Effective Project Management

Section B Establishing An Office

Too often we assume that the work will be performed in the familiar environment of our company's main office. However, we may have to find space in a subsidiary office where the facilities are not as comprehensive as we are used to. In the ultimate situation you may have to rent office space and start from scratch, possibly in a foreign location.

1.1

Begin any set‐up operation as early as possible. You might even take a risk and begin looking at locations and premises before the contract has been signed.

1.2

Establish a clear policy and strategy for the remote office, ensuring that everyone is clear about its terms of reference. Establish a budget for its operation.

1.3

If you are in a foreign location, employ experienced and professional consultants: in particular for taxation, accounting, and legal matters, not forgetting translation services.

1.3.1

Your home office people should have their own advisors with your home country professionals, and they should be able to use their contacts to recommend people you can use.

1.3.2

If you really are on your own, talk to your embassy or consulate and local business people to get recommendations. Go and interview half a dozen, get references, and check them out.

1.4

In theory you should register your presence with your embassy or consulate, so that they can be of assistance should there be any civil unrest. Remember your project is likely to be high profile and could be ...