(Photo Credit: http://www.gensleron.com/ not a B&N store)

Here's an idea how B&N, and entrepreneurs can mutually (and greatly) benefit from an already existing relationship.

Barnes & Noble Coworking Spaces

People (like me and perhaps yourself) already go to B&N locations and use the tables in their cafe section for work, pretty much like entrepreneurs at coffee shops like Starbucks and such.

I have nothing against working at coffee shops, but it is not an efficient way to do it.

But having people coming in to work at their coffee shops probably brings some income from coffee and an eventual book sale to B&N.

Here's the thing:

• B&N has the locations, and,
• Foot traffic from entrepreneurs and digital nomads

What I propose to do is:

Create co-working spaces.

Imagine long tables with power outlets and internet. Let B&N be the place where people can really go to work and reach their aspirations.

Today, people sit with laptops on coffee tables. That creates a bad experience for people actually going for coffee and is not suitable for work either.

It fits like a glove to B&N's Mission Statement

Here's an extract from B&N Inc's Mission Statement: 'helping both our customers and booksellers reach their aspirations'.

What if B&N becomes the largest idea nest in the US?

What better way to accomplish their mission than enabling us, entrepreneurs, to have access to the biggest knowledge source in the US?

How much will it cost to entrepreneurs?

I understand it comes with a cost, and I propose to make it a subscription.

Currently, there's $25/year subscription for 1 coffee/month. Clearly, the idea here is to lure people back to the stores every month, which can eventually turn into book sales.

I propose to make it $10/Month with access to a flex space with internet (long tables with chairs, that's it). Coffee is additional.

There are other ways to improve the idea I already have thought about. Let's just agree on the basic.

What about space?

There's always inefficient/low traffic/not-part-of-heat-map space in those stores. Moving around a couple of rows of books will suffice.

By implementing this and B&N will get these results:

• Increased revenue by subscription
• Increased foot traffic
• Increased revenue from coffee and books

Why will it work?

Because it's already happening. Let's just make it official. But especially because working from cofee shops is not effective, unless for a short period.

Why B&N?

B&N already has the silent enough ambient people need to work, but it isn't a public library. They have locations, they have space.

All the ingredients are there. It's just finishing up the process.

By creating these coworking spaces, B&N will create a middle segment between working at coffee shops and working at location like WeWork. It will create the largest coworking company in the US almost overnight.