It is not uncommon for an organization to be referred to as "headquarters". But how to understand it?
Be warned: Headquarters are not residential; the defining part in this phrase is the first part.
What is headquarters?
The headquarters is usually called the place where most of the main functions of the company, organization, enterprise are concentrated, where, as a rule, its management and top managers are located. The headquarters carries out 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 a number of others.
From war to peace
The definition of "headquarters" "flew" into civilian life from military practice. The headquarters (from the German Stab) is the center that manages personnel in wartime, and is also responsible for their education and training in peacetime. This concept can refer to different units of the armed forces; it is not only a manager, but also a brain, strategic center, the location of which is usually called the headquarters.
It must be said that the strategy of large business corporations is in many ways similar to the military one. Civilians also often face the task of attacking on all fronts, there are problems of protecting their secrets from enemies (competitors), there is a need for clear interaction with other structures. Perhaps that is why the typical military term "headquarters" has taken root so well in the business environment. But this concept is used not only by business structures: it turns out to be even more successful for organizations of state and interstate significance.
Let's get to know the most famous headquarters.
UN Headquarters
The United Nations Organization (UN for short) is an international forum established in 1945. The principles of the functioning of the Organization were developed by representatives of the participants in the anti-Hitler coalition, when the thunder of battles was still thundering, and more than three years remained before victory. The purpose of the creation of the UN is the development of fruitful interstate cooperation, strengthening confidence and security, peace on the planet.
Initially, the UN did not have its own permanent seat, 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 located to this day. It must be said that not everyone considers this decision 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 uses several othersubsidiary headquarters in Europe and Africa. And yet, most of the meetings of the Security Council and the UN General Assembly are held in New York, where decisions that are crucial for the world are made.
NATO Headquarters
Very little time passed after the victory over Nazism, and a confrontation began between the USSR and its allies, later called the Cold War. The UN was no longer a reliable guarantor of peace: the right of individual states to veto could cancel any decision, even a vital one. The North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) was created in 1949 for the purpose of collective defense against external enemies. The founders of this military-political organization were 10 European countries and the United States with Canada. Since then, the composition of the bloc has been repeatedly replenished with new member states. The main principle of NATO is "all for one", that is, collective defense.
NATO Headquarters is the administrative, political and military center of this alliance, the place where representatives of the countries - members of the bloc - gather to develop a collegial decision. There is a close interaction between the military and civilians, aimed at achieving stability and strengthening security. The headquarters is located in Brussels, Belgium. Here are the delegations of the member states of the alliance, as well as the bureau of interaction with partner countries (or their diplomatic missions). Every year, about 5,000 meetings are held at NATO Headquarters, where decisions are taken by consensus.
Headquarters of many famousorganizations are often also beautiful interesting buildings, to which the best architects had a hand. It is no coincidence that tourists arriving at the location of these buildings have a desire to take a closer look at them, evaluate them as another tourist attraction.
