OpenSpace

SPACE MATTERS.

And he’s no fool.

Business Week calls Godin “the Ultimate Entrepreneur for the Information Age.” American Way Magazine calls him “America’s Greatest Marketer.” Team OpenSpace calls him an awesomely admirable entrepreneur. The bottom line is that Seth Godin is an agent of change with an undeniable influence on society. The man holds an MBA from Stanford, after all. Who could challenge that?

We openly admire Godin for his forward, ground breaking train of thought. His writing focuses on everything from the post-industrial revolution, the way ideas spread, marketing and leadership, to, most importantly, changing everything. And that’s what he’s doing. Godin has covered these topics and more in 12 books. Every single one has been a bestseller.

Most recently, Godin’s blog (sethgodin.typepad.com) has been on our radar for its focus on the ideologies, attitudes, and common misconceptions surrounding our lives. His insights often relate to individuals and their styles of work. Case in point: his latest blog entry entitled, “The space matters.”

Godin’s bottom line? There’s a direct relationship between where you spend your time and how you feel.

Our bottom line? There’s a positive, direct relationship between the creative, inspiring atmosphere of OpenSpace and the products, attitudes, and moods of those who work here.

Celebrate by having lunch on us!

This is your official invite to join us at OpenSpace from noon to 2pm today (or as long as the delicious sandwiches last). Chat with your OpenSpace colleagues about whether Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, and it might actually turn into new business for you … Part of that whole “social serendipity” thing.

Current members are welcome to bring guests, and those with an interest in OpenSpace are encouraged to drop by. Lunch (including yummy dessert) will be provided by Hot Cakes.

Hope to see you there!

According to Wikipedia:

“Groundhog Day proponents state that the rodents’ forecasts are accurate 75% to 90% of the time … the National Climatic Data Center reportedly has stated that the overall predication accuracy rate is around 39%.”

Joe Barnes
Development Principal & Director of Architecture & Design
Celebration Associates, LLC

The Who

Joe might not share this with you at a happy hour, but he clearly has defined his life success:

(1) Make a Difference

(2) Have Fun

(3) Make Enough Money to Send His Sons to College.

And, he takes all three “seriously.” If he’s not organizing volunteers for the Salvation Army Kettle Drive, then you’ll likely see him at OpenSpace … the “satellite office” of Celebration Associates, LLC.

At Celebration Associates, they develop & manage master plan communities. They have a wide range of projects, including Bundoran Farms (2300 acres of orchards, forests & trails) a preservation development in the Charlottesville area, the Homestead Preserve in Hot Springs, a planned home community in South Carolina, and a resort in New Hampshire originally built in 1907.

Although the types of projects vary, there is a common thread: the landowners care about what will be left. In other words, they care about the Legacy.

“You have an impact by what you build, so you want to make sure you do the right thing,” says Joe. That’s why Joe & his colleagues focus on protecting visual integrity, being stewards of the environment, and providing a place for people to live in a way that is connected to the land.

The Why OpenSpace

“My wife had been working from home, so when Celebration Associates moved out of our office on the Downtown Mall, I thought I would work from home too. She was successful working from home. I, however, got sucked into a third episode of Andy Griffith or The Golden Girls, and it was all over.”

Then, he found OpenSpace. “I was incredibly focused and productive in just one day using the Free Day Pass. Signing up was a no-brainer.”

“There are lots of spaces out there where you can rent an office, but there’s nothing out there with the design and technology. There’s something Zen about the Space.… and free twizzlers & peppermint patties.”

“And, it’s nice to be in a place where everyone else is working.” (We’re inferring that Joe would not like hearing “Susan your sandwich is ready” at 4 minute intervals as he might at other places.)

“I always feel welcome. To be greeted in the morning by the Concierge at the Hello Bar and to hear ‘have a great night’ in the evening – that means a lot.”

What You Might Not Know

Joe likes to cook – all kinds of different things. He says that since in his work often it takes significant time to see results, he likes the fact that when he cooks there is immediate proof of accomplishment. Ask him for a favorite recipe the next time you see him!