Why Monday morning at the office back from Europe didn’t suck!

I recently took a two week vacation to Europe, driving through Germany, France, England, Ireland and, finally, flying to Poland. I was far, far away from WorkBar, exploring other cultures and seeing places I’ve only ever read about. You would think that coming back to work after a vacation like that would be DREADFUL! Yes, you would think that … unless you were coming back to WorkBar {workspace for mobile professionals, which includes startups, freelancers, and remote employees.} Coming back was actually an incredible feeling! I realized that because I had spent so much time, day in and day out at WorkBar, everything around me became all too common, and that I had stopped noticing how truly amazing and inspiring the people and atmosphere here really are.

Why {almost} everyone else {or just far too many people} hates Monday morning.

You see it on Facebook every day: “Dear Monday, WHY must you come so quickly…” or “Is it Friday yet?!” … All anyone ever wants to do is run far, far away from the office and his or her job … complaining any chance they get until the clock strikes “weekend.”

What I noticed almost IMMEDIATELY upon my return to the office was how happy and excited everyone was, just coming to work … and on a Monday no less! “Good mornings” all around and smiling faces talking about their weekend adventures and what’s on their agenda today. What a breath of fresh air to know that I was not coming back to an ‘office,’ in its traditional and mundane sense; rather, I was hopping on to ride the wave of energy radiating from everyone around me. The difference comes from choice. The professionals that work here—be they freelancers, entrepreneurs, startup groups or remote teams—choose to be here. Not plagued by the alarm clock, they choose to come in and value the time spent working on projects that match their passions. It’s an infectious environment that lifts not only your spirits, but your drive—not because you have to, but because you want to.

Smiling IS contagious, and so is hard work.
They say smiling is contagious – so much so that there have been extensive research studies done to measure the effects of happiness on others. One Harvard study that observed 4,739 people over 20 years found that happiness was, in fact, contagious and highly dependent on others. Without a doubt, they concluded that close physical proximity was essential for happiness to spread. {i.e. why people who work alone go mad} Fascinating isn’t it?! I see it happening every single day! However, the professional community at WorkBar spreads much more than happiness; we’ve got a room full of driven and excited individuals!

2008 called … They’re inspired.
Relatively speaking, coworking and the shift to a mobile workforce is in fact {even now} somewhat of a new and quickly spreading phenomenon. Increasingly, people are able to work from almost anywhere with all but an internet connection and their laptop. This is why I can understand and sympathize with Harvard’s research findings with regard to happiness at the workplace. Fast forward to 1:44 on this NBC report on the study and you’ll hear,

“The one exception [to the happiness results] is the workplace, where researchers say coworkers don’t affect happiness levels. Could there be something in the environment that keeps happiness from spreading?”

Is anyone surprised? Notice how utterly traditional the office shown on screen is. Of COURSE there’s something in the environment! It’s a room full of unmotivated people starring at their computer screens, counting down the minutes till they can all leave! I wouldn’t be very energized in that sort of environment either! Would you?!

You spend at LEAST 40 hours a week working and it’s NO mystery that a workplace and its culture molds its employees and shapes their enthusiasm. For an otherwise office-less workforce, our biggest goal at WorkBar is to create a physical and psychological environment that is both encouraging and motivating … a place for people to reap the positive benefits of being around others – but also in a space that encourages creativity. This type of valuation can be seen around the world – most prominent in successful startups and companies that “create.” Why? Because inspiration is of highest importance! Some of these workplaces are truly mind blowing!

Preview:

LINK to all: http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/creative-modern-office-designs/

There’s no denying it … SPACE matters, PEOPLE matter. 

So if you’ve got the spirit – ROCK ON, and spread the enthusiasm! But if you’ve been feeling stuck in a ‘professional’ rut – maybe this could be the jolt of energy you’ve been looking for – simple changes in attitude and space can make a big difference!  Whether you’re on your own or working for a small-, mid- and even large-sized company … there’s always SOMETHING you can do to change your perspective.

Top {3 of} 10 tips to boost your {work} drive and keep your energy on {HIGH}!

1. Join a coworking space – they’re springing up everywhere! Search your city here: http://bit.ly/ibwcmn
2. Join a ‘professional’ meetup group.  Meet others passionate about your industry! http://www.meetup.com/
3. Boost camaraderie in any workplace by planning a weekly/bi-weekly/monthly group lunch.  Even if it starts out as 2-3 people, it will spread.  Note: This is NOT a time to bitch about work or your boss… This is meant to be uplifting and a encouraging, not an escape from work as if it’s a negative thing.

