Planning to move offices? Whether you’re relocating to another city, or across the country, it’s going to be a stressful experience – not just for you, but also for your staff and employees. The best and cheap movers near me have a lot to share on the topic as they have worked with several businesses and observed how they operate during the process. Here’s everything you need to know about office moves, plus some tips on how to make the transition as seamless as possible.
1) Think of What Your Team Needs and Ensure They Are Prepared
Whether it’s a temporary or permanent move, your team needs to be well-supported. Here are some tips for ensuring your office move goes smoothly and that you’re doing what you can to support your team every step of the way:
Keep in mind that change is tough, so anticipate how the employees might feel (and be prepared to provide comfort and reassurance when needed). Create a relocation timeline and send it out ahead of time so people know what to expect.
2) Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
One of the most important aspects of a successful office move is communication. While it may seem obvious, you would be surprised how many employees will forget to inform their colleagues about an upcoming move. Before the big day, make sure you have communicated details such as where your new office will be located when the move will happen, and what time to expect staff members to arrive at work.
3) Don’t Be Afraid to Involve Your Employees in the Process
While a move might seem like a good time for your staff to take some time off, it’s more important than ever that they stay connected. Make sure you speak with them about the process ahead of time and keep them in the loop as plans change.
4) Don’t Forget About Internal Systems Before Moving Day
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a move, but don’t forget that while you may be moving your physical office, your internal systems will still need to stay intact. Here are five things you’ll want to do before you move day.
1) Make sure all hardware is working and backed up.
2) Update your IT infrastructure by checking for outages or software errors on the network and updating any devices with new software versions.
3) Inventory all existing devices to make sure they’re ready for use at their new location.
4) Check compliance standards, like GDPR and HIPAA regulations.
5) Back up all data on each device so it can be restored when needed!
5) Never Underestimate the Value of Humor
Humor is a powerful tool, and it’s important to keep your team morale high during a relocation. Laughing together will help relieve some of the stress that comes with moving offices. You could also offer a prize to the person who can tell the funniest joke or story. Whatever you do, don’t forget to take time out to enjoy your move!
When you’re in charge of an office move, having an open line of communication can make all the difference when it comes to keeping everyone happy and on-task.
6) Do a Final Check on Everything Before Move-out Day
It’s time to say goodbye to your old office, and that means it’s time for a final check! Before you pack up your office for the last time, make sure you’ve done the following:
1. Check in with your IT department to confirm that all hardware and software licenses are transferred or deactivated before they’re uninstalled or decommissioned.
2. Ensure that all of your company information has been moved over to your new company location.
3. Double-check your work email settings so you’ll receive emails at your new address.
4. Double-check with the post office about any mail forwarding needs (you might not want to forward anything from this point on).
5. Make sure that power is turned off at your old location when the movers arrive on move-out day so nothing accidentally gets broken or damaged during transit.
7) but Sometimes, Perfection is OK Too!
Frequent moves can be a strain on your staff, so it’s important to make the process as painless as possible. Here are some tips for a seamless office move and how to support your team every step of the way.
* Be clear about when the move will happen and what you expect from employees.
* Plan with key vendors such as utilities and phone services to ensure that service is not interrupted during the transition.
Employees get affected by the relocation process the most. You must ensure they get comfortable with their new posting as soon as possible to eliminate the loss of productivity. Use this blog as a guide and help your employees overcome the stress of relocation.