In the early days of your business, you were likely more than content to work out of whichever room in your home was conducive to getting a new venture underway. With time, you found that is time to move out of the home and into your own office. Now, if the staff and growth are beginning to make your present offices seem a bit inadequate, then you may be thinking that it’s time to upgrade your setup. Given the time and expenses that this involves, it’s important that you get it just right. Below, we’re going to take a look at nine things you’ll want to keep in mind as you develop your plans for a bigger and better office.
What’s the Motivation?
Before you get too deep into your creative thinking about all that a new office may bring, have a think about your motivation. There may be a better alternative that doesn’t require as much upheaval. Of course, if it’s a matter of space – as in, your current office just isn’t large enough to handle your amount of work or the staff that you need – then you won’t have much choice: changes need to be made. Still, figuring out the underlying motivation will guide you towards getting the premises that are fit for your current needs and those of the future.
Set a Budget
There’s no getting around the fact that you’ll need to set aside a considerable amount of money for the changes that are to come. To make sure that costs don’t spiral out of control, figure out a budget, and stick to it. Many companies fail to make a robust plan, and before they know it, their costs have spiralled out of control. It’s the first step towards making sure that you have complete control over the whole process.
Should You Stay or Go?
The biggest thing you’ll need to think about is whether you should redevelop your current premises, or move somewhere completely new. Of course, there will be a long list of pros and cons to each eventuality. If you generally like your current location, the atmosphere of the premises, and so on, then redeveloping will be the best option. If you’re away from the action and want to be “in the mix” more, then you’ll be better served by finding office space that fulfils this requirement.
Temporary Spaces
Wherever you choose to go, you’ll need to think about maintaining a working environment. If you’re staying where you are, then you won’t be able to work if the entire place is being refitted. As such, you’ll want to look at hire site accommodation options, which will provide you with a temporary structure from which you can do your work until your office is ready. If you’re planning to move, give yourself a crossover window so that you can gradually move your office belongings and personnel.
Speaking to your Branding
Your office is so much more than just a place to conduct your business; it’s an extension of your company. Whether you like it or not, your premises are going to give people an instant understanding of what kind of business yours is. If you’re aiming to be viewed as a young, cool start-up, then inviting people to a bland and traditional office is going to undermine what you’re trying to portray. Through every step of the process, make sure that your office is reflecting your overall company branding. If your branding is already watertight, then this should be easy – if it’s not, then your office move offers a chance for you to work on this aspect of your business, too.
Staff Needs
Of course, it’s not just your business needs that need to be factored into the decision process. There’s also the matter of, you know, your staff! They’re the ones who are going to be working in your new space, after all. Before you get too deep into the plans, call a meeting and see what your employees would like/need from their new working environment. If you’re planning on moving, then there may be some employees who aren’t happy about the time needed to travel to the new location, for example. A good boss always listens to his or her staff!
Going Green
A change of the office is a good opportunity to think about how “green” your premises are. There are a whole bunch of benefits to having a green office. For starters, it’ll be good for the environment – and more and more, we’re seeing that consumers prefer spending their money with companies that show a concern for the wellbeing of the earth. In the process of going green, you’ll also be lowering your energy bills; and which company doesn’t want that? You can make sure that all your infrastructure is “green friendly,” and also get initiatives that promote healthy practices, such as installing a bike storage unit.Reviewing the OrganisationIn the process of developing your new office, have a think about the layout of your desks and chairs. You’ll want to tailor your layout to the needs of your employees, as there are certain organisation methods that are conducive to group work, individual thinking, and so on. You could also take a leaf out of the companies of Silicon Valley, and add some special touches such as a relaxation room, games area, advanced kitchen areas, and so on. If workers enjoy working in their surroundings, they’re more likely to be more productive; the research is pretty solid on this front!
Keeping Things Ticking
Finally, remember that while a change of office can be considered a big upheaval, your customers won’t know anything about the changes: and as such, they’ll expect the same level of attention and care that you’ve always delivered. In other words, it’s important that you don’t let your core duties suffer. Even if that means taking longer than you’d like, it’ll be the right move if it means your company’s reputation is kept intact during the transition.
