Can I bore you with a dilemma?

[Pebble Communications]

Hi all,

Can I bore you with a dilemma?

Pebble Communications (PR and copywriting) is just me plus a bit of outsourcing to freelancers. Very occasionally it may be useful to have space for an extra bod in the office with me.

I share offices with the company run by my boyfriend. We luckily have the entire downstairs of the house as offices, so two office rooms plus loo plus small office kitchen. He has 3 part-time staff and needs to expand but we don’t have room.

He is now looking at offices and wants me to go too and pay a contribution towards costs (but this wouldn’t be as high as commercial ‘rent-a-desk’ing). He will still keep one office room going at home for convenience out of hours and I could use that (moving out of my current ‘office’ as we need the room for something else) but he still kinda sees it as his office and I could have a desk in there…rather than it becoming ‘my’ office. (Forget the personal issues, it is his house, I’ve only been here a few months and don’t pay any rent etc). He is looking at very nice town centre serviced office suite. I would not have my own room but be in with his staff, while he would have a small private office sectioned out of the main room. There is no possibility of putting up company signage for passing trade on the building.


So, pros and cons. I can’t decide whether to go or stay put. I can work anywhere.

Pros of staying here: No commuting, flexible wandering in and out as need to, have just got 12 month contract for phone/net that I can’t get out of, doesn’t cost me anything.

Cons of staying here: When he goes so do the office printers, photocopier, paper, ink etc I’ve been freeloading so far. Would be isolated and I find it hard to motivate myself at home; having an office environment to go to and other people around has been very good for me.

Pros of moving: Can't think of any other than the opposite of the cons of staying! Makes no difference to me business-wise that I can see, I’ve never had a client come to my office anyway.

Cons of moving: Cost of rent etc, cost of move (IT), losing out on existing phone etc contracts, having to get new stationery. However, as I said, this would not actually be as much as a commercial cost as he will not be charging me market rate for my desk.

Are there pros of moving that I just can’t see? Do you think it would be an advantage for me to be in a business centre environment? This would be a cheap way to get in there. On the other hand it is not really my office and I would still be mixed in with his staff. But then if I stay at his home office (which he is not keen on) it won’t really feel 100per cent mine either. The business centre will accept our sharing and I will have full use of services including own phone number and answering service, and sign on door.

What would you do? I’m torn and I have to make my mind up soon.

Fiona Bailey
Pebble Communications

[Cornish Steve]

Fiona,

While you suggest that we put the personal issues aside, the personal and the professional aspects of the situation are very muddled right now. This makes your decision quite difficult. In my opinion, you have to make a decision based on what makes most sense for your business. Given that you pay no rent right now, that you'll be paying rent if you move, and there's no obvious benefit to moving (other than social interaction), it would seem to be difficult to justify a move economically. You mention lack of motivation if you are working in an office alone. What about distractions if you work in the same office as your boyfriend?

On the other hand, what would happen if, heaven forbid, you separate from your boyfriend? If you stay put, do you no longer have use of the current office? If you move, do you end up paying rent in an office you would prefer to move out of?

Have you considered a third option? Find a small office that meets the needs of your business, not the same office space as your boyfriend but maybe close by, where you'll get the social interaction but no problems should personal differences arise.

Incidentally, my wife and I could never work together. I would drive her to distraction in a matter of minutes. :) Sometimes it's good to separate personal from professional matters.

[Pebble Communications]

Good points thanks.
We do get on ok working together so far as
a) our businesses are completely different and separate
b) We are in different rooms

If I go with the office we may or may not (but probably not) be in the same room

If I stay at home one of the office rooms gets turned into something else and we share an office (he only wants to spend half his time at the external office). I can forsee a few problems with this down to silly issues like I like a cool room and he likes it sauna-like!

I think I'll wait and see where he finds and decide the pros and cons then. I'll know the cost then and also what advantages there would be. We did look at one office today that was beautiful but expensive. We looked at one that was cheap but a 20' by 10' room (for 4/5 people) with no windows, ventilation, air-con or anything, just an interior box and I said I definitely wouldn't join them there. Too unpleasant an environment. I guess he doesn't mind sticking his staff in there but the whole place was a bit tatty really and not the best place to have clients visit.

Any other comments/advice very welcome!

[fastfences]

Hi Fiona,
I was going to respond in exactly the same manner as Steve. I, too, would have concerns about the effect on your biz if the personal relationship fractured. I feel you have the type of business that does not need (at this moment) to take on other 'overheads.' Try and eloquently put it to your boyfriend that you'd rather stay!! :wink:
Cheers, Nigel

[DuaneJackson]

Potential personal issues aside - I'd say move. You will feel very isolated working at home alone.

Re the phone and internet contract - you'd be able to getthem moved to the new office - assuming you'd need to. I guess they'd already have this angle sorted?

Invest in a portable number for your letterheads, etc.

[Pebble Communications]

Thanks for the comments.

Good points all round. I'm still thinking about it but coming down on the side of staying here...for now. It's not like it's my one and only opportunity ever to move into proper offices. Now if I can only nobble the heater in his room...