Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or just in need of a change of scenery, a corporate move can be a very exciting thing. It’s an opportunity to redesign your office, get rid of old furniture, and design a space that fosters comfort as much as productivity. As fun as it is to fantasize about the dream office you’re about to have, your business actually has to move there first. A corporate move is a complex project with lots to do within a distinct timeline.
We all know that time is money, but do you know exactly how much time a corporate move can take? Based on a 50-person office relocation, businesses spend an average of 225 hours on planning management alone. Instead of attempting to “do it all” internally, seriously consider hiring the experts. Here’s what not to do in a corporate move.
Underestimating Budget and Costs
It is surprisingly common for people with no corporate relocation experience to attempt to manage their move alone. Think about it—would you hire and pay inexperienced movers? No. So why would you put the pressure on yourself and your team to manage this change on top of maintaining business productivity?
Amateurs are prone to making costly mistakes, and it’s best to leave your move to the experts. Just moving throughout your office can be a challenge in sticking to schedules and minimizing disruption. Relo’s Moves, Adds, and Changes (MAC) service is here to help you seamlessly move from one place to another, adding new spaces and making any changes necessary along the way. MAC allows your office space to reflect your organization’s needs without wasted downtime and costly mistakes. At Relo, our team creates a timeline and sticks to it, managing your budget effectively and keeping your best interests in mind–like staying on schedule!
Last-Minute Packing
Packing up an entire office can take days. From large pieces of furniture like desks and chairs to the little knick-knacks you keep throughout the office, it’s not something you want to check off your to-do list at the last minute. Packing is stress-inducing, to say the least. Don’t leave the decision-making to your team; leave it to Relo! Utilizing our Move + Change Management service, our team is well-versed in project management and can help you build out a master schedule. We coordinate with vendors and oversee the entirety of the project to save you from the time and stress it would cost to tackle it alone.
Leaving Your Team Out of the Conversation
A corporate move is a huge undertaking and can become even more overwhelming when you’re in the dark about major aspects of the process. The way your employees respond to your office relocation plays a major role in the success of the move and offers a clear picture of how the transition will affect business operations. If they are stressed about the uncertainty of the office, tools, and resources they use on a daily basis, their quality of work will likely plummet. You may even be relocating to boost employee retention, but remember that keeping your employees at ease during the move will maintain productivity and engagement. Keep your team up to date every step of the way, and remember that overcommunication is key during change management!
Buying All New Furniture Without a Plan for the Current Furniture
While your physical office space may no longer serve your needs, that doesn’t mean your furniture has to go with it. Nobody likes missed opportunities, so why order more stuff before assessing what you already have in your possession? More so, why order new furniture without asking your employees what their preferences are?
Your employees’ feedback is extremely valuable in the relocation or re-design process. Instead of assuming what’s best for them, actually, ask them for their feedback on how they work best and in what environment. At Relo, we leverage our proprietary Workplace Productivity Analysis® to help our clients increase engagement and productivity at their offices.
Another option many companies find overwhelming is to assess what you already have. In most office spaces, reconfigurations or moves, deciding what to do with furniture can give you analysis paralysis. That’s why Relo offers our I.D.E.A.® software to inventory furniture and help identify what you need. By leveraging I.D.E.A.®, our clients have saved millions of dollars while moving, upsizing, or downsizing.
Reimagine Your Workspace with Relocation Strategies
Not everyone is cut out for project management—especially as it relates to corporate moves. When you find yourself at a standstill with your workplace, Relo is here for you. We’ll first evaluate your current space, wish list, and budget constraints. Then, our team will come up with a plan for making your new workplace engaging and productive. Together, we’ll tackle your relocation in a cost-efficient manner with as little downtime as possible.
Reach out to us today to set up a consultation.