How to Relocate Your Business without Losing Productivity

Relocation is a complex task and puts a lot of burden on the entire business team. Whether you relocate for downsizing or business growth, productivity downfall is common. However, some companies plan well and enjoy a smooth relocation without losing productivity.

You can also adopt these simple and useful procedures for relocating. Failure to consider these proven tips and methods will increase the risk of productivity disruption. Additionally, it can affect your future growth and spoil the business identity in no time.

But do not worry! Read below to find out how you can manage an easy transition without spoiling productivity:

#1. Plan, Plan, and Plan

Planning is crucial for every business move. It lets you manage things easily as you already know your next step. However, relocation planning cannot be done by a single person.

You need to call a meeting and discuss things with all those who are involved in the process. Like partners, line managers, branch heads, department managers, etc.

Take everyone’s input and plan about a few important things like:

• Space requirement considering the current furniture
• Options to move fragile items, electronic items, and hardware
• Transferring files and key documents in folders
• Communicating to the employees, training, and adjustment issues
• Cost-cutting and productivity

Furthermore, take a visual tour and arrange stock visually. It will give you a fair idea about the space requirement of individual cubicles, meeting rooms, cafeteria, etc.

#2. Consider Time and Segment the Essentials

Time is another key factor for productivity. If relocation is taking a lot of time, try to firstly move the things that are essential for productivity.

For instance, if you have a manufacturing business, firstly transfer the machinery and material. Once you start the productivity, you can transfer other stuff like seats, kitchen items, furniture, etc.

So, you need to segment the things into two sections. The ones that are directly related to productivity and others that will not directly affect business efficiency.

If we talk about a restaurant move, business owners can firstly transfer the basic machinery like fryers, stoves, ovens, and grillers. It will help them in starting the delivery service. Once they get all the furniture, they can start the dine-in option.

#3. Communicate with Clients

Never make the mistake of informing customers after the move. It will result in losing a large clientele. Consumers are highly demanding today.

Your absence will let them switch to competitors easily. So, make sure to communicate about your move beforehand.

But it does not mean that you remain silent during the move. If your move is taking time, keep communicating digitally. Share pictures of your new office, announce new deals, and create excitement.

Regularly post something on social media and try to engage clients with your move. Here are a few ways:

• Do not forget to tweet or share a video. Many businesses share behind the scenes videos and enjoy the high engagement.
• Announce special discount for advance orders (these orders will be delivered after the move) like a flat 50% discount for orders before 15th December.
• Ask for consumer opinion regarding aesthetics, colors, and style. Like which color will suit the waiting area, how about adding a nature-based theme, etc.
• Change your address on the website, My Business Page, and social media profiles.

In this way, you can deliver orders right after moving, and productivity levels will not fall.

#4. Hire Professional Movers

Moving is a tedious task and requires a lot of time. If everyone in the company is busy packing things, how will you keep up with productivity?

Thankfully, various international movers are available for the moving service. These movers are trained in transferring the items safely. From packing to unpacking, they take care of every aspect.

Thus, you and your employees can focus on productivity with peace of mind. Yes, some of them even provide insurance coverage and are highly reliable.

However, picking up the right one becomes difficult when you have multiple options. Do not worry. Follow the below checklist:

• Check insurance and license
• Read online reviews
• Ask about the time frame
• Inquire about former clients

#5. Work Remotely

Depending upon the business nature, you can allow remote working for employees directly related to productivity. For instance, if you deal in stock photos, graphic designing, content writing, or customer service, you can easily stay productive even on the move.

However, you need to think smart. Segment your employees into two sections. Transfer each section at a time while the other one remains active remotely. Besides maintaining the productivity flow, it will leave an impressive impact on consumers.

#6. Train Employees and Stay Connected

If some of your employees are working remotely for the first time, the chances of making mistakes are higher. For removing this risk, train them about remote working before several months.

You can create an online portal or make use of tools like Slack, Trello, Clarizen, Asana, etc. Let them know about making the most of these tools. Additionally, train them to stay connected through Zoom calls and virtual meetings.

When your employees are fully trained, they won’t find any difficulty in doing remote work during the move. However, make sure that you stay connected even on the go. Check deadlines and send notifications for late work. It will make the employees realize the importance of work.

#7. Inform Suppliers

If your business is heavily dependent on suppliers, make sure to inform them beforehand. If the supplier is charging you high for the new location, you can look for another option even before moving.

Thus, you will get no difficulty after the move, and productivity will not fall. Many businesses do not work on these things beforehand. It results in delaying time, which in turn affects productivity, and spoils the overall business image.

If you manage to move on the weekend and get all the supplies on your first day, you will not face any delay in productivity.

#8. Gather the Packing Material

Gathering the packing material takes a lot of time. You need a variety of materials depending on your goods. People usually use packing peanuts, bubble wraps, cardboard, packing labels, tape, etc. Create a spreadsheet and note down the quantity as per your items.

#9. Pack Up the Non-Essentials

You cannot do everything at the last moment. Utilize the time that you have and pack up the non-essentials. These things include extra stationery, laptops, computers, furniture items, etc.

How to Pack?

Packing becomes a big hurdle without planning. Therefore, follow the below steps:

• Disassemble electrical appliances and furniture.
• Keep electric cords separately to avoid any damage.
• Segment things and pack each set in one box. For instance, pack all stationery items in a single carton. Make sure to label and cover it tightly.
• Be extra careful in packing documents. Assemble all the papers in multiple folders and then place them in cartons.

These steps will keep your things organized. After reaching the new office, you can quickly open up the cartons needed urgently. However, if you do not pack and label carefully, unpacking will become a big mess. If you spend all the time sorting things after the move, your productivity will decline.

#10. Assign Tasks for the First Day

Though you have the supplies and employees, everything will be haphazard if there is no plan. So, make sure to assign duties for the first day. If it is a working day, make every possible effort to ease the employees directly connected with productivity.

You can ask the other employees like the ones with HR or finance to assist the production team. It can be in terms of setting up the new place or putting the document in order. If you assign these tasks beforehand, productivity will start smoothly.

#11. Schedule Move on Off Days

Most of the businesses do not operate on weekends. Therefore, it is the best time to schedule your move. But, if your business has some different off days, schedule the move accordingly. In this way, your productivity will not fall.

If transferring all the items on one weekend looks impossible, transfer items in two to three weekends. But you need to separate the things that are essential for productivity. Make sure that you transfer the core productivity items and employees at the same time.

If your business operates 7 days a week, you can still transfer goods. In this case, you need to work hard and transfer items after the off timings.

#12. Set Up the Office before the Final Move

One big reason for downtime is setting up the new office after the move. To avoid this, you can reach the office beforehand and do all the setup. If this setup is done before the arrival of employees, your productivity will never decrease.

So, make sure to make all essential arrangements before the move. It includes electricity, internet connection, furniture, minor renovations, etc.

Final Thoughts

All in all, making a business move without losing productivity is possible. However, you need to plan, segment things, and pack in advance. You can also hire a moving company and focus on your work. Allowing remote work, informing clients, and scheduling the move on free days also makes a difference.

So, always stay productive no matter where you move!

About the Author!

Myrah Abrar is a computer science graduate with a passion for web development and digital marketing. She writes blog articles for Asia Relocation, International movers.