL COMMUNITIES 36 communities from different regions and countries will be planning, sharing and running the Coworking Takeover Week simultaneously. This is an opportunity to network and share best practices (as well as engage in some friendly competition).
INCLUDED IN REGISTRATION EVERYTHING YOU NEED! Coworking Takeover Challenge ToolKit LIVE Coaching and Support Video Missions from Rural on Purpose BONUS: Dedicated Website during the Challenge, Branded Creatives to level-up your marketing
JOIN THE CHALLENGE TODAY It combines the right industry KNOWLEDGE… With the plan, resources and system you need to IMPLEMENT… And the support you need from your RURAL ON PURPOSE Coach…
Apply Today: www.ruralonpurpose.com/challenge
Coworking Takeover Week: Freelancer/Remote Worker Survey
Q1 From which challenge website are you completing this survey? Answered: 10
Skipped: 0
www.coworkbelle ville.com www.coworkflinf lon.com www.coworknorth hastings.com www.coworkquesn el.com www.coworkcarib oo.com www.coworkprinc erupert.com www.coworkinoko toks.com www.coworkgeorg ianbay.com www.coworkfront enac.com www.coworkdauph in 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
0.00%
0
0.00%
0
0.00%
0
0.00%
0
0.00%
0
0.00%
0
0.00%
0
0.00%
0
100.00%
10
www.coworkdauphin
0.00%
0
TOTAL
10
1 / 19
Coworking Takeover Week: Freelancer/Remote Worker Survey
Q2 How would you describe yourself? Answered: 10
Skipped: 0
Independent Professional
Other (please specify)
2
Freelancer
2 Remote Worker (employee fo…
2 2
Home-based Business Owner
3 3 3
Entrepreneur
3 0
1
2
OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY)
3
4
5
DATE
There are no responses.
2 / 19
Coworking Takeover Week: Freelancer/Remote Worker Survey
Q3 How long have you been working in the above-mentioned role? Answered: 10
less than 1 year
Skipped: 0
10% 10% 20%
1-3 years
20% 20%
4-5 years
20% 10%
6-10 years
10% 10%
11-15 years
10% 16-20 years more than 20 years
30% 0%
10%
30%
20%
30%
40%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
less than 1 year
10%
1
1-3 years
20%
2
4-5 years
20%
2
6-10 years
10%
1
11-15 years
10%
1
16-20 years
0%
0
more than 20 years
30%
3
TOTAL
10
3 / 19
Coworking Takeover Week: Freelancer/Remote Worker Survey
Q4 What’s your age? Answered: 10
Skipped: 0
4
3
2
1
0
32
34
35
38
40
4 / 19
46
47
53
61
67
Coworking Takeover Week: Freelancer/Remote Worker Survey
Q5 Which best describes your work? Answered: 10
Skipped: 0
Part Time Employee for…
Other (please specify)
Full Time Freelancer w…
10% 10%
Full Time Employee for…
20% 20%
Part Time Freelancer w…
20% 20% 50%
Business Owner
50% 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
Part Time Employee for someone else
0%
0
Other (please specify)
0%
0
Full Time Freelancer with contract work
10%
1
Full Time Employee for someone else
20%
2
Part Time Freelancer with contract work
20%
2
Business Owner
50%
5
Total Respondents: 10
OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY)
DATE
There are no responses.
