What Does It Take to Get a ￡500M Acquisition? (Part 1)

"You can't define yourself by the competition"

Delivering Value For Customers

Everyone who really knows me, knows I have a passion for both entrepreneurship and the coworking / flex office industry.

Charlie Green is an epic entrepreneur and a true legend in flexible office real estate. He's been an inspiration for me on my own journey, so I've been waiting "all my life" to interview him.

This episode is an instant classic - so good we've had to split it into 2 parts.

This is part 1

"They identified a philosophy issue - the industry was set-up to make the most money from each tenant for the duration of their short stay - they set about to flip the mindset"

?? That was my collaboration partner, Dan Pilling's takeaway.

And he's absolutely right.

This is Episode 8 of Misfits Mindset, sponsored by TSK Group

(Open in Apple or Spotify)

Charlie Green is Cofounder of The Office Group . He served as Co-CEO with his partner, Olly Olsen from the early days to a growth phase backed by Sir Lloyd Dorfman, on through to a ￡500M acquisition deal with Blackstone and beyond.

TOG had 52 locations at the time of their merger with Fora and now the group boasts 73 locations.

In this episode, Charlie shares how a philosophy shift from corporate norms led to ground-breaking design, customer-focused strategies, and a cultural transformation within the office industry.

Design Led, People Powered

We go way back to the humble beginnings of Charlie's journey, as he takes me on a journey through the evolution The Office Group (TOG), from a converted pub in Islington to the towering skyline of Chancery House.

TOG led a revolution within the office industry by putting people at the centre of the universe, creating experiences and design-led buildings infused with hospitality.

The Alchemy of Authenticity

Charlie shares the unique challenges and triumphs that have shaped TOG's success. In a candid conversation, Charlie reflects on the company's growth, strategic partnerships, and the crucial role of culture and authenticity in building a thriving business.

Be sure to tune in Episode 9 for the rest of the story...

?Mindset Moments

• Authenticity Over Homogeneity: TOG distinguishes itself by individually designing each building, responding authentically to the unique features of architecture, location, and local audience. This approach fosters a genuine connection with customers, setting them apart from competitors.
• Cultural Challenges of Co-Leadership: As TOG scaled, one of the significant challenges for Charlie and Ollie was transitioning from a startup mindset with clear roles to managing a C-suite and fostering a cohesive culture. Balancing exceptional talent seeking clarity with the co-CEO model required strategic navigation.
• Value Creation Over Money Chasing: Charlie emphasizes the importance of focusing on building value rather than chasing financial milestones. While having a direction of travel is crucial, the journey of creating value may lead to unforeseen opportunities and outcomes.

?Connect with Charlie

? Charlie Green on LinkedIn

? The Office Group Website

? The Office Group on LinkedIn

Connect with your host Caleb Parker

• Caleb's LinkedIn
• Caleb on X (formerly Twitter)
• Caleb on Instagram

Cultivate your own "Misfits Mindset"

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SPONSORS

Headline Sponsor

TSK Group: Website | Dan Pilling LinkedIn

TSK Group makes workplaces better for fast growing companies by aligning physical places with their purpose and culture to attract the right talent as they grow.

Brave: Website

Brave is the community for those who dare to innovate. Join today to connect with like-minded innovators, receive invites to events like Misfits Mondays, and gain access to exclusive content, co-working spaces, and our Brave ecosystem to help you grow and inspire new ideas.

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