Guests enjoy an evening of feasting at the Grande Buffet, where they can feel free to select from a festive array of salads, entrees, side dishes and mouth-watering desserts, and entertainment that varies from solo performances by the serving staff to DJs who are sure to get you up and dancing. 

Upcoming Full Moon Cruises are: Thursday, September 23, 2010, boarding at the Navy Pier, less than 2.5miles from OfficeLinks’ Chicago office space location, at 6:30 pm, cruising 7-10 pm.  Cost is $75.90 per person and Saturday, October 23, 2010, boarding at the Navy Pier, just a couple of miles from OfficeLinks’ Chicago office location, at 7:45 pm, cruising 8:30-11:30 pm.  Cost is $90.90 per person.

For more information about how you can be a part of the fun and festive Spirit Cruise Full Moon Cruise, filled with vibrant dining, dancing, entertainment, and breathtaking views, click here.

Increasingly, bootstrapping (or personally-financed businesses) is becoming a common path for small business owners at the start-up phase.  More so than in years past, today’s entrepreneurs are focused on how their business will survive on only the capital an owner has pumped into it. As a result, entrepreneurs should be developing business plans that are flexible in order to accommodate monetary constraints and changing market conditions. 

Bootstrapping is not necessarily a bad thing and forces business owners to be realistic in terms of the amount of money they can spend on technology, product development and sales and marketing.  At the onset, office space may be the last thing an entrepreneur worries about and opts for a home-based business.  However, as a business expands, owners need to support their growth strategy with a workplace that is scalable and adaptable.

A shared office environment is often appealing because this workplace option greatly reduces the amount of capital required to conduct business in a productive atmosphere.  They also allow start-ups and entrepreneurs to stay in one location and add space and business services on-demand.

Keep in mind, Bootstrapping doesn’t have to last forever.  Once a small business has a proven performance record, it could be a candidate for financing.  The Small Business Administration can help businesses seeking loans. In addition to the SBA, New York City-based business can also contact New York City’s Department of Small Business Services.

The Wall Street Journal

According to commercial real estate brokerage firm, Studley, in the 12 months that ended June 30, office tenants secured 161.3 million square feet in leases nationwide. These figures are up 5.7% over the 12-month period ended in March.  That’s good news; but there’s a catch.

Companies are doing deals but are shoehorning workers into less space.  Businesses are asking their architects to get creative with open floor-plans in lieu of enclosed offices.  The ultimate goal is to reduce the amount of space per employee so a company can save on real estate costs.

Obviously, this is one way of controlling property expenses, but one could argue, is a short sighted approach.   

Although there are a number of alternative solutions to traditional office space, it’s shocking that many businesses continue to revert back to long-term lease agreements – which limit flexibility, are costly to fit-out and may not meet their needs down the road.  

With the amount of uncertainty circulating today, a business would be wise to mitigate their real estate risks by following a flexible workplace model that will allow them to expand (or contract) as business demands dictate.  That way when businesses are ready to enter new markets or add employees they will have the ability to do so quickly and efficiently.

Head on over to Pier 17 to explore, experience and celebrate BODIES: The Exhibition.  This intimate and informative view into the human body allows you to see and celebrate your body’s inner beauty.  Week Day hours are 10 am – 7 pm and Week Day tickets go for $28.85 per adult (discounts available for children and seniors).  Weekend hours are Saturdays 10 am – 9 pm and Sundays 10 am – 7 pm and Weekend Tickets go for $29.94 per adult (discounts available for children and seniors).  This amazing exhibit is sure to enlighten, empower, fascinate and inspire.  For more information, click here.

OfficeLinks invites you to take the less than ½ mile walk from our Wall Street location to visit South Street Seaport whenever you can –it’s just too close and fabulous for you to miss out on!  For more information about South Street Seaport and all that’s happening there, click here.

Located just over a block from the OfficeLinks Grand Central West office location and just 1/3 of a mile away from OfficeLinks Bryant Park office space location, you’ll find the Museum of the International Center of Photography at 1133 Avenue of the Americas at 43^rd Street.  The Museum of the International Center of Photography is dedicated to exploring photography through dynamic exhibitions of historical and contemporary work.  Since 1974, the International Center of Photography has presented over 500 exhibitions, bringing the work of more than 3,000 photographers and other artists to the public. 

