SmallOffice.com Works to Streamline Operation
SmallOffice.com is co-sponsoring an Internet contest that will award a $10,000 make-over to the ugliest office. The Malibu-based “dot-com” may be on its way to becoming one of the emptiest offices, having laid off 16 of its 67 employees recently. Five others have quit, whittling its work force to 46.
A spokesman said the company, which operates an e-commerce site for small businesses, is seeking additional financing, and did not rule out a sale.
“This is not an unusual situation for a dot-com,” the spokesman said. “We’re tightening our belts and trying to streamline operations with an aim to become profitable.”
Financed by Freedom Communications and former magazine publisher William J. Curtis, SmallOffice.com is known for its generous employee perks. In October, the entire work force of 40 employees was treated to a vacation in Maui as a reward for helping to launch the company. The dot-com also sponsors weekly stress-busting events at its Malibu campus, such as free massages or ice cream socials.
Despite the layoffs of editorial, business development and marketing personnel, it is business as usual at SmallOffice.com, the spokesman said. The company is developing a fourth, easier-to-use version of its Web site. And it has plans to hire five programmers.
