Set Requirements
For example, both programs have their own requirements based on a set of values, which may be intrinsic in the Coworking Visa, but explicitly set out by CoPass and LEXC.
For CoPass, when you register as a space or member, you will have to abide by a certain number of rules.
“They have to share similar values like openness, collaboration, accessibility, community, and most importantly, trust,” said Van den Broek. “As long as you are trustworthy you can benefit from CoPass services. As soon as you try to screw the system, you're kicked out.”
This makes sure that members who use this do not abuse the system.
“We also want spaces that join to feel as part of the network. We don't want any situation where a CoPasser comes to a space and the guy welcoming him does not remember what CoPass is. Spaces have to commit to welcome CoPass members well,” concluded Van den Broek.
Similarly for LEXC, values and standards are important. Member spaces have to go through a stringent interview process and founding members will be selected based on how they think the spaces function with customer service, such as their culture or management.
A Special Tool for Organization
It also has a special way of streamlining its operation and connecting its members without creating a mess- through Liquid Space, an online coworking directory, which is involved as a founding sponsor and key enabler of LEXC. Their platform provides the real-time trusted sharing system that lets LEXC manages permissions and privileges for shared members (via visas) and share inventory in real-time.
Any member of an LEXC coworking space can freely reserve a work and meeting space anywhere in the LEXC network using the web and mobile (iPhone/Android) booking interfaces. Once members arrive at their reserved venue, the platform provides authentication, automates check in, and unlocks amenities and special LEXC member privileges so they can get to work.
“Liquid Space is generally simpler and more technology friendly. All LEXC members use Liquid Space on some level to facilitate the visa between us,” said Chang
Developing National Partnerships to Reap Benefits
At the moment, LEXC is also trying to develop national partnerships with some corporations so that all venues in LEXC benefit from the partnership.
“Next Space, one of our founding venues, partners with an HR outsourcing company called TriNet and they can broker some good pricing and incentives with TriNet. Now we want to include the rest of LEXC into that partnership so all members benefit from this,” Chang told Deskmag.
Organizing a Standard of Excellence
Best practices, high standards and an organized structure, are just a few of the things that these programs advocate, while simultaneously keeping the original idea of the visa’s mobility and geniality.
For Van den Broek, the Copass opens up to a whole new world of coworking. “I think such a solution will make a lot of people that like coworking, but do not use it today, go into coworking spaces. I think groups of people (companies or global communities like Ouishare for instance), ultra nomad workers that usually go to cafés and home workers can now go in coworking spaces when they are traveling.”
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