Carr Workplaces

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Case Studies

Carr Workplaces has a long-standing history of providing companies in the Washington DC area with reliable services. If you are interested in setting up private offices, virtual offices, meeting rooms, or administrative support services like any of the scenarios below, please Submit a Request Online, and we will be happy to work with you to set up an office enviroment that meets your specific business needs.


Case Study

Ongoing Renovations Temporarily Displace Attorney

Problem

Mattingly, Stanger, Malur & Brundidge, P.C. is a law firm with offices located on the 3rd floor of 1800 Diagonal Road (King Street Station). In March of 2005 they were faced with two events that would displace one of their key attorneys and eliminate their conference room space. First, for a period of six months they would have outside clients who required office space within their suite. Second, they were undergoing a renovation to their existing space. They quickly needed to find office space for the displaced attorney and additional conference rooms for their frequent client meetings.

Solution

Carr Workplaces set up a private office for the displaced attorney and worked directly with their IT department to network his computer to their system. Additionally, we provided the entire firm access to our meeting rooms under their service agreement for the private office. During the design phase of their renovation, they took into account the ability to use the Carr Workplaces' meeting rooms when determining how much conference room space to build-out. Although the attorney was able to return to his permanent office suite in October, the law firm continues to use our meeting rooms and boardrooms for their client meetings.

Ongoing Relationship

We continue to have a strong relationship with Mattingly, Stanger, Malur & Brundidge. In addition to using our conference rooms, they also take advantage of our printer/ photocopier and administrative support services. Most recently, we turned to the law firm for assistance in registering service marks for the new Carr Workplaces name, logo and tag line.

Case Study

Appropriate Setting Needed for Lengthy Interview Process

Problem

CAFAmerica is a member of the CAF International Network which provides financial services to charities and their supporters. Their offices are on the first floor of 1800 Diagonal Road (King Street Station). Throughout the course 2004 they were looking for suitable meeting rooms to conduct interviews for open positions within CAFAmerica. Their interview process is lengthy and involves many of their board members viewing presentations delivered by the candidates. Their first floor office space did not provide an appropriate environment for these types of interviews. In the past they had used hotel space; however, they felt that this setting was awkward.

Solution

Carr Workplaces provided CAFAmerica with a conference room and boardroom just off the reception area of the King Street Station center that they could use for the interview process. Board members were able to easily move from meeting room to meeting room to view the candidates' presentations. CAFAmerica has conducted three of these interview sessions throughout the year.

Ongoing Relationship

CAFAmerica is a frequent user of our high-speed color printer and copier and maintains an account with Carr Workplaces for such support services. Most recently they have used our new binding service for the many presentation materials that they produce.

Case Study

A Company's Rapid Growth Displaces Key Executives

Problem

Tate, Inc. is a fast growing training, education and engineering company that recently decided to move their executive offices to Alexandria, VA., keeping the core of their operations in their Greenbelt, MD complex. Due to their rapid growth, many of the executives were displaced during the time in which they searched for office space.

Solution

The Tate, Inc. broker (an Alexandria native), suggested that Tate, Inc. set-up temporary offices at Carr Workplaces while they searched for new executive office space. They have identified space on the 5th floor of the King Street Station center and are under lease negotiations at this time.

Ongoing Relationship

Because Tate conducts training for the Department of Defense, they have asked Carr Workplaces for proposals to use the training facility within the King Street Station center as an extension of their Alexandria office.

Case Study

Large Conference Room Space Required for Frequent Planning Meetings

Problem

NASDSE holds frequent planning meetings for different divisions within the organization, but their conference room space is limited and often does not accommodate the size of the meeting. During recent renovations of their office space, NASDSE was without their fax and photocopier for an extended period of time.

Solution

Since September 2005, NASDSE has chosen Carr Workplaces' meeting room services for four of their regional planning meetings. During their renovations, Carr Workplaces quickly set up business center accounts for them and they were able to forward their fax line to ours.

Ongoing Relationship

NASDSE continues to hold their planning meeting at Carr Workplaces and maintains a business center account.

