One of the most common stories you hear about small businesses is about “starting around a kitchen table”. Many businesses begin in the homes of their founders, then move into small offices, until the company grows to a size when they need bigger and bigger premises.
The first move is something of a right-of-passage for most new businesses. But it can also be a time of great strain on the company and its employees, and there is so much to arrange and many potential pitfalls. These can turn what should be a celebration of the company’s growing into an agonizing process.
However, whether you’re doing your first move as a company or just the latest in a long series, there are three simple things you can do to make the most out of moving. Not only could these make your move a little easier – they could turn the process into something valuable for your business too.
Get in touch with suppliers early
If there’s a single thing you can do which will make moving a much more pain-free experience, then this is it. As soon as you know you need to move – even before you’ve found new premises – start talking to your suppliers. Not only will talking to them early ensure that you aren’t going to be without any of your vital services, you’ll often find that they can help you with aspects of the move, making it a much smoother experience.
Good suppliers will not only take down all the details and ensure that you’re not left with out phones, internet connectivity, lights or heating. They can often suggest ways that you can make the process invisible to your customers, such as by redirecting phone and mail services. Some suppliers can even help with the physical aspects of moving equipment – but the key thing is always to talk to them early, and see what they can do for you.
Look for opportunities in a move
A move is an ideal time to look at elements of your business like your IT and communications infrastructure in a fresh light. Does your business have all the voice and data connections that it needs? Are there any areas where you think you’ll need to expand, either immediately or in the near future? And is the time right to invest in an improved communications infrastructure, by adding features like voice mail, call forwarding, and more lines to your existing call package.
Again, this is a good moment to talk to your supplier and see if there are cost-effective ways you can add more during the move. It may also be a good time to consider consolidating suppliers – for example by having the same supplier look after both internet access and your phone systems.
And “cost-effective” should be a key element in looking for any opportunities. You may be able to get a better-value deal on your business communications when moving. You should also take a serious look at your communications needs – does everyone in the building need the same level of services immediately?
Let your online presence take the strain
Not so long ago, moving premises effectively meant that your business was shut while you moved. This meant that the only practical time that a company could move was the weekend – and even then, it meant lost business time.
Thanks to the internet, it may be possible to move without any interruption to your business – and with sales carrying on even while the moving vans are on the road. If you have an online store and web presence, then customers could continue to order through your site while you move.
What’s more, with broadband access in the home and mobile phones, your employees can carry on working while your company moves. They may even enjoy it!
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