Latest news with #communitybuilding
Japan Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Miho Koshiba: ‘Wouldn't it be nice if people looked forward to Mondays?'
Miho Koshiba, 43, is the president of Mirai Institute, a think tank focused on the future of work through its flagship coworking space Founded in 2012 and now with seven locations in Tokyo, Koshiba hopes to encourage more people to pave their own professional path. 1. How did you choose the name Midori (green) was my first impression of our first location in Nakameguro, which is covered in ivy. The 'so' comes from Tokiwa-sō, an apartment building that housed aspiring manga artists like Osamu Tezuka. They supported each other's work and eventually made a name for themselves. We want to create a similarly supportive environment. 2. What distinguishes from other coworking spaces? Real estate companies often open coworking spaces to fill empty buildings. As a think tank running a coworking community, our focus is on the future of work and making work feel more enjoyable. Instead of the Sunday scaries, wouldn't it be nice if more people looked forward to Mondays? If people tackled work they (felt invested in), rather than what they felt obliged to do? 3. What's your approach to community-building? Our goal isn't to create a community. We focus on nurturing the conditions: An environment where things are cropping up and everyone is naturally curious about what others are doing. We call this 'fertile chaos.' It's like building neighborhood ties. When small interactions accumulate over time and people gather without a specific purpose, it organically starts to feel like a community. 4. What was your professional background before you founded Mirai Institute? I worked at Citigroup, the securities company. The 2008 financial crisis happened when I was a few years into that job. People were being cut left and right, but work needed to continue, so younger staff got bigger projects. Suddenly, I found myself responsible for some regional banks and traveling to places like Nara to greet executives. 5. How does that experience connect with what you do now? Dealing with stock markets is about the future, predicting how the world will change. Now I focus on the future of work. I worked in stocks across all sectors, so I'm familiar with the business models for most industries, which is helpful for understanding the work that members do. 6. What kinds of people frequent It varies depending on the location. The Nakameguro branch has a lot of creative people who make logos and websites. The Nagatacho branch has some political organizations. It's also very international, not just Japanese people. 7. Have you noticed any cultural differences from this mix of people? In Japan, 'business' and 'design' are seen as totally separate worlds. We categorize things as right-brain versus left-brain, people as humanities versus science types. In the West, there's more overlap. People tend to be more sensitive toward their environment and have an aversion toward utilitarian offices. 8. How do you set up an environment that welcomes both Japanese and non-Japanese members? Our bilingual community organizers know who everyone is, what they like and what they're working on, so they become connectors. We also try not to have many rules, because we don't want it to feel like a school. After participating in a program called Schooling Pad, Miho Koshiba was inspired to create a space that could respond to and cultivate a new way of working in Japan. | Carina Fushimi 9. Did you have a lot of rules in school? At boarding school in Japan, we woke up at 6 a.m., cleaned together, ate breakfast, then went to class. In the U.K., classes started at 8:30 a.m. and everyone got up five minutes before and ran to class. It felt so new to me. 10. How did that school experience shape you? Adults also need a space that feels like a high school common room. In a typical company, everyone has their hands full and sits at their own desk, so there aren't many moments for spontaneous chats. I always liked bunkasai (school festivals) where everyone is working hard towards one event, then celebrating together. 11. What inspired you to think about work differently? I joined a program called Schooling Pad, run by Teruo Kurosaki, who founded the interiors company Idee. Its vision was to nurture interesting people. We listened to talks by people who led unconventional lives, like a creative director-copywriter who loved space and created Cup Noodle's commercials set in space. Hearing their stories expanded my mind. 12. How did get started? After the Schooling Pad program ended, Kurosaki-san and I continued discussing what would improve society and we landed on the idea of a think tank. Then the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami hit. Kurosaki-san called and said, 'Don't you think it's time?' I had been wanting to quit my job, so the timing felt right. An acquaintance found the Nakameguro property, but it was too spacious to rent just for ourselves. We figured work styles are bound to change, so why not turn it into a coworking space? 13. How has freelancing shifted in the past 10 years? A lot has changed. Organizations like the Freelance Association exist now. Having a side hustle is common. Lifetime employment has largely disappeared. People need others — not just transactional relationships, but real ties. I hope people can find that at 14. You are based in Kyoto now. How is that going? It's a completely different environment, so it's been refreshing. The Kamo River is beautiful. People still have the mindset that Kyoto is the center of Japan — that the emperor is visiting Tokyo temporarily. I was initially concerned about managing the company remotely, but the team members have really grown and I come to Tokyo every week. 15. What does your typical day look like? I wake up around 6 a.m., pack lunch for my middle schooler, then drop off my youngest at day care. I start work around 7:30 a.m. I usually join weekly meetings for each location and plan our new projects. 16. Were you creative as a child? Not at all. But I loved books and I still read a lot. I recently enjoyed 'Herushinki Seikatsu no Renshū' ('The Practice of Life in Helsinki') by sociologist Sara Park. Qualities like extroversion and meticulousness are seen as personality traits in Japan, whereas in Finland they're treated as skills to develop. 17. What TV shows do you watch? I love FBI and CIA-type shows. With work and parenting, things rarely wrap up neatly so it's satisfying to watch a mystery get resolved within a 45-minute episode. 18. What's your personal motto? Identify the essence of things without getting swayed by the surface. 19. Do you have plans to open a branch overseas? I want to. We attract a lot of people from abroad, so it would also be nice to create a place overseas where Tokyo-based members can visit. 20. Where do you see going? Our core goal to make work more enjoyable hasn't changed. Beyond that, I'd love to see more independent people paving their own path. It doesn't have to become mainstream. I just think society is more interesting when people pursue what moves them.
