Any kind of office move needs careful planning to ensure it’s carried out with minimal disruption and enables the organisation to be back up and running as swiftly as possible. If your next office move is looking likely to be a relocation to smaller offices, whether this is due to the increasing work from home arrangements, or to reduce overheads etc, here are a few hints and tips to consider:
Moving to smaller premises often involves a considerable re-configuration of working arrangements, so don’t underestimate the number of details you’ll need to factor into this and the amount of time that you’ll need to plan it. For example, if the downsizing is due to staff working from home, you’ll need to decide on what equipment you’ll need in the new premises, if your staff have the appropriate equipment to work from home and what, if any of the office furniture and equipment needs to be allocated to staff and what items are redundant.
Office moves will always impact staff and the downsizing of an office is no different. If the new premises will feature hot-desking arrangements or will mean that there are more spaces which are best suited to collaborative working and if the impact on employees is that they will have the opportunity to attend the premises for meetings or if they will be on a rota and working from the office on set days, this needs to be communicated to them throughout the planning process. Not making employees feel involved and kept up to date from early on in the planning process can make them feel isolated and in turn worried about how the changes will actually impact them and what direction the organisation is going in.
Storage may need to be factored into the process. When it comes to pairing down the contents of the premises, it maybe that some items aren’t going to fit into the new site, but that can’t necessarily be discarded. For example, such things as exhibition equipment is still needed but doesn’t necessarily need to be kept on site. Equally, some paperwork and documentation could be stored off site in safe and secure archive and document storage facilities.
If you’re planning any kind of office move, whether it’s downsizing to smaller premises or indeed moving for other reasons; be this to target new markets, to increase capacity on-site or to move to premises which are more appropriately configured for meeting spaces and collaborative working, for example, you’ll need to speak to a professional removal company. Don’t underestimate the scale and required expertise of an office move and the potential for downtime if the move isn’t completed efficiently. Burke Bros Moving Group have decades of experience of carrying out all types of commercial relocations from the largest corporate organisations, SMEs or public sector organisations. Our dedicated project management team are on hand to answer any questions you have about how we can help execute a smooth and stress-free office relocation on 01902 714555 or via sales@burkebros.co.uk.
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