There’s so much to do when you begin setting up a new office. Forget all the red tape you need to cut through just to rent a space, but you also have to move everything into this new space, make sure it’s clean and professional-looking, and update your address on every single piece of paperwork that crosses your desk.
In short, it can be a big hassle. The best way to lower your stress during this time is to be prepared, and the best way to be prepared is to be informed. You need to know what to expect when setting up a new office, and how you can make the transition a little easier for yourself in the process.
Here’s what you can expect when you set up a new office, and we’ve included some tips that will help make your transition easier. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed by the process, although that’s certainly easier said than done! Let’s dive right into it.
Take Care Of The Basics
You’re going to spend more time than you’d probably expect taking care of the basics. This includes things like going through the process of finding and renting a space, updating your business address, creating new business cards, and all sorts of mundane responsibilities.
Take this process one step at a time and delegate tasks to efficient and responsible people. Some of the basics you need to get done are:
- Obtaining necessary permits and licenses
- Setting up utilities
- Setting up the phone and internet system
- Purchasing furniture and equipment
- Installing security measures
- Stocking up on supplies
Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed by this process. It can be a hassle, but there are ways of managing it. Take a breath and focus. Make a list of everything that needs to get done, and the date by which you need everything completed. Enlist the help of an assistant if possible to get through this phase.
Get Your New Space Clean
Depending on the area that you’re moving your office location to, the space you’re renting may not be as clean as you’d like. Remember that a dirty and cluttered workspace can create a negative first impression for clients and employees, possibly leading to health and safety issues. So, you may need to search for some janitorial cleaning companies near you so they can get your new office ready for business.
Hiring a cleaning company is a great way to take some of the stress of moving off yourself. They have the equipment, tools, and expertise needed to clean your new office space, eliminating dust, dirt, and germs lurking in hard-to-reach areas. You’ll be relying on professionals rather than yourself to get the job done, which gives you more time to focus on other important matters.
Once your new space is clean and you’ve updated all that pesky business paperwork, it’s time to move on to the next step.
Create a Professional Design
Designing an office where you’re expecting to meet clients will be a little different from designing your home office. You want the layout to be professional, but comfortable and inviting enough to make clients feel at ease when they walk through the door. The furniture design for corporate offices must be well-designed, considering how much space you have available, and can accommodate your clients and employees comfortably.
This is a great time to put some Feng Shui into practice. Utilize the space in your office to your advantage by using individual, comfortable chairs instead of larger furniture, like a couch.
Put up some nice decorations on the walls, but nothing too personal. Looking for wall art for corporate office can help you achieve the desired look. A couple of personal photos on your desk are fine, but you don’t want to plaster the walls of your office with photos of your child’s high school graduation.
Focus instead on neutral colors, landscape portraits, and smaller pieces of artwork to give your space a nice pop. Don’t be afraid to use some vibrant colors, just make sure you do so in moderation.
You can also consider the psychology behind colors and choose a color palette that would inspire creativity, boost productivity, and make your office space cozy and comfortable for everyone. For example, blue is known to promote concentration and focus, making it an ideal color for spaces where employees need to be productive and alert. Green is associated with growth, balance, and harmony, making it an excellent choice for environments that promote collaboration and creativity.
Get the Right Equipment
The type of business you’re conducting out of your office may determine some of the equipment you need, but there are some basics that every office should have. First off, you’re going to need a solid, ergonomic chair. You’re going to be spending a lot of time in your office, and it’s important that you make your comfort a priority.
Some other basics may include a desk, computer, phone, printer, file cabinets, pens and paper, folders, paper clips, etc. All of this may sound like it’s going to lead to a very long and very boring shopping trip, but it’s a necessity to have all of this sorted before you begin working out of your office.
If you want to step it up a notch, choose ergonomic furniture that will help with productivity and reduce the muscle strain of your team members. Check the ones offered by Freedman’s Office Furniture and other reputable furniture suppliers.
You need these tools to do your work effectively, and to show client you’re a reliable and prepared business person. So, make a list and check it twice before you head to the store. This would also be the perfect task to delegate to an assistant if you have one.
Final Thoughts
Setting up a new office successfully can be a long process. There’s a lot to get done, and you’re probably hoping to get it done quickly so you can get back to the work you love. Focus on the basics first, then get your space clean, create a professional design, and stock your office with all the right equipment to help you do your job to the best of your abilities. You’ll have a professional office that impresses clients in no time.
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