Preparing Your Office Team for a Move
Relocating your office can be an overwhelming task, but it becomes easier when you prioritize. One priority task is communicating with your office team about the move. Without good communication, your employees will be anxious and may become less engaged in their work. Here are some tips for preparing your team for an office move.
Tell Them Early
Tell employees about the move when you have secured your new location. Employees might be more anxious or suspicious if they hear about the move from someone else before they hear it from you.
Tell employees face to face rather than through email. If possible, hold one big meeting so that everyone hears the same news. If one meeting isn't possible, carefully coordinate separate meetings and messaging.
When you tell employees, explain the reasons for the move and how it will benefit them and the company. Be ready with answers about parking, public transportation, child care, and other services near the new location.
Negotiate with nearby businesses for introductory discounts for your employees. The discounts demonstrate goodwill and may help the employees find new providers at the new location.
As you move through the moving process, continue to communicate openly with your team.
Prepare an Office Layout
Prepare an office layout, receiving suggestions from your team. Prioritize employee needs in your design. An employee-friendly office often results in better productivity.
Photograph the new office as you renovate it and post photos where team members can see them.
Stay Organized
If employees sense that management is organized about the move, they will feel less anxious. Appoint one team member as a moving coordinator. Then, gain feedback from your team about a realistic moving timeline. Once you've developed the timeline, post it regularly for all to see and refer to.
Help Team Members Adjust
People adjust to change differently. Some employees may need more flexibility and assistance in preparing for, making, and adjusting to the move. Identify each employee's roles in the move and discuss with them. Provide guidance and offer any assistance you can with sorting and packing.
If possible, let your team visit the new office. The visit will help alleviate anxiety and will help team members provide better feedback about how to renovate the new space for greater productivity.
Take Your Time
Allow ample time for team members to sort and pack. Pace yourself. A slower pace will allow team members more time to adjust to the move mentally.
Plan a Celebration
As part of your moving process, plan a celebration after the move is complete. The celebration will be something employees can look forward to.
Hire Professional Commercial Movers
Professional movers are essential for significant office moves and help smaller offices save money over moving themselves. Using a professional moving service can keep the move on schedule. Professional movers reduce downtime. A professional moving company can also reduce your team's workload because they can provide packing and setup support.
We have considerable experience in office moves. Contact us today for a quote.