How do YOU keep yourself {and your team} motivated!? Help us complete the list above!

Email us at info@workbarboston.com, tweet us at @workbarboston or post your ideas on our facebook page!

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… and in between your food comas!

With Turkey day, right around the corner, many of us are already in route to visit our family and friends.  Many traveling 100+ miles to different cities and states all together.  Holidays can be a bit stressful with family and friends pulling you in all directions, and for those of us who cannot simply turn the clock off at 5PM, adding work into the mix can be very difficult!  Entrepreneurs and growing companies typically work around the clock – weekends and holidays are no exception.

We asked our WorkBar community to weigh in with how they maintain a work/life balance during the holidays and what tips they have to share.

When you’re away, you’re away!

The number ONE response from each and every one of our members was first and foremost, to make family your priority, it’s essential!  You have to unwind and make time for both your family and yourself – it’s the only way to achieve a true life/work balance!

You have a ‘Holiday’ schedule too

Make  a ‘holiday’ to do list.  Not EVERYTHING you normal do at work needs to be tended to over the holiday weekend. Weed out tasks that can wait till next week and determine what is MOST important – Be efficient and plan your time wisely.  “Set milestones and deadlines. Don’t bother yourself with busy work.” Miguel Granier from Invested Development

Need a digital bumper? Separate the URGENT emails from those that can wait till Monday by turning on your auto reply with instructions to contact ‘x’ email address if the issue truly cannot wait.

Use your built in babysitters!

Need a few quiet hours to focus on work  – to get away from the noise, the kids, and the rest of the distractions?  The good thing about being with family is that you’ve got plenty of babysitters on hand!  Grandma and Grandpa are more than happy to hang out and play with the little one’s while you sneak off to your ‘work cave.’  “The whole family is there to help out! They get to hang out with the kids and I get some time to knock out a few things on my list!” – Bill Jacobson, Partner at WorkBar

Finding your ‘Work Cave’

Whether you’re traveling far or staying local, our members came up with a few great suggestions on where to find you ‘work cave’ while away from home and the office.

1. If your staying in a resort/hotel/community, these places usually have a recreation facility with a gym, lounge, wifi and if you’re lucky, a business.  This is a perfect place, not only to get your mental exercise, but physical exercise too!  Take advantage of both – you’ll feel great afterward!
2. If you’re staying with family and are far away from home, ask family local to the area if they have office/work space available for you to use. “I used my father in law’s office – I was able to stake out a conference room and set up shop for a few hours one day.” – Allen Smith from Gadgeteer
3. If you’re traveling to an unknown area, Google the local ‘hotspots’ ahead of time – Plan ahead.  See when the local library is open [check holiday hours] or where the local café’s and bookstores are [provided they offer wifi.]  Call ahead to double check – no one likes last minute curve balls.

Work-a-doodle-doo – Wake up with the birds!

Can’t find a spare minute in the day – sure you can! Use the MORNING HOURS [approx 6AM-8AM] to get crank out your daily to-dos.  Zip through your emails and send over those TPS reports before you even hear the sizzle of those morning pancakes.  You might want to make a pot of coffee too!

What tips and tricks do you have to maintain your work/life balance during the holidays?  Comment below, email evona@workbarboston.com or continue the conversation on twitter @workbarboston

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Last week, WorkBar was joined by Jeremy Halpern of Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, who spoke at our Brown Bag Lunch & Learn Seminar. Jeremy led a very interactive discussion powered by the initial questions our group had about investors, pitching and fundraising.  Below are the key points and takeaways from Jeremy’s presentation, ‘Tips on Pitching your Plan to Investors”

1. Be a punching bag for your #7

First things first! Create a list of ALL of the potential investors you can pitch to (which should basically include any and all you find!) After you compile your list, score each investor/group on a 1-10 scale and figure out who your TOP are!  When it’s time to pitch, NEVER go to your #1 first!  Pick a seven on your list and let them rip you apart!  This is your opportunity to learn what you’re doing well, but more importantly, what you need to work on, so act like a sponge and soak up all the feedback you get!

Where to start:                                          http://www.nvca.org                                                                                                                                                            http://www.angelcapitalassociation.org

2. Never talk about money, ex girlfriends or politics

What is this a dating column?  Quite similar in fact, pitching to investors is a lot like dating, think match.com.  It’s all about your credibility!  Investors invest in people, not ideas – Ideas are cheap and everyone’s got ‘em.

