Moving to a bigger office is excellent news—it’s a sure sign that your business has grown, and is projected to continue growing. But moving office also brings about its own issues, and can be a cause of stress for many business owners.
Luckily, there are a few things to think about which can make the move much easier for you. Here, we’ll go over three of the biggest points to consider before the move.
Upgrade your office equipment and furniture
When moving to a new office, you’re presented with the option of either moving your existing furniture and equipment in, or buying new. You may consider keeping the things you already have to avoid stress, but moving into a new office space is an ideal time to upgrade.
There are a number of benefits to upgrading computers, printers, and telephones, including increased productivity and security. Older computers may run slower than newer models, and even be prone to breaking down frequently. This slows down the productivity of staff, while also making their jobs much harder, and can be a cause of stress. Newer computers will have none of these issues.
While you may not want to upgrade everything, moving gives you the opportunity to think about what you can afford to get rid of. Old telephones and broken-down computers can all be disposed of, and replaced with newer models for the new office space. However, it is best to make sure that you dispose of your waste in an efficient way, such as with a dedicated clearance company.
Every business has an obligation to make sure that they correctly dispose of commercial waste, whether this is their own responsibility, or a waste carrier’s. Using an office clearance company ensures that any electrical waste is disposed of correctly, and anything that can be recycled, is recycled. Some companies, such as Clearance Solutions, may even buy your assets during office clearance—such as furniture, IT, catering equipment, and machinery—provided they are in good condition. This can help out financially with your move, and can even be used to upgrade your equipment.
Make sure the internet is set up in advance
Regardless of how big your IT department is, you’ll want to make sure the WiFi is up and running before you move to the new space. You should confirm this with your supplier ahead of the move, and make sure they know the date you move in, so your phone and internet connections will be active on the day. A broken phone or internet connection may wind up costing you business, so it should obviously be avoided. TalkTalk recommend using an online speed checker to determine the speed your new office should receive, using the new address’ postcode and phone number.
Schedule a site visit with your IT department to make sure you have enough plugs for all your equipment, and review the cabling. If any changes need to be made, it’s better to make them in advance, to avoid any added stress on moving day. Your IT department will be able to determine any server needs, and ensure everything can be set up easily.
Plan your office layout before moving in
A site visit also gives you the chance to plan the layout of your office. This means that you won’t have to worry about figuring out where everything will go on the day, and can simply follow your plan.
Measure out all your spaces, and play around with various layouts before you find one that works well for your company. The layout of your office can have an impact on your company culture, and either enhance or diminish employee interaction and conversation. A global study found that there is a direct correlation between employee engagement and workplace satisfaction, so get your staff on board to help with planning the office layout.
One company who carefully planned an office is Google, which is famous for its creative workspace. The internet giant collaborated with Clive Wilkinson, an architect known for focusing on connecting buildings with human psychology. He designed a space to make employees feel engaged, focused, and connected, which then lead to the famous company culture being established in the building. Work closely with your staff to find a layout that works best for you, which will encourage employee productivity in turn.
