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Brave Ideas

Brave Ideas

By: Hosted by Caleb Parker
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Join award winning podcaster and CEO of Brave Corporation, Caleb Parker, as he shines a light on the entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and brave ideas at the forefront of innovation, who are creating the future of office real estate. Brave Ideas dives deep into the stories of the visionaries, zooms out to discuss the macro trends driving change in demand for the office, and brings you thought provoking and insightful content from the innovators challenging the status quo as we know it today. Subscribe to this podcast and our Brave Ideas Newsletter for weekly updates at www.BraveIdeas.media

www.braveideas.mediaBrave Corporation Ltd.
Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Finance
Episodes
  • How Do Coworking Operators Win Enterprise Flex Customers?
    Aug 20 2025

    Brave Ideas Season 15, Episode 7

    This episode is made possible by ReturnSuite:”Complex Cash Flow Modeling Simplified.”

    📺 Watch the full episode EXCLUSIVELY on BraveIdeas.Media (incl. behind the scenes)

    Brand fit is the new location

    In this episode, Brave Corp CEO, Caleb Parker, sits down with Amy Taylor from Cushman & Wakefield in the Workplace Creations London office to unpack how enterprise customers choose flex, why long-term partnerships beat one-off placements, and how the whole building experience drives outcomes.

    Amy explains how she matches occupier brands to operator brands, how advisors stay close after move-in to protect renewals, why clients still need to feel the space in person, and why operators should stop selling desks and start presenting value in SqFt with clear inclusions.

    🎧 To listen as a podcast FOR FREE,follow Brave Ideas on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode

    * How to align occupier brand with operator brand so members stay

    * Why partnership thinking improves renewals and portfolio decisions

    * How to show total value by counting shared amenities and hospitality, not just private SqFt

    * When stakeholders need a physical tour, and how to stage a show-and-feel experience that converts

    * Why quoting in SqFt with inclusions beats price per desk for serious enterprise comparisons

    Key Takeaways for Operators

    * Present availability in SqFt, list what is included, and disclose the SqFt of shared amenities for fair comparison

    * Lead with brand alignment, match your vibe and service level to the customer’s identity, then prove it post-move-in

    * Create a physical proof point, show suites and walk-throughs remain decisive for many enterprise buyers

    Key Takeaways for Real Estate Investors

    * Enterprise demand expects quality hospitality, brand alignment, and amenity access alongside private demise

    * Advisory-led narratives that quantify whole-building value lead to better decisions and stickier occupancy

    CONNECT

    * Connect with Amy Taylor

    * Connect with Caleb Parker

    * Connect with Sam Gamble

    * Learn about ReturnSuite

    Behind the Scenes

    Recorded in London at Workplace Creations’ studio on a sunny day that made the walk from the station an easy choice.

    💡 This episode is part of Brave Ideas Season 15, exploring brave ideas shaping the future of office real estate, Space-as-a-Service, and workplace experience.

    Join the Conversation🎧 Listen now and see how brand fit, partnerships, and outcome-led pricing help enterprise customers choose flex with confidence, then drop a comment below with your favourite soundbite.