5 / 19
Coworking Takeover Week: Freelancer/Remote Worker Survey
Q6 Where do you live? Answered: 10
Skipped: 0
In the community…
7 7
Just outside of the…
3 3
Outside of the community…
Outside of the community…
0
1
2
3
4
5
6 / 19
6
7
8
9
10
Coworking Takeover Week: Freelancer/Remote Worker Survey
Q7 Where do you currently work most often? Answered: 10
Skipped: 0
Other (please specify) Other (please specify) 10% (1) 10% (1)
Home office 90% (9) Home office 90% (9)
OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY)
DATE
1
Most of the above
4/26/2019 7:32 AM
7 / 19
Coworking Takeover Week: Freelancer/Remote Worker Survey
Q8 How often does working remotely result in feelings of loneliness and isolation? Answered: 10
Skipped: 0
Seldom 20% (2) Seldom 20% (2)
Most of the time 30% (3) Most of the time 30% (3)
Occasionally 50% (5) Occasionally 50% (5)
8 / 19
Coworking Takeover Week: Freelancer/Remote Worker Survey
Q9 Are you familiar with the concept of coworking?“membership-based workspaces where diverse groups of freelancers, remote workers, and other independent professionals work together in a shared, communal setting” Answered: 10
Skipped: 0
9
YES
9
1
NO
1 0
2
4
6
9 / 19
8
10
12
14
Coworking Takeover Week: Freelancer/Remote Worker Survey
Q10 Have you ever worked at a coworking facility? Answered: 10
Skipped: 0
YES
5
NO
5 YES, please tell us wher…
5 5 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
YES, PLEASE TELL US WHERE (NAME AND LOCATION)
DATE
1
Make works, Toronto
5/10/2019 10:28 AM
2
The Sanctuary in Kingston
4/29/2019 10:06 PM
3
J
4/26/2019 6:39 PM
4
many, in Frontenac and other cities
4/26/2019 2:08 PM
5
InnovationXL
4/26/2019 7:32 AM
10 / 19
Coworking Takeover Week: Freelancer/Remote Worker Survey
Q11 Would you use a coworking facility in your community? Answered: 10
Skipped: 0
No, I wouldn’t use a coworking No, I wouldn’t use facility. a coworking facility. 10% (1) 10% (1)
Maybe, I’d like to try it out. Maybe, I’d like to try it(3) 30% out.
Absolutely! Can’t wait and will Absolutely! definitely use. Can’t wait and will definitely 60% (6) use.
30% (3)
60% (6)
11 / 19
Coworking Takeover Week: Freelancer/Remote Worker Survey
Q12 What services are you most interested in seeing at a coworking facility? Pick 3. Answered: 10
Skipped: 0
5
Desk Space
5 1
Private Office
1
High Speed Internet
7 7 5
Meeting Space
5
Presentation Space
4 4
Lounge/Social Space Coffee/Food Options
2 2
Printer/Copier
1
Mail Box
1
Workshops/Prese ntations
2 2
Networking Events
1 1
Access to Legal/Accoun…
2 2
Mentorship 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY)
DATE
1
food options/workshops/presentations/networking/meeting room/social space
5/10/2019 10:29 AM
2
Computer Monitors to hook up to laptop
4/24/2019 10:48 PM
12 / 19
Coworking Takeover Week: Freelancer/Remote Worker Survey
Q13 What would be your preferred way of paying for coworking services? Answered: 10
Yearly Membership
Skipped: 0
2 2
Monthly Membership
2 2 3
Daily Use
3 2
Hourly Use
2 App with Prepaid Hours
Swap/Trade of Services
1 1 0
1
2
3
4
5
13 / 19
6
7
8
9
10
Coworking Takeover Week: Freelancer/Remote Worker Survey
Q14 Reasons for coworking. Please rank in order of importance to you. (1 = most important, 5 = least important) Answered: 10
Skipped: 0
Financial (cost sharin…
Collaboration Opportunitie…
Convenience
Social / Community…
Learning Opportunitie… 0
1
2
14 / 19
3
4
5
Coworking Takeover Week: Freelancer/Remote Worker Survey
Q15 I’m going to try coworking in this community during Coworking Takeover Week… Answered: 10
Skipped: 0
8 7
6
6
6
5 4
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
0
YES
NO
15 / 19
I’m thinking about it.
Coworking Takeover Week: Freelancer/Remote Worker Survey
Q16 What Social Media Platforms do you use the most? Answered: 10
Skipped: 0
70%
70% 60%
60% 40%
40% 10%
10% Snapchat
I don’t use Social Media Other (please specify) 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY)
60%
70%
80%
90% 100%
DATE
There are no responses.
