If you’re a small business owner, you will be familiar with common everyday challenges. Throw an office move into the mix and things become interesting. All of a sudden you’re organizing a move while keeping employees and clients happy. Before you make a start, consider the following.
-
Delegate
You’re working around the clock already, and now you have a move to plan. Is there anyone you can delegate a chunk of the work to? Enlist as much help as you can.
-
Organize
It pays to be organized. From the outset create a list of everything you need to do to ensure a successful move. It is also worth putting together a list of contacts which will include the new landlord, movers, etc. Share these lists with key members of staff. Also, stress the reasons that you’re moving offices.
-
Hire Professionals
Hire professional movers to manage the move for you. Experienced removal companies will complete the tasks in super fast time. They will be familiar with common issues and will work with you to fix them. Cutting corners in this area will amount to a false economy.
-
Before Packing
Before packing, go through all of the business’s belongings. Are there any items you no longer need? For example, broken furniture you were saving for parts. Have a good clear out and get rid of anything that is no longer required.
Go through your paperwork and get rid of unwanted documents. Ensure you are complying with current laws. Don’t discard anything that is required for a length of time. Arrange for documents of a confidential nature to be shredded. This will help you to organize and make the most of your new office space.
-
Measure Up
Measure the new premises and ensure furniture and fittings can fit into the new space. Put together a diagram of how everything will look.
-
Check In With New Premises
Check in with whoever is organizing the move from the other end. This may be a landlord or management company. Go through your lists with them and ensure that everything will be in place when you move in. For example, ensure that your internet connection and telephone line will be in place.
-
Packing
If your movers are not packing for you, start this process early. Begin by packing non-essential items first. Don’t pack items that are in use until the last possible moment. Purchase all packing materials in advance to save some time.
When dismantling complex equipment, ensure parts and cables are labelled. This will save you some time at the other end.
-
Alert Clients And Stakeholders
Let all clients and stakeholders know when you will be moving. Inform them whether there will be any downtime and who they should contact in case of emergency. Update websites, blogs, and social media channels.
-
Redirect Post
Circulate your new address and telephone numbers. Arrange for any post coming to the current address to be redirected.
-
Moving Day
Provide all staff with an itinerary for moving day. Make sure everyone knows where they need to be. Someone will need to remain at the old premises to direct the movers. Let staff at the premises know where furniture and equipment will be going.
The trick is organization and timing. Get that right, and everything else will follow.
Image credit:
Image 1 – Rum Bucolic Ape – https://flic.kr/p/npV5v8
Image 2 and 3 – pixabay.com
