Kanagawa Science Park

Kajikawa: Tech-Pot is a membership service that provides “coworking spaces” and “private desks” that individuals can use casually, as well as “private rooms” for startups and business projects. It is a service where individuals can casually use “coworking spaces,” “private desks,” and “private rooms” for startups and business projects through a membership system. The common space includes a relaxing sofa area, coffee and tea service, and a full range of facilities to meet a variety of work styles.

Kajikawa: Tech-Pot offers coworking spaces and private desks that individuals can use casually, as well as private rooms for startups and business projects. It is a service where individuals can casually use “coworking spaces,” “private desks,” and “private rooms” for startups and business projects through a membership system. The common space includes a relaxing sofa area, coffee and tea service, and a full range of facilities to meet a variety of work styles.

Takahashi: Yes. Currently, the most prominent users of our coworking space are businessmen, mainly in their 40s, but especially those who live within a 5 to 15 minute walk from KSP. The number of customers is increasing due to the spread of teleworking by the Corona disaster, and the shared office contract is fully booked.

Kajikawa: It has been about a year since we opened, and we have been improving our services by receiving various opinions from our members. In particular, due to the impact of the new coronavirus, I think we have been able to increase customer use and satisfaction by responding to needs that we had not anticipated, not to mention infection control.

Takahashi: Yes, coworking itself was not originally designed to be primarily remote. However, as the Corona disaster has led to more teleworkers using our facilities, we have received comments such as “it would be nice to have such equipment” and “it would be easier to invite guests if we knew what kind of users we have. When they join, they seem to consider security and communication speed as important factors, assuming that they will be working in an internet environment.

Takahashi: And infection control. We ask patients to take their temperature and disinfect their hands thoroughly when they enter the room, and we have placed disinfectant in several places in the Tech-Pot. We have also placed air purifiers in various locations and partitions.

Kajikawa: Tech-Pot is currently run by four people. There are two administrators, including myself. There are also two receptionists, Takahashi and one other person. I belong to the hotel’s management company, Hotel KSP, and I am in charge of the operation and management as one of the hotel’s businesses. Takahashi is working as a seconded employee from another partner company.

Takahashi: When I’m at the reception desk, I get the most feedback from customers, such as “Do you have any rooms like this? The more you get to know your customers, the more you can hear about them. We try to make proposals internally so that we can respond to them.

Kajikawa: Takahashi makes various suggestions, such as “How about doing it this way? I’ve changed jobs several times, and it’s only been about a year since I came to Hotel KSP, but I’ve been giving the same kind of feedback to the company. I feel like I have to (laughs). (laughs) The company is rather flexible in listening to my opinions. The company has that kind of corporate culture.

Takahashi: Also, the area around KSP is a very nice environment. There are spots where you can enjoy the seasons, such as cherry blossoms and fallen leaves, and if the weather is nice, we sometimes have lunch outdoors. I spend most of my time in KSP, and I like the fact that I have the opportunity to meet and greet many people and build a variety of relationships with them. It’s a great place to build relationships.

Kajikawa: At Hotel KSP, we want our guests to use the hotel as an “urban work spot”. The core of this is the Tech-Pot. While staying at the hotel, guests can smoothly switch on and off when working by moving to the Tech-Pot, which is equipped with the necessary environment for work.

Kajikawa: Also, in terms of management strategy, it is easy to clarify the target. In the first place, there are many companies moving into KSP, and there are also large condominiums in the neighborhood, so there are many residents who commute to Tokyo and Yokohama, so there will be potential demand. </p

Takahashi: I often hear people say, “I can work in the Mizonokuchi area without having to go out to Tokyo,” or “I can have a community near my house,” or “My work and private life go smoothly. I also often hear people say, “I can work in the Mizonokuchi area without having to go out of Tokyo.

Kajikawa: In terms of community, I think that Tech-Pot will be a place where people who are working on new businesses or side jobs can have business encounters. In this respect, we believe that Tech-Pot has features that are different from coworking spaces in the city. Just a few days ago (November 2020), we held a members’ get-together that had been postponed due to the new corona, but we were able to hold it after everyone took precautions against infection. We hope to expand this event to the businesses that are moving into KSP in the future.

Kajikawa: One of the most common comments from customers is that “it is very convenient because it is a complex facility. There are banks, post offices, convenience stores, restaurants, etc. in KSP, so it is like one city where you can buy anything and complete everything.

Takahashi: The hotel is also attached to the building, so if you are a visitor from far away, you can stay there and not have to worry about traveling. For those who are inviting guests, the restaurant is a great place to have a proper dinner. We also have guests from out of town who use Tech-Pot.

Kajikawa: We, the tenants, expect KSP to offer more than just convenience as a facility complex. There will be social events held by the KSP management company and a summer festival held by the tenants’ association, which will allow us to get to know other tenants. It is very attractive to have the opportunity to exchange information in a natural way, not just for the sake of interest.

Kajikawa: Thanks to our customers, we have been receiving a lot of visitors, and we are planning to expand our floor space in April 2021. Hotel management has been affected by the new coronavirus, so we hope that this will differentiate us from other hotels and give us an advantage, leading to a slight increase in hotel usage.

Kajikawa: And we will continue to support our customers, which is the basic principle and will not change. However, I also believe that it is not enough to survive as a shared office or coworking service. Therefore, we want to be a facility where customers can immediately consult with us when they have problems.

Takahashi: I think we should continue to value the voices of our customers and incorporate good ideas. I also hope that Tech-Pot will become a more attractive place as a community. One of our members said, “There is a community near my residence, and I can exchange opinions with everyone everyday. I think there will be unexpected development from a place that is not as rigid as a conference like that. I hope that not only business opportunities, but also companies that start something beneficial for the city and its residents will be born from the daily interaction of various people.