While the prospect of relocating your business from one point to the next seems daunting, it is imperative to understand that it is just a multi-step process. And like any other process, careful planning and preparation are vital if you want to minimize the impact on your business. Therefore, if you’re gearing for an office move, there is a series of simple tasks and checks you need to put into account before, during, and after relocation to ensure that the process is hassle-free, time-cautious, and on a budget.
Here is a step-to-step guide to help you move your enterprise with minimal hitches:
1. Find out everything about the new location
Before you decide to move your enterprise to a new location, you need to know why the new site is more appropriate than the previous one. You need to factor in the various benefits that the new office space will bring. Figure out whether it is proximity to your target market, lower property cost, improved amenities, and opportunity for growth. If you want to sell your current business and buy a new one in another location, there is no smarter way than contacting renowned companies that can buy and sell location independent businesses for you. You need to consider the various requirements of the new place and discuss the possible benefits of the new location with your employees and stakeholders. When you find the appropriate site for your business, you should give your landlord notice and set a timeline.
2. Organizing your essentials for relocation
The one thing you need to note is that relocation should be done during the down period. The right time to move your enterprise is when there are minimal operations, maybe after the Christmas holidays or during summer when most people are on vacation. Nevertheless, you need to arrange all your items in an orderly manner to avoid confusion. For example, you can assign each department a color code and assign each employee with a unique number. Create a detailed moving plan and make sure that you prioritize the IT department so that it will be first to be set up to avoid extended business downtime.
3. Discuss your relocation plans with a moving company
While every moving company has its own procedures and protocols for relocation, it is imperative that you hold discussion so that you can be on the same page. They may request each employee to pack the items their own cubicles, and also provide useful insights on how to dispose of things that will not be needed in the new location. You also need to book a parking space and elevators, as well as organize for an external storage facility so that you can avoid commotion during the relocation day.
4. Get everything ready in your new space
Before you move to your new office, ensure that all the floor plan is well designed and all sections properly designated. Clean the premise thoroughly and ensure that the painting resonates with the needs of employees and customers. You should also print color-coded signs for all departments, label cubicles or spaces with desk numbers, and ensure that access codes, keys, tags, and other security essentials are available.
5. Move in and settle smoothly
Once everything is set, it is time to unpack and settle in. Now that you had a clear outline of what to do in the due day, your goal will be to make sure that everything goes as planned. Ensure that tech equipment, phones, computers and more are unpacked first and representatives are available to make sure that items go to the right department based on the color codes. You should also create a contact list of everybody involved during the process, book a date with the communication and telephone line specialists, and get ready to hit the ground running.
While the intricacies of business relocation can be daunting, all it takes is a good plan to guarantee a smooth process. It is crucial to take time to learn about the new place, inform the right people about the move, and also involve your employees in decision making. Once you set out a detailed plan and do the necessary preparations, the relocation process will be timely, hassle-free and with minimal business disruptions.