Which brands are developing their own coworking spaces?

Today, coworking is a popular business model, and one that is becoming an integral part of all corporate real estate policies. So much so that some of them have chosen to develop their own coworking or corpoworking spaces. Examples include Fleury Michon in Nantes, with its HubFleury, IBM and Groupe la Poste, following its acquisition of a stake in Starways and then Multiburo... After all, you're never better served than by yourself. Focus on just a few of these initiatives!

Fleury Michon: from food industry professional to genuine local player

The initiative might sound like a joke, but if you think about it, it's actually a demonstration of a truly committed local player. As the second largest private company in the Vendée, Fleury Michon has for many years been deeply involved in the local community and in issues relating to the quality of life of its employees. Le Hub Fleury was born of the idea of offering Group employees, whether permanent or temporary, flexible and efficient workspaces, while limiting the number of journeys to the company's head office in Pouzauges, 1h15 from Nantes. A good way to improve quality of life while limiting pollution. L'Espace now boasts 25 workstations in the heart of Nantes.

Although much appreciated, these spaces are not full every day, which is why the company plans to open them up to its future talents and to any other employee who shares the company's values.

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IBM at the heart of intelligence that's not just artificial

In Paris-Saclay, IBM has opened its InnovHub innovation center dedicated to artificial intelligence. This Silicon Valley-inspired scientific hub brings together over 200 professionals, and has been designed to develop international stimulation and collaboration between teams. With the potential to accommodate 400 people (including 350 IBM employees), the site also plans to welcome external experts and researchers.

IBM is also banking on the development of regional Hubs, also known as "Smart remove Centers", already deployed in several major French cities, including Lille, Bordeaux and Nantes. This is a way of enhancing the quality of life of its employees, and building loyalty among employees looking for regionalization.

La Poste steps up its ambitions

Already involved in coworking with Startway, then with the acquisition of Multiburo - for an undisclosed sum - La Poste Group's real estate company has been propelled to the top of the French coworking scene by 2022. With its complementary networks, well established throughout the country, La Poste aims to bring together around 100 coworking spaces by 2027, compared with a combined network of some 50 spaces currently spread across France, Belgium and Switzerland. A clear ambition? To become one of the leading players in the European flexible office real estate market. Of course, the spaces are not reserved exclusively for employees of Groupe la Poste, but the initiative deserves to be applauded.

A free interpretation of telecommuting - "Free Hubs" synonymous with nomadism

At car-sharing specialist Blablacar, employees are given the opportunity to choose the way they work and the place they live that suits them best. Employees can choose to come to the office once a week, once a month or once a year. Everything is possible.

However, to ensure that its workplaces are as efficient as possible, the company has developed a telecommuting policy called BlaBlaNomad, as well as partnerships with regional coworking spaces, where employees are free to put down their computers or not. Each employee has a monthly budget of €200 to organize his or her telecommuting experience.

Each company has its own approach to telecommuting and the flexible office experience, but we're confident that all of them will incorporate these spaces into their real estate planning.