Flex in Five with Mike Kriel

Mike Kriel

How do you make money in the flexible workspace industry? Mike Kriel, CEO of Launch Workplaces, breaks down the opportunities, trends, and strategies that are working right now, in five minutes or less. Honest and unfiltered, each episode tackles one focused topic, from what's working in coworking to emerging opportunities for commercial landlords, brokers, developers, and operators. Drawing from real-world experience and conversations across the industry, Mike delivers actionable insights designed to help you grow your piece of the pie in this ever-evolving market.

Episodes

  1. May 27

    What financial reports should you get from a coworking operator?

    Are you making the right assumptions about what financial information your coworking operator should be giving you? Most landlords aren't. In this episode of Flex in Five, Mike Kriel breaks down what a complete financial package from a coworking operator should look like, why the variance report is the most critical piece, and what a good operator should be able to tell you before you even ask a question. If you own a building with a coworking operator or you're thinking about bringing one in, this episode will change how you evaluate the reporting you're getting. If you want to learn more about how management agreements work and what to look for as a building owner, download our Commercial Landlord's Guide to Flexible Office Space. It's 50+ pages built for landlords exploring flex: https://launchworkplaces.com/landlords/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Mike https://launchworkplaces.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-kriel-a43994/  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Flex in Five with Mike Kriel How do you make money in the flexible workspace industry? Mike Kriel, CEO of Launch Workplaces, breaks down the opportunities, trends, and strategies that are working right now, in five minutes or less. Honest and unfiltered, each episode tackles one focused topic, from what's working in coworking to emerging opportunities for commercial landlords, brokers, developers, and operators. Drawing from real-world experience and conversations across the industry, Mike delivers actionable insights designed to help you grow your piece of the pie in this ever-evolving market.  🔔 Hit subscribe to make sure you don't miss an episode. Want to learn more about how to add a profitable coworking operation to your building? Download our free eBook: https://launchworkplaces.com/landlords/

    4 min

  2. May 12

    The one moment when most management agreements die

    In 13 years of opening coworking locations, Mike's seen one thing kill more deals than anything else. It's not the agreement. It's what happens after you sign one. There's a void between picking an operator and opening your space, and that void is where most landlords get caught off guard: What does it cost to get your space to the operator's standard? How long will it take? What return can you actually expect once it's done?The way to work through it is to walk the space together, office by office, wall by wall. Ownership prices out the work. The operator builds a pro forma based on the same walkthrough. Then you put both numbers together and ask the honest question: Is this worth doing?Most of the time, the capital requirement is a fraction of a market deal. But the ones that fall apart are always the same story: expectations that were never grounded in reality, discovered too late to do anything about it. If you want to learn more about how management agreements work and what to look for as a building owner, download our Commercial Landlord's Guide to Flexible Office Space. It's 50+ pages built for landlords exploring flex: https://launchworkplaces.com/landlords/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Mike https://launchworkplaces.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-kriel-a43994/  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Flex in Five with Mike Kriel How do you make money in the flexible workspace industry? Mike Kriel, CEO of Launch Workplaces, breaks down the opportunities, trends, and strategies that are working right now, in five minutes or less. Honest and unfiltered, each episode tackles one focused topic, from what's working in coworking to emerging opportunities for commercial landlords, brokers, developers, and operators. Drawing from real-world experience and conversations across the industry, Mike delivers actionable insights designed to help you grow your piece of the pie in this ever-evolving market.  🔔 Hit subscribe to make sure you don't miss an episode. Want to learn more about how to add a profitable coworking operation to your building? Download our free eBook: https://launchworkplaces.com/landlords/

    6 min

  3. Apr 29

    Management agreements don't have to be 10-year deals

    Not every management agreement with a flex operator has to be a 10-year deal. In this episode of Flex in Five, Mike Kriel breaks down why shorter-term agreements (24, 36, or 48 months) can be the right fit for landlords trying to fill a vacancy gap, reposition a building, or bridge a transition. What you'll learn in this episode: Why the 10-year assumption is costing landlords real opportunitiesHow to talk to operators about shorter timelines without losing leverageWhy automatic extensions protect both sides of the dealHow to get your internal team aligned before you reach outWant to go deeper? The Commercial Landlord's Guide to Flex is 50+ pages of insight from both the operator and landlord sides.  Grab it at https://launchworkplaces.com/landlords --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Mike https://launchworkplaces.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-kriel-a43994/  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Flex in Five with Mike Kriel How do you make money in the flexible workspace industry? Mike Kriel, CEO of Launch Workplaces, breaks down the opportunities, trends, and strategies that are working right now, in five minutes or less. Honest and unfiltered, each episode tackles one focused topic, from what's working in coworking to emerging opportunities for commercial landlords, brokers, developers, and operators. Drawing from real-world experience and conversations across the industry, Mike delivers actionable insights designed to help you grow your piece of the pie in this ever-evolving market.  🔔 Hit subscribe to make sure you don't miss an episode. Want to learn more about how to add a profitable coworking operation to your building? Download our free eBook: https://launchworkplaces.com/landlords/

