This weekend past, I read an article in the newspaper about the recent sale of Tweetdeck to Twitter for a deal worth $40 million. One of the things that enabled Tweetdeck as a business to get to this position was the collective consciousness they had from sharing a building with bunch of other entrepreneurs.
It meant that they were able to share in the buzz, the atmosphere and the collective business and creative experience of all the other individuals in that space. The space became known as the Silicon Roundabout and has become an attractive proposition for investors from Silicon Valley looking for a UK base.
We’re not saying that we are the next Silicon Roundabout but every resident at FunkBunk benefits from being part of a collective that is stronger than it’s individuals alone. I hear ideas being discussed everyday that have the potential to be the next Tweetdeck. Just by working in the same space there is inspiration all around and the resource to make the ideas come to life.
For those sick of shuffling from coffee shop to coffee shop, struggling to get a wi-fi connection, working in isolation and struggling to kickstart their ideas, places like FunkBunk are definitely the way forward.
What is coworking we hear you all cry! Well maybe not cry, but we do get asked this question a fair bit. The simple answer is: Working with others in a space like a workhub. Somewhere just like FunkBunk.
But why take our word for it? The clever guys at Coworking Toronto have come up with this great cartoon that explains it pretty much perfectly. Go for it Paul and Sandra!
We blogged some time ago with some design ideas for the glass on our new meeting room at FunkBunk. Your opinions were unanimous and the colourful design #1 was the option preferred by everyone.
It did present some printing challenges though as high quality print on to frosted vinyl is a fairly specialist activity. Our suppliers pulled through in fine style though and colourful privacy can now be had when taking part in meetings at the ‘Bunk.
We are currently working on some virtual office packages for those wishing to use FunkBunk as a business base on paper. Some of these packages will include use of the meeting room, as it is the perfect place to bring your clients. As soon as we have all the details together we will post them up here.
Just kidding, although this awesome tree we received as an early Christmas card kicks of the seasonal decorations at FunkBunk, not be outdone by Purity Productions in the room next door we have a something special planned for our tree.
In other news, 02 and Vodafone users at FunkBunk are soon to be getting a major boost in the their mobile signal strength. All things going to plan, our new internal transmitter should mean no flaky signal for 02 users when inside the building.
Also, a couple of local business men have made their new years resolutions early and said they will be joining us full time at FunkBunk in January. We will post more info on these two businesses in the new year but we are looking forward to having them here and excited to see how they use the ‘Bunk to propel their businesses forward.
Every time I’m at a networking event of any type I always bump into people who say “Yeah I’ve heard of FunkBunk!” which is great considering we’ve never placed an advert before. We now want everyone we bump into to say they’ve heard of us so keep an eye out in your local press for adverts that look this. The adverts will feature a code on them which will make you eligible for a nice 10% discount on our services.
Keep an eye out for ‘pajama boy’ in your local parish magazines, newsletters and newspapers.
Well bless my workhubs… Part Deux is now open for some serious business. When I say serious business I mean that’s what this place has been built for. FunkBunk now has a brand spanking new meeting room, more desk capacity than ever and (dare I say it) is the perfect place to base your business from.
Events extraordinaires Purity Productions have moved into their new home already and it’s looking lovely and cosy. All that’s left is to get some graphics on the walls and we’ll be there.
Come and check us out and see how working in this space could benefit your business! Call 0845 003 9559 or email iwanttobe@funkbunk.com to find out more.
The wonders of Twitter have been distracting us of late (not hard, I know) and we have been neglecting our blog somewhat. So as it has been a month since I last mentioned what has been going on here, we thought we’d post a quick rundown of recent events.
Most of all we must say there has been a general feeling of industriousness here at FunkBunk over the last few months. There has been coworking and collaboration a-plenty as Bunkers Provide Design, Hallway Studios and Purity Productions have been working together to produce an online events management system and new website, due to launch in August. It has been great to see everyone coming together organically to produce some really great, effective work.
