Tag: business move

Supporting Employees During an Office Move

office move new orleans

Support Your Employees During a Move

Relocating your company to a new location involves meticulous planning and significant preparation. An office move involves many different details. You have many aspects to consider including the furniture, equipment, and daily essentials. While the item logistics for your move are extremely important for your business, there is another aspect that is a vital part of your business you’ll need to address too. Your employees will need a different kind of support for the move than your business items. For your employees, the move is new and unknown. Supporting them during the change is key to keeping your business running smoothly.

How Moving Impacts Employees

A few days of interrupted work due to the move will not heavily affect your employees work life. An employee can generally recover their work routine easily after an office move because it is not a permanent disruption. While their work life will not be heavily affected by the move, their personal life is another matter. Whether it is an international move or a local move, routines will change because of the relocation. Commutes, daycare pick-up times, and morning routines can all be affected by an office relocation. Your employees will need to adjust to the relocation and have time to plan how they will accommodate the change.

Revealing the Relocation NewsSupport your employees during a move by answering questions.

The initial reveal of the move will likely come as a shock to your employees. While you and your management team may have been excited for the change, you’ve already had time to adjust. Your employees will feel differently and will need time to understand what this means for them. Tell them face-to-face and be ready to answer any questions they may have about the move. You’ll want to tell them as early as you can so they can start their own preparations and begin to plan for themselves and their family. The more time they have to plan the better prepared they will be for the new office.

Supporting Employees During an Office MoveSupporting Your Employees During the Move

Supporting your employees during a move will help them adjust to the new location quicker because they will have one less thing to worry about. Whether you help them plan their new commute or provide a moving care package that pays for their relocation, providing some kind of assistance will relieve a little of their stress. Showing that you are aware of the challenges facing your employees and are putting forth effort to help them through it will go a long way. Whatever assistance you decide to provide to your employees, decide in the planning stages and let them know when you announce the move.

Your employees are a valuable part of your business. Supporting your dedicated workers in the relocation will help you retain happy and hard-working employees. The extra support will also relieve their stress and allow them to stay focused on the job at hand. An office move can be a great new experience for everyone involved with the proper support for and from your employees.


Work with The Quality Group

At The Quality Group, we’re your commercial relocation specialists. Founded in 1987 in New Orleans, LA, The Quality Group serves the Gulf States with comprehensive commercial moving services from move planning to furniture installation. No other company puts in the time or preparation that we do to make your move stress and hassle-free.

4 Organizing Tips to Easy Office Relocation

Preparing for an office move can be stressful for the whole office. It is disruptive of the work flow and nerve-racking to all employees involved. Successful organization before your move however, can lead to a seamless and easy office relocation and as well as stress-free unpacking.

Have an Easy Office Relocation with these 4 Organizing Tips

1. Label EverythingLabel personal items for an easy office relocation.

While your moving company will move all of the big equipment and furniture, ensuring correct installation and relocation of these items, you and your employees will need to take care of the small and personal items. Labeling your small and personal items will ensure your equipment is relocated correctly and lead to a smoother move as well as an effortless unpacking process. Labeled files will end up in the correct filing cabinet while kitchen supplies will make it into the kitchen area instead of the lobby.

Use color coded labels for even more organization.

 

2. Use ChecklistsChecklists help you ensure all aspects of moving are covered.

When getting ready for the move, use checklists to ensure that every aspect of packing is covered and all items are organized before the movers arrive. Your list might include checking in with every employee and confirming they are prepared for the move or completing a walk through of the communal areas to verify that all is packed. You could also have a general inventory list to confirm that everything is accounted for in each area of the office.

 

3. Delegate TasksPut one person in charge of a specific task to ensure things get done.

Who packed the kitchen supplies? Where are the communal office supplies? To avoid these questions, delegate communal space packing to certain employees to guarantee all communal packing is complete before the big move. Delegating tasks will also ensure that nothing is left behind. Putting one person in charge of a specific area will provide your employees with a sense of responsibility and give you a point person to talk to if an area is left unpacked.