CTV News
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Wikwemikong and Six Nations Tourism come together for Two Nations Paddle
Wikwemikong and Six Nations tourism will reunite for the two nations cultural experience on Manitoulin Island starting Thursday. Wikwemikong and Six Nations tourism will reunite for the two nations cultural experience on Manitoulin Island starting Thursday. Organizers said the event is meant to rekindle friendships, empower nations and educate visitors through song, dance and food. 'It's about reclaiming culture, it's about reclaiming stories,' said Luke Wassegijig, senior manager of tourism and community development with Wikwemikong Tourism. Wiky tourism Wikwemikong and Six Nations tourism will reunite for the two nations cultural experience on Manitoulin Island starting Thursday. (File) 'It's about getting the community involved. And that's the bigger piece for us, right? It's really about building community.' The event this year will be held on Georgian Bay and is just one of several events taking place in the next three days. Events kicked off Thursday night with a guided medicine hike and star teaching, while Day 2 on Friday features the canoe journey. Day 3 will be spent celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day. 'Everything starts at 930 a.m. with our unceded Journey Tour,' Wassegijig said. 'It's really an infused experience. It's a historical tour … But it's going to be infused with Haudenosaunee history and their history of wampum and so it's going to be really special.' Special smoke dance Saturday will also include a powwow featuring a special smoke dance and woodland showcase, a presentation of Baagaadowwin and Lacrosse, as well as a two nations culinary experience. 'I think my favourite part is celebrating the two cultures on one dish. It really represents that wampum, the one dish with one spoon,' said Jaquie Jamieson of Six Nations Tourism. Organizers said the event is all about amplifying the voice of Indigenous tourism. 'We appreciate all the people who come out and listen and learn and take away what they can and share it with other people,' Jamieson added. Wikwemikong Tourism will travel to six nations in October for a similar event to celebrate the harvest season. Organizers hope to expand the event next year by bringing the culinary experience to Berlin Food Week.
Entrepreneur
17-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
From Pandemic Pivot to Product-Market Fit
When Paul Archer launched Duel at the start of the pandemic, no one knew what brand advocacy even was. Now, he's helping some of the world's biggest companies build communities - not just customers. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. When Paul Archer co-founded Duel in March 2020, the world was in chaos - and so was the marketing industry. "Trying to sell a product to a market that didn't yet exist? Even tougher," he says. At the time, few understood what "brand advocacy" meant, let alone why it might matter more than traditional sales tactics. But Archer saw something others didn't: a shift in how people connect with brands. "I've always believed that if companies focused on building brand advocacy - the act of supporting or recommending a brand - instead of just driving sales, the world would be a better place. The pandemic pivot Launching a tech platform to promote an unfamiliar concept would be difficult under any circumstances. Doing so as COVID-19 hit was brutal. "But the pandemic accelerated a shift in how brands approached growth - expensive ads and influencers weren't enough anymore, people craved authentic connections," Archer says. "And so all of a sudden we weren't just selling software; we were selling a mindset shift." That shift became Duel's opportunity. "During the pandemic, we saw that everyone, regardless of follower count, became an influencer to someone," Archer explains. "This opened up a massive opportunity." After testing the idea, they realised they were uniquely positioned to "create powerful communities of creators and ambassadors and empower brands to drive their own organic growth through them." That realisation led to a key pivot - one that helped Duel become the only platform capable of supporting brand advocacy at global scale. "The journey wasn't always smooth, but by staying focused on the problem, embracing first principles... and listening to feedback, we found our product-market fit." Harder in the UK For Archer, one of the starkest lessons came from comparing start-up environments. "That securing funding is hard. Much harder than it is in the US," he says. "Everything you read from the US doesn't necessarily translate in the UK and it can be a huge distraction." He believes early-stage UK founders are better off staying lean. "If I were to do it again, I would focus much more on aggressively finding product-market fit with the smallest possible team in the early days, and spend much less time fundraising." Fall in love with the problem Looking back, Archer is clear on what he'd tell any founder just starting out: obsess over the problem, not the product. "If I could go back and tell myself one thing, it would be this: Don't just focus on your product, focus on the problem you're solving," he says. "Your success depends on whether you're solving a problem people actually care about. And you only deeply understand this by spending as much time with your customer as you possibly can." His final takeaway? Stay flexible - and stay true to what matters. "Be ready to pivot. Things change. Markets change. Your idea will evolve. And that's okay. Embrace the changes and stay flexible. "Most importantly, never lose sight of your mission. If you truly care about what you're doing, that passion will shine through and pull people toward you."