Case Study

Coping with Construction Delays: An Interim Solution for Embassy Suites

Problem

Faced with construction delays on the newest Embassy Suites opening in Washington, DC, the newly-created management staff of the hotel was homeless. Their temporary offices located in the Alexandria, VA hotel were no longer available. The staff needed meeting rooms to conduct interviews and meet with vendors, construction personnel, and corporate officers. Since there was no phone service at the new hotel, they also needed a way to route calls to management staff and to the main reservation line.

Solution

Carr Workplaces was able to set up an executive suite for the management staff within days of being approached by the Assistant General Manager. The phone system was put in place and their newly-published 202 phone number was routed to Carr Workplaces. During the 2½ months that Embassy Suites maintained their offices here, our receptionists handled over 4,000 inbound calls. Our receptionists were scripted with information on anticipated opening dates, contact information, directions and reservation information. In support of their interview process, Carr Workplaces provided the management staff with over 90 hours of meeting room time. As the hotel hired department management staff, additional private offices and phone lines were added for nine employees. In support of the hotel's human resources department, Carr Workplaces' administrative support staff provided over 40 hours of word processing and data entry support.

Case Study

Managing the Real Estate and Administrative Needs of a Rapidly Growing Business

Problem

The Winvale Group is a Washington, DC based professional services firm specializing in government contracts and the General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules Program. When the founding partners formed The Winvale Group they knew that they needed to obtain a more professional business address and phone answering service close to the Federal Government in order to lend credibility to their company. They were also looking for a solution that would provide them with flexibility and support as their business and employee base grew.

Solution

Carr Workplaces provided The Winvale Group with our Virtual Office service in the Willard Building which gave them a prestigious Pennsylvania Avenue mailing address and a live receptionist to handle their incoming calls. After a few months, their business had reached a point that warranted a Full Office Program with Carr Workplaces for their team. As their company grew, they moved to our larger 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue Center which could more readily accommodate their rapid growth. They stayed for 1 year until their team grew to 10 employees, at which point the Winvale Group moved to their own office space on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Ongoing Relationship

We continue to periodically work with The Winvale Group. Their new office space accommodates their needs on a day-to-day basis; however, they know that Carr Workplaces is always ready to lend a hand with additional conference rooms, administrative support services or any other issue that may unexpectedly arise. The Winvale Group attributes a portion of their success to Carr Workplaces. We provided them with an economical temporary office solution that gave them flexibility they needed to grow.

Case Study

Boutique Consulting Firm needs Administrative Support

Problem

The Wynhurst Group, LLC is a boutique consulting firm that specializes in HR strategy consulting and employee development programs. They had recently landed a large contract and needed to develop a leadership development training for mid-level managers within 90 days. The four components of the training included a facilitator guide, participant guide, learning journal and PowerPoint slides. They were looking for virtual administrative support to assist with this project.

Solution

Carr Workplaces provided administrative and other support services to complete the project. Due to the size and scope of the job, we offered them project based vs. hourly pricing. We typed a 300-page facilitator guide, a 200-page participant guide and a journal. We created a 98-page PowerPoint Slide Presentation. In addition, we provided the Wynhurst Group with the use of our conference room facilities in order to collaborate throughout the course of the project. During the course of the project we provided them with the necessary draft copies (black/white & color) and orchestrated courier services to have them distributed to the 5 person team who was designing the training program. In the end, we provided all of the ancillary support services necessary to bring this project to a successful close. The Wynhurst Group was very happy with the final product, our professionalism and the price for the support services.

Ongoing Relationship

The Wynhurst Group called upon Carr Workplaces' administrative support services one year later to complete a similar project. Once again, we handled the typing of the document and orchestrated the distribution of the final product.

Case Study

Effectively Blending Work and Family life for one SOHO proves Challenging

Problem

Jamie Magee, Managing Director of a 12 person IT services firm, thought that working from a home office was a convenient way to blend family and work life. But shortly after two toddlers entered the picture, it became apparent that this arrangement did not allow him to succeed at either work or family. While household distractions reduced his professional productivity during the day, he ended up missing out on quality time with his family in the evenings as he struggled to catch up on his unfinished work. Even if he was able to overcome the distractions, it was difficult to explain to his young children that he could not be their dad all the time despite the fact that he was in the house.