 

4. Assign New OfficesFor an easy office relocation, assign new offices before you get there.

Before the move, give your employees their new office numbers or cubical locations. Provide them with a layout of the new office space so they can familiarize themselves with the arrangement. Have them label their personal office boxes with their new office numbers or names. This can help prevent an office scramble after the move.

At Quality Group, we can help you plan your layout and optimize it for workflow efficiency and assist you in office assignments. Having a third party assign offices can lead to fewer arguments between employees fighting for the “best” office space.

Moving an office is stressful enough, but taking a little time before the relocation to organize yourself and your employees can lead to a harmonious and easy office relocation. Use these tips to ensure that packing and unpacking your office goes smoothly.


Work with The Quality Group

At The Quality Group, we’re your commercial relocation specialists. Founded in 1987 in New Orleans, LA, The Quality Group serves the Gulf States with comprehensive commercial moving services from move planning to furniture installation. No other company puts in the time or preparation that we do to make your move stress and hassle-free.

Writing Your Business Relocation Letter

Informing those who interact with you on a daily basis about an upcoming move is an essential part of keeping your business running normally. Your clients, vendors, partners, and mail deliverers need to know your new location if they are going to continue to interact with the business in an efficient manner. A well-written and timely business relocation letter will help everyone associated with your company accept your transition to a new location.

Business Relocation Letters Notify Your Associates of Your Move in a Timely Manner

Start preparing your business relocation letter two months outPrepare

Giving enough time for everyone to get used to your move is an important part of moving. You’ll want to start preparing to send out the letter two months prior to your move date in order to get everything assembled. Start preparing the letter as soon as you know the move date.

Construct the Mailing List

Chances are your list of contacts is extensive. The first step in sending out your business relocation letter is sifting through all your contacts to determine who needs a notification of your move and who does not. For example, a client you haven’t interacted with in five years may not be your first recipient, however, this does create an opportunity to reach out to that client and update them on your services or how your business has changed. The client who you see every quarter however, should be made aware of your business relocation as soon as you’re ready to send them out.

Write Your Letter

There are several aspects you’ll need to include when writing your relocation letter. All of your contact information including mailing addresses, phone numbers, email, and social media profiles needs to be included on your letter so recipients can contact you with any questions or concerns. If your contact information is changing, put both forms in your letter and the dates when that contact information will be valid.

Follow this format for your letter:

All contact information

Greeting

Introduction paragraph

o   The announcement of the move and the date when the new office will be open.

Secondary paragraph

o   Explanation of the move. This can include why you are moving, any service changes that will be a result of the move, and what they can expect for the future.

Current and future contact information with effective dates

Closing paragraph

o   This is a positive message about the move and a thank you to the recipients for their understanding and support. It also includes directions for contacting you with concerns.

Closing and signature

Send your business relocation letter through the mail, email, and post it social mediaSend the Letter

Printing and sending the letter to your recipients is the last step in completing your business relocation letter. You’ll need to print out the copies either in-house or get a print shop to print them for you, along with the envelopes. Once mailed, follow through by sending the letter in email form as well as posting it to your social media pages to ensure everyone sees the update. Getting the letter to clients through multiple channels will ensure your message is received. Send out your notification of the move through mail, email, and social media posts at least one month before the move date. You can also send out reminders or countdown letters and emails reminding everyone of the move as it draws closer. Giving a month’s time will allow people to make necessary adjustments or ask questions about the move.

An organized business relocation letter can do wonders for your clients, vendors, and associates when you are moving to a new location. Simply giving them formal notification can prevent confusion and awkward phone calls about your location. A business relocation letter and proper follow through plan will help everyone take your company’s move in stride.


 

Work with The Quality Group

At The Quality Group, we’re your commercial relocation specialists. Founded in 1987 in New Orleans, LA, The Quality Group serves the Gulf States with comprehensive commercial moving services from move planning to furniture installation. No other company puts in the time or preparation that we do to make your move stress and hassle-free.