    4 min

  4. Apr 7

    The biggest opportunity most property managers are missing out on

    Property management companies need flexible office space in their toolkit, and most of them don't have it yet. In this episode of Flex in Five, Mike Kriel breaks down why the largest firms in the country are already integrating flex management into their business and what regional and local property managers need to do before they get left behind. He discusses: Why the biggest brokerage and property management firms have already made this moveWhat building owners are actually asking their property managers right nowHow coworking operators and property managers can integrate to create more value togetherWhy there's still blue water for regional firms who move firstWant to learn more about how flexible office space can work for your building? Reach out at launchworkplaces.com or connect with Mike directly on LinkedIn using the links below.  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Mike https://launchworkplaces.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-kriel-a43994/  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Flex in Five with Mike Kriel How do you make money in the flexible workspace industry? Mike Kriel, CEO of Launch Workplaces, breaks down the opportunities, trends, and strategies that are working right now, in five minutes or less. Honest and unfiltered, each episode tackles one focused topic, from what's working in coworking to emerging opportunities for commercial landlords, brokers, developers, and operators. Drawing from real-world experience and conversations across the industry, Mike delivers actionable insights designed to help you grow your piece of the pie in this ever-evolving market.  🔔 Hit subscribe to make sure you don't miss an episode. Want to learn more about how to add a profitable coworking operation to your building? Download our free eBook: https://launchworkplaces.com/landlords/

    4 min

  5. Mar 26

    Why the exit is the first thing you should negotiate in a management agreement

    The most important part of a management agreement is the exit, and most building owners don't figure that out until they're stuck. In this episode of Flex in Five, Mike Kriel breaks down the four exit rights every landlord needs before signing a management agreement: Termination for cause Termination without causeFree will terminationSale of the building If you want to learn more about how management agreements work and what to look for as a building owner, download our Commercial Landlord's Guide to Flexible Office Space. It's 50+ pages built for landlords exploring flex: https://launchworkplaces.com/landlords/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Mike https://launchworkplaces.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-kriel-a43994/  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Flex in Five with Mike Kriel How do you make money in the flexible workspace industry? Mike Kriel, CEO of Launch Workplaces, breaks down the opportunities, trends, and strategies that are working right now, in five minutes or less. Honest and unfiltered, each episode tackles one focused topic, from what's working in coworking to emerging opportunities for commercial landlords, brokers, developers, and operators. Drawing from real-world experience and conversations across the industry, Mike delivers actionable insights designed to help you grow your piece of the pie in this ever-evolving market.  🔔 Hit subscribe to make sure you don't miss an episode. Want to learn more about how to add a profitable coworking operation to your building? Download our free eBook: https://launchworkplaces.com/landlords/

    5 min

  6. Mar 4

    How to increase the value of your office building

    Your building survived. Now, how do you make it more valuable tomorrow than it is today? In this episode of Flex in Five, Mike Kriel breaks down what the "perfect building" looks like in today's market — and why you should think of it as an ecosystem that feeds itself. He's talking you through what every competitive office building needs:  Flexible workspace, from hot desks to enterprise-level space Plug and play spec suites (not white box, but actually move-in ready) Prime tenants with a range of sizes and lease terms Amenities that are useful, not just present A coworking operator, leasing team, and property management team that are all on the same pageIf you want to learn more about how coworking can help boost the value of your building, download our Commercial Landlord's Guide to Flexible Office Space. It's 50+ pages of insights like the one I talked about today: https://launchworkplaces.com/landlords/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Mikehttps://launchworkplaces.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-kriel-a43994/   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Flex in Five with Mike Kriel How do you make money in the flexible workspace industry? Mike Kriel, CEO of Launch Workplaces, breaks down the opportunities, trends, and strategies that are working right now, in five minutes or less. Honest and unfiltered, each episode tackles one focused topic, from what's working in coworking to emerging opportunities for commercial landlords, brokers, developers, and operators. Drawing from real-world experience and conversations across the industry, Mike delivers actionable insights designed to help you grow your piece of the pie in this ever-evolving market. Want to learn more about how to add a profitable coworking operation to your building? Download our free Commercial Landlord's Guide to Flexible Office Space: https://launchworkplaces.com/landlords/

    6 min

  7. Mar 4

    How to pick a coworking partner for your building

    You just got a letter from a coworking operator saying your building would be their best location ever. Flattering—but what do you actually do with that? In this episode, Mike breaks down how building owners should evaluate a coworking operator who comes knocking—the questions to ask, the red flags to watch for, and why you should never stop at one conversation. In five minutes, you'll learn: The one question every landlord should ask a prospective coworking partnerWhat a credible operator's due diligence actually looks likeThe red flag that should end the conversationWhy cultural fit matters more than you thinkIf you want to learn more about flex as an opportunity in your building, download our Commercial Landlord's Guide to Flexible Office Space. It's 50+ pages of insights like the one I talked about today: https://launchworkplaces.com/landlords/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Mikehttps://launchworkplaces.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-kriel-a43994/   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Flex in Five with Mike Kriel How do you make money in the flexible workspace industry? Mike Kriel, CEO of Launch Workplaces, breaks down the opportunities, trends, and strategies that are working right now, in five minutes or less. Honest and unfiltered, each episode tackles one focused topic, from what's working in coworking to emerging opportunities for commercial landlords, brokers, developers, and operators. Drawing from real-world experience and conversations across the industry, Mike delivers actionable insights designed to help you grow your piece of the pie in this ever-evolving market. Want to learn more about how to add a profitable coworking operation to your building? Download our free Commercial Landlord's Guide to Flexible Office Space: https://launchworkplaces.com/landlords/

