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Office Report Card is a new feature on Sentences.org. Basically, it is a “surprise” look at popular web companies and their offices and rates them on several different categories: Exterior Look, Interior Look, Employees, Environment, Furnishing. Pictures are found from scavenging the web. Anything made public is game.This week, I took a look at Bebo.com recently opened their entire platform to developers, a move which mimics their biggest rival, Facebook. I think this is a step in the right direction for them. The best chance they have against Facebook is if they found a way to control the amount of spamming that Facebook’s current application system works (ugh, I hate getting ZOMBIE BITES invitations!).

Please note that Bebo’s office is new, and while I should have been a little more sensitive to this, I decided to just go ahead and grade it on its look now, and make amends after they’ve had some time to settle in. I love ya Bebo!

Exterior Look:

There aren’t any pictures of the exterior really, so I can only assume that it’s a brick warehouse / studio apartment type of feel. Personally, this urban fit really appeals to me as it gives a young, hip, and independent company. It gives Bebo a professional feel, while being interesting and modern. C+ (lack of real exterior shots)

Interior Look:

The inside of Bebo lacks the furnishings to really match the exterior feel. I’d assume there would be a nice “apartment” feel to it, but it feels pretty corporate inside. Though I love the orange sitting room, the walls are naked and bare and lack some contrast. The office area seems spacious and nice, and feels as if you’re working at home. It doesn’t feel too corporate and the exterior of the building really help as it is hows on the inside as well. Nice windows. C+

Employees:

The Employees page on Bebo.com reveals a very enthusiastic and fun looking crowd. They are all smiling, and seem to be having lots of fun. The team is young and definitely look bright and intelligent. The environment (though bare and boring), may actually be working for them. Furthermore, they list small biographies of all their staff along with interesting nicknames. I like a company that is laid back and professional. A+

Environment:

There weren’t too many pictures of the environment, but there was pretty cool video posted on Bebo backstage, a nice little area found on the Bebo site (I really like how you can get somewhat personal with the staff. Unlike Facebook where I have no idea who is who and why I should trust them with so much of my information…). Though the employees all seem cool, the environment seems pretty bare bones. I know that they recently moved in, but with the way it is now, it feels way too much like an office job :(. C+

Furnishings:

Bebo’s offices seem like your run of the mill office space with a small twist of that good ole’ home feeling. There are no walls or cubicles and I can tell that the employees love to socialize and have fun. The sitting area looks a bit cheesy and seems like your typical Ikea furnishings, but I guess you can’t go wrong with that. The desks all seem to be pretty naked as well with no picture frames or toys :(. C+

Overall:

Hey Bebo, I know you guys just moved in so I’m going to cut you some slack. I love your company and I think you have a real shot at taking down the social networking giants. Your team seems to get along well, and with that kind of chemistry floating around, I can only assume that productivity levels are high and motivation is well meaning your service will only improve itself. Congrats!

Overall: B-

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