Working in the Digital Greenhouse: Allocated Desk member Henry Carre

Building connections at the Digital Greenhouse

What were the biggest challenges you faced that motivated you to join our co-working space?

I moved back to Guernsey to work remotely and therefore away from a busy sports betting trading floor in Malta. So, working from home can be a buzz kill, it also has several distractions which can turn a 30-minute task into several hours. So, I wanted to retain a social element, but more so that professional environment feel.

Was there anything specific about the co-working space that stood out to you during your initial visit to the Digital Greenhouse?

Friendly and approachable members and the Digital Greenhouse team, which have helped me integrate, since day one and continue to be so. Along with a large enough desk space to set up a considerable tower of monitors on and private areas for calls.

How has being an allocated desk member impacted your ability to connect with other entrepreneurs and build your professional network?

Whilst my particular position doesn’t require any outsourcing, I have enjoyed building connections with the other members – whilst we may not require each other’s professional assistance or advice at this time, you never know what might happen in the future. It certainly is not a detrimental element to have an extensive list of contacts from various professions and it is refreshing to meet new members and hear about how different industries operate.

How does the co-working space environment contribute to your productivity and focus compared to your previous work setting?

The ability to avoid unnecessary distractions is vital to ensuring that I retain a high level of professionalism and output, which can happen at Home. The Digital Greenhouse allows you to switch on and remain focused, but it also has that social element of an office, for when you do need a 5- or 10-minute break – you can do so by engaging with the other members along with the Digital Greenhouse team or use the outside decking area to unwind.

I often use the Phone booths on both floors for calls that I know I may have to speak for long periods of time and perhaps a little louder than usual – these are an effective method of not disrupting the other members and a handy area for keeping calls private and professional.

In what ways has being part of a vibrant co-working space community influenced your work ethic?

The high levels of respect, professionalism, and work ethic that the other members display is key to setting the tone of the environment. Each member is there to work on their own profession, and they all conduct themselves in a manner that allows each member to focus on what they need to.

Can you share an example of a positive impact the co-working space has had on you as a member?

The quality of the internet connection. At home, I often find that the internet quality is not sufficient to support my needs. This is something that I do not have to worry about at the Digital Greenhouse as the internet is of the highest quality with the building being sponsored by SURE. That’s a cost I don’t need to worry about either.

What are the biggest advantages you have experienced by becoming an allocated desk member at the Digital Greenhouse co-working space?

The ability to have a dedicated working space, an office to go to focus, where you do not have to worry about any extra costs, such as boosting your home internet, a printer, and its equipment. And should an issue arise the Digital Greenhouse team are on hand to organise its repair or replacement. This allows me to reduce my expenses and focus on more important matters.

Would you recommend our co-working space to other professionals? If so, why?

Yes absolutely. The whole set-up of the Digital Greenhouse is so that you have the best possible chance to focus on your own professional needs, without any of the financial hassle or the set-up responsibility of your own private office space.

You can find Henry on Linkedin here.