Brussels Sprouts: The Bad Bits of Coworking

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How can you survive and thrive in the co-working industry? Join Excell Group in this new podcast as we peel back the layers of the flex market, bit by bit. Joined by the biggest and baddest players in the co-working game, hosts Jess Allen & Dan Pope tease their way through the weird and wonderful id…

Excell Group


    • Dec 21, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 36m AVG DURATION
    • 35 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Brussels Sprouts: The Bad Bits of Coworking

    #035 | Signal Bordon | Growing Local Communities

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2021 27:27


    Dan says goodbye to Brussels Sprouts in the series finale featuring the articulate and knowledgeable Emma Selby. Tune in as we talk about how a local coworking space can really boost the local communities economy - also listen as Emma tells us how they've carved a niche in the market with some very unique spaces.  

    #034 | Situu | Brokers Doing It Right

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2021 35:58


    Listen is as Dan interviews Situu co-founders Dan & Tom about how they bring customers, landlords and beautiful offices all together using their unique business model. A great listen for budding brokers in the city.

    #033 | Bristol Spaceworks | 30 Years In The Making

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2021 36:47


    Listen in as Bristol Spaceworks owner Matthew Johnstone gives us some wonderful insight from his many years working and running flex spaces. Stay with us as we talk about how the last 30 years have changed and start to ponder what the next 30 years may look like! 

    #032 | Workpad | Flex it

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2021 27:59


    Tune in as Dan interviews CEO and all around top guy Edward Griffin on how Workpad is surviving and thriving in a post pandemic world. Listen in as Ed tells us how their flexible approach to creating space is adding real value for their customers. Great show this one.

    #031 | Point of Difference | Standing Out

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2021 38:27


    Listen in as we talk to Point of Difference co-founder Andy Bedwell about how he and the team have made their spaces in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire stand out from the crowd. There are some great actionable tips and take-aways for the budding entrepreneur looking get to the forefront of flex space in this one. 

    #030 | BusinessLodge | Thirty Not Out!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2021 45:45


    Tune into the thirtieth anniversary of Brussels Sprouts as we get three for the price of one courtesy of three wonderful guests from BusinessLodge. Listen in as Paula, Juliette & Kate tell us the BusinessLodge origin story whilst telling us how flex spaces can give a boost to the local economy. Fantastic episode.

    #029 | Venaspace | Trend Setters

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2021 35:08


    Listen in as operations director Becca Clancy tells us how Venaspace is avoiding the beaten path and creating unique spaces for it's members by not following all the usual trends associated with flex space. A top listen and top guest with some great insights to take away.

    #028 | The Hub Newry | Beyond The Sea

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2021 27:38


    This week Brussels Sprouts goes global as we talk to the extraordinary co-founder of Northern Ireland-based flex space operator The Hub Newry's Suzanne Murdock. Listen as Suzanne tells us what life's like for flex spaces across the pond. As always, as must listen episode.

    #027 | Freedom Works | Defining Community

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2021 31:23


    A storming episode this week featuring the knowledgeable and hilarious operations director Charis Wells from Freedom Works. This laugh-a-minute episode goes into detail about how Freedom Works is building a special community for it's members and what they are doing to ensure everyone gets something out of working there. A must listen for all your Brussels Sprouts fans.

    #026 | Lucid Workspace | Seeing Clearly

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2021 39:23


    Tune in to the latest episode of Brussels Sprouts, this time featuring Mark and Christian from Lucid Workspace! Listen in as we hear how they've got back to business in the wake of Covid-19 with aplomb and stay to the end to hear Mark's fantastic workplace joke. You couldn't make it up.

    #025 | Clockwise | Like Clockwise

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2021 33:33


    Tune into this fabulous episode of Brussels Sprouts as Dan interviews the talented Alex & Jo from Clockwise. Listen in as we get their thoughts on hybrid working, wellness in the workplace and the 'hotelification' of the workplace. This episode really has everything! 

    #024 | Breezblok | Simply The Best

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2021 43:58


    Listen to the latest episode of Brussels Sprouts as Dan Pope interviews Tadgh Flanagan of Breezblok fame about getting started in business. Tune in as Tadgh tells us why doing the simple things to a high standard is the real difference maker when it comes to delighting his customers.

    #023 | Landmark | Surviving & Thriving

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2021 34:14


    Sit back and relax as Dan Pope & Phill Oliver talk to major serviced office players Landmark. This brilliant and insightful episode touches on how Dario Rolandi and Chris Hale are getting their members back to the office safely, quickly & profitably in the wake of the pandemic. Listen now.

    #022 | Office Space In Town | History Makers

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2021 40:02


    Fancy a history lesson with flex major players Giles & Niki Fuchs? You got it. Join us for a trip down memory lane as the team behind Office Space in Town tell us how the industry began and also where it's headed. They also share with us their top tips on how to go from single site mavericks to exponential growth. It's a good one. 

