We continue to chat with great entrepreneurs about what we can learn from the Covid-pandemic in terms of digital practises, both personally and professionally. This time Rupert Dean is on the other side of Zoom.

When Rupert started x+why, the praised London based chain of hubs for co-working focusing on sustainability and social entrepreneurship, it was out of a macro analysis: big head quarters and non flexible 10 year leases is not the future. Still very much believing the macro analysis holds, Rupert laughs about the consequence of the quarantine: “Short term we have become a victim of our promise of flexibility”.

I asked Rupert for some advice on the past 10 weeks and got some great best practices:

How to make use of these strange times? “Don’t push things too hard that you can’t control, i.e don’t push sales for co-working spaces in the middle of a lock down! Instead, your financials permitting: 1) take time off with your new born – that’s what I did and 2) make sure to learn new ways of doing things and with that take the time to establish good habits"

App or service has become invaluable to you? “Monday.com. As an entrepreneur discipline is not always your key feature, but during the past weeks Monday.com has become a key aspect of how we work.

Media you have been over consuming? “'Danny in the Valley' on A-cast is great”

Any specific Covid-related initiatives from X+why that you are in particular proud of? “Together with our friends at Livi (Kry in Sweden) we are providing Covid testing for all X+why-members"

So when is London back post Covid? “I am ready for a 'U-curve', but but hope and plan for a "V-curve", in either case: after the summer I see things will start moving. And by that time I will be ready as a digitally disciplined better version of myself!"

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