If you’re a business owner, no matter how big or small, knowing when to expand or cut back can make or break your business. This is particularly true when it comes to the right office space. But, how to know it’s time to move your office? For most people, any type of move veers toward life’s more nightmarish scenarios. Moving an office is perhaps even trickier than simply moving house. The organization of a move can get complicated. It’s time-consuming and it comes on top of you and your employees doing all of the work you usually do. However, not moving when the time is right can actually harm the success of your business and your employees’ performance.
Why is it a good idea to move?
In some cases, when it’s clear you need more or less space, the benefits themselves are clear as well. If you don’t have enough space for your equipment or your employees are bumping into one another or each other’s desks, the new space will be beneficial just by eliminating these issues. You may feel like you are not there yet. On the other hand, if you have either expansion or downsizing on your mind, you may want to consider getting a space that is more appropriate for your plans for the future. It might be a little uncomfortable at first, or you may feel like you are tempting fate by having too much space when you don’t need it, but if an opportunity presents itself, you should definitely go for it.
An additional benefit is that a move will force you to reorganize your operation. Think about the ways you could make your space work better for you and your employees. Chances are you will notice a bump in their productivity and overall attitude.
Clear signs it’s time to move your office
Obviously, every business is a beast of its own. However, there are some general telltale signs that it’s time to move your office. Being able to recognize these will make you rest easy, aware you know what to be on the lookout for. You are probably aware of the benefits of multitasking, so make sure you always keep a tab open in your mind for these signs.
Change in size
As we already mentioned, the necessity to find a bigger place will be one of the most obvious ways how to know it’s time to move your office. Your employees will probably voice their dissatisfaction with an overcrowded working environment, and you’ll notice things will turn quite chaotic. In a perfect world, you will be able to foresee this happening and take the necessary precautions. On the other hand, you may not exactly be looking to downsize, but perhaps your current space is much bigger than what you currently need. Whether it was because you jumped at the opportunity for your current space or you thought your business would have grown much more in this time, having too much space can be a problem as well. If it’s not the size you’ll require anytime soon, you’ll basically be hemorrhaging money on something your business has absolutely no use of.
The location
Another one of those clear signs it’s time to move your office is when you notice your location doesn’t serve you anymore. Some businesses are entirely dependent on heavy foot traffic, so they can’t afford their location not delivering. Others, on the other hand, have no special use for it, other than occasional convenience. If your business is more of the former, you want to take this into careful consideration. Always be on the lookout for new vacancies in places where you think your business would do well. For businesses where the location itself is not that important, it can come into play in a different way. Space you currently occupy may be designed in a way that doesn’t quite work for your operation. This would also be a hint at moving offices.
Reorganization
Another thing that tells you how to know it’s time to move your office is when you notice things don’t run as smoothly as you would want them to. There may not be an issue with size. Space may simply be organized in a way that doesn’t fit your way of working. Maybe you’ve needed it all along, or your priorities may have changed. Whatever the reason, you might realize you need cubicles or a conference room or more separate offices. Knowing your exact needs will help tremendously with finding a new space.
The cost
The financial aspect of things is often the most obvious one. If your rent is too high for your budget, that is one of the clearest signs it’s time to move your office. You may be thinking that the move itself costs money. You are not wrong there, but it might cost you even more in the long run to stay put. Weigh your options carefully. You might still be able to afford the space you’re using. However, don’t be afraid to take the leap if a more affordable option pops up. You may have to invest a little bit in the move, but you will save more money than you spend.
How to know it’s time to move your office?
Much like with running a business in general, it’s important to always be prepared. Your space could be working out perfectly for you right now. However, knowing how to recognize those clear signs it’s time to move your office will save you a lot of nerves in the long run. With good planning of the move and time management, how to know it’s time to move your office will be a piece of cake.
