The House of Reconnection

An effective virtual office design reflects the story of the business. It's important to understand that the business' story is shaped, in large part, by the essence that the founder brings.?

This virtual office is no different.?

The business is 'business en motion' (pronounced as “in motion”). Here, owner Debbie Nicol and her team help businesses and leaders to move ahead through change.

When describing Debbie, the word “effervescent” comes to mind. She's tenacious, doesn't shy away from a challenge and finds her energy in the great outdoors. She's an adventurer at heart, and approaches business in the same way.

That's why she’s part of Your Global Village . This is a community of business owners ensuring they remain current and gain the edge with AI and New Tech implementations. She views these new technologies as an adventure and something to explore as the next step in her business evolution. ?

? Nature.

? Movement.

? Adventure.

That’s the energy that Debbie brings to Business en Motion. And that's what you'll find in the virtual office interior design concepts as well.?

Here in the village, we don’t actually refer to these spaces as “virtual offices”. ?

Since each member of the community gets to occupy his/her own “shop” in a virtual village that was inspired by a medieval walled city, it’s more fitting to call these "Merchant Houses". It’s a nod to the entrepreneurial spirit that shapes economies, but also underscores the significance of each business.

If you were to step through the front door of Debbie's Merchant House, this is what'll await you:

This reception area tells you just about everything you need to know about Debbie and her approach to change management, leadership development and team cohesion.

?? Debbie is passionate about the great outdoors and she often uses nature as an analogy in how she explains things in business. We did the same here.

Her clients all face large obstacles that they have to navigate through, like the towering rocks of Al Oula in Saudi Arabia. These towering rocks are represented by the two rows of tall dividers on each side as you step into this space.?

?? Debbie is based in Dubai, which is the reason for the dividers being in the style you'll find in Islamic architecture.?

?? The name of her company, Business en Motion, suggests movement. Change is the result of movement, as depicted by the staircase that moves you from one level to the next and gives you a different perspective.

?? As Debbie explains, she started her business because she experienced so much disconnection in business: leaders being disconnected from themselves, from the board, from their team, from the community, from everything. With her work, she reconnects people and entities, restoring cohesion and connection within the business.?

In her view, there is a red thread that keeps it all together. Through her work she systematically connects the key components of “be”, “do” and “measure” in business with an imaginary red thread.?

That's the story that the staircase tells with its red thread design, emphasizing that forward and upward motion is only possible if you've got a red thread weaving the core elements together.

If you were to step forward and look back, this is what you'll see.

Here you get a better sense of the dividers that represent the rock faces of Al Oula. With her love of the desert, we also brought in date palms that you'll find at a desert oasis.

To the left side is a meeting space.

This is her work space/board room where she can facilitate more structured conversations.

Again, nature is important to Debbie and the table links conversations back to the idea of a thread (notice the intricate leg detail) that pulls together the core elements to create a solid foundation on which to build.

Coming from the left and returning to our entrance, you'll see two tables displaying the 5 ways in which one can work with her.

But you can also see an element that only becomes clear as you step closer to her product suite: a pond, which speaks to Debbie's view that she works on two levels simultaneously.

Like water,

1??there is the surface level where she aims for real business results,? whilst also working

2?? below the surface to facilitating the underlying shifts needed for change.?

This water feature lies below the staircase, indicating the importance of this dual approach to moving upwards.

Also notice the side tables. These represent peaks that can be reached when working with Debbie. She also likes to climb mountains, physically and metaphorically. Hence the choice of these tables.

A note on why her logo is only visible here instead of being displayed on the wall.?

It's part of Debbie's strategy. As she explains, her engagements start with a lot of listening to understand the client, their needs and their frame of mind. By keeping her logo discreet, she allows clients to read THEIR story in the setting instead of perceiving it as stepping into a prescribed framework.

Let's move to the right side of this space now.

On the other side of our rock face dividers, you'll find a set of 6 seats that Debbie can use for client conversations. Why 6 seats??

Debbie lists 6 core competencies that are solid reasons why clients should work with her and her team. Each chair represents one reason. (It could make for an interesting conversation to link the chair chosen by the client to the reason to work with her and having that as a conversation starter.)

Now, let's turn to the right.

Here we have a beautiful broad staircase inviting us to go and explore the adventure that lies above. The staircase takes you from the water below to the night sky above, as depicted by the domed ceiling and a mass of recessed lights.

Debbie is known for her innovative workshops and her ability to engage the audience. This design represents that ability and her adventurous spirit, reframing change as an adventure to be explored, rather than a challenge to work through.

At the top of the staircase, this is the view giving one the sense of almost being able to touch the sky.

Debbie thrives on heights and new vistas. This entire mezzanine level is designed with glass to give one the ability to take in what lies below and get a new perspective. From up here one gets a better appreciation of the bigger picture, which is key to effective leadership.

As you reach the landing, you're invited to take a seat. It's designed as circular seating to promote free thinking and open conversation. Taking a break here after climbing the stairs is a cue for conversations about milestones and the importance of celebrating progress.

Adventure usually calls for bravery of some description, and the same applies to leadership and business settings requiring change. ?

As you can see, it could be a bit unsettling to walk from where we are now to the carpeted seating area because you're walking on the glass floor with no apparent support. That requires a bit of bravery. But that adds intensity to the conversation about change and uncertainty and not being sure about your footing but regardless, still moving ahead - another key element of leadership to consider.

The best outdoor adventures are the ones that involve a hanging bridge. It adds to the thrill as you make your way across a ravine, offering spectacular views from above. That is what we simulated with the bridge.?

Again, it requires a bit of bravery and faith to walk over the glass bridge to the other side.

Midway through the bridge is another space to sit down to pause and reflect.?

It could be a good place to have conversations about the challenges below, the risks involved in the current strategies and what it will take to reach the outcomes.?

Perspective makes a difference when it comes to leadership.

This is what you'll see as you look down. It gives you an entirely new understanding of what lies below.

And then, as you make your way across the bridge to the other side, you reach another space.

This is your destination.

It’s a seating area that's linked to a glass board where Debbie, the client and his/her team can brainstorm on the opportunities that lie ahead - provided one can successfully manage the challenge.?

It’s the reward for taking on the adventure. You get to see new vistas not seen by many before and get the ability to reach for the stars. That's a very different conversation from before AND one that makes the bridge-walking-knee-trembling-experience worthwhile.

This gives you a view of the entire mezzanine adventure. There is?

??a place to talk about milestones and progress,?

??a place to talk about risks and challenges, and finally,?

??a place to talk about the reward of new opportunities.?

All of these are part of change and leadership and, as in business, each space requires a different mindset. From up here you can get a full appreciation of the entire journey.?

As we make our way back across the hanging bridge and downstairs, there is one more point to reflect on.

The value that Debbie adds is immense and clearly rooted in deep insights gathered over many years. As she sits down with her clients to hear about their challenges, she’ll point to the mountain view above: the message being that new heights await when you work with her.

That is her 3D branded story. It’s a key part of her evolving brand identity to serve an emerging market that places a premium on experiences. It’s also the first step in the design of an immersive customer journey that adds exceptional depth to client experiences. Business en Motion is paving the way forward.

CLIENT: Debbie Nicol of 'business en motion'

DESIGNER: Dr Annelize Booysen of Your Global Village

3d ARCHITECT: Dasindu Alwis

Intrigued? Let’s have a call about a possible design for your virtual space and how it can reposition you in the market.