OpenSpace

Your requests have been heard! Decaf coffee is back! All the warmth and goodness of coffee, without the jitters, just in time for colder weather.

Here’s your chance to tell us what you think! Please take a moment or two to fill out our member survey and let us hear about your OpenSpace experience. Follow the link below to let us know what we’re doing well and what we could be doing better:

https://app.icontact.com/icp/sub/survey/start?sid=2571&cid=591105

Reminder: join us TOMORROW Thursday, October 20th from 5-7pm (special after-hours event!) for an OpenSpace Happy Hour.

There will be wine, beer, and plenty of good snacks and good times with your OpenSpace coworkers- a chance to relax and revel in the fact that it is almost Friday. Feel free to bring friends. The more the merrier!

If you would like to attend, please RSVP to hello@getopenspace.com, and as always, the event is free.

Inc Magazine has compiled a slideshow of the world’s coolest work places. Transformed warehouses, minimalist wood furniture, or skateboarding half-pipes: which one of these offices would you most love to work at?

Source: Inc.com

That OpenSpace has a Polycom conference phone for you to use? We know everyone loves their cell phones, but if you ever need to make a conference call, we have a phone that can easily be set up in any of our work studios. It’s one of the many amenities you have available to you here- all you have to do is ask!

Here’s your chance to take advantage of all that wine in the kitchen you were eyeing for so long!

Join us Thursday, October 20th from 5-7pm (special after-hours event!) for an OpenSpace Happy Hour.

There will be wine, beer, and plenty of good snacks and good times with your OpenSpace coworkers- a chance to relax and revel in the fact that it is almost Friday. Feel free to bring friends. The more the merrier!

If you would like to attend, please RSVP to hello@getopenspace.com.

Also, did you know that October is Virginia Wine Month? Another perfect reason to celebrate!

David Dusseau

Owner, Allies in Energy

THE WHO

David Dusseau is a Silicon Valley transplant who, after getting his start in the high-tech industry, made the switch to clean energy about ten years ago. He started his company, Allies in Energy, to provide staffing, market research, and business development services to the clean energy sector. Since moving from the West Coast four years ago, he has been working diligently to facilitate and take part in the Mid-Atlantic region’s move towards clean energy. Whether it’s researching business prospects for growing clean energy companies or working to influence policy in favor of an advanced energy economy, David is clearly enthusiastic about the possibilities and opportunities associated with clean energy.

In such a relevant and up-and-coming industry, David is also paving the way for better social networking among energy professionals, using the Allies in Energy brand to promote greater collaboration and support of clean energy development efforts. In fact, Charlottesville, is home to several national players in the world of clean energy, including GreenLight Energy Resources, HelioSage, Element Power, and BP Alternative Energy.

THE WHY OPENSPACE

Frankly, David says, he couldn’t stand working from home. For a long-time self-employed business professional, OpenSpace was the perfect ‘in-between’ workspace and a great change of pace. He found that the comfortable, natural-light filled work environment led to the greatest intangible of all: increased productivity. We say, bring on the sunlight!

WHAT YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW

Growing up in middle-of-nowhere Michigan instilled David with a great love of the outdoors. A fitting pastime for a proponent of clean energy, he enjoys hiking and spending time down by the river near his house. A few hikes David recommends: the St. Mary’s Wilderness in the George Washington National Forest, for the more serious hikers. Or, if you’re just looking for a nice walk in the woods, the Monticello Trail is a popular spot right outside of town. Fall in Central Virginia is the perfect time to explore the outdoors, so be sure to ask David about the next Cville Hikers Meet Up!

Photo credit: Jen Fariello

Some good thoughts on competition from Seth Godin’s blog:

“If you’re going to count on the competition to bring out your best work, you’ve surrendered control over your most important asset. Real achievement comes from racing ahead when no one else sees a path–and holding back when the rush isn’t going where you want to go.”