Cafe culture turns office

Have you noticed how once you’ve been made aware of something, it begins to take form everywhere you look?

I recently read an article by Rachel Wells at the Sunday Age about people using cafes as their office space. See story link: http://www.businessday.com.au/executive-style/management/meetandeat-revolution-at-the-coffice-20110405-1d0om.html

Of course we’re all drawn to things that resonate and strike a chord and yes, for me – this article produced what Oprah would coin an “a-ha” moment.

I meet clients and potential clients in cafes; work on my laptop; jot down ideas on post-it notes; as well as spy opportunities to solicit business when the occasion arises.

During my cafe time I’ll catch-up on the papers and listen in (as well as start and contribute to) conversations between staff and customers to keep abreast of the general chit chat around town. Finger on the pulse for this PR maven.

I guess you could call Park Lane Cafe in South Melbourne my second office - but it’s also like a welcoming, home kitchen. See link to an article I secured for its owner Harry Humphries (Barry Humphries’ nephew!):

http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/south-melbourne-dj-grinds-out-a-good-cup-20100412-s3hz.html

Of course, there’s not just one cafe to do business - we home-based business operators have a few faithfuls at our fingertips.

I went to Nacional in Middle Park the day after reading Rachel’s piece. Equipped with my notepad to write my To Do list for the week – I sat two tables away from a young woman tapping away at her laptop, mobile phone pinned to her ear, engaged in conversations the bulk of the time I was there. I wondered what on earth she did to be constantly on the phone for a full hour. In between calls, she would casually pick up her piece of vegemite toast, take a bite, sip on her latte, then back to tap, tap on the laptop.

I smiled to myself and it prompted me to send a “you’re very much on trend” email to Rachel Wells. A week later I was back at Nacional and so was the young woman. It was a slice of déjà vue.

You can’t keep a good trend down.