Just like moving home, moving offices can be an extremely stressful experience, not just for you but for your entire team. There’s plenty to look forward to as you get ready to expand your operation and take your business location to the next level but running a business can be stressful enough as it is, throw in an office move in the Big Smoke, which can be an involving and complex project, and you need to be well prepared! London is a sprawling metropolis and a fast-paced mecca for modern businesses, if you are thinking of making a move to office space in London, you need to plan.
We need to be vigilant of work-related burnout, and the effects that stress has, not only on our own wellbeing but the wellness of our colleagues as well. We’ve compiled some tips to helpyou manage your impending office move with stress-free grace:
Plan Ahead
Make lists, lists, and more lists. Get everything down on paper (or in Asana so everyone can be involved). London is a busy and competitive environment, so you need to have thought about everything, especially specialist office removal companies and any other third party support you might need as booking well in advance will prevent any hiccups with unavailability. Planning will help prevent any silly mistakes.
Be selective with your move date
The more forethought you can give to your moving date, the more you will be able to mitigate potential disruption to your business and your customers. Don’t plan a move to your new London offices when it’s peak trading time for you, whether that’s seasonal or simply factoring in peak trading days and times; consider moving when you would normally be quiet, perhaps on a weekend if you normally operate during regular office hours.
Keep channels of communication open
Make sure your team isaware and onboard with the move. They must be consulted and communicated with throughout the entire project. Listen to concerns they might have about the location (it may affect some staff members more than others in terms of school, home, or public transport network distances) and help them to plan; it’s a big move for them as well as your business.
Don’t do everything alone
Moving from one office location to another in the city of London can be an overwhelming task if you take it alone. Delegate some key tasks to staff members, perhaps even assigning a project manager for the job.
Declutter your existing space before you move
A move is a great opportunity to have a big clear out of all the old files, paperwork, and broken printers that have been filling up the cupboards for years. Make sure you recycle or reuse responsibly, perhaps giving unwanted items to a local charity. Giving yourself fewer items to move will also give you a fresh platform going forward when you move into your new premises.
Planmake it easy for you and your team and keep talking. A move doesn’t have to be stressful, and it can be a new beginning and a fresh adventure for your business in London.