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OE News: From the President’s Desk

OE employee elected to Families First board

Ashley Eller, General Manager at Office Evolution, has been elected as a member of the Board of Directors of Families First, a non-profit family service agency dedicated to serving children in jeopardy by empowering families. Congratulations, Ashley!

Business center location changes

Broadway Suites

On April 1st, we sold back our 1942 Broadway downtown Boulder operation to the original seller. While 24 hour access will no longer be available at this location, we have entered into a mutual conference room agreement so Office Evolution members will be able to enjoy the same access to conference rooms at Broadway Suites as they always have. To reserve a conference room, board room or training room at Broadway Suites, please call 303-417-6300.

Colorado Springs

On May 1st, we sold back our three Colorado Springs operations to the original seller. While 24 hour access will no longer be available at these locations, we have entered into a mutual conference room agreement so that, until further notice, Office Evolution members will be able to enjoy the same access to conference rooms in Colorado Springs as they always have. To reserve a conference room, board room or training room at any of the three Colorado Springs locations, please call 303-417-6300.

Fort Collins closure

On May 31st, we will close the Fort Collins business center at Harmony and Timberline. We have entered into an agreement with a strong local operator called Front Range Business Centers who will be providing executive suite and virtual office services for many of our current Fort Collins clients. In addition we have entered into a mutual conference room agreement so Office Evolution clients can access conference rooms at both of FRBC’s locations, one in Fort Collins and one in Loveland, as needed at the same prices as Office Evolution conference rooms. For more information or to reserve a conference room, board room or training room at an FRBC location, please call 303-417-6300.

Member Center

Unlimited drop-in time

Need a quiet place to get some work done? Remember, all members have unlimited drop-in time at Office Evolution locations with drop-in workstations (this excludes the Louisville, Littleton and Golden business centers). Thank you for your feedback

Member Spotlight

This month, Office Evolution would like to spotlight two members with two very different and exciting services.

Workplace2Go.com, an aggregator of on-demand business software services, is a great resource for start up companies requiring software consulting or well-established companies looking to streamline or enhance existing software programs.

John Kryzkowski, Workplace2go general manager, says the following about using Office Evolution live answer services:

“Technology is a great tool in many aspects of business, but customers prefer to talk with a person. The challenge for many businesses is finding a company that employs top talent at a price point that is affordable. With Office Evolution, we provide our customers with a professional and, just as important, personal experience when they contact our company."

Let WorkPlace2Go manage your business software needs -- so you can manage your business. Choose from their wide selection of subscription- based services from leading providers such as Microsoft (premium email/collaboration/CRM), WebEx (web conferencing), McAfee (business security) and Blackberry.

Workplace2go offers customers premium software and ongoing updates on a pay as you go model eliminating upfront costs for hardware and software. Powering your business couldn’t be more convenient. Please visit www.workplace2go.com to learn more or contact them at 800.487.0044.

LearnShareAct.com

LearnShareAct.com is a free social network to connect people who share a passion for a cleaner, sustainable, peaceful and brighter future. Learn Share Act is similar to Facebook and MySpace, in that members can create and customize their personal profile page, write blogs and message other members.

Screenshot

Differentiating itself, Learn Share Act provides a wide range of topical information, from educational materials about climate change to common sense tips on green living, recycling, organic farming and foods, green business ideas, clean energy, positive thinking and more.

Mark Erickson, a partner in Learn Share Act, is a new tenant at an Office Evolution business center, and enjoys

“The professional and friendly atmosphere that the office provides, as well as the convenient location.”

For more information on Learn Share Act visit: learnshareact.com or email Mark Erickson at mark@learnshareact.com.

Congratulations to one of our members

A special congratulations to Office Evolution member attorney Robert Wolf, who is running for the District 1 seat on the Arvada City Council. A very active Aurora community member, and a proponent of limited government, he plans on streamlining current and past-due projects if elected. For more information, see an article spotlighting his campaign featured on MileHighNews.com

Have something to say?

If you have an announcement that you’d like the Office Evolution community to know about, or if you’d like to be included in the next issue of the e-newsletter, please contact Emily at elarson@officeevolution.com.

Please feel free to email or call at memberrelations@officeevolution.com • 877.475.6300

Business TIPS

Social media begins to replace traditional client communication

Is your company “social” enough?

A study conducted in September 2008 by Cone, Inc. shows that Americans prefer and expect companies to use social media tools, such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, to communicate and interact with their customers. These findings establish strong proof that otherwise difficult to reach target audiences and customers can be tapped through online social networking.

Of those Americans who use social media on a regular basis, here are some beliefs regarding specific interactions using social media:

43% believe companies should use social networks to solve [customer] problems
41% believe companies should solicit feedback on their products and services
37% believe companies should develop new ways for consumers to interact with their brand
25% believe companies should market to consumers

For more information about this and other studies, visit www.coneinc.com.

Telecommuting on the rise

With gas prices on the rise and the economy in a tough place, remote work has become more popular than ever. WorldAtWork, a global human resources association founded in 1995, conducted research with The Dieringer Research Group Inc. to find out just how much more popular. Below is a brief summary of their findings:

39% Percentage increase, from 2006 to 2008, of Americans who worked for their employer remotely or from home at least one day per month
61% Percentage of 2008 “employed telecommuters” who are male
87% Percentage of telecommuters who telecommuted from home in 2008
38 Median age of 2008 “employed telecommuters”

For more detailed information about the study’s findings, click here