Graham Nelson

Founder

Manifold Coworking

Space ManagementMember Experience

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Recorded sessions from Coworking Tech Week featuring Graham Nelson.

45 min

Before the Tech Stack: How to Design What Your Space Actually Needs

Panel Discussion

Chapters

0:00Designing Coworking Technology Around Real NeedsGraham Nelson introduces the thinking behind Manifold Coworking’s approach to technology. The conversation starts with why coworking operators should understand how their space actually works before choosing tools, platforms, or automations.2:25Building a Coworking Space in a Regional MarketGraham shares the story of launching Manifold in New Plymouth, New Zealand, and the local context that shaped the business. This section gives viewers a grounded look at how location, lifestyle, and community influence the way a coworking space should be designed.3:35Starting Simple Before Investing in SoftwareThe discussion moves into Manifold’s early days, when the team used pen and paper to track member usage. Graham explains how simple manual processes helped them learn what members needed before committing to a more advanced tech setup.7:30Choosing Tools Based on Member BehaviourGraham talks about the importance of observing how people already communicate, book, work, and interact inside the space. Viewers can watch how Manifold used real member habits to guide decisions around communication, access, and community tools.13:45Moving From One Location to a Scalable SetupAs Manifold grew beyond its first location, technology became more important for consistency and team coordination. Graham explains how growth changed the way the business handled memberships, bookings, access, documentation, and daily procedures.16:55Creating a Smoother Member Onboarding ExperienceThis section focuses on the friction members feel when they are asked to use too many separate tools. Graham discusses how Manifold worked toward a simpler onboarding flow where access, bookings, billing, and member information are easier to manage.20:00Inside Manifold’s Coworking Tech StackGraham walks through the tools Manifold uses today, including OfficeRnD, Google Workspace, Xero, E-Lock, custom API work, and operational checklists. The chapter gives operators a practical look at how a coworking tech stack can evolve around specific business needs.22:35Using Checklists and Documentation to Run Better SpacesThe conversation turns to internal knowledge, team training, and daily responsibilities. Graham explains how documenting recurring tasks helped Manifold reduce founder dependency and make operations easier to manage across locations.25:50Using Data Without Losing Operator JudgmentGraham shares how reporting and business data support decisions around budgeting, expansion, and planning. This section shows how numbers can help operators see the business more clearly while still relying on experience and local knowledge.27:50Marketing a Coworking Space Through Community and EventsGraham discusses Manifold’s approach to visibility, storytelling, events, and word of mouth. Viewers can watch how the space uses real community activity, rather than heavy advertising, to bring people into the building.32:55Where AI Fits Into a Coworking BusinessThe conversation explores how Graham currently uses AI for writing, communication, negotiation preparation, and marketing support. He also explains why Manifold has been careful about where AI belongs in the member experience.35:05Testing Before Committing to Coworking SoftwareGraham closes with practical advice for operators reviewing their tech stack. This chapter covers why quick experiments, demos, and workflow testing matter before choosing software that the business may depend on for years.

About Graham Nelson

Graham Nelson is a UX designer, entrepreneur, and community builder based in New Plymouth, New Zealand. He is the founder of Manifold Coworking Space and co-founder of Doso - an entrepreneurship support organsiation, with a strong interest in how people move through and interact with both physical and digital spaces.

Over the past decade, Graham has helped grow the startup and social enterprise ecosystem in Taranaki through ventures, events, and community-led initiatives. He has been a founding member of Doso, formerly Startup Taranaki, and has organised multiple Techstars Startup Weekend events, bringing together entrepreneurs, mentors, and new ideas in high-energy collaborative environments.

With a background spanning product design, user experience, branding, and startup development, Graham brings a practical and human-centred perspective to building spaces, products, and communities that help people do their best work.

Talk at CTW 2026

All session times are shown in UK time [UTC+1 | BST] (Europe/London).

Tuesday, Apr 217:00 AM UK time · 45 minPanel Discussion

Before the Tech Stack: How to Design What Your Space Actually Needs

Many coworking spaces rush into tools before fully understanding how their operations should work. In this session, Manifold shares how starting with simple, low-tech systems, from pen and paper to manual workflows, helped them test, refine, and truly understand their needs before investing in software. A conversation about designing your operations first, and choosing technology second.

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