Which is the most important office for a business? The head office or the branch?

The head office is usually filled to the brim with the senior managers, doing important day to day activities to ensure the growth of the business. Branches, on the other hand, are seen as satellite offices, orbiting the mothership to get the best and brightest talent too far from HQ to make a commute desirable.

Sadly, some companies turn to their gardener when going gets tough. Out comes the chainsaw and off come the branches in an effort to shave costs. But is landscaping the last thing they should be doing?

Localised expertise

Let’s say you have a head office in Manchester, the New York of the north. Now, let’s say you have a client in Scotland. Just how wide is the distance? Not necessarily geographically, but culturally.

Okay, maybe that’s cheating, after all, they are different countries. Let’s go for something a bit more local. How about Manchester to London?

We hear constantly about the north / south divide but never is it more evident than in conversation between the two. Words, phrases, humour, even cultural references. They all play their part in developing relationships and a simple misunderstanding can have a lasting effect.

Home away from home

Branches literally reach out from the head office, before blooming in their desired location. Offering local expertise where it matters and allowing for centres of excellence for clients to receive a personalised service. But, how often do you visit your local branch?

Is there an open invitation from your travel management company for a coffee and a catch up? If not, why not? At Clarity, our branches are an extension of our business, offering a space for you to come and meet the team while experiencing our culture, first hand.

To us, branches are an invaluable part of our business, allowing us to service our clients in a way that suits them. With 15 locations across the UK, Ireland, and Europe, we strive to be where you are, doing business the way you want, with a hands on understanding of your cultural and geographical pain points. 

So, the next time you plan on doing some landscaping, remember the beauty of a good branch over a barren view.