In the changing world, a number of different factors can cause enterprises of all sizes to make a change of location. It could be an expansion that’s calling for a new office, or conversely the consolidation of two or more offices into one to save on costs, improve productivity and raise morale. For businesses that are more location dependent, a move could represent access to a wider market or workforce, while for footloose businesses locating in certain sites can mean lower costs or higher standards of living.
For many businesses in the current era, IT infrastructure is an integral part of operations, and for planning a relocation of IT equipment, there are additional variables to take into consideration. IT relocation can be complicated, but with forwarding planning and the right services to help, disruption to business practices can be kept to a minimum.
Travel expenses
Though we live in a world in which video conferencing makes meetings at a distance much more convenient, sometimes meetings in the flesh are unavoidable, so travel time is a requirement for at least one party. The ease of travel from one office to another is a consideration to make, and the time and financial expense of traveling should be taken into account. In addition to this, the convenience of the commute for employees should be factored in, as well as the ease of travel for existing and prospective clients.
IT infrastructure
With IT as a central part of most businesses in the modern world, IT systems and equipment needs to be transported and reinstalled intact. Unfortunately, this isn’t always successful and systems that are upset during relocations can lead to loss of data and applications. It may be necessary to request approval for relocation from the vendor, servers that host business data need to be moved, all equipment should be moved and connected to local networks, and all of this can be a complicated procedure. In addition, downtime should be kept to a minimum so the business can continue without disruption.
Cost of living
If the move you’re thinking of is between cities, or even between countries, the difference in everyday prices could be quite substantial. According to Numbeo, rental prices are as much as 56% lower in Manchester than they are in London, and monthly travel passes are also less than half the price. Of course, this needs to be matched against the business opportunities in different locations, but for location independent, web-based companies, a lower cost of living can represent considerable savings to be made.
Market standings
When moving to a new location means entering a new market, a number of different factors will need to be considered. What are your market standings in your current location, and how will this be different from your new location? This may be difficult to predict so a good deal of research into your proposed new market and of your potential competition may need to be carried out. Thorough and considered market research can make a big difference in corporate relocation.
Office furniture
Moving office furniture and equipment can make savings for SMEs, and it can also improve environmental sustainability ratings, such as BREEAM or SKA. Another option is to remanufacture your furniture to make it suitable for your new office or meet the architectural design standards. This can avoid considerable waste, and save 80-90% of the emissions, energy, and water used to manufacture new furniture. Commissioning services for re-manufactured office furniture can also save time spent on selling old and buying new furniture.
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Leader candidates
If you are considering opening a new office in a new area, it may be important to consider which individual you choose to lead in the new location. Hiring a new candidate to head the office could be something of a risk, as an unfamiliar face in an unfamiliar environment could translate to a loss in confidence in existing staff and potential clients. Using an established member of the company to lead in the transition stages is usually a smarter move.
Communication
This may make a big difference to the success of a relocation, depending on the exact nature of the business. Many companies, partners, suppliers, customers, clients and other contacts will need to be informed and kept up-to-date on the move and warned of it well in advance. New addresses may also need to be added to websites, social media, email footers, Google listings and office stationery.
In a fast-changing world, offices cannot so easily remain on the same premises for long periods of time without succumbing to developments in market forces, advancements in technology and changes in the workforce. In order to grow, businesses need to reflect the changing world as closely as possible, which means being ready to adapt and acclimatise as often as is necessary. With planning and preparation, changes can be smooth and with little disturbance, so we should be ready to embrace the change and look forward.
