Community of Cultivators: Edition 31

Here at GCUC we are immensely fortunate to cross paths and work with so many amazing people. Through our work, we’ve cultivated a global community of people we think you should know about.

Community of Cultivators is a blog series we created to introduce you to coworking game changers and connectors. Each month, we’ll release new interviews that we hope inform and inspire you.

Today we had the pleasure of interviewing James Rankin, Head of research and insight at Instant. If you have been to a coworking conference, you have likely seen James on stage presenting their data. Give his answers below a read.

What in your life are you most proud of cultivating or creating? Why?

In my last role I created an insight platform for a niche area of the textiles industry. It was the first time the industry as whole where able to feed into one source and be able to have a global perspective on not only their scale but also the developments and changes that where occurring. It was a huge challenge trying to get competing companies with very different cultures to pull together. I among other are working towards creating something similar in the flexible workspace industry and I hope we are getting closer to that goal each day.

What is one piece of advice you give everyone that works with and/or for you?

“Think of the so what”. This was a phrase that was introduced to me in my first job by my boss at the time and it is something I always try and pass on, but also use on a day to day basis whether in my working or private life. As I work with data and research a lot it’s about adding value and insight to the audience and making it engaging. Numbers and data by themselves can add limited value, if you can add insight around it then your on to a winner.

If you had $500 to spend – what would you buy?

Right now a weekend away. I am in the middle of lock down here in the UK and being able to go somewhere new or different even for a couple of days tops my list right now.

What is the best habit you ever started? What habit do you want to start but haven’t yet?

Morning exercise. I have tried and failed many times to get into the habit of conducting some exercise first thing in the morning. It’s something that I know will help increase my energy, mental focus and well-being but getting out of bed that hour earlier so far has evaded me.