Air BnB is a seriously cool site. Not only have they given the travel industry a much needed revamp, they have also proven a source of good. It was reported last year that during the hurricane in New York, people were using the site to house the poor people that had lost their homes during the storm.
Which is pretty cool. ShareDesk has a similar business model, but as yet without the social good attached to it. The idea is a simple one. You take your average office, and any spare desks you have can be rented out to freelancers, entrepreneurs and the like that would like an affordable and flexible office space for a while.
“The problem is this: There’s tons of idle capacity [read: underused office space] out there. There’s been numerous studies that show that an actual workspace is only utilized less than 45% of the time. That doesn’t only apply for small businesses; it also applies for large organizations and corporates. For us, the goal is to try to help workspaces better utilize their real estate assets, better utilize their idle desks, their meeting rooms.”
He would like to see the site used by companies to rent out un-used desk space, conference rooms, the works, all on a temporary basis. Prices vary, with some offering rent per day, some per month. For instance you can rent a desk in TechSpace, in the heart of London’s Silicon Roundabout for £360 per month.
ShareDesk take a 15% commission on any transactions made via the site but apart from that it’s free to use. A really interesting concept and certainly one to keep an eye on.
Interesting idea. Wonder how it would work from a security perspective. I mean it's hard enough bringing my own device to work and having web access etc. and I'm a trusted employee (I hope). Can just imagine a stranger coming in and being given access.
Might also be worth companies checking the terms of their lease. Not all tenants will be allowed to sub-let their offices to others.
This is very much one of those wait and see things for me. I can see plenty of reasons why it wouldn't work.
Renting out the office space is not a new idea but providing it to poor victims is definitely a new idea. I have been using my office space as a source of business providing many people it on rent those who can't afford their personal buildings but even this was indeed a noble task.
Thanks for the information. I always have learned many thugs from your blog.
Good Idea, I have learned about work in security limits. I think Rent desk would not be a Good Idea.
Interesting idea. Wonder how it would work from a security perspective. I mean it’s hard enough bringing my own device to work and having web access etc. and I’m a trusted employee (I hope). Can just imagine a stranger coming in and being given access.
I think this kind of business is becoming so common place these days its great to see. Use the spare resources available and help out those that dont have access to enough cash for a desk. There is another great site taking over London atm called Hubble. Go check them out, i am currently looking to rent an office through them.
https://hubblehq.com
Let me know what you think… but if you find anything nice in Shoreditch its mine… hands off…! 🙂 #kidding haha.
Thanks for the post, always exciting to read about new ventures disrupting the status quo!
Haha, I'm nicely ensconced in the salubrious environs of Elephant & Castle, but if I see a nice place in Shoreditch I'll be sure to pass it on 🙂
hahaha, i am open to suggestions. 🙂 Is Elephant and Castle a fun place to work? Salubrious is always a word that stokes my interest. 🙂
Haha, it's up and coming (or at least so I'm told). In terms of location though it's ideal so can't complain, I'm far too old and uncool for Shoreditch 🙂
Adi, I know the founders of Hubble and wondered if you might like to include another quote from them in your article above? I know Tushar would love to offer his 'pennies-worth' on the pace of change in this space. Let me know if this works for you. I am sure they will then share the article with all of their newsletter and social fans etc. 🙂 I can nudge them quite hard, i have some leverage 🙂
Sure, happy to talk to them. This article is a few years old now so I'd probably look to do a more up to date look at the market. admin at adigaskell dot org is my email if you wanted to connect us up.
Hey Adi,
Awesome stuff, i will drop you an email now. 🙂 I can see you like people that buck the norm so I think we might get on. haha.
Haha, super, I look forward to it. As I'm just over the water, maybe a coffee will be in order sometime.