
5 important things you should consider before relocating your office
So you’re thinking about moving your office. Which probably means you’re starting to realise how big an undertaking it is. The logistics of any office move can be supported by office relocation services, but there’s so much more involved.
Whether your move is to the floor below or to a brand new city in a new country, we’ve put together five important things to consider right at the start of the office relocation process.
Location
Why are you moving? There is a range of reasons you might consider relocating your office. Though it may seem obvious, it’s important to be clear about what those reasons are. Make sure the location you’ve chosen meets your priorities. You should also ask yourself if it’s going to be cost-effective in the long run.
Top reasons for office relocation
Budget
Most of the costs for an office move take place before and after the actual move itself. The bigger the move, the easier to overspend if budgets aren’t set and managed properly. Planning for the costs from the start, and setting a clear budget based on sound estimates, is essential.
Things to consider in your budget
Your new office
Moving to a new location means you can create an office to suit your unit or company. This is a chance to design the workplace you always dreamed of. Well, depending on your budget, you may have to skip on the swimming pool…
Designing your office space
Communication
As soon as you’ve decided to relocate, you need to think about who you’ll tell. You also need to think about what exactly you’ll tell them, and how you’re going to do it. Coming up with a communication strategy will be key.
Who you’ll need to tell
- Staff are the first people who should be on your mind. They’re the core of your company, and they’re the ones who’ll be the most affected. If you’re moving one unit of your business, you’ll need to let the people moving know first.
Change can be a challenge. It always creates some uncertainty. Office moves can be one of the biggest points of anxiety at work. No matter how big or small, it’s a disruption to daily routines and causes some disruption to their jobs.
Good communication goes two ways. Have a clear explanation for the move and its benefits, as well as a timeframe. But you also need to acknowledge the difficulties. An open dialogue will allow staff to voice their concerns and get involved. Provide opportunities for feedback and input, and keep them updated on progress. Many staff may come up with issues – and solutions – you hadn’t thought of. The sooner you let your staff know and get involved, the better. - Customers and clients will likely need to know about your move. What will the impact be on how they can reach your company and use your services?
The significance of the move to your customers will determine how much you need to tell them. It’s always a good idea to have a simple explanation for why you’re moving. Focus on any benefits that it will bring to your customers – even if that’s just a more efficient service. - Let your partners and external stakeholders know. Again, provide a reason for the move and make it simple, and positive. Let everyone know in good time.
In some cases your move may be driven partly by stakeholders. Provide them with opportunities for feedback, especially if it’s going to impact how they might work with you.
Ways to communicate
Planning your move
Plan your move is really the key message here. If it wasn’t before, it should be clear now that there are many elements involved in an office relocation.
Running the move as an official project is a good idea. As we mentioned above, getting a project manager in can help make the move run more smoothly. Realistic timelines and budget are crucial. Managing them is essential.
You’ll also need to arrange an office moving company to help you relocate. The sooner you can contact them, the better. Specialised business movers will be able to help you with some planning – and definitely with the logistics. They can also offer you helpful advice, or give pointers on things you might like to consider. If you’re relocating to a new city or a new country, expert office movers can make things even easier.
If you’re based in Asia and considering an office relocation, we’d be happy to help you out. We do have offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpar, and Singapore. We’ve managed office relocations within buildings, between cities, and across countries. Get in touch with us now.