Current exhibitions are on display until September 12 and include: For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights, an exploration of the historic role of visual culture in shaping, influencing and transforming the fight for racial equality and justice in the US from the late 1940s through the mid 1970s, and Perspectives 2010: Carol Bove, Lena Herzog, Matthew Porter, Ed Templeton, Hong-An Truong, the inaugural installment of a new annual series focusing on significant recent works by contemporary artists, photographers and filmmakers.    

Upcoming Exhibitions are on display September 24, 2010 through January 9, 2011 and include: The Mexican Suitcase, an exhibition of images drawn from a famous collection of negatives from the Spanish Civil War that were considered lost since 1939 until they arrived at International Center of Photography in 2007 and Cuba in Revolution, an exhibition showing the tremendous influence of photography in recording and encouraging the revolutionary movement in Cuba.

OfficeLinks encourages you to visit the Museum of the International Center of Photography, which is open Tuesday through Thursday, 10:00 am–6:00 pm, Friday, 10:00 am–8:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am–6:00 pm.  (Museum is closed on Mondays.)  General Admission is $12, students and seniors are $8.  International Center of Photography Members and children under 12 are free.  Voluntary Contribution Fridays 5:00–8:00 pm.

For more information, click here.

Survey results likes these highlighting a boost in worker productivity and satisfaction when workers have more autonomy over how, where and when they work, is leading companies to implement strategic technology solutions empowering employees to work in a more mobile and efficient way.

We all know the continuum of people working outside of conventional corporate boundaries will only rise in the future – shifting the focus from fixed office space needs to technology needs. Most experts agree the number of professionals working in a virtual environment could constitute 40 percent of the workforce within a few short years. As workers access information through different devices and need to collaborate and share content with colleagues across time zones, companies need to ensure they have a technology platform, which allows workers to be connected – professionally and socially.

New technology is fundamentally redefining work. Businesses that align their technology strategy to these new work styles will improve their overall performance while providing an ideal virtual work environment for their employees.

Our clients are nestled, all snug in their spaces,
While visions of going home for the holidays bring smiles to their faces.
Reception is covered, the mail has been sorted,
It’s time to relax and cherish the moments.

The holiday parties were a big hit,
We are quite relieved, we must admit.
At Chelsea we had Sangria, and tapas from Sala One Nine
Dancing to salsa music is always a good sign.

At Bryant Park and Wall Street the parties were a blast,
All that delicious food sure did go fast.
In Chicago musical groups and poinsettias filled the lobby with cheer,
Toys for Tots and the Coat Drive were a big success, let’s do them again next year!

When out in reception there arose such a clatter,
We sprang from our desks to see what was the matter.
Away to the elevator, we flew like a flash,
Asked our friends in the lobby what caused the big clash.

The streets were covered with new fallen snow,
A mysterious figure trudged to and fro.
“Now Christina! Now David! Now Antuanet! Now Lori!”
At the sound of his voice, there was no reason to worry.

It was our man Harsh, with Paul at his side,
Pulling up to the door in their grand new OfficeLinks’ ride.
It was orange and white, with tech galore.
You had never seen such a hooked up sleigh before.

Their cheeks all rosy, beaming with delight,
“To all a wonderful holiday and a celebratory night!”
Having much to celebrate, Harsh logged on to twitter,
In 140 characters, there was all glitter.

Christie popped up from the sack in the back,
She made the numbers work, that my dear is most certainly a fact.
Melissa pulled through, Blackberry in hand,
Brochures!   Quotes!  Office space!  All on demand!

There was much to jubilate, nothing on which to brood,
With everyone giving thanks to the holiday mood.
With unlimited Starbucks, filling every cup,
Company morale was ever climbing up.

Opening of Sears Tower, HD Videoconferencing, CoWorking all in 2009,
What will happen in 2010 will surely blow your mind.
With OfficeLinks’ cutting edge business environments, your company will thrive,
Reflect on your experience, tell us how you thrive.

Let us know what you think, by commenting on our blog,
Give us some meaningful feedback, take your mind for a jog.
If you have nothing nice to say, keep it to yourself,
Remember we know someone, we call him The Elf.