Strategy 2: Hoteling

Hoteling is a fairly recent development. It is used with great effect by some of the big six accounting firms where the need exists for executives, who spend most of their time at the client site, to have access to their firms' corporate facilities through a Regional Center.

Some of the more progressive executive suites are now offering this service to sales executives who need a place to 'hang their hat' for a couple of hours while they make calls, get proposals typed, or meet clients in a professional corporate environment.

Here's how it works. The executive calls ahead to reserve an office for several hours (or days). At check-in time he is assigned an office where his telephone is set up to receive calls forwarded from his 'operating' phone number. A storage area contains his personal, lockable 3-drawer roll-away file. He 'plugs in' this module at his office where it remains for the duration of his stay.

He also plugs in his lap-top computer and logs onto the local network to receive his corporate e-mail, then checks his voice mail for messages. He uploads his new contacts to that center staff can generate follow-up letters, and hands in a sales proposal for color printing.

If your executive will spend from 1 to 3 days out of the office, Hoteling may provide the best work environment. Hoteling combats the lack of social interaction, and allows the executive to remain focused on the job in hand.

The benefits:

• access to sales offices in multiple cities
• professional working environment
• access to the latest office technology
• availability of meting rooms and conference facilities
• no need to furnish and equip a Home Office