Office Space

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Successful business visions are based on practical foundations

March 9, 2010 - 10:27 am

Many business gurus would agree that it is important to have a vision of where you want your business to go. Along with coherent but flexible business planning, this vision can be an inspiration. It can give a firm a sense of mission and develop its collective team spirit. This positive aspect of a business vision may be maximised if different colleagues contribute to the production of the vision.

Although some experts may suggest that realism should inform the vision of a new firm, others would contend that ambition should not be too restricted at an early stage. Coming up with a successful business vision could be conceived of as an attempt to marry realism with ambition. Ultimately, the degree to which a particular business vision may be judged successful can only be assessed in retrospect by evaluating the performance of a firm. As the business vision is only one ingredient in the mix, disentangling its influence from other factors may be a very complex affair.

While a business vision may largely consist of aspiration with regard to a particular sector of economic activity, it cannot be successful if it mainly remains in the world of abstraction. Its success is at least in part dependent on whether it can mesh with practical imperatives. An example of a practical matter that needs to be addressed is the type of office which will be used. A virtual office may be superseded by a serviced office for instance, if a serviced office is better equipped to meet the challenges posed by expansion.

Avoiding office politics

March 3, 2010 - 3:16 pm

With a general election looming in Britain, it may be hard to avoid politics. Slogans, opinion polls, spin, manifestos and photo opportunities will give the media something to discuss for several feverish weeks. Despite all the frenetic activity, many citizens will not vote. Avoiding office politics can be much more difficult than choosing not to enter the polling booth.

In firms of various sizes, office politics can occasionally appear to be an unfortunate reality. Disgruntled workers can be bored of seeing others jostle for position. Sometimes competitive individuals can behave in underhand ways, creating resentment and causing friction. Employees with families can feel excluded if popularity in the office relates to evening social activities. Some individuals may enjoy participating in office politics, but those alienated by the struggle can feel stuck in a negative set of circumstances. If office politics get out of hand productivity may suffer.

An office environment should be an amicable place, but not all firms manage to foster a healthy atmosphere. Small firms which are just starting out may be inexperienced in sustaining the right kind of environment. If a firm is on the small side, a virtual office can be a great method of addressing its emergent needs.

Virtual offices can be cost-effective ways forward which permit small firms to make great progress. Particularly for those with little management experience, the virtual office can cut the need to hire and supervise employees too early. People who have had negative experiences of the darker sides of office politics may well feel liberated by a virtual office.