FunkBunk were also proud to be part of the WorkHubs conference on the 29th June. The conference, held at BT’s Business Centre and attended by over 120 people confirmed a national and public interest in the WorkHub & Coworking concept. FunkBunk is just one of many fantastic WorkHubs all over the UK and an outcome of the conference was that a supporting network will be created to support work spaces like ours – the next generation of workspaces to fit the low carbon economy. You can find out more about the conference here: http://www.liveworknet.com/live-work-article580.html
On the 4th August we hosted our first ever Jelly. The peeps from Chiltern Jelly came together for a spot of monthly co-working and the event went down so well they have rebooked for next month with a view to making the Jelly a monthly feature here at FunkBunk. A Jelly, in case you were wondering is a free all day event were people from all different industries (mainly home workers) come together to simply work in a different environment. We supply the tea, coffee, desks and broadband and Chiltern Jelly even supplied home baked cakes! It’s a great way to change your working space for a day and meet some new people. We look forward to hosting many more!
You can find out more about Chiltern Jelly here and book yourself on the next one on the 1st Sept here.
On a silly note, a Buzz Lightyear costume somehow made it into the ‘Bunk and it was shoe horned into a video competition for Olympus called ‘Read My Lips’….. You can see the slightly surreal effort online here.
FunkBunk are also now proud to be part of the newly formed Milton Keynes Design Forum. This group promises to be shining light for design in the Milton Keynes area. We shall definitely be posting on this more in the future but for now, if you are a professional connected with the design industry you should signing up to their website.
Our new pricing plan at FunkBunk is proving popular and we are loving meeting all the new FunkMonks when they come in for their couple of day’s a month. There are still plenty of spaces available for both part time and full time desk rental packages. So whether you are looking for a permanent base or just hot desk to use as your second office on the odd occasion please get in touch. (Download the pricing plans here)
This month sees the 1st annual WorkHubs conference at the BT Business Centre in London (29/06/2010) and FunkBunk will be attending to drink some coffee, eat some sandwiches and generally hob knob about the place talking to anyone who will listen.
As well as the consumption of sandwiches, founder of FunkBunk, Sam Cranwell will be sitting on a panel talking about supporting rural homeworkers.
Apparently there are tonnes of you guys working from home in the Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire villages such as Stewkley, Wing, Cublington, Soulbury, Wingrave, Eaton Bray, Edlesborough and Pitstone to name a few.
Sam will be taking part in a discussion with Roger Turner (Head of Rural Economies, Commission for Rural Communities), Ian Baker (head of economy, DEFRA) & Nick Kirkham (Founder of Old Glove Factory, Holt, Wiltshire – a fine coworking space). They will be trying to uncover what benefits places like FunkBunk have for homeworkers in rural communities and the challenges we face in setting up and running our establishments.
If we get some piccies or videos from the event we will post them here!
* Home Office Mental Exhaustion – recognise the symptoms and act now. Download this essential information before it’s too late!
“The experience of a loss of professional image and credibility is common-place. Frequent episodes of dressing gown days may occur and friends, family and neighbours consistently ask favours as your business is ‘just a hobby’.”
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This weekend past, I read an article in the newspaper about the recent sale of Tweetdeck to Twitter for a deal worth $40 million. One of the things that enabled Tweetdeck as a business to get to this position was the collective consciousness they had from sharing a building with bunch of other entrepreneurs. 
FunkBunk were also proud to be part of the WorkHubs conference on the 29th June. The conference, held at BT’s Business Centre and attended by over 120 people confirmed a national and public interest in the WorkHub & Coworking concept. FunkBunk is just one of many fantastic WorkHubs all over the UK and an outcome of the conference was that a supporting network will be created to support work spaces like ours – the next generation of workspaces to fit the low carbon economy. You can find out more about the conference here: 
On the 4th August we hosted our first ever Jelly. The peeps from 
On a silly note, a Buzz Lightyear costume somehow made it into the ‘Bunk and it was shoe horned into a video competition for Olympus called ‘Read My Lips’….. You can 
