Partner Article

Home becomes new office

AS THE region’s businesses look for new ways of getting the best out of employees, new research has shown that one in five companies now operate without an office.

UK entrepreneurs are at the forefront of new technology and leading new ways of working, according to new research to be released at Entrepreneur Country Forum tomorrow.

94 per cent of entrepreneurial companies say they are using free or low-cost technology and services, and 85 percent say they have adopted new ways of working, to help grow during this difficult economic climate.

According to the research - based on over 500 fast-growth organisations with fewer than 100 employees - sales and marketing, IT and customer services have benefited most from new free and low cost technologies.

Reacting to the results, Andrew Read, managing director of Darlington based Resilient Business Systems, said: “Microsoft and Google are pushing online-colloboration as the next wave, and it is no doubt that it will revolutionise the way all companies will work in the future, the advantages are exciting and far reaching, and will empower employees to work anywhere, anyhow and anytime and bring colloboration to new heights.

“However, it is also important that you treat it with respect, you will always need a permanent, and reliable internet connection.

“Working from home doesn‚t negate the need for some IT knowledge, and if anything it puts more onus of having reliable IT support to help with this new way of working.

The study also found that over half of entrepreneurial businesses take the traditional approach of renting their own office premises, with one in five now operating without an office and happy for staff to work from home or on the move.

Julie Meyer, founder and CEO of Ariadne Capital and Entrepreneur Country, added: “Necessity is the mother invention, and entrepreneurs are inventive people. „Although we live in straightened times, those building businesses in this environment are adopting new technologies, services and ways of working as a way to survive and thrive.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .