When starting out a business, the main focus is getting the company off the ground. With so many things to be thinking about and managing, it’s highly likely that the company founder finds him or herself covering all aspects of work while more employees are brought in.
Businesses can take years to grow, so at first there’s no reason to invest in a big office space. Many companies are run for years from a small office space, especially if employees are mostly remote or the business only requires a handful of people for it to be successful.
As soon as things in the office start to feel crowded though, it’s time for relocation.
It may seem like a hassle, but it’s absolutely essential for a growing company. If you do it strategically, everything should go smoothly and you’ll be back in business in no time.
First thing’s first
It’s probably best to have one person oversee the office move. This is after you’ve decided what kind of space you expect to need. Take into account:
- How much you expect the company to grow
- How to make the new space staff-friendly
- The need to be closer to your clients, if applicable
- The costs that such a move would incur, and whether the company is ready for it
It’s of utmost importance to keep your staff informed. Let them know about how you expect the structure of the company to change, how it will affect their commute, and whether the cost of the move will have an effect on their pay.
It’s important that you bear in mind that the expense of a much bigger office space might not be necessary at an early stage. It’s important to make a researched, informed review of company growth so you don’t take the plunge at the wrong time.
Organisation
Organization is the key. Be very clear on the kind of office space you’re looking for. Create a budget, and stick to it. It’s also well worth getting legal advice to look over the terms of your new lease, and make sure you end up with minimal liability and a more detailed view of terms and your responsibilities.
As aforementioned, allocate an office manager to oversee the move. Make sure you choose someone who is able to make decisions and is a good organiser. This will make things run a lot smoother.
It’s probably a good idea to take advantage of the time to get rid of any documents and data that isn’t needed any more. You can archive files and content on secure storage servers and save yourself a lot of space.