    #021 | The Portfolio Collective | Portfolio Careers 101

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2021 27:16


    It's no secret that we love new ways of working at Excell Group. That's why we're so excited to share with you this episode of Brussels Sprouts featuring The Portfolio Collective founder Ben Legg. Tune in as Ben tells us how portfolio careers are beginning to disrupt traditional working styles and hiring patterns - whilst also sharing with us his top tips for being extra productive whilst working from home or on the move. 

    #020 | Arena Business Centres | Building Something Beautiful

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2021 37:25


    Helen Deverill & Sharron Domanksa of Arena Business Centres drop by the BS virtual studio today for a great chat on how they've been turning neglected buildings into beautiful spaces for customers. In this insightful conversation, we learn how Arena Business Centres are leveraging great service to ensure that its customers get a great experience from the first day to the last. 

    #019 | Pennine Way | Creating Moments

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2021 28:56


    We're back! Join us as we speak to Pennine Way director Steven Neerkin in this endlessly quotable episode of Brussels Sprouts. Steven's views on topics such as the return to the office and on building communities in flex spaces are all breathtakingly original and beautifully articulated. How Pennine Way is creating memorable moments for customers is also a must listen.

    #018 | Christmas Special | The BS Quiz-mas Party!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2020 25:38


    Ho ho hello! Join Saint Jess & Saint Dan for this very special Brussels Sprouts Christmas edition featuring six magical coworking dwarfs from all the lands past. There is singing, there is dancing and there is quizzing; this episode really does have something for everyone... and also, shouldn't be heard or seen by anyone ever. It's confusing. So, tune in now to see your favourite coworking personalities face off for CRE's ultimate prize, coworking champion of the year 2020. Who will win? It's time to find out.

    #017 | Flexioffices | Work's A Beach

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2020 36:46


    With the new year fast approaching, Jessica Allen & Dan Pope got talking to Flexioffices bigshots' Geraint Evans & Michael Dubicki on how 2021 is shaping up. This insightful episode of the UK's number one(ish) property podcast is packed full of interesting analysis on what the next 12 months looks for commercial real estate; apparently working from the beach is now totally normal. Don't miss it.

    #016 | Mindspace | Flex Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2020 37:30


    Rejoice as Brussels Sprouts returns with another instant classic! This week Barry Devoy, global director of projects at Mindspace, throws his post-covid hat into the ring as he tells us, in great detail, what 2021 looks like for the flex space industry (hint: flexibility is key). Also we hear some truly awful coworking jokes (standard) whilst Barry also tells us about his hobby that may take him all the way to the Olympics - and Dan is definitely not jealous.

    #015 | WorkClub | Don’t Worry, Be App-y

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2020 29:49


    The delightful & delicious Nick & Ajay from WorkClub join us on the Brussels Sprouts virtual couch for a natter this week. Tune in as they teach us how their app is allowing people to work from... well everywhere. It's like magic but only if magic was real and y'know could hook you up with you a desk anywhere in the UK in minutes. This easy breezy episode simply flies past and look out as we all spend a little time honouring some true industry legends along the way...

    #014 | etc.venues | Welcome To The Jungle

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2020 37:21


    Tune in this week for this, quite frankly, stellar episode of Brussels Sprouts featuring meeting, workspace and hybrid event specialists etc. venues. Download now to hear Nick Hoare & Adam Simpson spill the beans on etc. venues' foxy new plan to take on the flex market major players and come out on top. Also Jess & Dan find out they are not invited to New York. It's a scene, man.

    #013 | Work.Life | Smooth Operator

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2020 38:35


    Work.Life make their triumphant return to Brussels Sprouts this week as head of operations Paul Dutnall gets his moment in the spotlight. Tune in as Dan & Jess talk to Paul about how Work.Life is delivering outstanding customer experiences and driving a community lead coworking surge that looks to ride out this pandemic in style.

    #012 | BubbleHUB | Livin' La Vida Local

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2020 42:36


    Ben Latham, Co-founder of BubbleHUB, joins Jess and Dan for a virtual cuppa in this latest episode of Brussels Sprouts. Creating a characterful co-working haven on the doorstep of St Albans, find out how the brain child of two local school dads became a reality. Discussing the lows of lockdown and the highs of the shift to the suburbs, prepare to be inspired by this passion project.

    #011 | x+why | Finding Your Why

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2020 42:36


    Rupert Dean, Ceo and Co-founder of x+why, challenges what makes a workplace tick, as he joins Jess and Dan for a virtual cuppa in this latest episode of Brussels Sprouts. Learn from this flex space pioneer how to refocus your 'why' and adapt long term strategy to survive and thrive in the ever competitive property landscape. Stick around until the end and you’ll be rewarded with the wvrst coworking comedy you can find online! ----------------------------------------------------------------Check out x+why here: www.xandwhy.co.ukCheck out Excell Group here: www.excellgroup.comCheck out our partner, The Flexible Space Association, here: www.flexsa.co.uk-------------------------------------------------------------------

    #010 | altspace | Democratising the Workplace

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2020 30:46


    This week the Sprouts are joined virtually by Steve Upham, founder and all around legend of Altspace Coworking offices. Tune in to find out how Steve's alternative approach is levelling the playing field. In the mighty mission to democractise the workplace, this episode will leave you singin' power to the people.

