If you are planning on expanding your business and increasing the number of employees that you have on board, then you may also be looking to move to a new location. This can be an exciting time, but also a stressful one. Moving a business from one location to another carries with it a lot of extra logistical concerns than moving a home. This does not mean that it is impossible, with the right game plan, and the right attitude you will be able to move from one commercial location to another with ease.
1. Announce the move well in advance
You need to give your team the heads up that you are moving locations as soon as you know where the next location will be. It is advised that you don’t let them know until this point as you don’t want there to be any uncertainty. Once you do know it will be very much appreciated by your employees that you give them as much notice as you can. This will allow them to get used to the idea and make alternate commuting plans and adjust other schedules such as dropping off kids at school and much more.
2. Spread the word to your customers
You need to make sure that your customers or clients are in the loop too. You want to avoid any uncertainty and quash any rumours with them too. You can frame the move as good news as business is going well and you are growing. Be sure to follow up with a commitment that the level of service that you provide will not diminish in any way. You should brief your team on what to say to customers or clients should any questions be asked about the move so that the message is consistent and positive.
3. Use a professional commercial moving company
By having a team of highly trained and professional movers handle all of your moving needs, you will be able to sit back and let them do all of the heavy liftings. There will be aspects to moving your business to a new location that they will be able to help with such as how to move multiple computers and equipment from point a to point b. This will require specialized packing materials in order to get the job done efficiently and safely. If you want a stress free move, then dealing with a moving company that is well practiced in moving businesses is very important.
4. Create a checklist
This can be a working document and it does not need to be completed in one afternoon. You should try to think about everything that needs to be moved and any special considerations that there are. Try to think practically about the loading of the equipment and how it will be unpacked at the other end of the moving process.
5. Make the packing process easy for your team
The moving company will take care of a lot of the heavy lifting, but your employees will probably want a hand in the packing of their personal items. This can be done very easily and casually by providing each team member with a box. They can them label it with their name and put any pictures, stress balls, or anything else that they keep on their desk in them.
6. Remove any unwanted items
If you have been at a specific location for some time, you will have probably built up a collection of things that you simply don’t need. This can be in the form of old magazines, manuals, or outdated equipment. Whatever it is that you won’t use, or don’t need at the new location, simply dispose of it.