How do you build credibility? Through honesty and trust. No matter what your idea is and how much data you have, investors ask themselves, are you the kind of person they can trust, who will take their money and do everything you possibly can to return on their investment?  They want to know that you’re going to CRUSH IT –  Which means that they need to believe in YOU.

Maybe you don’t have ALL the answers, most times you wont.  But, you don’t need all the answers, what you need is a plan!  Don’t spin tales.. you’re end up running around in circles.  Instead, be honest and explain what you’re doing to find out.

3. Yes! I do have a problem with that!

Pitching 101, always start with the PROBLEM! The main thing an investor cares about is that there’s a problem and that there are a lot of people out there who are willing to pay to solve it.

In many cases, investors might not even care how you plan on solving it right now – companies change directions all the time!  You’re not selling your solution; you’re selling yourself and your commitment to the problem.  At the end of your pitch, the investor should believe that your willing to do whatever it takes to succeed – they want to know they can trust you with their money.

“I can listen to a whole presentation without you telling me what your solution is, I just care that there is a big problem.” Jeremy Halpern

But are you sure there is a problem?…           

The main thing entrepreneurs lack are research skills.  You might think there is a problem, and some of your friends may agree with you, but that’s not going to stand up in a room of investors, who by the way, you’re asking to give you money based on this research.

Take it to the streets, the nets, ask whoever and wherever; this is what your basing your pitch on, so take your time and do it right.  But before you do, and this is where most people make their mistake, you have to make sure you’re asking the right questions.  Asking better questions will get you better answers.  You want to ask open questions, for example, “If you had a tool to do X, what kind of features would it have? What would it look like?, Etc.”  If you find, after asking 100 people, that they’re not describing your solution, you might have to go back to the drawing board.

4. Oh but you’re different? So are all your friends who look like that!

Different does not equal better.  Example: No one wants poop flavored ice cream.

Better = Better

Figure out your value and where you compete.  Alternatively, acknowledge where you do not compete.

You may not be the best choice if a customer values x, but that’s not your customer and that’s not your value proposition.  Example: Porsche does not compete on price.

5. Secret sauce: Served hot!

Everyone’s got ideas; it’s a matter of execution and commitment. You’re probably not the first to have thought of your idea but you are the first to execute it, which is why it’s important to protect yourself and your business.  Hypothetically or not, every company has a secret sauce – a mixture of elements that protects them from competitors; think of it as a defense army!

Key defense elements include:

• Contracts/Exclusivity Agreements
• Relationships – Built on trust
• Trade secrets

Note on trade secrets – People often think that the best form of protection is to immediately file for patents. However, filing for a patent requires you to disclose your ‘secret formula’ and make it public… This is why many people choose to keep their trade secrets, well, secrets!  Example: The recipe for Coca-Cola® is one of the oldest and most valuable trade secrets in the world.  It’s not protected by patent, copyright, trademark or any other government-granted monopoly – making every sip a mystery!

About the Speaker

Jeremy Halpern is a partner in the Business Department and the Director of Business Development for the Emerging Companies Group. Jeremy’s practice focuses on private equity, venture capital, and angel financing transactions, mergers and acquisitions, equity and entrepreneurial compensation matters, and general start-up support. Jeremy spends a large portion of his time connecting with and supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem in New England. Concurrently, Jeremy serves as the Vice-Chairman of The Capital Network, a Boston-based non-profit that provides education to entrepreneurs seeking early stage capital, and as an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurial Leadership at Tufts University. He is currently a Connector in the Boston World Partnership and is the co-founder of BostonIDEA, an organization promoting the entrepreneurial community in Boston’s Innovation District.

Previously, Jeremy was the Managing Director of Evolution Advisors LLC, a Boston based strategic transaction advisory firm, and the Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of Business Development for MobileTek Corporation, a developer of PC based applications enabling smarter mobility for consumer mobile devices. Prior to that, he practiced corporate law with Goodwin Procter LLP and Bingham McCutchen LLP in Boston, and with Irell & Manella LLP in Los Angeles.

Jeremy participates with or is a member of MIT’s Venture Mentoring Service, MassTLC, MDG, E-NET, ACG, REBN-East, MITX, Web Innovators Group and MobileMondays.

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