Mike Zeidler: Raising The Demand Of Coworking Post Covid
The coworking industry is multi-faceted and comprises a pool of industry giants, each bringing a different and significant contribution to the coworking industry. One such industry contributor is Mike Zeidler, Chair, Co-founder, and Facilitator of the UK Coworking Assembly.
Mike is fondly known as a social artist and a connector, with a special interest in mutual learning, getting things done, and making the most of the people’s connected potential. Speaking to Mike about the impact of Covid on the coworking industry, we get to see the bigger picture through his lenses.
We asked him a few questions, and this is what he had to say:
Q: What changes do you think we’ll see in the industry as a result of Covid?
A: People will appreciate the value of coworking more, as they start to see how normal it can be. Increased demand will boost both competition and collaboration. Larger outfits may well price aggressively in bids to dominate the market, in which case strong collaborations between smaller independent operators may well be the best defence.
Q: How can the industry mitigate the new challenges caused by Covid?
A: Empathy will be key. The industry will be at its best when people aim to help each other through the personal and financial hardships caused by the pandemic. Coworking is people-centred, so it’s a two-way deal between the providers and users of coworking space. Mitigation comes from our desire to live flourishing lives on a thriving planet and the shared values that support that.
Q: What can you say are some positives that have come out of this whole Covid situation?
A: People are far more aware of what matters most as a result of the combination of isolation and fear for our lives. It’s common for individuals to re-evaluate priorities when faced with the idea of death, but this health crisis has made whole societies pause for thought about how we’re living our lives. I hope this extraordinary shared experience will condition us all to be more humane.
Q: What does the future of coworking look like?
A: I believe the people naturally drawn to coworking are our greatest hope for the future. By promoting collaboration, coworking helps us embrace diversity and appreciate the inclusion. If Covid has taught us anything, it is certain that our relationships with nature and in communities are key to happier and more fulfilling lives. The next generation has seen that and is fired up about taking on the great social and environmental challenges of our times. People know they’re more effective when they work together, so I think we can look forward to a lot more coworking demand.