Often, in relation to an organization, we hear: "headquarters." But how is this to be understood?

Warn immediately: the headquarters are not living quarters; The defining part in this phrase is the first part.

What is headquarters?

It is customary to call headquarters the place wheremost of the main functions of the company, organization, enterprise are concentrated, where, as a rule, its management and top managers are located. Headquarters conducts corporate management and is responsible both for the success of the corporation as a whole, and for individual corporate functions: strategy and planning, communications, financial policy, marketing, legal support and several others.

From war to peace

The definition of "headquarters" "flew" into a peacefullife from military practice. Headquarters (from the German Stab) are called the center, which manages personnel in wartime, and is also responsible for its training and preparation for peace. This concept can apply to different units of the armed forces; it is not only a manager, but also a think tank, a strategic center, the location of which is usually called the headquarters.

Needless to say, the strategy of largebusiness corporations in many respects similar to military ones. Civilians are often faced with the tasks of attack on all fronts, there are problems of protecting their secrets from enemies (competitors), there is a need for a clear interaction with other structures. Apparently, therefore, the typical military term "headquarters" is so well established in a business environment. But this notion is used not only by the business structure: it is even more successful for organizations of state and interstate significance.

Let's get acquainted with the most famous headquarters.

The UN Headquarters

United Nations (abbreviated UN) -this is an international forum created in 1945. The principles of the functioning of the Organization were worked out by representatives of the members of the anti-Hitler coalition, when the thunder of battles was still thundering, and until victory was left more than three years. The goal of the UN is to develop fruitful interstate cooperation, build confidence and security, and peace on the planet.

Initially, the UN did not have its own permanentplaces, and meetings of its structures were held in London. Later it was decided to locate the headquarters in the vicinity of New York, where the Organization is and to this day. Needless to say, not everyone thinks this decision is successful and fair. Many politicians to this day advocate the transfer of the strategic and control center from America to other continents. In addition to the main complex of premises, the UN also uses several auxiliary headquarters for its work in Europe and Africa. Still, most of the meetings of the Security Council and the UN General Assembly are held in New York, where decisions are decisive for the world.

The NATO Headquarters

It was not long after the victory overNazism, and between the USSR and its allies began a confrontation, later called the "Cold War". The UN was no longer a reliable guarantor of peace: the right of individual states to veto could abolish any, even a vital decision. The North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) was established in 1949 with the goal of collective protection against external enemies. The founders of this military-political organization were 10 European countries and the USA with Canada. Since then, the bloc's membership has been repeatedly replenished by the new member states. The main principle of NATO is "all for one", that is, collective defense.

NATO Headquarters is aadministrative, political and military center of this union, a place where representatives of the member countries of the bloc gather to work out a collegial decision. There is a close interaction of military and civilians, aimed at achieving stability and strengthening security. The seat of the headquarters is Brussels, Belgium. Here are the delegations of the member states of the alliance, as well as the bureau for interaction with the partner countries (or their diplomatic missions). Every year, about 5,000 meetings are held at NATO Headquarters, decisions are taken by consensus.

Headquarters of many well-known organizations areoften also beautiful interesting buildings, to which the best architects put their hand. It is no coincidence that tourists arriving at the locations of these buildings are tempted to consider them closer, to evaluate as another tourist object.