Moving is always an arduous task that requires a certain amount of strategy and fore-planning. Since it is always such a big production, there are bound to be some mistakes, and this is especially true when it comes to moving offices. It can be overwhelming to get employees onboard and get everything ready, so the best thing you can do for yourself is familiarize yourself with the top tips that businesses should use when moving.
The first mistake is that the planning for the entire moving process is that people speed through it and end up missing crucial details that need attention. To avoid the problems that are caused by this, you should put together a checklist of everything that needs to be done before, during and after the move. Part of this includes having a detailed understanding of your timeline. Having a checklist that runs in accordance with your timeline will ensure that things run more smoothly but there still needs to be room for error. No one is perfect and it is incredibly difficult to safeguard against all possible difficulties. Just be prepared that some things may go wrong but do your best to limit it.
Something often overlooked in an office move is the employees themselves. Before the move, make time to have a conversation with your employees to not only make them aware of the impending move but to hear what they have to say about it. While it may be the best thing for the business, the employees may have some questions about what it means for them and their jobs. It also impacts their transportation situation. It is crucial to have your employees feel comfortable with moving and it will make it easier for you when the time comes to actually move to the new office.
Now that all the pre-move preparations are underway, it’s time to start packing. This is the perfect time to get rid of unnecessary things. Carrying clutter to the new office won’t do anyone any favours. A big part of that, is getting rid of physical files. We are in the digital age and it is far more efficient to store all files on your computer or an online storage site. It helps to keep offices organized and tidy. Not to mention it will be less boxes to carry on moving day!
Moving can be a costly process and that’s why a lot of people shy away from outside assistance but getting help is most definitely worth it. Delegating all the preparations needed to make the move happen to a person will experience in successfully moving offices will make your life less stressful. It also prevents wires from being crossed and miscommunications that will cause problems. Also having a moving company to do all the heavy lifting, greatly reduces the chance of someone getting hurt or of furniture becoming damaged.
The last thing to remember is to make people outside of the company aware that the business has moved. This could include posting a notice on the company website or social media, as well as changing the address listed on these sites and all business related accounts. This way people will be able to find at your new office, whether they are a client or supplier etc.
No office move will go perfectly as planned, but there are steps you can take to reduce the number of mistakes that are made. The main thing to remember is that it isn’t a process you can do all by yourself. You have to include your employees and some professional help to ensure the best possible outcome for everyone involved.