Business Opportunities Weblog

June 1, 2007 by Rich Whittle | 3 Comments

The Capital Times:

Graduate student and professional photographer Erick Danzer is a coffee shop junkie.

One recent day he was at Electric Earth Cafe off Regent Street from 10 a.m. until it closed at 11 p.m. The next day he was at Michelangelo’s on State Street most of the day.

Free wireless is the No. 1 reason he’s there.

In Madison, those searching for an office away from home or what Starbucks calls a “third place” — after work and home — have plenty of choices, most of them offering free wireless Internet service (although Starbucks does not).

There are a number of factors driving the new wireless trend. Downsizing and outsourcing at larger companies is increasing the pool of consultants and freelancers. Some workers would rather not commute to offices across town or outside of Madison. And the speed, cost and ease of WiFi and cell phones makes telecommuting easier and more acceptable.

“From food to beverages, comfy chairs, fireplaces, wireless Internet connections, background music and restrooms, coffeehouses offer all the amenities of a comfortable home — and more — the ability to easily connect with others without having to clean up the place before they arrive. Where would you rather work?”

Workplace expert Patricia Mullins, a UW-Madison lecturer and co-author of “The Best Work of Your Life,” said conducting work at a coffee shop has been a trend for the past few years.

“As more people work independently and from home, particularly women, a coffee shop is a convenient place to meet with clients. It is more business-like than meeting at one’s home and less formal than renting an office just to meet with clients,” she said.

With WiFi, coffee shops offer those who normally work from home a respite from the temptation to take care of other chores and a feeling of some connectedness with the outside world, Mullins said.

Photo by Michelle Stocker.

In Uncategorized | 3 Comments
Tags: Entrepreneurial Lifestyle