Common Office Relocation Mistakes
Moving your business to a new location can be an exciting time. After all, the move usually involves hopes and dreams of business expansion, greater customer reach, and possibly even a new social circle of like minded entrepreneurs. At times it seems the sky is the limit, with plans for increased growth and productivity bearing the fruits of your labours.
On the other hand, organising a move can be problematic, especially if you are a small business that needs to keep functioning during the transition. A smooth relocation to the new premises is the ideal, and you don’t want a messy finished product or discontented staff even before the new chapter of your business begins. It’s important that a move is well thought out and the plan followed through with military precision. The goal is the immediate reward of improved custom, employee satisfaction, and a more streamlined and productive operation. Here are some errors to avoid in order to keep your move on track.
The no plan move
The absence of a structured moving plan is the sure way to make your relocation an anxiety riddled mess. Many factors need to be clarified even before your begin packing up the old office. Considerations such as why you want to move in the first place are important. Do you really require larger premises? Is the cheaper rent option going to pay dividends? Is the attraction of a more central location really about improved business, or is your ego dictating proceedings?
The plan also requires a clear timeline for moving. The faster you get the job done the sooner you can get back to business. On the other hand, a staggered move may be suitable for a business that is able to function adequately in both the old and new location until the move is completed. It can also be a good idea to move during a holiday weekend in order to minimise business disruption, as long as it is planned and coordinated properly. You can download our office relocation checklist for free and watch a short video, which explains the most imporant steps.
The half hearted approach
For a move to run smoothly, you require a strong and dedicated management team who are focussed on the job at hand. Every successful move will have a senior manager in charge of logistics and the operational side of things. It may mean this person takes time away from their regular sphere of duties in order to oversee the move, with the authority to take initiative and make decisions. The project manager should be appointed before the move commences, with discussions amongst all participants for delegation of responsibilities. There will be a lot to plan and it needs to be put into action sooner rather than later.
The last minute plan
If the moving plan is delayed until the last minute, complications and delays are guaranteed. The effort involved in moving an office should not be underestimated, especially if your business needs to remain functional during the undertaking. It is important to prioritise the stages and transition of the move at the earliest stage. Leaving it too late will invite disaster, possibly resulting in loss of business and employee disenchantment.
The no budget plan
Moving an office can be expensive. There are many costs involved, including unfactored expenses and those caused by delays or complications. Tight control over associated costs is required for everything from computers and cabling, new connections and furniture, plus associated trade costs. It’s important to communicate with the office moving company prior to commencement in order to have each stage coordinated in a timely and cost effective manner. Price and cost revision will need to be monitored at every stage of the project.
Cutting corners
The desire to save money during the move is natural, with the tendency to carry out much of the work yourself. Hiring professionals will ensure the move is smoothly carried out by dedicated experts, and can actually save money in the long run. Trying to do a move on the cheap often ends up costing more, with an unsatisfactory result a distinct possibility. Be prepared for complications and employ the necessary resources and the move should be an exciting and positive stage of your business development.
By George B (follow me on Google)
PS: Technorati asked for this token: YGRAYX9K7PDJ