As noted by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), facility management is a profession that encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure functionality of the built environment by integrating people, place, process and technology.
As noted by SAP’s Digitalist magazine, some of the most common reasons for an office relocation include reducing costs, accessing new markets and attracting talent.
However, while these goals are certainly worthwhile, the office relocation itself needs to be efficient, too. Otherwise, the process can be stressful and regrettable, and it will certainly cost more and take longer than it should.
If you’re planning on an office relocation or are seriously considering the possibility, here are 6 tips to make your experience streamlined and successful:
One of the best ways you can boost everything from employee morale to bottom-line profitability is by adding ergonomic office furniture to your environment. Here are the 6 key benefits that highlight why ergonomic office furniture is an investment rather than an expense:
1. Cost Reduction
The United States Department of Labor has notes that ergonomic office furniture can play a role in reducing worker compensation costs associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
There are many key benefits of a business move, including reducing overhead costs, improving efficiency, getting closer to customers or suppliers, improving brand and image, and the list goes on
However, there is another important – yet often overlooked – advantage of a business move that should certainly be part of the plan: how to make the office more collaborative. Below, we highlight 4 ways to achieve this goal:
When it comes to dealing with customers and suppliers, businesses know that good communication can make or break the relationship. Well, the same holds true when it comes to a business move. Knowing how, why and when to keep employees in the loop is a vital piece of the puzzle, and can ensure that the experience is successful, streamlined and stress free.
Below, we highlight 5 key ways that good employee communication can improve your business move:
One of the most important pieces of your office move puzzle is a communication plan. And while this plan obviously needs to cover how you’ll spread the word to customers, vendors, suppliers, couriers and other external stakeholders, be sure to include your employees as well – especially since the change can trigger anxiety and worry.
To avoid this negativity from affecting your team and unfolding in your organization, here are 5 best practices for communicating an office move to employees:
As you prepare for your office relocation, your “to do” list will include key aspects such as scheduling and logistics, risk management, communications, employee re-deployment, and so on. However, there’s another priority that shouldn’t overlooked or pushed to the side -- because it’s vitally important: conducting a comprehensive furniture needs assessment.
To help you head in the right direction, and ensure that your office relocation experience isn’t sidetracked by furniture-related issues, here are key 5 questions to ask:
Many businesses believe that their ONLY option is to relocate if their existing space doesn’t meet their current needs, or isn’t setup to support their future plans. However, while changing addresses can be a viable solution, for many businesses an even better – and certainly more affordable – choice is to reconfigure the office space.
If you’re considering a chance of scenery for your business, here are 3 reasons why opting to reconfigure your office space – rather than moving -- may be the right decision:
An office relocation doesn’t end when all of the furniture and equipment are installed and setup, employees find their desks or workstations, and customers are notified of the new address. That’s because your new environment – whether it’s larger or smaller than the old one – must also be strategically planned and optimized for success.
To help you get the most value and ROI from your new space, below we share 3 principles of strategic office space planning:
1. Look Ahead
Obviously, you need your new space to support your current needs – such as making sure everyone on your employee roster has the space they need to be productive and efficient (not to mention, have a coffee and eat lunch!), that your customers and any other stakeholders can be ushered to suitable waiting and meeting areas, and so on.
Among owners, executives and managers, there are few phrases in the business vocabulary that command as much immediate, jarring attention as “reducing legal risks”.
With that in mind (and now that we have your attention!), below we highlight 4 best practices to reduce legal risks during your office relocation:
1. Establish Roles & Responsibilities
Ensure that all employees involved in the office relocation are clearly aware of their role and responsibilities. This should be established in your overall plan, and all employees should have an appropriate amount of time to review and provide input. There should also be a standard process in place for communicating (i.e. all emails and documents should be stored on a centralized system, etc.).