    Get full access to Brave Ideas at www.braveideas.media/subscribe
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    43 mins
  • How Niche Brand Differentiation Creates a Competitive Moat with Customers
    Aug 13 2025
    Brave Ideas Season 15, Episode 6This episode is made possible by ReturnSuite:”Complex Cash Flow Modeling Simplified.”📺 Watch the full episode EXCLUSIVELY on (incl. behind the scenes)Specialisation isn’t just a marketing choiceIn this episode, Brave Corp CEO, Caleb Parker, and ReturnSuite Cofounder, Sam Gamble, visit Techspace’s flagship 50,000 SqFt location in Farringdon, London to sit down with Jonathan Bevan, CEO of Techspace — a flexible office / coworking platform built specifically for high-growth technology companies.Since joining in 2019, Jonathan has expanded Techspace across London and Berlin while sharpening its member profile, brand values, and operational discipline.His approach shows how specialisation isn’t just a marketing choice — it’s a business strategy that creates a competitive moat with customers. By being selective about who joins their community, delivering services tailored to that niche, and structuring deals that balance long-term commitments with flexible revenues, Techspace has built a defensible position in one of the world’s most competitive flex office markets.For operators, this episode is a blueprint for how to stand out in a crowded field.For investors, it’s a case study in why niche brand differentiation can translate into more predictable performance and stronger asset value.🎧 To listen as a podcast FOR FREE,follow Brave Ideas on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen.Episode Highlights00:00 – Caleb & Sam episode intro from Techspace Farringdon studio02:05 – Techspace origin story: how Techspace grew from a digital agency subletting space to a 50,000 SqFt flagship in London06:20 – The power of a niche: only admitting companies where tech is core to the business09:45 – How selective member acceptance fuels organic community and relevance13:10 – Lessons from outdoor advertising: balancing long-term commitments with short-term revenues in flex office17:30 – Why the commercials matter more than whether it’s a lease, management agreement, or hybrid21:15 – Differentiation as a competitive moat in London’s crowded flex market24:50 – The investor perspective: why niche positioning attracts institutional confidence28:35 – GP partnership and bank financing — how the right operator track record unlocks deals33:40 – The role of industry benchmarking (WIN) in building stronger cases to landlords, lenders, and investors38:20 – Long-term vision: scaling without losing brand DNA41:00 – Closing thoughts and next steps for TechspaceWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode* Why Techspace only admits companies where tech is core to the business* How a tight customer focus fuels organic community and relevance* The parallels between outdoor advertising economics and flex office underwriting* Why the right commercials matter more than the legal deal structure* How differentiation becomes a competitive moat as the sector matures* Why institutional investors are starting to warm to flex-backed real estateKey Takeaways for Operators* Specialise with discipline — the clearer your niche, the easier it is to market, serve, and retain members* Live your values — openness, care, and thoughtful pace aren’t slogans; they guide decisions and member experience* Underwrite before you negotiate — pick the deal structure after you’ve matched risk and return* Differentiate now — build a brand DNA before competition forces you toKey Takeaways for Real Estate Investors* Flex can lift valuations — strong operators can enhance occupancy, market positioning, and NOI* Track record reduces risk — connected PropCo–OpCo deals with proven operational data attract financing* Institutional appetite is emerging — early transactions will set benchmarks for valuing flex-heavy assets* Alignment matters — niche focus and brand discipline improve operator performance predictabilityCONNECT* Techspace website* Connect with Jonathan Bevan on LinkedIn* Connect with Caleb Parker* Connect with Sam Gamble* Learn about ReturnSuiteBehind the Scenes💡 This episode is part of Brave Ideas Season 15, exploring brave ideas shaping the future of office real estate, Space-as-a-Service, and workplace experience.Join the Conversation🎧 Listen now and see how niche brand differentiation can become your strongest competitive advantage, then drop a comment below with your favourite soundbite. Get full access to Brave Ideas at www.braveideas.media/subscribe
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    39 mins
  • Will This “Super Flex” Model Make Empty Offices Obsolete?
    Aug 6 2025
    Brave Ideas Season 15, Episode 5This episode is made possible by ReturnSuite:”Complex Cash Flow Modeling Simplified.”📺 Watch the full episode EXCLUSIVELY on BraveIdeas.media (incl. behind the scenes)Should Offices Transact Like Hotels?What if office space was sold like hotel rooms, priced by the hour, dynamically re-skinned for each occupant, and managed by tech that plays Tetris with demand?Rogier Braakman believes that is the future.In this episode, Brave Corp CEO Caleb Parker travelled to Amsterdam to tour Mr. Green and chat with their Chief Exec, Rogier Braakman, who breaks down Mr Green’s “properator” strategy—owning and operating buildings—plus the NetOS platform that lets companies share the same SqFt on different days, boosting NOI while slashing wasted space.🎧 To listen as a podcast FOR FREE,follow Brave Ideas on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen.Episode Highlights* 00:00 - Caleb & Sam episode intro* 03:15 - Rogier’s hospitality roots (Ritz-Carlton, Pillows Hotels) and the empty-office “aha” moment* 10:45 - Why utilization, not rent roll, is the only truly green metric* 18:20 - Pay-for-time pricing replaces SqFt leases — “No use, no pay”* 25:40 - Defining a properator (prop-co + op-co under one roof)* 32:10 - Inside NetOS: the tech stack that swaps brand identities and books space automatically* 41:05 - Building a “super flex” lung floor landlords can lease to multiple corporates on alternating days* 47:50 - How sharing drives a 2-3× revenue uplift even in down-cyclesKey Topics:* Empty desks are the real carbon sin. A fully utilised office is the only sustainable one, so pricing must follow actual occupancy, not fixed leases.* Time-based memberships beat long-term leases. Companies choose the exact days they need and pay only for the hours used.* Properator power. By owning buildings and operating them through NetOS, Mr Green captures both real-estate upside and hospitality margin in one structure.* Landlord win-win. Hand back under-used floors, let NetOS resell them on a super flex basis, and watch yield per SqFt rise.* Super Flex DNA. Think electric-vehicle equivalent for offices: lower base cost, higher performance, and a lighter environmental footprint.Why You Should WatchOffice vacancy is your biggest risk. Rogier Braakman reveals, with numbers and live examples, how time based pricing, owner operator alignment, and smart utilisation tech can turn dark desks into a revenue engine—essential viewing for anyone who signs, sells, or services office deals.CONNECT* Connect with Rogier Braakman* Visit Mr. Green’s website* Inquire about Net OS* Connect with Caleb Parker* Learn about ReturnSuiteFor behind the scenes, visit:https://www.braveideas.media/p/will-this-super-flex-model-make-empty?r=d1yie&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false💡 This episode is part of Brave Ideas Season 15, exploring brave ideas shaping the future of office real estate, Space-as-a-Service, and workplace experience.Join the ConversationWhat would super flex mean for your portfolio or team culture? Drop a comment below, share the audio with a landlord who still loves ten-year leases, and subscribe so you never miss a #PlusNotVersus insight. Get full access to Brave Ideas at www.braveideas.media/subscribe
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    1 hr and 6 mins
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