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Funding boost for community buildings across York and North Yorkshire
A funding boost has been announced to support community buildings across York and North Yorkshire. The 2025/26 Community Building Programme will see £1.35 million spent on such spaces as village halls and cricket grounds, according to a spokesperson for York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority. The scheme is being delivered in partnership with North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council and is funded through the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: "I want to make it easier for people to look after each other in their own communities, wherever they are in the region. "This is particularly key in our rural areas. "They are vast and beautiful, but often the people who live there feel more isolated than those who live in towns and cities. "I have visited community buildings from Hawes to Whitby, and so many places in between. "It might be a village hall, or a cricket ground, but it's the passion of the people who make these into more than places - into anchors for local life. "That is why community buildings are essential to be able to create healthy, thriving, and connected communities right across the region." Following on from previous UKSPF funding rounds that supported 43 village halls and community buildings, Mayor Skaith has committed £600,000 from his Mayoral Investment Fund to help more than 20 hubs. Councillor Heather Phillips, North Yorkshire Council's executive member for stronger communities, said: "We are looking forward to working with our partners on the delivery of this programme. "These buildings are incredibly important to local communities, particularly in rural areas where it may be the only meeting place for that village. "They bring the community together, often by providing services and activities for all age groups." Councillor Pete Kilbane, deputy leader of City of York Council, said: "Community venues like village halls are so much more than just buildings. "They are places where people get to know each other, make new friends, host family celebrations, play sports, and access key services that enable people of all ages to lead happier, healthier lives. "In short, they are the places where community is built." David Burton, chair of Great Ouseburn Village Hall Management Committee, said: "I know how difficult it can be to help run a village hall, but I would encourage anyone in my position to keep an eye out for grants from the Combined Authority and apply where possible. "This grant process has been extremely straightforward, and the changes made possible with this money have already made a huge impact on our community." Funding applications will be open till August 4, and applications can be made at
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Offices Differentiate Through Programming And Building Community
There's been no end to the articles touting workplace amenities as a way to attract workers back to offices. Free beer Fridays, ping-pong and foosball tables, meditation and wellness amenities, rooftop gardens, and in-house escape rooms are a few of the many. But these extras may be ignoring the importance of fostering community among the folks who actually occupy offices. Incorporating programming that spurs consistent employee gathering can generate a number of positive repercussions, among them team building opportunities and forums for impromptu organic networking among staff. Among the entities helping spark such experiences is Sage, one of New York City's most venerable owner-operators of premium office space, and a fourth-generation company that has withstood the volatile ups and downs of the office market for more than a century. Cognizant operations and experiences go hand in glove, Sage has long provided activation strategies intended to support productivity and engagement, yielding meaningful office experiences that go far in helping connect building occupants. Sage properties deliver amenities spaces intended to inject greater calm and ease into the typical workday, making workplaces more home-like havens. The company layers in building-wide programming intended to nurture connections and spark shared ideas and discourse. The firm's 'Member Experience' slates moments of engagement such as on-site social festivities, manicure pop-ups and massage treatments. The intention: To intertwine comfort with community, helping office employees maximize creativity and productivity. This approach to BOE (Building Operations and Experience), Sage officials believe, can help employers alter their teams' view of the office. 'The office of today is so much more than a rooftop terrace or an on-site fitness center,' says Jonathan Kaufman Iger, CEO of Sage. 'There's been a dramatic shift toward the activation of these spaces, and the cultivation of community, which is a driving factor in the 'back to office' movement we're continuing to see. Sage has always understood the power of experience, and this awareness is driving our branded office concept forward, as well as igniting our latest innovations, including partnering with owners throughout New York City to offer a turnkey office solution that doesn't yet exist.' Among those experiencing Sage's approach to BOE is Sharlene Manore, marketing manager for Rose Associates, a Sage tenant at the brand's 777 Third Avenue property for more than seven years. 'The programming genuinely makes coming to work more enjoyable,' she says. 'It's like, 'Oh, they're in the lobby today. We're going to get a treat and have an experience. The team does a great job curating these moments.' Manore also likes the focus on wellness. 'When our schedule allows, we can fit in manicures, hair blowouts or massages, and the Sage social events are great for networking. It really goes beyond the typical tenant-landlord relationship.' Manhattan's limited supply of newly available commercial buildings has helped place Le Gallerie on West 14th Street among the city's most coveted office settings. But it isn't simply the newness of the property, nor its design, state-of-the-art smart technology or meticulously crafted amenities programs that has transformed it into a favorite. KPG Funds, developer of the boutique Class A office space, intentionally included meaningful experiences that help propel tenant engagement within the building. For instance, a multi-tiered rooftop deck provides tenants with panoramic perspectives on the Manhattan skyline, while also affording the opportunity to avail themselves of outdoor conference areas, lounges, a bar and barbecue areas. Employees can also rub shoulders within the art gallery that graces the building lobby, featuring a specially commissioned objet d'art commissioned by internationally recognized artist Julian Opie.