16 / 19
Coworking Takeover Week: Freelancer/Remote Worker Survey
Q17 Overall, how satisfied are you as a remote worker or freelancer? Answered: 10
Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 10% (1)
Skipped: 0
Dissatisfied 10% (1) Dissatisfied 10% (1)
10% (1) Very satisfied 50% (5) Very satisfied 50% (5) Satisfied 30% (3) Satisfied 30% (3)
17 / 19
CWT Vendor Survey
Q2 What kind of Vendor are you? Answered: 30
Skipped: 6
Government
Not-for-profit
Charity
Private Business
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
Government
3.33%
1
Not-for-profit
6.67%
2
Charity
0.00%
0
Private Business
90.00%
27
TOTAL
30
1/6
CWT Vendor Survey
Q3 How long have you been operating? Answered: 36
Skipped: 0
17%
< 1 year
17% 11%
1-3 years
11% 8%
3-5 years
8% 8%
5-10 years
8% 22%
10-20 years
22% 33%
20 years
33% 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
2/6
60%
70%
80%
90% 100%
CWT Vendor Survey
Q4 Which of the following best describes your company’s business activity Answered: 36
we have wide seasonal or we have variations cyclical wide seasonal or cyclical 19% (7) variations
Skipped: 0
We have too much business (need to We have too much expand) business (need to expand) 8% (3) 8% (3)
19% (7) Business activity is just right Business activity is just 39% (14) right We have too little business We have too little business 33% (12)
39% (14)
33% (12)
3/6
CWT Vendor Survey
Q5 From the list below please check the top factor most likely to have a major impact on your business/organization in the next 3 years. Answered: 36
Changing consumer tastes
Skipped: 0
3% 3% 14%
Demographics
14%
New Products/Ser…
11%
Competition
11% 11% 11%
Operational Costs
14% 14% 8%
Wage Rates
8% 3%
New Technology
3%
Workforce Changes
8% 8%
Financing Available
11% 11%
Taxes/Governmen t Policies
17% 0%
10%
4/6
17%
20%
CWT Vendor Survey
Q6 How important is reliable High Speed Internet to the running of your business/organization? Answered: 36
Skipped: 0
Critically Important
61% 61%
Above Average Importance
22% 22%
Average Importance
11% 11%
Not at all important
6% 6% 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
5/6
60%
70%
80%
90% 100%
CWT Vendor Survey
Q7 What is your main reason for participating in the Coworking Takeover Week? Please Check One. Answered: 36
Skipped: 0
60% 50%
42%
40%
42% 25%
30% 20% 10% 0%
19%
25%
14%
19%
14%
Marketing Exposure
Community Building/Coll aboration
Explore a Potential New Income Source
6/6
New Customers during Takeover Week
Help build a Support Network for Freelancer…
CWT Vendor Survey
Q1 Please select your participating community. Answered: 3
Skipped: 0
CoworkQuesnel
CoworkBellevill e
CoworkNorthHast ings
CoworkFrontenac
CoworkDauphin
CoworkOkotoks
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
CoworkQuesnel
0.00%
0
CoworkBelleville
0.00%
0
CoworkNorthHastings
0.00%
0
CoworkFrontenac
100.00%
3
CoworkDauphin
0.00%
0
CoworkOkotoks
0.00%
0
TOTAL
3
1/7
CWT Vendor Survey
Q2 What kind of Vendor are you? Answered: 3
Skipped: 0
Government
Not-for-profit
Charity
Private Business
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90% 100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
Government
0.00%
0
Not-for-profit
0.00%
0
Charity
0.00%
0
Private Business
100.00%
3
TOTAL
3
2/7
CWT Vendor Survey
Q3 How long have you been operating? Answered: 3
Skipped: 0
67%
< 1 year
67% 1-3 years
33%
3-5 years
33% 5-10 years
10-20 years
20 years
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
3/7
60%
70%
80%
90% 100%
CWT Vendor Survey
Q4 Which of the following best describes your company’s business activity Answered: 3
Skipped: 0
We have too little business We have too little business 33% (1) 33% (1)
Business activity is just right Business activity is just 67% (2) right 67% (2)
4/7
CWT Vendor Survey
Q5 From the list below please check the top factor most likely to have a major impact on your business/organization in the next 3 years. Answered: 3
Skipped: 0
Changing consumer tastes
Demographics New Products/Ser…
Competition Operational Costs
33% 33%
Wage Rates
New Technology
Workforce Changes
33% 33%
Financing Available
33% 33%
Taxes/Governmen t Policies 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
5/7
60%
70%
80%
90% 100%
CWT Vendor Survey
Q6 How important is reliable High Speed Internet to the running of your business/organization? Answered: 3
Skipped: 0
Critically Important
67% 67%
Above Average Importance
Average Importance
33% 33%
Not at all important
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
6/7
60%
70%
80%
90% 100%
CWT Vendor Survey
Q7 What is your main reason for participating in the Coworking Takeover Week? Please Check One. Answered: 3
Skipped: 0
100% 80%
67% 67%
60%
33%
40%
33% 20% 0%
Marketing Exposure
Community Building/Coll aboration
Explore a Potential New Income Source
7/7
New Customers during Takeover Week
Help build a Support Network for Freelancer…