    5 min

  8. Mar 4

    12 factors that predict whether coworking is right for you

    What does a coworking operator actually look for in your building? In this episode, Mike breaks down Launch's proprietary 12-point evaluation system. This is the weighted criteria we use to determine whether a building is set up to succeed with flexible workspace. From competition proximity to amenity activation, capital strength to tenant mix, this is the same scoring system Launch has used for 10 years to predict financial performance. The 12 points are: 1. Proximity of competition2. Quality of competition3. Professional management services4. Entrepreneurial strength and mindset5. Capital strength6. Risk tolerance7. Building class8. Operator alignment with building class9. Parking10. Amenities in the building11. Activation of those amenities12. Vacancy and tenant stack How do your business and your building stack up against these criteria? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Mikehttps://launchworkplaces.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-kriel-a43994/   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Flex in Five with Mike Kriel How do you make money in the flexible workspace industry? Mike Kriel, CEO of Launch Workplaces, breaks down the opportunities, trends, and strategies that are working right now, in five minutes or less. Honest and unfiltered, each episode tackles one focused topic, from what's working in coworking to emerging opportunities for commercial landlords, brokers, developers, and operators. Drawing from real-world experience and conversations across the industry, Mike delivers actionable insights designed to help you grow your piece of the pie in this ever-evolving market. Want to learn more about how to add a profitable coworking operation to your building? Download our free Commercial Landlord's Guide to Flexible Office Space: https://launchworkplaces.com/landlords/

    13 min

  9. Mar 4

    2026 coworking industry predictions

    Everyone's sharing their predictions for coworking in 2026. Here's what Mike's actually seeing in the market. In this episode, he breaks down four major trends shaping the coworking industry this year: consolidation and the different strategies driving it, operators exiting the business, authenticity becoming non-negotiable, and wellness and sustainability as table stakes. The encouraging part? The industry is maturing. You're going to see more reliable, high-quality flexible workspace options than we've ever had before. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Mikehttps://launchworkplaces.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-kriel-a43994/   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Flex in Five with Mike Kriel How do you make money in the flexible workspace industry? Mike Kriel, CEO of Launch Workplaces, breaks down the opportunities, trends, and strategies that are working right now, in five minutes or less. Honest and unfiltered, each episode tackles one focused topic, from what's working in coworking to emerging opportunities for commercial landlords, brokers, developers, and operators. Drawing from real-world experience and conversations across the industry, Mike delivers actionable insights designed to help you grow your piece of the pie in this ever-evolving market. Want to learn more about how to add a profitable coworking operation to your building? Download our free Commercial Landlord's Guide to Flexible Office Space: https://launchworkplaces.com/landlords/

    7 min

  10. Mar 4

    Welcome to Flex in Five with Mike Kriel

    Mike Kriel, CEO of Launch Workplaces, has never been short on thoughts about the flexible office industry. Now, he's channeling that passion into a new series: Flex in Five. The concept is simple: In five minutes or less, Mike breaks down one focused idea, trend, or insight about what's happening in flexible workspace and what it means for you. Whether you're a commercial landlord, broker, developer, or coworking operator, Mike's goal is to help you grow your piece of the pie in this evolving market. Each episode draws from real conversations, real deals, and real experiences, covering what's working, what's not, and where the opportunities are right now. New episodes drop regularly, so hit subscribe to stay ahead in the flexible workspace industry. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Mikehttps://launchworkplaces.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-kriel-a43994/   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Flex in Five with Mike Kriel How do you make money in the flexible workspace industry? Mike Kriel, CEO of Launch Workplaces, breaks down the opportunities, trends, and strategies that are working right now, in five minutes or less. Honest and unfiltered, each episode tackles one focused topic, from what's working in coworking to emerging opportunities for commercial landlords, brokers, developers, and operators. Drawing from real-world experience and conversations across the industry, Mike delivers actionable insights designed to help you grow your piece of the pie in this ever-evolving market. Want to learn more about how to add a profitable coworking operation to your building? Download our free Commercial Landlord's Guide to Flexible Office Space: https://launchworkplaces.com/landlords/

    1 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

How do you make money in the flexible workspace industry? Mike Kriel, CEO of Launch Workplaces, breaks down the opportunities, trends, and strategies that are working right now, in five minutes or less. Honest and unfiltered, each episode tackles one focused topic, from what's working in coworking to emerging opportunities for commercial landlords, brokers, developers, and operators. Drawing from real-world experience and conversations across the industry, Mike delivers actionable insights designed to help you grow your piece of the pie in this ever-evolving market.

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