Category: Commercial Relocation

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.

Office Moving How-To: Packing up Your Office

Your commercial move is getting closer, and you can’t put off packing anymore. Before the movers get there, follow these tips to make packing up your office stress-free.

 

1. Start Early

The earlier you start, the less daunting the task of packing up your office will be. A few months before your move, create a packing list to help everyone stay and the same page.

2. Get Rid of What You Don’t Need

If you’re going to replace old desks and furniture, don’t worry about packing and moving them! Here are 5 things you can do with your old furniture so you don’t have to bring it with you to your new office.

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3. Delegate Tasks

If employees will be responsible for packing up their own offices, give them specific instructions and deadlines. If you’re forming an employee team to help with packing, make expectations and responsibilities clear for everyone.

4. Stay Organized

Label packing boxes by room or area of your new office to make unpacking easier. Establish a packing system to keep parts, cables and small office items organized during your move.

5. Plan for Your Tech

Hire a moving company that knows how to handle technological equipment. An experienced commercial moving company can make sure your sensitive equipment makes it to your new office safely.

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These packing tips will help you get ready for your office move. With complete commercial move management from The Quality Group, we’ll take care of the rest. Click here to get a fast office moving quote now.

 

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.

Commercial Moving Online Reviews: What to Look For

How do you know if you’re hiring the right moving company? Every company says that they’ll move you fast, take care of your belongings and finish on time. But how you do know, without industry knowledge, what to look for in a commercial moving company? Look for these phrases to get past sales jargon to actual customer experience.

 

“They never miss a deadline”

It’s one thing for a company to say this, and quite another for a customer to say it. If a client says this about a commercial moving company, you know they trust them to do what they say. Follow-through is one of the most important factors when choosing a company for your office move.

“They were the most professional, organized, and courteous group of guys we have ever worked with”

Every business will tell you they’re experts in their field, and they could be. But you may forget to ask about the employees you will be working with.  There’s a difference between a company with a truck and a company cares about getting the job done and giving you the best moving experience.

“Their timing and precision in moving was seamless with no downtime”

Everyone says they’re fast and that they’ll finish your move on time. But what is fast if it’s not efficient? And what is fast if the move isn’t done right? Look for “no downtime” or “no operational downtime” to find a commercial moving company that cares about getting your move finished, getting out of your way and getting your back in business.

 

To read more real reviews from real customers here.

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.

Holiday Office Moves: Pros and Cons

Are you planning an office move this holiday season? During your move preparation, consider all the pros and cons of moving your business during the holidays.

 

Pro: The Holidays are the Slow Season

Business often slows down during the holiday season, which can make it a great time for an office move. Without the pressure of constant deadlines and meetings, you have time to plan your move and relocate to your new office.

Pro: Holiday Schedules Give You More Flexibility

Every office has a holiday schedule to service their customers while accommodating their employees. Shortened hours are often the norm for businesses during the holidays. This precedent allows you to adopt a flexible schedule during your office move. If you have to, you can even close the office during the move without losing business or upsetting current customers.

Con: Staying Productive During the Holidays is Tough

If keeping your office moving during the craziness of the holidays is tough, moving your office could be a challenge. The key to a smooth office move is planning, planning and more planning. Without a hard-working team dedicated to planning, your office move may turn into uphill battle.

Con: Unexpected Moving Costs

Holiday costs add up fast, and so can moving costs. If your business is moving slow during the holidays, make sure you have the revenue to cover all of your business moving costs.

 

There will never be the “perfect” time to move. Moving is inconvenient, costly, and takes work and planning. When deciding when to move, look at your business cycle, holiday schedule and incoming revenue. When you’re ready to move, let The Quality Group make it as easy as possible.

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.

How To: Help Your Employees Through an Office Move

An office move can bring new opportunities for your business. But how does it affect your employees? When you move your business, your hard working employees are about to go through a lot of changes. Make it easier for them by helping your employees through your commercial move.

 

Keep the Employee-Employer Communication Line Open Throughout the Move
Tell employees what’s going on through each step of the moving process. Keep them updated via email, in person, and also post accessible information around the office. Give employees the chance to voice their concerns and give feedback on the move. Collaboration may help the moving process and will show your employees that you value their opinion.
BONUS: Make employees feel comfortable giving feedback by allowing them to do it anonymously.

 

Let Your Employees Know What Will Be Changing and When
As soon as details like office location are set in stone, you need to brief your employees. The location you choose could affect how they get to work, where they choose to live, or if they can continue to work for the company. By giving your employees advanced notice, you can help them get their personal life ready for the changes in their professional life.
BONUS: If your employee’s schedule will be turned upside-down by your move, consider adopting a flexible work schedule.

