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Oh the stupidity

A couple of months ago I wrote a column about the Impact Hub that opened recently in Tokoroa.

Billed as a "co-working space" where entrepreneurs can have access to a desk, wifi and like-minded people, the Tokoroa Impact hub is part of a global network of such venues.

I did express my concerns that anyone would be stupid enough to invest in opening a "co-working space" during a raging global pandemic and the lock-downs that such a plague produces but fortunately we've been pretty much lock-down-free in this part of the country. At least so far.

It's now been more than two months since the hub opened its door so I thought I'd give you an update.

Despite my misgivings about this venture, I figured that since *my* rates were funding it, I'd try to do my best to ensure it was a success.

To this end, I offered my services to the management of the Hub, totally free of charge.

What could I offer?

Well even my harshest critic would have to acknowledge that I've been doing this internet thing for longer than most and, especially in light of my 430,000 YouTube subscribers and the more than 130,000,000 views my videos have received, I'm reasonably good at it.

There are many, many budding entrepreneurs who are likely considering a career in social media -- or creating things that require social media for the purposes of marketing or support. Therefore, I offered to present seminars or Q&A sessions on the subject of internet and social media at the Impact Hub.

This would seem to be perfectly aligned with the goals and stated intentions of the Hub, with our beloved Mayor recently stating in a council publication "This flexible co-orking space will nurture budding entrepreneurs across the South Waikato, offering workshops, meeting spaces, mentoring and support".

So, on the 10th of October, I sent offer to the hub's administrator and patiently waited for a response.

It is now two months since that offer was made and I have not received even a polite "thanks but no thanks" response.

Clearly the Hub is doing so well that it does not need any help from me.

Or is it?

Well sadly, it seems that my worst fears are confirmed, in respect to the uptake of the services on offer.

Every day I walk the 3Km or so to a local supermarket and grab a few food-items. This walk takes me past the door of the Impact Hub twice. I make this journey at varying times of the day, depending on my work schedule.

Have I seen a facility crowded with budding entrepreneurs, all brainstorming and beavering away in the open-plan office-space areas?

Sadly, no.

Almost without exception, regardless of the time of day, there is but one person in the entire facility -- the girl who sits beind the desk.

I feel so sorry for this poor woman. Her days seem to consist of waiting in vain for someone to come through the door and sign-up for the services on offer. How boring and tedious that must be.

I notice that they appear to have reduced the prices since the venture was launched but even this isn't enough to get people through the door.

Naturally the local council, who were stupid enough to commit vast sums of ratepayers' money to this venture, will continue to claim that it's a runaway success. They will not let inconvenient facts (such as the perpetually empty space) stand in the way of their version of reality.

I've decided that in the New Year, I'll take a photo every time I pass the Hub and post those photos on a web-page. We'll see whether things improve but you, me and the rest of the world will be able to judge for themselves how well this ludicrous venture is going.

I fear that this is going to be little more than irrefutable evidence that this council is totally unqualified for the role they have assumed in throwing ratepayers money at ventures which fail to pass even the most cursory levels of scrutiny.

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