If you have been running a company in Chicago, moving your business to a new location is a major decision. Like many other business owners who move from Chicago every year, perhaps you are looking to expand your customer base, improve your visibility, or save on rent costs. Regardless of your reasons, a commercial move requires attention to detail.
Among other things, you will need to consider logistics, budgeting, employee communication, and client outreach. If you fall short of planning, it may result in costly delays, lost revenue, and disgruntled employees and clients.
To help you navigate the complexities of a commercial move, we have put together some surefire tips that will pave the way for a smooth transition. Whether you are a small startup or a large corporation, these tips will help you execute a successful move.
1.Hire Professional Movers
Professional movers have years of experience and specialized knowledge in the logistics of commercial moves. As a result, you should hire them for a stress-free move, more so if you are undertaking a move from a city like Chicago. The World Population Review rates Chicago’s traffic as the third worst in the United States. This factor can make navigating through the city difficult, resulting in delays and increased transportation costs.
That said, not all Chicago movers are created equal. You need to pay attention to a few aspects before getting a mover on board. To get started, read customer reviews. It will give you a good idea about what previous customers have said about their experiences. Pay attention to recurring themes, such as punctuality, professionalism, and the safety of belongings. Considering all these factors will help you find the best Chicago commercial movers.
2.Start Planning Early
Indeed, running a business requires constant attention and focus. There are always new challenges to face, deadlines to meet, and clients to please. As a result, it is easy to put off tasks that do not seem immediately urgent or critical. And planning a commercial move is one of them. However, unlike the common assumption, delaying the move could lead to a host of issues.
To begin with, it may limit your options in terms of finding the right location. Depending on your industry and location, desirable office spaces could be in high demand, and waiting too long to start the search might mean missing out on the best options. It can result in settling for a less-than-ideal location, which can hurt your business in the long run.
Furthermore, procrastination might trigger?rushed decisions. For example, if you are packing up your office in a hurry, you may not label boxes properly. It may cause confusion, and you may even end up losing items.
Likewise, if you wait until the last minute to notify?your customers and employees,?you run the risk of upsetting them. So the earlier you start planning, the more time you have to ensure everything is in place for a smooth transition.
3.Declutter Ruthlessly
Your new office space is a fresh start. So make the most of it by only bringing the essentials. By decluttering like your life depends on it, you will be setting yourself up for success in your new commercial space. Plus, it will save you time and money on packing and moving things you do not really need.
Start by assessing your office and creating a plan of attack. Identify areas that need the most attention, set goals for how much you want to accomplish each day, and decide what items you want to keep, donate, or discard. As a rule of thumb, if you have not used an item in over a year, it is likely safe to get rid of it.
Moreover, consider digitizing paperwork to reduce physical storage needs. Scanning documents and storing them electronically is an excellent way to save space while having easy access to important information.
4.Start Labelling
Moving to a new office can be a wild ride of emotions. It is a mix of excitement, anticipation, and anxiety all rolled into one. Well, fortunately, there is a secret weapon that will help you conquer the chaos of a commercial move: labels.
When packing up your office, you do not want to waste time searching for a specific item on a moving day. That is where labels come in handy.
You can label items by color or number, depending on what works best for you. For instance, if an item belongs in the new office kitchen, slap a green tag on it, or label it with the number “one.” It is that simple.
The best part of labeling is that anyone can quickly learn the system and follow it in just a few minutes. It helps track what has been packed and where things must go in your new office. Besides saving you time and stress, it will also make unpacking a breeze.
5.Pick the Right Date
Consider this: you have an important client meeting scheduled for the same day your office move is taking place. Chaos and confusion ensue as your team struggles to juggle the move and the meeting. Not exactly the professional image you want to portray, right? That is why you should be very careful picking the date for your move.
Consider all your upcoming client meetings and project deadlines, and plan accordingly. If your client meeting is urgent and somehow clashes with the moving date, you may rent a coworking space for a few hours or even a few days.
Aside from that, you should also factor in the weather as well. Extreme weather conditions can be a nightmare, causing unexpected delays and additional challenges that make the moving process a real pain. For instance, if you live in an area where heavy snowfall is common, moving trucks may have trouble navigating through roads.
Conclusion
Undertaking a successful commercial move is easier said than done. However, with the right approach and mindset, you can turn your commercial move into an opportunity to streamline your business operations, improve your workspace, and set yourself up for long-term success. So follow the tips covered in this blog, and do not let the stress of moving get in the way of your goals. Take action today and make your commercial move a success.