    #009 | Clarendon | Let's get Back to Business

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2020 23:20


    Worried about getting business off the ground in the wake of Covid-19? See how the experts are managing the slow process back to normality as the sprouts' talk with Clarendon Head of Property hotshot Ben Hutchen. Another super insightful and unique deep dive into how a major CRE player is tackling these strange times with actionable methods and positive outcomes. A must listen.

    #008 | The Instant Group | Work From Near Home

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2020 26:32


    Wahoo! It's been a while but the greatest podcast on the PLANET is back with another dose of co-working brilliance. We ask you to tune in once again as Jess & Dan square off against John Duckworth and John Williams of The Instant Group. It's a real battle for airtime as the two Johns tell us how they are preparing for a brand new future of the workplace. Ice.

    #007 | Black & White Office Consultancy | Fifty shades of Gray

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2020 42:16


    Office and facilities managers rejoice! Office guru Hana Gray of Black & White Office Consultancy joins the Sprouts’ on the couch this week in a brand-new Brussels Sprouts. Listen now as Hana tells us about her growing office facilities management business and fledgling office management portal (of which you can access for free) that helps you do your job better! Also, find out how Hana came up with that business name of hers – Hint: It’s to do with colour…- - - - -To learn more about Black & White Office Consultancy visit bw-oc.comVisit excellgroup.com to learn more about us. - - - - -

    #006 | Sketch Labs | Boutique Brokers

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2020 34:02


    Boutique Brokers Sketch Labs sprout it up this week in a brand-new episode of Brussels Sprouts. Tune in as Jess & Dan finally meet their match as start-up entrepreneurs Laura Fullerton & Mark Knops spill the beans on the art of the deal, putting customers first and disrupting the real estate market from the inside out. Stick around until the end and you’ll be rewarded with the weirdest/most unprofessional quiz ever recorded on a podcast. It’s so squirrel and you don’t even know it. - - - - -To learn more about BE.Spoke visit sketchlabs.co.ukVisit excellgroup.com to learn more about us. - - - - -

    #005 | BE.Spoke | Getting SaaSy

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2020 48:43


    Industry icon and BE.Spoke Managing Director Jonathan Weinbrenn joins the sprouts this week in an all new podcast about Space-as-a-Service! Listen as Jess & Dan do their best to mine through Jon’s decades worth of industry gold, discussing the rise of PropTech and the fall of the traditional office model - whilst getting into the semantics of what it means to be a tenant in 2020. Tell your friends. - - - - -To learn more about BE.Spoke visit bespokespace.comVisit excellgroup.com to learn more about us. - - - - -

    #004 | Workspace | Tech Talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2020 39:35


    FTSE 250 co-working giant Workspace Group arrived at BS HQ this week to talk tech. Listen in as the dulcet tones of Chris Boultwood, Head of Technology at Workspace, take you on a journey, explaining how PropTech is shaping flexible working for the better–with several surprising insights into how Workspace Group is going against the grain. In this episode you’ll get expert insight into what’s a fad or the future, as well as a more personal insight into Chris’ strangely traditional method for ordering McDonald’s.- - - - -To learn more about Workspace visit workspace.co.uk.Visit excellgroup.com to learn more about us. - - - - -

    #003 | Work.Life | Work Happy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2020 41:01


    Get to work happy with Dan and Jess as they’re joined by Sarah Sich from Work.Life to discuss the secret sauce of happiness in the co-working place. Armed with all the data and an impressive trophy cabinet, Sarah provides nuggets of wisdom around the importance of skill workshops, hiring the perfect team and marketing your workspace. With the laughs coming thick and fast as Dan is roasted as expertly as Work.Life’s artisan coffee. It’s a good one. - - - - -To learn more about Work.Life visit work.lifeVisit excellgroup.com to learn more about us. - - - - -

    #002 | Halkin Offices | Eco-Working

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2019 49:47


    Eco warrior Theo Kingshott from Halkin Offices weighs in on the big environmental debate this week on Brussel Sprouts. Using world class vocabulary, Theo is quizzed by Jess and Dan about what Halkin Offices is doing to ensure a leaner, greener future for their tenants, the earth and beyond. We then detour into the insane (and a way too long) quiz about Scientology that may or may not get us taken off the air. Stick around for Theo's co-working joke at the end as it actually has a punchline – which is a first for the BS podcast.- - - - -To learn more about Halkin Offices visit halkin.comVisit excellgroup.com to learn more about us. - - - - -

    #001 | Dragon Coworking | Culture is King

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2019 43:04


    We kick off Brussels Sprouts by stepping into the dragon’s den with Roland Stanley, Founder and Director of successful flexible working business, Dragon Coworking. In this episode, Jess and Dan find out what it’s like to build a thriving co-working culture fully from the ground up, and why so many other co-working spaces fail. Roland then unpicks what it takes to be able to truly call yourself a co-working business – and no it isn’t just Astroturf. - - - - -To learn more about Drangon Co-working visit dragoncoworking.co.uk Visit excellgroup.com to learn more about us. - - - - -

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