Why you should follow the Bitwise business model

A Picture of the Bitwise 41, home of Hashtag

Why You Should Follow the Bitwise Business Model?

There is, in the Central Valley of California a hidden gem that deserves a lot more attention for the stunningly original business model it has developed over the years. At least it for sure just changed my productive life.

I would like to share a personal story that has recently brought a very enriching experience to my life, professional and otherwise.

This experience has been (and is) the Hashtag, a part of Bitwise Industries.

Bitwise Industries is based out of Fresno in the California Central Valley.

Fresno is the model of the type of city in which Bitwise Industries can play a crucial role in remodeling its development. Bitwise Industries’ core mission is to train and motivate scores of people to become technology workers. These workers, having access to better paid occupations, and will in turn help raise the city’s economic and social standards.

Bitwise management stated their belief that they could train a population of fifty thousand technology workers in Fresno.

It started with an anecdote. I remember how I read years ago in the local paper that Bitwise management stated their belief that they could train a population of fifty thousand technology workers in Fresno. In Fresno, I thought? You must be kidding me. I smiled but was appreciative of the enthusiasm that this statement conveyed.

But today, after a full year of being been a member of the Hashtag, I no longer smile. I believe that Bitwise is on its way to realize its long standing goal of fostering growth in the Central Valley and elsewhere.

The Hashtag is a part of Bitwise Industries. It is what is called a collaborative workspace. A collaborative space, in my view, is a unique formula, midway between the conference room, the business hub and the design boardroom.

I believe that Bitwise is on its way to realize its long standing goal of fostering growth in the Central Valley.

Bitwise’s declared goal is to promote people’s interest in the development of the technology industry in underdog cities, to turn around underdog cities, bringing in the process, social and economic development.

Some of Bitwise activities include: the Geekwise Academy, a digital skills training program, Shift3 Technologies, a software development firm and 59DaysOfCode, a software competition for developers as well.

What makes Bitwise so different? First of all, they dedicate each one of their buildings to a specific purpose. Take for example the one called The Bitwise Hive. Aside for obviously evoking a hive with its many bees in action, and the sign of the new generation’s creativity, The Hive’s colorful mural exemplifies the relevance of a formula that allows collaborative people to come together to achieve extraordinary things. It also creates a touch of wonder in the generally bleak surrounding downtown cityscape.

The Hashtag, which I used as the place of work to write the drafts of two novels I am working on, is a unique space that I could transform into my nook, my personal desktop, and my writing desk, a sanctuary in which to create and to expand my horizons. Not to mention the many amenities and perks that come along, like the free coffee, the mini kitchen and the candy bars in the vending machine.

The Hashtag occupies a building sober in its design and appearance. It is intellectually satisfying, encouraging concentration and creativity.

The contrast between a more usual working environment and the privileged space offered at the Hashtag is sharp and self-evident. It becomes easy to increase one’s own productivity in such a nurturing environment.

A major feature of this environment is the work of Carley, the Hashtag’s manager, a brilliant and talented young lady who is competently supervising every detail and has made day after day this achievement possible.

The Hashtag is a unique and versatile place of work that could transform itself into my nook, my personal desktop and my writing desk

I had previously worked in software companies and was used to collaborative environments and the Hashtag resonated as a familiar concept. But I had not planned for a positive change beyond my expectations.

I feared that a shared environment would also bring distractions and possibly some impediments to my work. But this small concern did not materialize.

On the contrary, it paradoxically helped me to be more focused than if I had been writing in isolation in my own space.

This discovery was welcome. My results were amazing.

In comparison, prior to using the Hashtag, I spent almost four years to come up with only one initial project, mostly written after hours at various coffee shops.

And now, all of a sudden, I had managed to halve that time. If this is not a productivity enhancement, I don’t know what is!

I have to say that I owe my present success to the Hashtag. Now that I am close to releasing one or more of my works to the public as an indie author, I look back and see I probably couldn’t have done it without the Hashtag.

The Hashtag never closes. I spent the full year, seven days a week there, and I consider that this place was absolutely indispensable for me to reshape my life into becoming a professional writer.

So, what Bitwise brings to society at large is bigger than just a great experiment. It also helps people like me to change their lives for a better future.