Updating Your Address Business Moving Checklist

Updating your address during a business move can be a bit of a hassle. It used to be an easy update informing the post office and your clients of the move. Today however, there is a lot more to worry about. With the multiple channels you utilize to stay current in the market, you also need to be concerned about keeping those channels updated to ensure current and future clients can find you. Make sure to update your address during a business move on everything in this checklist to keep your clients informed.

Update Your Address During a Business Move to Avoid Client Confusion

 

  • Website

Your website is where most people are going to look in order to find where you are located. Informing your web company of the move and requesting them to change your address is a top priority.

 

  • Business Card

You give business cards to every potential client and acquaintance you meet. If you set up a meeting with someone and they are basing your location off of the information you personally handed to them, it better be correct or the relationship will be strained before it even begins.

 

  • Marketing Materials

Many businesses utilize some type of marketing material whether it is flyers, brochures, billboards, newspaper ads, or magazine ads. Update your address on these materials to avoid confusion with your clients.

 

  • Social Media

This one is easy to forget about but extremely important to remember. With more and more people spending increasing amounts of time on social media, having updated information on these platforms is crucial for your business. Correct information on social media will keep you current on the online sphere and ensure your followers you are active as a company.

 

  • Google

This encompasses updating your business’ location on Google Maps and on your paid search campaigns. Many people search for your business on Google Maps because it is easy and accurate. It is crucial to ensure the listing stays accurate so people end up at your new location. Also, updating your paid search campaigns to the new address will prevent your clients from being

 

  • Online Directories

If you’re listed as a location in any online directories such as, Yelp, Angie’s List, Yellow Pages, Foursquare, etc., make sure to have your information updated across these channels. As different viewers will find you in different ways online, its important that these show the most current information.

 

  • Billing Address

Many bills are paid electronically now, but it is still important to update your address to the new location with the billing companies. In the event that a bill is sent via mail or you need to request an invoice for your books, making sure they have the current address will prevent future headaches.

 

  • Return Labels/StampsUpdate your address on your stamps during a business move

This is a minor detail that is often overlooked. Acquiring updated return labels or stamps, however, will prevent someone in your office from having to hand write hundreds of return addresses on letters that need to be sent out quickly.

 

We’ll try to keep the move as stress free as possible, but we know there are plenty of other items to take care of during relocation. While updating your address can get pushed down on the To Do list (or even seem a little daunting), it’s extremely important to your company and your clients. The last thing you want after a successful move is to get multiple calls from clients asking where you are right before your meeting time. To avoid problems and unnecessary headaches, be sure to follow this list and update your address on all channels.

Why You Need a Move Consultation

A Move Consultation Helps Provides a Seamless Moving Experience

Moving your office is a big project and considerable planning, organization, and management is required for a smooth office relocation. It takes serious logistics to move all of your equipment and furniture in a timely and efficient fashion and that’s where we step in to help. The Quality Group offers a complete on-site move consultation as part of our services to work out the details of your move. We assess all of your assets and your time frame to build a moving plan that works for you. During your move consultation we determine the necessary equipment, vehicles, and team members we’ll need to provide to perform a seamless move.

Using the Best Equipment

A move consultation will get you the right equipment for an effective move.Each business is unique and has different furniture, Rule the Stage: How to Master the Art of Bodybuilding Contest Prep buy anabolic steroids results australia – steroids for sale australia men breathable butt lift underwear bodybuilding compression boxer detachable pads padded underwear best online – newchic technology, and tools. One of the main reasons we provide a move consultation is to determine what equipment will be necessary to move your office safely and securely. We pack your office using specific equipment and materials to ensure all items arrive soundly at the new place. During the consultation we will also determine if your move will require specialty equipment or if any obstacles need to be accommodated for while moving. The Quality Group takes into consideration elevators, ramps, steps, doorways, hallways, and much more so we can plan your move with precision.

The Right Moving Vehicles

The Quality Group has various sized trucks standing ready for your business move. As we can move any sized office no matter how big or small, one key part in our move consultation is determining which size moving truck will suit your business. Our aim is to take as little time as possible moving you from one location to another, which means picking the right truck is important. If one small truck is sufficient there is no need to risk delaying your move with using two. If you need three large trucks we won’t waste time packing one small one seven times. Packing up the right truck is a key factor in moving you with efficiency and we take that seriously.