Solution

Moving into a full time office at Carr Workplaces Tysons Corner effectively segregated his work and family life, putting both back on track. He immediately became more productive at work and happier at home.

Ongoing Relationship

In addition to experiencing increased productivity at work and more quality time with his family, our client also realized several additional benefits once he began working out of Carr Workplaces suites:

  • Image projection - Customers who Google his company address no longer find a mail box center in a strip mall; they now see that his business operates out of a Class A office building. Conference rooms and other amenities are available, which gives him the opportunity to grow his business with local customers. This cannot be achieved as effectively from a home office.

  • Human Connection with Prospects and Customers - You don't realize the customers you're missing until you have a human answering the phone on the first or second ring... every time. My main number calls used to roll to my home office voicemail when I didn't pick up. There is a significant portion of new prospects who don't leave a message, but will instead move on to do business elsewhere. And, instead of all calls going through me, the Carr Workplaces receptionist can route incoming calls to any of our professionals anywhere in the country according to our instructions, automating the flow of support vs. sales vs. my direct calls.

  • I'm now surrounded by other busy entrepreneurs and start-ups, in a professional work environment, which keeps me focused on my tasks.

  • Availability of onsite administrative staff on an as-needed basis allows me to grow my business more sensibly by freeing me up to focus on my strategic projects without having to commit to a full time assistant.

Case Study

Rapidly Expanding Company Seeks Room for Growth and Recognition Within the Marketplace

Problem

Envision Technical Services provides support and design for Information Technology to companies within the federal and commercial sector, with most employees working at client sites. The company was originally home based, working out of a condominium for several years. When employee numbers tripled in a very short period of time, Envision needed to hire more office based administrative support staff and grew from one employee to five within six months. The home office became overcrowded and hindered work productivity, especially with the arrival of a new baby, and meetings being conducted around a dining room table. Envision started to look for a work environment which would accommodate its expanding employee base, increase work productivity and project a more professional image to its clientele.

Solution

After looking at numerous serviced offices, Envision decided to move into Carr Workplaces in Tysons Corner. Carr Workplaces' IT solution providing secure VLANS to each company was an important factor. Use of our conference rooms enable Envision to meet with clients in an environment more conducive to a successful, dynamic company, projecting a professional image. Carr Workplaces' telephone answering service and front desk support also enables Envision employees to concentrate on their core business.

Ongoing Relationship

Carr Workplaces and Envision continue to have a great working relationship. Carr Workplaces helped to organize their "Grand Opening" party held at their offices, which gained Envision increased respect within their industry. Envision was also recently successful in securing a substantial amount of first round funding. Joseph Rexrode, CEO, felt that moving out of the home office and into Carr Workplaces was a contributing factor in acquiring the funding, as their bank recognized that they really meant business and were looking at a long term future and expansion goals.

Case Study

Washington DC Floods displace a startup home-based business

Problem

Geoff Livingston launched Livingston Communications, a marketing and public relations firm, in April 2006. Since his home is accessible to Metro's Huntington Station just two short stops from Carr Workplaces' King Street Center, Geoff knew right away that King Street would be the best choice for his business.

Geoff's company was in its infancy, so he started with a Virtual Program that provided a business address and mail forwarding service. Like many entrepreneurs, he anticipated that several months and several clients later he would be in a position to upgrade his Membership with us.

Fast forward to June 2006 when the DC metropolitan area experienced unprecedented rains and flooding that were particularly merciless in Geoff's neighborhood. Geoff and his wife were evacuated by police at 2 a.m. on the Monday morning in late June when the flooding occurred. With circumstances forcing his hand sooner than he would have liked given the early stage of his company, Geoff emailed the Carr Workplaces' Team at 4 a.m. that same day requesting assistance with a full-time office program at King Street Station.

Solution

After being permitted by police to enter his temporarily-condemned home (and home office), Geoff was able to grab several items vital to the running of his business and arrived at Carr Workplaces' King Street Station 12 short hours after he and his wife were forced to evacuate.

We were able to provide Geoff with a phone number, internet connection, and a private office with which to run his displaced business. He quickly settled into our Old Town Center and was able to continue to keep his business "afloat" in the coming weeks despite the chaos caused by area flooding and subsequent evacuations.

