Worcester Business Journal

www.wbjournal.com August 29, 2016 • Worcester Business Journal 35 F or many f irst-time entrepreneurs, choosing to work off of the dining room table can be tempting. It's cheap, it's easy and it's not much of a commute. As you get started on your new venture, letting cost alone determine your daily work environment isn't as beneficial as you might think. Even if you're a pre- revenue startup, having a space dedicated to work is critical to productivity and maintaining a healthy work/life balance. The membership- based workspace that coworking offers is a valuable solution for the b o o t s t r a p p i n g solopreneur and the venture-funded startup alike. As with any purchase, it's important to shop around until you find the right environment, so doing your homework is important. Tour the different spaces in your area, try each option out for a day (most offer inexpensive day passes) and take the time to assess what you value most in a work environment. The following are three ways to take advantage of membership at a coworking space. 1. Surround yourself with energy Since many entrepreneurs thrive off of the innovative spirit of others, most coworking spaces offer some type of open format seating. Spending the day immersed in the energetic buzz of productivity is a simple way to keep the brain's gears turning. Although some of your day-to-day tasks might require the isolation of a private office, make sure to commit some amount of time to freerange seating. 2. Work on your terms Long hours are something every entrepreneur must be willing to endure. After all it takes a lot of energy, time and focus to build something from the ground up. With burnout being one of the most feared byproducts of continuous laser focus, it's important to understand how your body handles the mental and physical exhaustion of launching a new venture. Spend some time analyzing yourself. Think about what time of day you're most productive, the ideal amount of sleep you need each night and what pastimes are most helpful in relieving your stress and even how you prefer to commute. By answering these questions you're able to build an optimal daily routine to help combat fatigue. A good coworking space can accommodate just about any type of schedule and no matter how nontraditional your work routine may seem, chances are you'll find yourself in good company any time of day. 3. Don't just network...socialize While networking events, seminars, classes and trade shows offer the obvious benefit of guided or structured interaction between professionals, some of your most important connections can happen in a less formal setting. By offering a service based around the idea of bringing a diverse group of people together to work independently, coworking spaces cultivate casual interaction, meaning that instead of designating a specific time, place or topic for networking, interactions tend to happen on a more personal level. A conversation with another member about weekend plans while waiting for your coffee can lead to collaboration, inspiration or offer a new perspective on what you're working on. n Ryan Leary is a co-founder of Running Start Coworking, which has offices in Worcester and Oxford. He is a member of this year's Worcester Business Journal 40 Under Forty Class of 2016. 10 Things I Know About... KNOW HOW 10) Be correct. When writing, make certain spelling, grammar and punctuation is correct. If unsure, consult a writing guide. 9) Ask questions. If it is not clear what is being said, ask what is meant. 8) Be friendly. In emails, make a personal statement such as "I hope all is well with you." Smile when you speak on the phone: It makes people more receptive to what you are saying. Make eye contact and smile when in person. 7) Keep an open mind. Consider other points of view. Don't judge, criticize or dismiss a person, suggestion, statement or comment immediately. 6) Be confident. When presenting, exude confidence. Look at specific members of the audience, each in a different section; it will help the attendees to connect with you if they know you are speaking to them not at them. Speak slowly and clearly. If possible, walk during the presentation to release tension and anxiety. Refrain from making nervous gestures with your hands and feet. 5) Keep it simple. Say what must be said in as few words as possible. Be clear and direct, and don't ramble. Think beforehand what you want to communicate. 4) Preferred method of communication. Consider the type of message being conveyed and determine the best method for it. Serious subjects are best done in person while everyday matters can be done by email, phone or text. Ask others their preferred method and let them know yours. 3) Have empathy. It is important to understand and respect another's point of view even when you don't agree with it. Be tactful in sensitive or difficult situations. 2) Non-verbal signals. Body language, voice tone, eye contact and hand gestures are part of the message being conveyed. Pay attention to what these are to better understand how receptive they are to your message. Crossed arms and legs with no eye contact indicate a less receptive person while someone leaning forward with a smile making eye contact is a more receptive person. 1) Listen, not just hear. Active listening is critical to being a good communicator. Pay close attention to what the other person is saying. Rephrase and repeat it if necessary to have a clear understanding of the topic. n C onsidering expanding the reach of your American company? Maybe you are seeing more of your client base overseas. Maybe you want to extend the life of products or services by introducing them in new, faraway markets. Or maybe you are looking for a way to reduce your dependence on domestic markets. Whichever your motivation, here are things to consider in exploring overseas. Market research. Though many American products or services are embraced overseas, that's not always the case, says an article at Entrepreneur.com. "Invest a lot of time and money in consumer education," the article reads. Avoid spinning your wheels trying to market something that won't mesh well with the culture. (However, if you manage to ultimately clinch that market niche, your brand will become synonymous with that product or service.) Tax code and compliance issues. There are special reporting requirements in doing business overseas, and it's wise to consult with an expert. Also, says business consultant Joseph Paris Jr. at BusinessNewsDaily.com, these rules may very well impact your bottom line. "In Europe, your instructions, even for the simplest product, will be in … sometimes up to 24 languages. If your product is sold more regionally, you will have to consider the increase in packaging cost associated with labeling," he said. Make friends. It may seem like a logical strategy to get to know the country and culture, says Langley Steinert, co-founder of TripAdvisor, in a Forbes.com article by Kate Harrison. But cultural miscues and miscommunications happen. The key, he said, is to listen, not talk, when networking and building relationships. "Listening can lead to better product design, superior site-user experience, smarter pricing models and, most importantly, clearer expectations and rewards for staff members. Incentives and management style abroad can diverge significantly from what you're used to in the U.S," he said. n 101: GOING GLOBAL >> BY SUSAN SHALHOUB Special to the Worcester Business Journal Business communication skills BY RYAN LEARY Special to the Worcester Business Journal By Ed Londergan Ed Londergan is a freelance writer and editor, newspaper columnist, and writing workshop teacher. You can reach him at ed.londergan@ gmail.com Making the most out of coworking spaces D R E A M S T I M E . C O M

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