The Ideal Moving Team

Having the optimal amount of team members is an integral part in making your move seamless. In order to provide you with that optimal amount, we use part of our move consultation to determine how many team members need to be working on your relocation. With our three dedicated teams each assigned to their own specific station, we work with efficiency and eliminate unnecessary wait time.

The Quality Group tailors its moving services to each and every business. Providing a move consultation as part of our services allows us to customize each move and give you truly strategized moving experience. We’d like you not to notice your move so you can continue business as usual, so call us today to receive our moving consultation services and relocate into your new office with ease.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a New Office

Anyone who has ever moved knows and understands that a lot goes into choosing a new office. There are a lot of factors to consider in a certain time limit and because there is so much to do it’s easy to make mistakes. Below is a list of the most common ones that people make when choosing a new office and tips on how to avoid making them.

Underestimating Time

If your business doesn’t account for enough time when choosing an office space, you will be forced into choosing something that may not be best for you. Looking for a space and negotiating an office lease time can take a while. If you know you want to move to a new office you should begin the search 6-12 months in advance of your current lease’s expiration date, and maybe even more if your office is larger than 2500 sq. ft. as your space requirements are more likely harder to meet.

Not Considering Future Growth

Failing to factor in future growth of your company may result in your business outgrowing the office before the lease’s due expiration date. This results in staff feeling cramped and unmotivated, and not being able to get any work done. Future growth should be taken into consideration when choosing a new office. It never hurts to have a little extra space or a couple of extra rooms in your office because that space may come handy later on.

Paying the Stated Price and Not Negotiating

All lease terms are negotiable. Settling for the landlord’s initial negotiations will only ensure that they are getting the most bang for their buck, and it will prevent you from looking after your own needs and interests. Be sure to negotiate the terms that your landlord proposes to ensure you are getting what you need in the new office.

Not Having Legal Representation

A real estate lawyer reviews office spaces for their career. When reviewing the terms of your lease it’s beneficial to have a real estate lawyer on your side to review the lease with you. If you were to review the lease and make a mistake the consequences could come back and hurt you down the line. Make sure you have a real estate lawyer that is looking out for you and who will help prevent this from happening.

Choosing the right office space is imperative to ensuring your business is successful. Follow our tips above in order to avoid the most common mistakes made when choosing a new office space. Doing so will benefit you and your business.

Don’t lose your data or computers when moving your office.

Having movers physically move your companies’ computer equipment makes you cringe. To ease your mind about having movers handle your precious cargo, you want your own employees to move their own computer stations. You may want to have employees move their computers instead because you’ve been thinking, “What if the movers drop my computers? What the movers just throw my computers in the back of their truck like it’s an empty box?”

I’ll give you another “what if” situation. What if your employee accidentally drops their monitor on the way to their car, or what if the computer gets left in their car for the weekend and gets overheated? Now your business has another set of problems because you have to replace that computer so that employee can work Monday morning.

But remember, your employees specialize in your business operations, not in moving computer equipment. Always remember to back up your data before allowing anyone to start moving your computer equipment, servers or workstations. At the Quality Group, we know that your computer equipment and data are the lifeline of your business, so we treat it with the greatest care. We’re going to take you step by step and explain to you how we would move your business’ computer equipment. If moved properly you won’t have to worry. You should expect when hiring any moving company to follow the same same steps in order to safely transport your computers.

We believe that any moving company should have special equipment carts that are designed to safely transport all of your computer equipment. You can see a picture of one of our carts below. But before we put your equipment on one of these strategically designed carts we bubble wrap the monitors. Second, we take all computer accessories such as your mouse, keyboard and wiring and pack them neatly in our computer accessories bag. Next, we begin to load the computer equipment carts. We put all the bubble-wrapped monitors on the bottom shelf of the cart, and then load all of your computer accessories onto the cart. Our final step before transport is to stretch wrap the computer equipment carts. This ensures a secure transport for all of your precious computer equipment. Again see a picture of a properly loaded, wrapped and protected computer equipment on the cart below.

