3 ms·

> they lack the kind of competition that would trap them at this low price point as few places in the different jurisdictions that they operate in can offer sim

> they lack the kind of competition that would trap them at this low price point as few places in the different jurisdictions that they operate in can offer similar services due to the large upfront investment involved If these types of services become popular, couldn't any commercial landlord start offering these services in the buildings they already own?

ben509 8y ago
I have used their WeWork, for what that's worth. There's a good amount of tech in managing badges, their website, allocating rooms and IT. (Though, TBH, it's not exactly stellar web design.) The team that manages the buildings does a good bit more than a typical landlord. I think many landlords would make awful clones and lose a lot of money, at least at first.
- rwmj 8y ago
  There's a business right there, selling white label office management software direct to landlords. Which in turn raises the question: Why do WeWork bother with renting the properties? Uber doesn't rent cars, they just provide software and a network to drivers and riders, and something similar might work for renters and property owners (AirBnB for offices, essentially).
  - ben509 8y ago
    They want control over the look and feel of the buildings; it's all part of a brand identity. (Of working in a panopticon, but that's popular, I guess.)
  - michaelt 8y ago
    UK serviced office provider Regus offers "franchise opportunities" [1] if you know any landlords who'd like to turn their offices into a wework-like-business. [1] https://news.ycombinator.com/reply?id=19783108&goto=item%3Fid%3D19781549%2319783108 https://news.ycombinator.com/reply?id=19783108&goto=item%3Fi...
adrianparsons 8y ago
They could, but WeWork has a nice network of spaces. We have seamlessly moved from one WeWork building to another in the same city, opened up satellite offices in other cities, etc. It's also nice to be able to reserve a workspace or conference room in other cities when I'm traveling.
pascalxus 8y ago
well, i guess they're the starbucks of office rentals. anybody can sell coffee, but starbucks gets all the little things right.
jeltz 8y ago
Yeah, they have had competitors offering similar things longer than they have existed. Their main advantage is VC funding making them able to operate at a loss so they can undercut the competition.

ben509 8y ago

I have used their WeWork, for what that's worth. There's a good amount of tech in managing badges, their website, allocating rooms and IT. (Though, TBH, it's not exactly stellar web design.) The team that manages the buildings does a good bit more than a typical landlord. I think many landlords would make awful clones and lose a lot of money, at least at first.

rwmj 8y ago
There's a business right there, selling white label office management software direct to landlords. Which in turn raises the question: Why do WeWork bother with renting the properties? Uber doesn't rent cars, they just provide software and a network to drivers and riders, and something similar might work for renters and property owners (AirBnB for offices, essentially).
- ben509 8y ago
  They want control over the look and feel of the buildings; it's all part of a brand identity. (Of working in a panopticon, but that's popular, I guess.)
- michaelt 8y ago
  UK serviced office provider Regus offers "franchise opportunities" [1] if you know any landlords who'd like to turn their offices into a wework-like-business. [1] https://news.ycombinator.com/reply?id=19783108&goto=item%3Fid%3D19781549%2319783108 https://news.ycombinator.com/reply?id=19783108&goto=item%3Fi...

adrianparsons 8y ago

They could, but WeWork has a nice network of spaces. We have seamlessly moved from one WeWork building to another in the same city, opened up satellite offices in other cities, etc. It's also nice to be able to reserve a workspace or conference room in other cities when I'm traveling.

pascalxus 8y ago

well, i guess they're the starbucks of office rentals. anybody can sell coffee, but starbucks gets all the little things right.

jeltz 8y ago

Yeah, they have had competitors offering similar things longer than they have existed. Their main advantage is VC funding making them able to operate at a loss so they can undercut the competition.