6 Tips for Relocating Your Small Business Office

Relocating your business office requires a lot of planning and attention to details. You may have to temporarily close or scale down your operation, which can result in financial loss. Your new location may inconvenience your existing customers and business associates. In your hurry or enthusiasm, you may overlook many things crucial to the success of your business. Therefore, you must plan your business relocation with utmost care and execute every step meticulously.

Here are 6 tips on how to relocate your small business office:

1. Select a better location: Regardless of why you have decided to relocate your office, select a location which is better than your current location. This doesn’t necessarily mean a bigger and better office; it means a place that will be more easily accessible to your existing and new customers. Of course, it has to have all the services, facilities and amenities necessary to run your business smoothly.
2. Create a plan and execute it: After you have found the right place, create a plan with a precise timeline for moving. If you are not being evicted or compelled to move out due to unavoidable circumstances, then plan at least 4 – 6 months ahead. Set a start and end date for everything including commencement of lease/rent, furnishing, decoration, packing, moving and inauguration. Delegate responsibilities to your staff and make sure they meet all the deadlines.
3. Inform your staff, customers and business associates: Unless you are running away, anyone who is connected to your business in anyway should know when and where you are relocating. Inform your employees, customers and business associates well in advance. Explain to them why you are moving to make sure there are no speculations and rumors that may be detrimental to your business.
4. Do not move before the office is ready for operation: Do not be in a hurry to move without your new office being ready for operation. Make sure all the furniture, decorations, equipment and services (electricity, telephone, internet, water, etc) are in place. Doing interior decoration, electrical fittings and plumbing after you have moved obstructs your work and also costs more.
5. Make sure you don’t have any unpaid bills: It’s unethical to move without paying all of your bills or fixing anything you may have damaged. Make sure that you do not have any unpaid bills and maintenance issues. Make a clean exit so there is nothing to worry about when you leave.
6. Use relocation as an opportunity to upgrade and advertise: Relocation gives you an opportunity to upgrade your office and advertise your business. Replace all your old equipment and furniture if you can afford to do so. Announce your new location and invite the locals as well as existing customers to grand opening. Give promotional discounts to attract new customers for a limited period.

Relocating your business office can be challenging, but it can also provide you with new opportunities. How you overcome challenges and take advantage of opportunities will have important implications for the success or failure of your business.  Be sure to consult with the city’s business economic development centre to help guide your business through a successful relocation.

About the author: John Hallinston is a professional career management consultant who helps business and individual take the right path.  You can find more his work on his blog, Career Focus Café.