Cafes as Satellite Offices

 With cafés & baristas mushrooming everywhere, frequently one sees young entrepreneurs, freelancers and corporate executives using them as satellite offices as they sit there checking emails and conducting business meetings. While rules may sound too formal for an informal place like this, these do’s and don’ts will prove to be helpful:

·      Do buy something every hour as it’s unfair to assume that the efficient air-conditioning, good housekeeping and the invigorating aroma of coffee being brewed are for free! During the lunch hour, buy a sandwich/ light snack.

·      Do keep your bags on the floor, even if the café is empty - leave the extra chairs for future paying customers.

·      Do keep your mobile and laptop on the silent mode. Take long calls outside the café and scheduling video chats while you sit in a busy cafe can impact the decibels levels inside.     

·      Do show consideration by leaving the plug points free for the other patrons- charging your phone on one and your laptop on the other will earn you the label of a “freeloader”.

·      Don’t treat the wait staff as your executive assistants by asking them to keep an eye on your belongings while you get busy on your mobile, cracking deals outside the café!

·      Don’t hold business meetings for groups larger than 3-4 persons and ensure that you buy adequate drinks /food items to compensate for using this place as an informal business centre.