 

Get Employees Involved in Your Office Move
Making your employees part of the moving process will not only help them with the transition, but will also help you improve productivity in your new office. Create a discussion where employees can voice their opinions about office layout and the working environment. Their day-to-day experience can yield great ideas to implement in your new office.
BONUS: Help employees get used to their new surroundings by taking them out to a restaurant or coffee shop near your new office.

 

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.

5 Things You Need to Do Before You Move Your Business

Change Your Business Phone and Internet

Once you know your move-in date, schedule phone and internet services to stop at your old office and begin at your new one. Avoid down-time and confusion by having your utilities up and running when you move in.

 

 Keep Your Old Phone Number and Forward it to Your New Local Number

The best way to avoid confusing customers when you move is to make it easy for them to get in touch with you. Set up your old phone number to forward to your new, local business number.

 

Tell Friends and Referral Sources That You are Moving

Before you move, let friends and referral partners know where you’ll be moving and if you will be offering the same services. The heads up will keep referral sources from sending customers to the wrong office and will keep your business relationships strong. And your referral partners may able help you get new local leads so you can hit the ground running in your new location.

 

File a Change of Address with Appropriate Parties

Notify the post office, IRS, your Secretary of State and local taxing and licensing agencies of your new address. Filing all the proper paperwork ahead of time while ensure you can get to work as soon as you move into your new office.

 

Schedule Your Move Outside of Business Hours

A big commercial move is hardly business as usual, but you can avoid lost productivity and revenue by scheduling your move outside of business hours. Moving on a weekend can ensure that your business closes on time on Friday and opens on time on Monday. This means uninterrupted service for your customers and uninterrupted productivity for your business. At The Quality Group, we specialize in eliminating operational downtime during your commercial move. Request a quote to learn more about 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.

You’re Ready to Move Your Office. Where Do You Start?

Are you ready to move? Maybe you’re opening a new branch, or you’ve outgrown your office and you’re looking to grow in a bigger space. But moving your office is a huge undertaking. Answer these quick questions to start thinking about your commercial move.

 

What size office do you need?

Do you know the square footage of your current office? If you’re looking for a bigger office, you should know how much space you expect to need in the future before you plan an office move. You also need to create a floor plan that allows space for all of your furniture, office elements and employees.

 

Are you looking to buy or rent?

Buying and renting a commercial space are two completely different processes. If you’re looking to buy, enlist the help of a commercial real estate agent who can help you consider all the important buying factors. If you plan to lease an office space, discuss with management how long of a lease you’re prepared to sign. Decide this before you began to look for a new office.

 

Where do you want to move your office?

Whether you’re moving across the country or across town, location can make all the difference for your business. Do your research and get help from real estate experts to determine the ideal location for your new office. This will narrow down your search and help speed up your business moving process.

 

What is your budget for office space?

Don’t just have an idea of your budget before you move. You need to have a concrete, ironed-out budget set before you begin the commercial moving process. This will also make your search for a new office easier and faster.

 

What is your business moving timeline?

A clear, realistic moving timeline separates a chaotic move from a smooth one. At least six months before your move, you need to start planning. Monthly and weekly deadlines will keep your commercial move on track and keep everyone in your office on the same page. Once you answer these questions, you’re ready to start planning your commercial move! Then you need to answer one more important question: Who are you going to trust move your office? The Quality Group will work with you and help you set up and stick to a moving timeline. We make sure your commercial move runs smoothly and is finished on time.

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: Move Your Business in a Weekend

Believe it or not, business moving doesn’t have to be chaotic and overwhelming. If you follow the right steps and put the proper planning in place, you can move your office with little to no operational downtime.

 

Step 1: It’s Never Too Early to Start Planning

To move your office without losing your sanity, you need to have a plan. The earlier you start planning, the better. A year to six months from when you want to move, you need to decide on a location, office size, and a budget for both moving expenses and the new office space. This is a good time to choose a relocation company as well. That way, your moving company can help you through the planning and moving process. The earlier you start planning, the more options you have when it comes to office space and available moving companies. And the more time you have to plan your move, the easier it will be to come up with a comprehensive plan.

 

Step 2: Plan for Every Possible Factor

The more factors you can nail down, the better chance of your move going seamlessly. Planning for small things like extra traffic can make a big difference in whether your move is finished before Monday morning. Once you set a deadline for the move to be finished, work backwards to create a schedule that takes into account landlord availability, location limitations and travel time. Planning for every factors help you mitigate risks and eliminate them, so you can stick to your move schedule and finish on time.

 

Step 3: Get a Timeline Guarantee

When you choose a commercial moving company, make sure they can guarantee that they will finish your move on time. The right company can work with you throughout the move planning process and put together a moving schedule that ensures a stress-free move. Without a timeline guarantee, you can’t be sure that your office will be moved on time, and you may have to shut down your business while the move is finished. With The Quality Group’s unique timeline guarantee, you can be confident your planning and hard  work will result in an on-time, stress-free move.

 

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.