04 Nov 2016
This might involve moving to larger offices and transporting everything with you to the new premises. Business relocation doesn’t have to be such a huge hassle. We have some top tips that can help make your business relocation run smoothly.
There is a lot to think about when preparing to relocate your business. If you don’t plan carefully you could find the move to be very stressful, and it could even result in a loss of employees or clients. Evaluating these factors can help you make the right decision and have all your bases covered when the time comes.
The first factor you will need to consider is, of course, the location of your new premises. You’ll need to make sure that the location is convenient for your existing employees and stakeholders. It’s also important that the location is in close proximity to convenient parking and public transport links for staff, clients, customers, and visitors.
It’s also important that you make sure the location makes sense for your business. It might seem like common sense, but some businesses struggle with choosing the right new location for their business. For instance, if your business requires retail space, it’s best to be in an area that allows for plenty of foot traffic – typically in an area near other retail businesses.
Relocating your business can affect operational and overhead costs. Do some research on this to analyse how the costs stock up against the ROI after relocation. You should also take into account any hidden or unforeseen expenses that can arise during relocation such as the cost of new hires.
When deciding to relocate your business, you’ll need to take future growth into consideration. Very few businesses operate without the intent of growing more successful or expanding in the future. For this reason, you’ll need to make sure that the area you choose to move to allows for this. Does the office space allow for more people joining the team, more stock, or larger meeting areas for a growing list of clients? If not, does the office building have other, larger premises you can expand into when the time comes without making another large move?
It’s always important to think ahead when making big decisions for your business, and making sure your new location will allow for growth and will help ensure you can see your business prosper for many years without having to disrupt everyone with another stressful move.
If you’ve come to the conclusion that you definitely need to relocate, but that some of your staff will not be able to stay with the company, then you’ll need to plan a recruitment campaign. It’s important to make sure that your new business location has the skill sets you will require in new employees. For instance, if you’re a leading IT firm planning to move to a very rural location, you may find it difficult to find people in the area with the necessary skills to perform roles within your business, as it is somewhat typical for these roles to be located near larger cities.
Taking skill sets into consideration is very important for the future talent of your company ensuring you have the team you need to continue the growth and success of your business.
Another very important factor to consider when relocating a business is the culture. Company culture is very important for employees as well as employers, so you’ll need to spend some time thinking about how the move is going to affect your company’s morale. Is it likely to have a negative or a positive effect? Can you take the move as an opportunity to enhance your company’s ethos by revamping the way you’ve been doing things?
Ensuring a positive company culture, especially after an upheaval, will ensure a smooth transition and ensure employee satisfaction.
Finally, you need to consider the actual logistics of the move. Moving a business is almost more stressful than moving house because you have so much more to juggle and keep running in the meantime. You’ll need to make sure you can still offer some level of service to your clients, so it’s important that you have an action plan in place that allows you to still have access to a phone and emails.
You’ll also need to figure out the best way to conduct the move. It’s best to work with a trusted removals company with extensive experience in relocating businesses. It’s vital that you ensure the firm you partner with has the proper insurance, as business equipment can be extremely costly to replace if damaged while in transit.
Once you’ve decided to move your business location, you may find yourself asking how to go about it. Don’t worry, we’ve outlined all the necessary steps below to minimise disruptions and ensure your move proceeds smoothly and in a timely manner.
When thinking of moving your business, the first thing to do is find a new location. Put together a list of potential locations weighing the pros & cons of each and consider how each location meets your business objectives.
Once you’ve identified where you want to move your business, the next step is a thorough plan. Moving can be a stressful process but there are unlimited benefits to relocating your business. Planning can minimise disruption to your business and its customers by helping you focus on your objectives and what you want to get out of the move.
Create a timetable to keep track of completed and outstanding tasks before, during, and after the move. Update it regularly as it’ll help you stick to the original plan in case of deviations and minimise delays. You should also write up an inventory of all the items that you are planning on taking with you to the new premises.
Finance is a major aspect to consider when moving your business. You need to budget well in advance to ensure you’re prepared to handle the overhead costs. Take into account any added costs such as agency fees or lease. You should also have a budget for any downtime incurred when you or your staff are disrupted from everyday work. It will also take some time to adjust, so factor in how your staff will adapt. Cutting corners early on will only incur further expenses down the line.
Moving is a huge change to the way that the business functions and you should give plenty of notice to your staff. Similarly, it is a good idea to let clients and customers know in advance that you will be moving. Should you encounter any problems, people will be aware of what is happening and be more understanding.
Once things are in order for your move, you will need to notify relevant authorities about your new business location. This includes the HMRC, banks, and parent/partner companies. The same goes for clients, customers, suppliers, and anyone who interacts regularly with your business.
Ahead of moving day, contact utility providers such as phone and internet to have switched off at the old location and up and running at the new one. Give utility providers plenty of notice to avoid any disruptions during the transition.
Making sure your new office is insured should be a top priority during your business move. Fire, water damage, or other incidents can happen when you least expect it. Start by reviewing your current insurer’s offerings, and if their deal isn’t satisfactory, research alternative business insurance providers online.
Many companies try to manage as much of the move as they can in-house. But if you've not had experience with office moves before, you can end up seeing your resources stretched, leading to a lot of stress, delays, and a host of other things going wrong. Partnering with a professional moving company can help ensure that all aspects are covered.
Professionally-trained porters are essential for undertaking fast and efficient moves helping with a number of tasks such as restoring timely services between internal office spaces, handling archives and crates, and more.
Relocating your business can be a transformative step toward growth, efficiency, and new opportunities. With careful planning, clear communication, and the right professional support, the transition can be smooth and stress-free. By addressing the needs of your team, customers, and operations, you’ll set your business up for success in its new location.
With over 170 years of experience in home and international relocations, Bishop’s Move’s professional business removals team can ensure a smooth transition to your new office location. Contact us today to find out how we can help.
