By Rebecca D’Souza
Regardless of whether it is your first time or if you have done it multiple times, moving office can be a daunting and stressful task for businesses.
Ensuring that the disruption to business is kept to a minimum, keeping personnel fully updated, and arranging for the safe move of office equipment, are all important considerations when moving.
If you are a start-up about to undertake your first office move, below are some top tips to guide you on a smooth transition into your new offices.
Start by ensuring the new office is right for the business
This may seem obvious, as in signing for a new office, you would have seen the benefits and advantages it has compared to your current office and in turn enthused you to take the decision to move. But it is not just about the idea of having a newer building or better facilities. Have you fully considered that it will meet your business requirements?
For example, a common reason for start-ups to move is for growth. They outgrow the current space and require additional floorspace for staff and equipment. Most companies will have a business plan. If further growth is projected in the very near future, does the new office accommodate for this?
It is crucial from the moment you take the decision to move that in searching for a new space, you have considered its fit with your business plans.
Keep everyone informed
Once you know that moving office is the right move, let the employees of your business know early on and communicate why it is right for the business and them.
Ensure that they are aware of the key dates but also be mindful of their morale. Moving can be exciting for some but unsettling for others. In addition to the stresses of moving to another location, they also have their day-to-day roles to keep on top of.
Always keep communications open. Letting them regularly know about little details about the new office such as who will be sitting next to each other and discussing the nearest restaurants, train or bus station can help promote the new office and provide reassurances that the move will be good for them.
Plan, Plan, Plan
You want to ensure the disruption to your business is kept to a minimum when moving office and planning ahead of time can help you achieve this.
Having a plan to execute the move means you will be in control of the process and be able to anticipate and prepare for upcoming situations. Simply creating a checklist of things that need to be done will ensure that you do not miss anything from what furniture needs to be moved to disposing of sensitive data.
Get support for the move
It is likely that business will not stop during a move and is expected to continue operating as usual throughout. Thus, it is not surprising, particularly for start-ups, that personnel will struggle for time to fully commit themselves to the tasks required in a move.
Savvy businesses recognise that office moves can be complicated and time consuming and for this they hire professional help to support them with the move. Hiring a professional removal company like Jordan River Moving & Storage is not just about them helping you with the packaging and heavy lifting of equipment (which in itself is a benefit for the health and safety of employees) they will also evaluate what the move will entail and ensure everything is moved sensibly from one office to another in an organised and timely manner.
Remember that an office move calls for the transportation of expensive and valuable business possessions. Therefore, it is important that you choose a trustworthy company that has shown to carry out office moves safely.
When deciding which mover to appoint, Anthony Robinson, Managing Director of trusted removals company in Oxford, Robinsons Relocation, advises doing your research. “Make sure you choose a company that is accredited and a member of the British Association of Movers (BAR),” he says. “This will mean they have the necessary training, expertise and experience to carry out your move,” adds Robinson.
Set a budget
Moving offices is an expensive process for any business so it is important to set yourself a budget for the project. Don’t forget to budget for any unforeseen maintenance issues that may arise to ensure there is money in the pot should an emergency arise, including junk removals.
Working to a budget will help you understand what is necessary and what is not for the move and allow you to closely monitor spending so no unnecessary purchases are made. In addition, budgeting and planning ahead mean nothing is left to the last moment, avoiding the risk of finance monitoring being ignored.
Don’t worry though, having a budget isn’t all bad. It also allows for the prospect of fun purchases! If there is money still available after all the necessities have been bought, this can be used to treat the employees to spruce up their working environment or for recreational purchases to celebrate your swanky new premises.
About the Author
Rebecca D’Souza is a freelance writer covering all aspects of business, including online marketing and PR.
