Some recent events made us think seriously about relocating our headquarters. Six years ago, starting a business within the European Union in one of the economically rising and most promising countries seemed like a great idea. During the last few years however EU suffered from numerous issues and lost all its credibility in our eyes: economical instability, growing unemployment, critical economical situation in Greece, Spain, now Cyprus, probably with other countries next on the list.
The Great Recession that started in 2007 had both economical and social impact. Despite the promising 2013 US employment statistics, we might see the recession in some EU countries for a few more years. We are afraid that EU is entering a very difficult period and will suffer from another, much deeper recession dip.
We are seriously thinking about relocating to another country. We have studied numerous "Best Places to Live" lists and found them highly biased. After long debates we constructed a list of requirements:
#1 Economically stable
A few years back Cyprus was one of our favorites. Not any more. Given the economical downturn we would be looking outside of European Union.
#2 No winter
This is a picture I have taken this very morning. April. It is Spring and Eastern already, but it is still snowing damn it!
#3 Stable, but independent legal system
Do you know how much time we spend reading all DMCA takedown requests? In a perfect independent system we could just drop them to Trash like the PirateBay does ;-)
No, just kidding. But seriously, have you heard about EU cookie regulations, ACTA or software patents issues? It is not only ridiculous, but frightening as well.
#4 Low and fair taxes
This is obvious. But at the same time "tax heaven" countries like Bahama, Cyprus, Monaco do not satisfy condition #1.
#5 Geographical location
New headquarters should be conveniently located and allow us to reach "rest of the world" in reasonable time. Right now we need 18 hours to reach east coast of USA, which is far too much.
#6 Politically stable
There is no way we would look into China or Middle East countries. Obviously the risk of being involved in a military conflict should be literally zero.
#7 Broadband internet
This is a must. We are spoiled with our multi-GB uplink and anything lower than that would be a serious drawback. This rules out lonely islands on Pacific Ocean with a satellite uplink only :-(
Based on the conditions we have a few solid candidates, listed in random order:
Hawaii
One of the "best places to live" in USA. Economy on the rise again, no winter. Quite far away from the mainland, but come on. No winter!
Norway
Although it is a cold country, it is outside of EU, has its own enormous oil and gas resources which makes the economy extremely stable. Great social care. Unfortunately… Norsk språk er komplekst. And stay away from Surströmming.
Somewhere in California
USA east coast might be great for similar reasons as Hawaii.
Switzerland or Luxembourg
Although located in the center of EU, they are independent and stable as hell.
Spitsbergen
It might be cold out there, but we would have a lot of time to work on Wikidot. Did you know they have only a few sunny days a year? That's when everyone takes time off work, go out and take the photos.
New Zealand
Why haven't we thought about it earlier? Edoras, River Anduin, Fangorn Forest, Gardens of Isengard…
?
The discussion is still open and we would really like to hear your opinion! Are there any places you would recommend and why? Maybe you live in a country we could move to?
AUSTRALIAAAAAAAA :D We'll be getting the National Broadband Network soon — offering 100Mbps symmetrical for businesses :D
on a side note, happy april first :)
Kenneth Tsang (@jxeeno)
Come to Ukraine. It is so good this months of the year!
Welcome! ))
I'm with Kenneth. If you ever Really decide to move come to Australia!!
Wayne Eddy
Melbourne, Australia
LGAM Knowledge Base
Contact via Google+
The next 2 candidates than I did not mention on the list were indeed Australia and Canada! Thanks!
Michał Frąckowiak @ Wikidot Inc.
Visit my blog at michalf.me
We would love it if you joined us here in Australia (especially Melbourne) and would support you in any way we can (including potential private equity investment support - if your interested). However, in the interests of what is best for Wikidot, you may want to reconsider Australia if The Liberal Party get into power with Tony Abbot as leader at the next Australian election (later this year). He threatens to dismantle the NBN and bring in other draconian policies that will plunge Australia backwards by 60 years with his extreme idiotic dumbed down conservatism. If Prime Minister Gillard and her Labor party stay in power or if the Liberals change their leader to someone like Malcolm Turnbull (whose more reasonable a man than Abbot) then the benefits of Wikidot coming to Australia that Kenneth and Wayne talked of (above) is probably assured. Please contact me privately Michal if you would like us to do any business ground work for you in regards to the Australian option for Wikidot.
Regards
Simon Rashleigh @ Ye OIde
Ye Olde - Creator and Chief Admin of www.music-industrapedia.com (Global Music Industry Directory & Encyclopedia) hosted on Wikidot.
Just realized that this was an April Fools joke! Ha Ha, You got me there!
But even so, my comments above still stand if relocation ever does become a real issue for Wikidot.
Best Regards
Simon @ Ye Olde
Ye Olde - Creator and Chief Admin of www.music-industrapedia.com (Global Music Industry Directory & Encyclopedia) hosted on Wikidot.
I heard Australia is very expensive country, but then, if you have money, then this wouldn't be a big problem for you.
I just want to say you're right in your decision to run away from EU. If I could, I would do the same, without thinking twice. I'm not much of a help in taking the decision to WHERE, but all I can say it is extremely correct and wise decision.
