OBCAI provides a large number of Programs and Services that deliver value to its Members. Each of these Programs is designed to allow Members to maintain and improve upon their level of knowledge both in the operations of a business center and in the industry at large; to provide optimum networking opportunities; to create the greatest positive impact on the operating profitability of our member company's OBC operations; and to market the value of OBCs - and our member’s specific OBCs – to both the greater real estate industry and the public at large.

Education

Annual Conference: Our annual international conference and trade show brings together industry professionals and outside experts to learn from each other through a wide range of educational programs offered in technology, staff development, sales, marketing and operations management.

Webinars: OBCAI’s Webinar series provide continuing education on a variety of topics including the latest in Marketing, Operations, Sales Generation, and real, practical proven OBC technology that is driving profits in many visionary OBCs.

Certification Program: OBCAI offers a "Certified Center Manager" certification program that ensures continued education and growth of key personnel.

Communication

The Office Wire: OBCAI’s eNews – The Office Wire - provides vital information to members with new and thought-provoking developments and trends relating to the OBC industry.

Industry Blogs: Blogs from vendors, blogs from managers, blogs from owners, and blogs from consultants. It’s all on the OBCAI website and it’s only available to members. The blogs will inevitably introduce you to new business ideas that will help your practice immeasurably.

Member Chat Board: Only members have access to our chat board, allowing easy access to the knowledge of those who know best how to run a successful business center – your OBCAI colleagues! The chat board is a must-have tool to discuss best practices, marketing, industry news and just plain old ‘how do you handle this situation’ stuff.

Networking & Business Growth

Local Member Networks: LMNs are a collaborative group of competitors that share a uniform purpose. Working together, local operators and managers meet occasionally to share ideas, exchange information, collectively market their purchasing power and spread awareness of the executive suite industry.

Advertising Opportunities: Advertising and sponsorship opportunities in our publications such as the The Office Wire and the Annual Conference Session Book as well as all of our LMN events, Webinars and Annual Conference, allow member vendors to easily reach their target audience.

Membership Directory: Members have access to the Association’s online membership Directory

Marketing

OBCAI runs an ongoing national marketing campaign to educate the public about the effectiveness and flexibility of the OBC industry.

The Association also maintains an international office search feature on our Website where business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking for office space by city, state, or zip code can find an OBCAI member location.

Finally, members receive a free press kit with tools including fact sheets, case studies and a Q&A to help promote their OBCs.

Operations

Training: OBCAI-endorsed trainers provide industry-specific and "proven results" sales and operations training for center managers in a variety of cities. Trainers can be brought to your company upon request.

OBC Financial Study: OBCAI’s annual Financial Study of the industry represents the most complete, accurate and up-to-date database of office business centers’ financial and operating data published anywhere. The Financial Study’s data is based on OBCAI’s annual survey representing 575 business centers and contains very valuable comparable and trend data. The survey identifies a group of high profit centers which are the top 25% ranked by profit margins. Members receive a deep discount to obtain the industry data.

Industry Production Standards (IPS) Guide:  OBCAI’s IPS Guide is the industry’s methodology for computing time for document production and non-keyboard administrative services. When applied using your hourly rates, IPS is your center’s most valuable resource in estimating and calculating time and charges for a full range of services. The ROI for this product is off the charts and it is fundamentally, the most important, basic product your centers should have to determine pricing strategy for your non-rent generating revenue.

• IPS concepts are more clear and simpler than ever with step-by-step chapters on IPS Basics and How to use Industry Production Standards
• Source Materials Classification training and implementation made easy by the Scale of 1 to 5, enabling you to make quicker degree-of-difficulty decisions.
• PLUC Charts incorporate handy classification descriptors for quick reference when giving estimates.
• Consensus is gained for Standard Recommended Rate Categories and how to calcululate actual time (beyond the initial production process).
• Marketing IPS to Clients section with sample articles and illustrations included.
• The Guide includes chapters on Publishing, Proofreading and Editing, Scanning, Color Printing, Web Site Design and Development and Videoconferencing.