There comes a time in the history of every business when you must decide to relocate. Whether it is because you need a bigger office to allow for growth, or because you are moving to a more strategically smart location, there are a lot of decisions that you will have to make from start to finish.
DO pick the right space
Choosing the right space for your new office is essential, and it is something that should not be rushed. If you are feeling a time crunch, or you are anxious to expand, it can be tempting to pick a new location that is slightly less than you dreamed. But this is a huge decision in the future of your company, and shortcuts should be avoided at all costs. Pick something that properly fits your budget, your needs, your desired location and everything that you want out of a new office space—even if it takes a while to find it.
DON’T delay preparing for the move
As soon as you have a new office space picked out (or built) it is time to start getting ready for the move. A huge move like this takes time and a lot of careful planning, so to make the process go as smoothly as possible—with minimal impact on your work—it is important to start planning right away.
DO hire movers
And one of the first things that you will have to do is hire movers. This is a time where spending a little money will save you both money and stress in the long run. Commercial movers are all over the place, so the best way to look is for local companies online (an NYC moving company for example) and check the reviews.
DON’T forget to notify your clients and other contacts
Give your clients and other business contacts plenty of notice that you are moving. While it is not as important as it once was that everyone has a current address, it will still look bad professionally if you don’t let them know that you are moving. It will also help them to be aware that there may be a slight interruption in the work.
DO delegate tasks and assign a project manager
You don’t have to do everything yourself—and nor should you. This is a good opportunity for you to delegate a project manager for moving, and allow someone to step up into the new job.
DON’T skimp on anything
You’ve heard the phrase “you have to spend money to make money.” While it is going to cost a lot to relocate, and yes, it is a smart business move to want to save where you can, it is important that you don’t cut too many corners when it comes to buying new supplies and furniture.
DO keep your employees informed
Your employees will also need to plan and prepare accordingly, and you also might need their help throughout the move, so it’s important to keep them informed throughout. It is also something that will assure your employees that their company is moving in the right direction. Keep them updated on where your new location will be, when moving will take place, how long it is, how they should be expected to keep up with the work, and so on.
DON’T sacrifice the work
You might have to have a day off for the big move, but aside from that, it’s important to make sure that the quality of work does not suffer as a result of your relocation. Be sure to assure your clients that you are still very much focused on the work, and remind your employees to keep on top of things as much as possible. Relocating will be a tricky transition, but it is an essential one.
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Lindsey Patterson is a freelance writer and entrepreneur who specializes in business technology, customer relationship management, and lead management. She also writes about the latest social trends, specifically involving social media.
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