If I were you, I would go to Hawaii or Switzerland. The winner would be the one whose taxes are lower. I don't think that you would be having any problems in connection to the outer world in Hawaii, it is a top ten touristic place, so it has to have a very good trafic connections to all the important parts of the world… And THERE'S NO SNOW. :D
If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegan. - Paul McCartney
:))
Rob Elliott - Strathpeffer, Scotland - Wikidot first line support & community admin team.
It is strange for me to hear such thinking!
The future lies either in China or Western/Middle Europe (not in the south).
The problems of the southern EU-states are "housemade" by themselves and not by EU.
If you want to earn real money AND to live in a good place than come to Germany, Austria or Poland - it has the greatest curve ot growing in the EU ( i believe).
I am really womdering about such plans.
The only point I found to discuss was #3 - ACTA and the other EU-wide considerations ar not making me lucky.
I wish you to be patient and to recall all the goddies you have at yur home!
Service is my success. My webtips:www.blender.org (Open source), Wikidot-Handbook.
Sie können fragen und mitwirken in der deutschsprachigen » User-Gemeinschaft für WikidotNutzer oder
im deutschen » Wikidot Handbuch ?
This is true. But because of the common monetary system and closely bound economy model these southern countries affect the whole EU. And there is no simple way out of EU.
Michał Frąckowiak @ Wikidot Inc.
Visit my blog at michalf.me
I am sorry, but I am very sensible sensitive to such comments, because I live in one of these EU southern countries and I see direct results of such "guilt".
Yes, you're right, as far as Spain is concerned (I wouldn't know about other countries), the corrupted politicians and bankers who've stolen millions of euros are one of main reasons for what's happening now, but what do you suggest? Let southern EU countries people DIE because of their corrupt politicians and bankers? Do you know that EACH DAY in Spain more than 500 families are thrown to the street by banks? A lot of you have children, imagine them in the street because you were sacked from your work or your business went down because of the crisis which you didn't provoke, and you simply cannot continue paying your morgage or rent? That the bank becomes not only the owner of your house and business, but of your own life and life of your whole family? Each day there are people, simple, hard-working people who find the only solution to their situation in suicide. Do you think it's fair?
The thing is, those who are guilty for this situation do not suffer the consequences, they still have their benefits, their yearly incomes counted in millions of euros, and the only who suffer the crisis are common hard-working people.
As far as I am concerned, all the banks and bankers, together with all corrupt politicians (as if there are honest ones!!!) should go to hell. EU was a nice idea destroyed by greedy minds who simply forgot they are humans, too.
EDIT:Thanks, Rob!
If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegan. - Paul McCartney
Brunhilda, you are right. I did not want to offend anyone, nor at any point say that anyone except for people really responsible for the situation should be judged guilty. But what happens is not fair.
Anyone might be tempted to say that some things appear only black or white, but you are right there are fates of millions of people hidden behind every economical generalisation or decision.
We seem to have a similar situation in Poland, so I know what I am talking about. But I guess this would be a topic for a different story :-/
Talking more seriously, I believe things will be all right — it is a matter of time.
Michał Frąckowiak @ Wikidot Inc.
Visit my blog at michalf.me
Thanks, Michal, I didn't mean you or Helmuti offended anyone, but as I said, I am particularly sensible sensitive to these topics, so maybe I overreacted, too, I am sorry.
I just hope from the bottom of my heart you're right, for the sake of all the people who suffer right now.
On the other hand, now I am not sure if this was just April Fool's Day joke, or you're really thinking of leaving Poland? :)
EDIT: Thanks, Rob!
If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegan. - Paul McCartney
It was an April Fool's joke Brunni.
I think you mean sensitive :)
Rob Elliott - Strathpeffer, Scotland - Wikidot first line support & community admin team.
:D Of course… Well, this is what they call "false friend"… (sensible in Spanish). Thanks, Rob! :)
If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegan. - Paul McCartney
Yes, it was a joke :-) But what I have written about the EU really concerns us and in Poland we can see many disturbing signals related to the downturn. Not to mention, several of our friends are affected directly. Almost every month there are less shops in the downtown area and more "spaces to rent". The unemployment rate is still rising. This hopefully does not affect our niche, because the IT sector is sky-rocketing.
A good psychiatrist would ask why this joke and not another one :-)
Michał Frąckowiak @ Wikidot Inc.
Visit my blog at michalf.me
In Spain, when I came here in 2000, the unimployment was 7%. Now it is around 25% (the last I heard, but as I avoid News for some time, maybe it is even more).
I agree. Internet & IT is the future.
I can't agree more… :) As we say in Serbian (and I am sure there's similar saying in all languages): In every joke there's a little bit of truth… :)
If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegan. - Paul McCartney
Really Awesome.
Oha, ! :))
Service is my success. My webtips:www.blender.org (Open source), Wikidot-Handbook.
Sie können fragen und mitwirken in der deutschsprachigen » User-Gemeinschaft für WikidotNutzer oder
im deutschen » Wikidot Handbuch ?
Come on guys: is everybody talking seriously today?!
April Fool! Hahahahaa… You got me, guys, I must admit… :P
If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegan. - Paul McCartney
… and found this a really stupid idea.
Anyway, nice joke!
;-)