OpenSpace

What stories are on your newsfeed this morning? How does Facebook decide which of your friends’ posts are newsworthy? How does Google decide what search results you see? What about all the ones you don’t see?

Hear more in this TED talk from Eli Pariser: Beware Online Filter Bubbles

“The Internet is showing us what it thinks we want to see, but not necessarily what we need to see.”

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

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

A big thanks to everyone for your enthusiastic response to Clean Fridge Fridays! The refrigerator looks so sparkly and good-as-new! Thanks for your help in keeping OpenSpace bright and clean. Y’all rock.

Here’s the story: You know that we love having our Occasional Members here. However, we’ve started to get lonely after 6pm every day. So, we looked at the data and realized that over an 11 month period, only .05% (that’s not even one complete person) of our Occasional Members spent time with us after 6pm.

You also know that we’re definitely into efficiency (as are most of us entrepreneurs and small business owners). So, after looking at the data, it only makes sense that we change our normal operating hours EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1ST to Monday – Friday, 8am to 6pm.

Exception #1: If you already have something scheduled on the OpenSpace calendar for after 6pm, and you’re an Occasional member – not to worry. We’ll make sure your meeting goes off without a hitch (as usual).

Exception #2: If you want to schedule something later than 6pm, just contact us at hello@getopenspace.com. We’re happy to work with our members on a case-by-case basis.

Want 24 x 7 Access? If you’re an Unlimited Member, just request 24×7 ACCESS under the “Amenities” tab when you login to your account online. Not an Unlimited Member, but want to be one? Just login to your account online to change your plan!

Find out on Monday, July 18th!

If scientists use the scientific method, what do entrepreneurs use?

Why do expert entrepreneurs hate market research so much?

Is your idea an opportunity just waiting to be found, or made?

You can now supercharge your entrepreneurial IQ, thanks to intriguing research led by UVA Darden Business School’s Dr. Sarasvathy, which provides fundamental insights into how expert entrepreneurs think. After 10 years of research and over 50 publications, the word is officially out! Inc. magazine’s February cover article about effectuation, “How Great Entrepreneurs Think,” was its most popular of all-time!

Effectuation: Learn the Decision Framework of Expert Entrepreneurs

Monday, July 18th at OpenSpace

Doors at 5pm, Talk starts promptly at 5:30pm

FREE
(Sponsored by OpenSpace)

RSVP requested (but not required) – let us know that we’ll see you by emailing us at hello@getopenspace.com.

The 45-minute session teaches powerful principles & tactics for both experienced entrepreneurs and future entrepreneurs – and people who want to infuse their lives & work with an entrepreneur mind-set.

You’ll learn:

• What to do when prediction is impossible
• The five principles of effectuation
• How to achieve external propulsion
• How to minimize risk in venture growth
• How to co-create opportunities with partners
• How to invite surprise into the startup process

Attend this session if you wish to find out more about the special Effectual Intelligence coaching pilot program. There are only 3 spots in this program, and you need not have a business idea to apply. Individuals or startups of up to 10 people can apply. More information will be made available at the event.

We are excited to announce, after weeks of anticipation, that 24×7 access to OpenSpace is now fully live and ready for use! OpenSpace members under the Unlimited Plan now may work after hours at no additional cost! To receive their access key fob, Unlimited members should request 24×7 access under the amenities tab on their online member account.

If you would like to become an Unlimited Member with 24×7 access, please email hello@getopenspace.com or call us at (434) 566-0880 for more plan details.

For full details on 24×7 use and procedures, please review the new 24×7 access ‘rule book‘. Thank you for your patience as we have worked to make 24×7 a reality!

We’ve all read about the many benefits of happy employees, right?  In a recent article about increasing positivity in the work place, I came across some seriously fantastic perks offered by able companies. For example, UBS, a financial firm, offers its employees a nap room. Read the article here for some other ideas on how to increase smiles and lower blood pressure in the (your) workplace.

(photo via–what I’m envisioning for the nap room)

fitness facilities, childcare, ping pong tables, prepared meals….what mood-boosting perk would you like to see at your company?

Yes, it’s ugly. In fact, it’s Charlottesville’s Ugliest* Office! Congratulations to Simeon Fitch and the Bens at Mustard Seed Software, LLC for winning one month of membership at OpenSpace and a new iPad! In their own words …

SAVE US FROM OURSELVES!

Three guys, one basement,
Hot & sweaty coders.
Coffee stains & dust bunnies,
Awkward body odors.

Late nights fixing bugs,
Caffeinated shaking.
Foreign matter between keys,
Carpel tunnel aching.

Dog hair, food wrappers,
Sticky keyboard madness.
Dim lights & camped desks,
Startup business sadness.

GET ME OUT OF THIS PLACE!
Get me into some OpenSpace!

*Ugly is a subjective determination, and in this case labeled such at the sole discretion of the OpenSpace judging committee. Yes, we saw hoarders, plenty of mold, 80s pastel décor and bearded ladies in the submissions, and it was a tough call.

As we suspected, many of you are grinding it out every day in some VERY ugly offices. So, if you need a break, stop by – there is OpenSpace for you.