|
"When it comes to the future of moving, we know exactly which way to go!"
 Tips on Moving Your Business
Whether up the street, on the other side of town, or across the country, moving is a significant event in the life of any business. The good thing is that you probably won't move often. But when you do, there are several things you should know that will make this major project flow smoothly.
Relocating a business, even a two-person office, is a time-consuming job that requires careful planning. By planning ahead, much can be done to minimize the impact and trauma of the experience, it can even be fun.
Choosing a Moving Company
When hiring a professional, interstate moving company or a smaller, local company, depending on your specific requirements, Future Moves of America is the best way to help you prepare, plan and execute the moving process.
- We will work with your company planner to prepare an RFP
- Help to establish a flow chart and plan to re-open for business on time
- Search and interview for qualified movers
- Search, interview, and collect third party bids for moving
- Coordinate walk-through with movers and any third party companies
- Compile bids for comparison, insurance, and references
- Assist with color coding and numbering the new floor plan
- Educate your staff on how to pack and prepare for the move
- Provide packing and preparation hand-outs
- Help to manage costs and maintain the budget
Organizing Your Moving Team
Often, one person can handle several assignments. Several of these responsibilities can be given to one person, but make sure each of these areas is assigned to someone:
Choose a "move leader" and "move team" at least three months before the actual relocation.
Select people to manage specific areas such as new office furniture, new equipment, electronics, communication, color coding, plants, decorating, morale, employee relocation (if needed), the budget.
Managing the move budget is a critical activity. It is a good idea to make area managers responsible for their individual budgets, subsequently funneling their expenses to the budget manager.
However you organize your moving team, whether it consists of one person or 500, the issues and decisions are always similar.
Purge
Preparing for a move is the perfect time to purge obsolete paperwork, archive old records to offsite storage, and get rid of other materials you really don't need any more. Allow plenty of time for this step, as it always takes longer than you anticipate. An added benefit is that the more you throw away or send to remote storage, the more you end up saving on moving expenses.
 Plan, Plan, Plan
Most moving disasters result from poor planning. However, even with the best planned moves, something inevitably goes wrong. For these reasons, involve the entire staff in the relocation process, from the original decision to the open house. Employee input opens the door to more creative solutions during every step of the move, while also increasing morale and productivity among the staff.
- Consider oversized objects and critical equipment to be moved
- Call the manufacturer or contact an authorized dealer of the equipment to discuss if there are requirements for preparing the equipment for a move
- Buy lots of boxes and tape - you'll need more than you think
- Color code and number each area of your new location with your mover's assistance
- Make preparation, packing, color coding and numbering for your employees a cinch - Arrange a packing seminar or hand out for your employees
- Be sure to precisely label everything, from boxes to furniture and equipment
- Color coding by destination helps ensure that items get delivered to their proper place at the new location
- Post color-coded and numbered signs at the new site before moving
- Design a schematic for each office for furniture placement - Post the schematic on the wall or door jamb for your mover - this will minimize assistance for placement in the new building
After the Move
After you finally have everything under your new roof, there is still much work to be done. During the planning phase, establish a timeline for resuming normal operations in the new location. If you don't plan the moving process to completion and people stop before everything is unpacked, it will seem, in retrospect, as if the relocation took far longer than it actually did to complete.
For many businesses, a move can provide valuable public relations and marketing opportunities. For example, open houses, grand openings and kick-off sales can reinforce existing relationships with clients and vendors while also attracting new customers. Planning such events to coincide with the completion timeline will also help ensure that the schedule is met, and when that happens, you'll really have something to celebrate.
^ Back to top
 Make Your Next Business Move The Best Move Ever!
 Contact us!
|
