Power Outage in Toronto Financial District

High winds have caused numerous power outages throughout the Greater Toronto Area today, most notably in the Downtown Toronto Bay Street financial district. According to the latest details, RBC Centre, First Canadian Place, and The Toronto Stock Exchange are amongst the major corporate sites being affected. Unplanned disruptions like these can have very negative consquences for your business, especially when you consider the long-term ramifications of lost productivity and disabled communication with key associates and clientele. Next time a power outage or other unpredictable incident occurs, be prepared by having an appropriate emergency backup plan. Have your business up and running again in minutes, rather than hours or days!

When disaster strikes, The Rostie Group can provide temporary office space and business support services that will allow your company to make a speedy and seamless recovery. Our expert administrative and technical support staff are trained to help businesses deal with unexpected disruptions. Whether you need short-term or long-term office space during disaster recovery, or an IP Phone System that will allow all your employees to work off-site, The Rostie Group can implement timely solutions which will minimize downtime during costly disruptions. Our state-of-the-art facilities offer videoconferencing technology, hot desk terminals, easy access to public transportation, high-speed internet connections, mail forwarding, telephone answering, full-service catering and host of other services to help your company recover from unplanned and potentially debilitating emergencies.

Office Space for a New Age

The Financial Post recently published a fascinating article about the trend towards workspaces which better encourage creativity and employee collaboration. According to the article…

“"The idea of the corner office is the last thing the new generation of urban workers wants or cares for. They want opportunities to make eye contact and start spontaneous conversations, enjoy natural light, and work in a cheerful environment."

At the Rostie Group, we are constantly adapting our offices, team rooms, and meeting spaces to better meet the business needs of an ever-changing workforce. All of our meeting spaces and boardrooms are aesthetically and structurally designed to encourage effective communication and positive collaboration. However, we are always be on the lookout for new ways to make our workspaces as pleasant and productive as possible. If you have any suggestions, feel free to email them to dnoble@rostiegroup.com

To read the complete Financial Post article, please click on the link below.

Office Space for a New Age (Financial Post)


Free Rostie Tech Hour

Rostie Tech Rescue will be hosting its first ever Lunchtime Tech Support Hour on February 5th at 12:00pm. The Tech Support Hour will be held in the 11th floor kitchen of our 20 Bay Street location (WaterPark Place). This event is completely free, and open to all Rostie Group and WaterPark Place tenants. Our team of skilled techs will be available for the whole hour to help answer all of your computer or electronics-related questions.

Office Business Centres a Smart Alternative

The New York Times recently published a very interesting article that discussed the potential cost-saving benefits of utilizing office business centre services during difficult economic times. According to this article...

“Industry officials and observers say business centers — which vary widely in terms of furnishings, services provided and rents charged — are ideal for displaced or downsized businesses or start-up companies seeking space without long-term leases.”

Kathy Donohue, President of PowerSpace and Services echoes this sentiment, claiming that renting an executive suite from an office business center is a “very, very easy way to do business if you need only one or two offices…You don’t have to lay out capital; the infrastructure is set up; you can lock the door and not worry.”

Cynthia Rostie, President of The Rostie Group, and Chair of OBCA-CAN (Office Business Centre Association Canada) agrees that office business centres serve as an excellent option for money conscious businesses,

"With all the negative economic news as of late; I have noticed a signifigant increase in the number of small-to-medium sized businesses seriously considering the cost-saving benefits 0f making the transition to a fully-serviced office business centre. Leasing your own office space and hiring support staff is often a needless strain on company resources, especially when you consider the comparative value and simplicity of an office business centre alternative."

To read the complete New York Times article, visit the link below.

For Tight Times, Office Space on Flexible Terms (New York Times Article)

Betting On Telepresence

Forbes just published a great article on Telepresence videoconferencing technology; a state-of-the-art advancement in global business communication. Telepresence creates an almost flawless simulation of a traditional face-to-face business meeting, allowing you to interact virtually with associates and clients, while still maintaining a very “lifelike” meeting atmosphere. The Rostie Group looks foward to offering this amazing technology in the very near future.

Betting On Telepresence (Forbes.com Article)

Funny Cisco Telepresence Commercial

Recession Survival Tips for Small Business

The Rostie Group has always been committed to offering business support solutions that help save our clients both time and money. With all the negative economic news as of late, it is becoming increasingly important for businesses of all shapes sizes to begin developing "recession-proofing" strategies that will help better prepare them for the economic uncertainty which lays ahead.

Surviving a recession doesn’t necessarily require layoffs or salary cuts; even the smallest organizational change can have a very significant impact on your company’s bottom-line. Planning a big meeting? Try booking it at a business centre where an event planner comes at no extra charge. Videoconferences are another great way to save your company money. By holding a virtual meeting which utilizes videoconference technology, you can get all your international contacts into one room, without having to purchase a single plane ticket. And best of all, videoconferencing is also a great way to be eco-friendly!

If your currently leasing office space but finding it too costly for your current needs, try researching the products and services offered by executive business centres, like The Rostie Group. Often you can get fully-serviced premium furnished office space at a prestigious address, for a fraction of what you are currently paying in rent alone. By doing a little research and implementing creative solutions, you will be surprised to discover how much further you will be able to stretch your company dollar during these difficult times.

Below are links to some recommended articles which discuss “recession-proofing” strategies for small businesses. You will definitely want to add some of these tips and tricks into your Recession survival "arsenal".

Starting Up in a Down Economy (Inc.)

Protect Your Business Against Recession (Dunville Chronicle)

And Now for the Good News: Ten Bright Spots to Savor Amid the Economic Gloom (CFO Magazine)

Five Ways to Save Money (Layoffs Not Included)

Five Ways to Recession-Proof your Business (Scripps News)

Memories of 2008!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

2008 was an awesome year for the Rostie Group, and we'd like to send out a big "virtual hug" for all of you folks who helped make it so special. With the excitement of 2009 well underway, we thought you might want to take a visual trip down memory lane by checking out photos of some of last year's most unforgettable Rostie Group events. Click on the links below to see pictures from each event.

OBCA CAN Inaugural Meeting
Island Patio Party
Freaky Friday Halloween Party
Downtown Christmas Party
Airport Christmas Party
WaterPark Place Candy Cane Giveaway