I. A brief description about the creative hubs
Locus Workspace and The Living Room (TLR) are two coworking spaces that share similar values and are well-known for cultivating a strong sense of community. Locus Workspace (home creative hub) is a well-established coworking space located in Prague, Czech Republic, which was designed from the beginning to provide a productive and engaging environment for remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. It fosters a strong sense of community through carefully curated events, networking opportunities, and a supportive workspace culture. Locus prides itself on creating an engaging environment where members can collaborate, network, and grow both professionally and personally. The space has built a reputation for its well-organized community activities, including mastermind groups, workshops, and social gatherings, ensuring that members feel connected and supported.
For its part, TLR (hosting creative hub), is a coworking space located in Malaga, Spain, that bears an astonishing resemblance to Locus in terms of space capacity, client profile and community approach. Recognized as the Best Coworking Space for Nomads by The Nomad World, TLR is known for its strong sense of community and its ability to attract remote professionals from around the world. It emphasizes community-building through various events, workshops, and informal gatherings, fostering an environment where members can share knowledge, create meaningful connections, and collaborate on projects.
II. Objectives set out at the beginning
The exchange program, titled Strengthening Community and Sharing Knowledge in Coworking Hubs, was designed with the following objectives:
1. Share best practices – Learn and exchange strategies for building and maintaining coworking communities to implement back at Locus Workspace.
2. Enhance member collaboration – Explore methods to foster cross-border connections between members of both hubs, enabling knowledge exchange and business collaboration.
3. Create a plan for continued collaboration – Develop actionable steps for long-term cooperation between Locus Workspace and TLR.
4. Support staff development – Exchange strategies for improving staff engagement, training, and collaboration to better serve the coworking community.
III. Details of the activities during the exchange period
Day 1
Eva was welcomed to The Living Room by Carmen, one of the host hub community managers. The day started with a tour of the space, giving Eva the opportunity to familiarize herself with the environment and meet the team. She then spent the rest of the day with Carmen, exchanging insights and experiences regarding the operational aspects of coworking spaces. This gave her a behind-the-scenes look at how TLR functions internally and allowed her to interact with some of its members.
Day 2
The second day was dedicated to learning from Ben, the owner of TLR. The morning began with a breakfast meeting where they exchanged best practices and discussed key action points for the rest of the week. In the afternoon, Ben and Eva focused on optimizing operational tasks, particularly in the area of automation. The day concluded with a team meeting, which provided Eva with deeper insights into how TLR operates on a daily basis. This meeting also served as an opportunity to brainstorm ways in which both coworking spaces could continue to improve and strengthen their respective communities.
Day 3
Eva engaged in a combination of job shadowing and community interaction. She observed TLR’s daily operations, further expanding her understanding of their management techniques. In addition, she spent time with TLR members to explore opportunities for collaboration between the two coworking communities. This direct engagement with members played a crucial role in identifying shared interests and potential areas for cooperation.
Day 4
This day focused on assisting Locus in setting up their new coworking software, with Ben providing guidance based on his extensive experience using the platform. This was a valuable learning experience that will aid in streamlining operations at Locus. Later in the evening, Eva helped organize a networking event with TLR members, together with the community managers. This gathering proved to be a fantastic opportunity to connect with members, share experiences and introduce Locus to the TLR community.
Day 5
On the final day, Eva and the TLR team reflected on the insights gained throughout the exchange. They engaged in discussions to outline concrete next steps for future collaboration. A key outcome was the establishment of an exchange program between members of both coworking spaces. It was a good way to wrap up the experience and enhance the continued partnership of both spaces.
IV. Accomplishments
One of the most valuable outcomes of the staff exchange was gaining a better understanding of the daily operations at The Living Room. Many of their approaches can be adapted and implemented at Locus to improve efficiency and create smoother workflows. Learning about their internal processes provided valuable insights into how a coworking space can be managed more effectively, particularly in terms of automation and member engagement.
Additionally, the exchange allowed Eva to learn new strategies for attracting and retaining clients. TLR has developed successful methods for building a strong community and ensuring high member retention, and these practices can be applied at Locus to enhance its member experience. By adopting some of TLR’s tactics, Locus can further strengthen its community and increase its appeal to digital nomads and remote workers.
Another significant accomplishment was the strengthening of ties between the two coworking communities. Throughout the week, Eva engaged with TLR members and staff, fostering relationships that will contribute to future collaborations. This exchange served as a foundation for stronger inter-hub connections, ensuring that members from both spaces can benefit from shared knowledge and networking opportunities.
One of the most exciting outcomes of the program was the establishment of an exchange initiative between members of Locus and TLR. Several TLR members expressed interest in visiting Locus in the coming months, which will further enhance the cultural and professional exchange between the two spaces.
Finally, the staff exchange program laid the groundwork for long-term cooperation between the two hubs and their respective teams. Both spaces have committed to continued collaboration, whether through joint events, shared learning experiences, or future staff exchanges. This partnership will ensure that both Locus and TLR continue to evolve and improve, benefiting their members and reinforcing their position as leading community-oriented coworking spaces in their respective regions.
