"If the coworking space has a good manager, it's very likely going to be a success" Interview with Rafa Moreno
Rafa Moreno is a computer engineer with an MBA from the EOI Business School. He is passionate about new technologies and digital marketing. The moment he discovered the coworking movement, he completely identified with its philosophy. In 2012, he decided to launch the digital magazine Zona Coworking, which is currently the leading Spanish-language publication in the sector.
- How did you first find out about coworking and what gave you the idea to start the magazine?
My first contact with coworking was in 2012 after a trip to San Francisco. I was lucky enough to attend several events at coworking spaces Rocket Space, Impact Hub San Francisco and Plug & Play Tech Center, among others. I had never felt this type of atmosphere in a work space before. It had me hooked from the start. I knew from that moment that coworking would be part of my professional life and that I wanted to help promote the movement in Spain. And that's how I started. Some months later, with very few resources but a lot of ambition and passion, the magazine was born.
- In your opinion, what is not coworking?
In my opinion, coworking is not a shared office. It's not a room full of tables and chairs or a business centre with "coworking", which I've also seen. I understand that the most appealing thing is sharing resources and expenses, but a coworking space isn't just that, it's much more.
- How do you think the sector has evolved in recent years?
The sector has changed a lot but there's a certain degree of maturity and professionalism that didn't exist before. I understand that this trend is common in any new industry, because fads go out of fashion, but we shouldn't forget that this is a business, and you either give a good service or people don't buy from you.
- What content most interests Zona Coworking readers?
Interviews seem to work best and get the most visits. We've always had an interview section in the magazine because we wanted people to find out more about the coworking movement through its main players: space managers. They're the key to success or failure. They boost synergies and are ambassadors of the collaborative movement. That's the impression the coworkers must have of them, as they're there to help them and even give them advice. I've been lucky to meet some space managers who have coworking running through their veins, and it was a real pleasure to talk to them and learn from them. That's the type of profile we look for when we do an interview.
- Is the magazine open to collaborating with people interested in writing? Would you like to make an appeal for new collaborators?
We're in the process of making some changes to the magazine to improve it, as we thought now was the right time. One of them is to make the magazine more open, even collaborative, if possible. We are looking for people that are interested in collaborating by writing articles to promote the coworking movement. Anybody that likes writing and is interested in publishing articles about coworking is welcome. They just have to get in contact through the magazine: http://www.zonacoworking.es/contacto/
- Given your experience and contact with coworking spaces, what three key points does a coworking space need to be successful?
As I mentioned before, the space manager or host is the soul of the space. If the space has a good manager, it's very likely going to be a success. Another important factor is creating content and promoting activities in the space to boost community building (events, training and services). That's basic. And lastly, although many people would disagree with me, a coworking space should be big. The average space in Spain is 100 square meters, which is not spacious enough in my opinion. A larger space means better services and a more varied community, which will produce stronger synergies and a wider range of collaborations.
- And Zona Coworking will be...
Zona Coworking is and will be a meeting place for people interested in the coworking movement, collaborative culture and entrepreneurialism (for many more years I hope).
Thank you!