Carr Workplaces' also extended an offer of assistance to area business through the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. In addition to Livingston Communications, we were fortunate to be in a position to help out other companies displaced by the natural disaster by offering the use of our office space for a limited period of time.

Ongoing Relationship

Geoff was back in his home approximately three weeks after he was forced to evacuate. He remained in our offices for a total of six weeks. Since Geoff has returned home, he has subsequently upgraded his virtual program to include 16 hours per month of meeting room and private office use to accommodate the needs of his growing public relations firm.

Case Study

Technology Consulting Firm Needs Assistance with New Business Prospecting and Administrative Support

Problem

LanTech, Inc. is a company that specializes in IT/Telecom Security. LanTech, Inc. came to Carr Workplaces in May 2006 with an Executive Virtual membership. As business grew, LanTech needed assistance with both office space as well as manpower to improve operations of their growing IT Security business. Specifically, LanTech needed online research conducted to determine new business opportunities and to locate industry articles for purposes of business development.

Solution

LanTech, Inc. and Deepak Pal, Vice President, can now accommodate their clientele at Carr Workplaces' prestigious Tysons Corner, VA office. Carr Workplaces provided them with office space and support services to support their growing team.

LanTech has sought the administrative assistance of the staff at Carr Workplaces for organizing their contact information, sending out holiday cards, and conducting market research on a month-to-month basis. Carr Workplaces' support staff has also prospected for new business opportunities for LanTech. This has allowed LanTech to focus on the more imperative tasks associated with running a high-paced technology consulting firm.

Ongoing Relationship

LanTech, Inc. continues to use Carr Workplaces as their Virginia branch and they still use Carr Workplaces staff on an "as needed" basis for any market research or other administrative work they require.

Case Study

Transportation Consulting Firm Requires Support with Administrative, Marketing and Customer Service Functions

Problem

Strategic Transportation Initiatives (STI) is a transportation consulting firm and has been a client of Carr Workplaces @ King Street Station since the Center opened in 2004. STI is a planning/management/research/marketing consulting firm and provides its services to its client base on transportation, land use and air quality projects through the development of traffic/transportation mitigation planning, also known as transportation demand management (TDM).

STI has its core staff at King Street Station and contracts with various consulting firms on projects across the country and in Europe. The firm often requires additional assistance to manage the administrative requirements of its projects. Most recently, STI has needed administrative assistance for the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project's Bridge Bucks program.

The Bridge Bucks program provides $50 a month in Metro fare media, including bus, rail, and vanpooling incentives to qualified applicants to use public transportation in an effort to alleviate commuter traffic approaching the Woodrow Wilson Bridge on I-495. In order to efficiently administer the program, STI needed assistance to complete a handful of administration functions.

Solution

Between March 2005 and December 2006, Carr Workplaces assisted STI with aspects of this program, such as:

  • Entering and updating the information of over 3000 applicants into a Microsoft Access database, as needed.
  • Making approximately 180 congratulatory phone calls each month to qualified applicants explaining the program, including: their benefits, the value of their fare media, receiving fare media via certified mail, activating their SmarTrip card, receiving renewal notifications, and, renewing by participating in the online survey. Carr Workplaces staff also verified the applicant's home and work addresses and travel route to and from work.
  • Assembled a variety of mailings, as needed, including: renewal post cards, final letters, initial fare media and instructions, and renewal fare media.

Ongoing Relationship

Although STI's Woodrow Wilson Bridge project's Bridge Bucks program has ended, Carr Workplaces continues to assist STI on various administrative projects on an ad hoc basis, such as filing documents, fulfilling their packaging/shipping needs, and inputting transportation survey results to a web based application.

Cynthia Fondriest Capelli, owner and President of STI states: "Leasing space from POC alleviates what I call business headaches. I don't need to address administrative concerns that really take away from the business of doing business. POC is there to provide daily services that would normally drive up our overhead, such as reception and the answering of our company's telephones. Additionally, they fill in the gap on projects and we don't need to hire, short-term, part-time employees."

Nobody can prevent you from choosing to be exceptional. Mark Sanborn