 

WrappedComputers

 

When the Quality Group arrives at your new location with all of your business’ computer equipment, you can be sure that no computer will be without a mouse, keyboard or monitor cable. We strategically pack each of your offices’ computer stations so each computer equipment cart contains every item needed for each computer station to be fully functional.

We then unpack each computer station. But, that’s not all. We make sure every computer is in its correct place and functioning smoothly. You and your employees shouldn’t have to go through any hassle during your office move. That’s why we make this process as easy, quick and safe as possible.

You should expect the same service from any moving company you hire to move your office equipment. If you choose to move the equipment yourself, make sure that you follow the same steps.

If you have questions the Quality Group would be glad to assist you on your move.

QGTruck

New Year, New Office: Keep Your 2015 Commercial Move on Track

You know you’re ready for a commercial move. Maybe you’re expanding and need more room, or you need to be closer to your customer base. If you’ve been putting it off until “next year” or “first quarter”, now’s the time to start planning. If moving your office is one of your new year’s resolutions, we’ve got some tips to help you follow through.

 

Decide a “Moving Day” and Work Backward

To get the moving process rolling, set a hard and fast “Moving Day”. This is the date that movers will come and you will officially be moved into your new office. This is often what keeps businesses from following through on their commercial moving goals. It’s a big step, but once you set your moving day, planning everything else becomes easier. Work backward from the moving day, listing all the steps you need to take before you move.

 

Set SMART Goals

SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely. If your goal is to move your office, make it more specific. Set realistic and achievable deadlines for each phase of the moving process, such as securing a new workspace, hiring a moving company and packing up offices.

 

Hold Your Employees and Yourself Accountable

Once you set your goals, hold yourself and any employees involved in the process accountable. Clearly communicate deadlines and expectations, and if they aren’t met, quickly address the parties involved to keep your commercial move on track.

Moving your office isn’t easy. It takes hard work, dedication and initiative to keep your office move on track and successful when Moving Day comes. The Quality Group can take some of the weight off of your shoulders with relocation planning and management.

Work with The Quality Group

At The Quality Group, we’re your commercial relocation specialists. Founded in 1987 in New Orleans, LA, The Quality group serves the gulf states with comprehensive commercial moving services from move planning to furniture installation. No other company puts in the time or preparation that we do to make your move stress and hassle-free.

How to: Keep Your Employees Productive During an Office Move

A big move can stop your office’s productivity in its tracks. Follow these tips to keep your office running at peak performance during your commercial move.

 

Make Employees Aware of Their Responsibilities Before the Move

Are employees expected to box up their office? When do they need to start going to the new office? Part of your commercial moving plan should include briefing employees on their jobs during the move. If everyone knows what’s expected of them, they can focus on their jobs instead of worrying about the impending move.

Don’t Let Move Planning Distract Your Employees

Keep the potential stress of moving between those who need to know about it. The team dedicated to planning your commercial move should only discuss moving details during assigned meeting times. This will keep office moving chatter from distracting other employees. Separating move planning from regular work duties will also help the planning team stay productive.

Give Employees an Outlet to Answer Questions and Voice Concerns

Be there for your employees. If they are feeling overwhelmed from helping plan the move, help them manage their responsibilities. If they have questions about the move, answer them. If you take care of employee concerns, they can focus on their job with the peace of mind that the move will go smoothly.

 

With proactive communication and understanding on both sides, you can keep your employees productive during your commercial move. And to avoid unintended office closures and move complications, trust The Quality Group to keep your move running on time with our timeline guarantee.

Work with The Quality Group

At The Quality Group, we’re your commercial relocation specialists. Founded in 1987 in New Orleans, LA, The Quality group serves the gulf states with comprehensive commercial moving services from move planning to furniture installation. No other company puts in the time or preparation that we do to make your move stress and hassle-free.