4 ms·

WeWork is, in no small part, a tech company.

hobofan 8y ago
In what non-small part? They have a barely functioning mobile app and portal, but that's about it. Even the IT (which I wouldn't even count towards them being a tech company) seemed ridiculously broken at the locations I've been staying in the past.
- kanelbullar 8y ago
  In what non-small part? Their business is built on the deployment of custom (if not particularly sexy) office technology and quite simply could not exist without it. There's also another certain very significant tech company they outright acquired to enhance their overall operations and portfolio. So - they're not a traditional tech-only company; but a tech company quite definitely.
  - poulsbohemian 8y ago
    My own experience was that the printers never worked, the billing had errors, their mail and visitor notifications never worked... so while I agree they fashion themselves as a tech company, they were really bad at it.
    - kanelbullar 8y ago
      Oh sure, their stuff only kinda works -- like the products of a great many tech companies. But at the end of the day -- well enough to have people lining outside the door. And they can't seem to stake out new buildings fast enough to keep up with the demand. A successful tech company, through and through.
      - poulsbohemian 8y ago
        It's an interesting gedankenexperiment... we were with them for 18-24 months (I don't remember now...)... it was just an ok experience, and at a premium price. I don't imagine I would use them again. So do they continue to thrive, or does the veneer eventually fade and they are stuck holding some very expensive leases?
  - gaius 8y ago
    the deployment of custom (if not particularly sexy) office technology and quite simply could not exist without it. In that sense every company is a tech company. Like if McDonalds “deploys” custom deep fryers are they a tech company too?
    - ehvatum 8y ago
      Yes, but not one that would have a keynote address by Deepak Chopra wherein chicken McNuggets of wisdom are delivered...
- village-idiot 8y ago
  It seems that WeWork is interested in the cultural trappings of big tech, even though it isn’t tech at all.
notyourday 8y ago
WeWork is a real estate holding company masquarading as a tech company because anything that is described won't fly in any real estate holding company.

In what non-small part? They have a barely functioning mobile app and portal, but that's about it. Even the IT (which I wouldn't even count towards them being a tech company) seemed ridiculously broken at the locations I've been staying in the past.

kanelbullar 8y ago
In what non-small part? Their business is built on the deployment of custom (if not particularly sexy) office technology and quite simply could not exist without it. There's also another certain very significant tech company they outright acquired to enhance their overall operations and portfolio. So - they're not a traditional tech-only company; but a tech company quite definitely.
- poulsbohemian 8y ago
  My own experience was that the printers never worked, the billing had errors, their mail and visitor notifications never worked... so while I agree they fashion themselves as a tech company, they were really bad at it.
  - kanelbullar 8y ago
    Oh sure, their stuff only kinda works -- like the products of a great many tech companies. But at the end of the day -- well enough to have people lining outside the door. And they can't seem to stake out new buildings fast enough to keep up with the demand. A successful tech company, through and through.
    - poulsbohemian 8y ago
      It's an interesting gedankenexperiment... we were with them for 18-24 months (I don't remember now...)... it was just an ok experience, and at a premium price. I don't imagine I would use them again. So do they continue to thrive, or does the veneer eventually fade and they are stuck holding some very expensive leases?
- gaius 8y ago
  the deployment of custom (if not particularly sexy) office technology and quite simply could not exist without it. In that sense every company is a tech company. Like if McDonalds “deploys” custom deep fryers are they a tech company too?
  - ehvatum 8y ago
    Yes, but not one that would have a keynote address by Deepak Chopra wherein chicken McNuggets of wisdom are delivered...
village-idiot 8y ago
It seems that WeWork is interested in the cultural trappings of big tech, even though it isn’t tech at all.

notyourday 8y ago

WeWork is a real estate holding company masquarading as a tech company because anything that is described won't fly in any real estate holding company.