Step Into My Office - Anywhere

Sydney Morning Herald

Wednesday October 22, 2008

Keeli Cambourne

HAVING a large, prestigious office used to be something afforded only to those companies with multimillion-dollar turnovers. But the smallest business can now lay claim to an office in the MLC Building with an efficient secretary, a boardroom and all the added extras.

When Servcorp's chief executive, George Moufarrige, began searching for a serviced office space in which to start his law firm 30 years ago, he couldn't find anything to suit his needs.

So he started his own, buying small office space in the corner of the MLC Building in Sydney's city centre.

He offered a serviced office environment with a receptionist who answered calls, a message service, meeting rooms and rented office space.

Since then, Servcorp has grown to include offices in some of the world's most prestigious and dynamic areas, including Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong and Beijing.

Servcorp's marketing and communications manager, Natalie Zschech, says the operation is carefree for the client.

"All businesses have to do is plug in their computer and start working. Guests think the office is their own."

By the 1980s, Servcorp had grown to offer the virtual office, which is essentially a service office without the physical office space.

"Businesses have a telephone number that is always answered in their company name," Zschech says.

"Calls are forwarded to wherever businesses want."

"Messages are sent via email and businesses that use the virtual office can have the building's address as their own.

"They have access to these services all over the world, so if they have a client meeting in Kuala Lumpur, an office space can be allocated, the boardroom booked, coffee and tea served.

"The look and feel of all Servcorp's offices are the same around the world.

"The key to our success is that we have a network of locations, so people can do business wherever they may be."

Servcorp has grown to the point that it now has more than 11,000 clients who not only have access to fine, serviced offices and professional support but also to the most advanced information technology and telecommunications for multitenant environments.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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