Executive Offices in Transition
OBC’s Increase in Popularity
in Response to Technology, Commuting Trends
COLUMBUS, OH (October 24, 2001) -- Office Business Center Association International (OBCAI) was chosen as the new name for the Executive Suite Association (ESA), to reflect evolutionary changes which have recently taken place in the 30+year old industry, according to Roger Branigan, OBCAI president and industry spokesman.
Rumored adverse news about one or more publicly traded office business centers should not detract from the positive growth trajectory of the industry as a whole, asserts Branigan.
"Our industry is made up of thousands of independently owned centers located throughout the world," he says. "And, while we are not immune to economic changes which affect everyone else, the overwhelming majority of our members are still growing and profitable."
Formerly referred to as "executive suites," office business centers (OBC’s) provide the same level of service for a business owner that a luxury apartment building provides for its residents. Services range from high-speed internet access to coffee made fresh hourly. Most OBC’s provide a central photocopier, fax machine and shared telephone receptionist. Many offer conference and meeting rooms and some even provide gym facilities and concierge services.
Executive Offices in Transition
OBC tenants – commonly referred to as "clients" in the industry -- are often entrepreneurs, start-up companies or regional offices for national corporations. But the growing trend toward telecommuting is also generating new business, as homebound workers discover that it sometimes makes their ‘worlds collide’ when boundaries between work and family become blurred. For these individuals, an OBC is often a good alternative. Rather than commuting for an hour or more a day in high traffic, they reduce their commute to 10 or 12 blocks to an OBC in their neighborhood.
Another timely development in the OBC industry comes as a result of the recent dramatic downturn in business travel. Business managers who once thought nothing of traveling cross-country for a meeting are showing a keen interest in video-conferencing. In response, many OBC’s are moving quickly to add video-conferencing capabilities to their list of services.
"Technology is at the forefront of every business in the world," Branigan states. "Ours is no exception. Since we function as the internal office services department for our clients, we must be up-to-date in providing the latest technologies. This is an expensive proposition for us, but cost-effective for the individual client, who has no out-of-pocket capital expense."
One of the benefits of working from an office business center is likely to increase in popularity as business travel resumes. Most OBC’s have reciprocal agreements with other centers throughout the world, allowing clients to use facilities in distant cities for a nominal fee.
Contact: Roger Branigan (317) 805-4720
Jeannine Windbigler (800) 237-4741
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