Category: Office Furniture

Designing an Office Space With Efficiency and the Future in Mind

Posted on October 4, 2016 by - Moving Preparation, Office Furniture

Designing an Office Space With Efficiency and the Future in Mind

You’re company is relocating, so why not take this opportunity to design your new office space with the future and efficiency in mind?

Capitalize on your business’ relocation and use it as a chance to design a new office space that focuses on workflow optimization, potential expansion, and employees’ overall work environment satisfaction.

Designing an office space does require careful planning to create a productive space but can be done by focusing on a few key points. Office spaces should be created with a focus on workflow optimization and spatial design. Also, all office spaces should promote a positive working environment, while keeping in mind the potential for company expansion.

A Company Relocation Provides Opportunity for Better Office Space Designs

Workflow Optimization

Workflow optimization is important if you want to reduce costs and provide better services for your clients. Designing your workspace with optimization in mind leads to increased performance and a positive environment.

While all areas of your office will benefit from workflow optimization, the positive effects will be most noticeable in delivery systems, back-office operations such as technical services, and material handling areas.

To create an office using workflow optimization, some easy tips can be used. Remember to construct wide isles so multiple people can pass comfortably. Create areas with easy access to technical equipment and electrical outlets. Position your mailroom near the delivery dock to make the exchange of mail and packages seamless.

When designing with workflow optimization in mind, the main focus should be on eliminating waste and improving the overall efficiency of your office.

Spatial DesignDesign your office space with group workplaces for collaborative projects, designing an office space louisiana

Working hand in hand with workflow optimization is spatial design. In today’s work place, it is important to design spaces that enhance collaborative behavior and encourage innovative discussions.

A spatially designed office should support the free flow of ideas from people in the office. From open workspaces to dedicated meeting rooms, create spaces that your employees can use to share and workshop ideas. Make it easy to get from place to place and encourage teamwork with suitable group furniture, tools, and design.

Potential Expansion

When relocating, you should keep an open mind about potential future expansion. The last thing you’ll want is to have to redesign or move your office again due to an unexpected need for expansion. Not allowing space for expansion now will cost you both time and money later.

Having a multifunctional room in your office that can be used for meetings now and employee workspaces in the event of an expansion later can save you big in terms of time and money. If you know the business will expand in the future, purchase a building with extra land for future renovations.

Project for future business endeavors now to avoid being inefficient in the future.

Positive EnvironmentDesign your office space for efficiency and your employees' happiness.

Sometimes we tend to look past the fact that our immediate environment affects our emotions, mannerisms, and general wellbeing. When relocating, create an office space that promotes a positive environment. Include break rooms, open snack pantries, and creative meeting rooms to enhance your employees’ happiness.

Providing your employees with a creative and innovative work place leads to an overall positive environment, increasing productivity as well.

Relocating your business provides many opportunities for you to design an office space that supports innovation and high productivity. Focus on workflow optimization and spatial design to create a new space that promotes discussion and creativity. Remember to plan ahead for any potential expansion your business may go through. Above all, design a workspace your employees are proud of and comfortable in that results in a positive work environment for everyone.

Working With The Quality Group:

When you work with the Quality Group, you’ll get to work with Louisiana’s foremost commercial relocation experts. Our company was founded in 1987 in New Orleans and now serves the entire Gulf South with comprehensive commercial moving services.

How to Downsize Your Office Space

Posted on August 16, 2016 by - Moving Preparation, Office Furniture

downsizing your office space

There are many benefits to downsizing your office space. It can be a money saver, a workforce enticer, and a business expansion enabler, but making it happen can be tricky without some careful planning. The point is not to move into a new office that will have you and your employees crammed and rubbing elbows with each other for an extended period of time. Instead, you want to find a smaller yet comfortable space that eliminates unused areas yet keeps functionality at its full potential. If you are downsizing your office, consider these tips:

To Downsize Your Office Space, Don’t Think Traditionally

Multi-Functional Rooms

Many companies have dedicated conference rooms, meeting rooms, and break rooms that people use on a regular, but isolated, basis. These rooms usually serve specific purposes and the rest of the time each sits empty and unused. Businesses can easily conserve space by finding an office that has a room that can be used for all of these purposes. A single room can be dedicated for those eating lunch for several hours in the day and then serve as a meeting room or conference room during other business hours. This will cover all your business needs while reducing the amount of office space required.

FurnitureDownsize your office space with multifunctional furniture, How to Downsize Your Office Space

Workspaces, tables, and chairs are all relatively easy to change when downsizing your office. Many furniture companies now have modular furniture options or furniture that can be converted and used in multiple ways. For example, a large table that can be broken down to several smaller ones or a desk that also acts as storage space can be extremely useful to the business trying to save space. Easily moved lightweight furniture and furniture on wheels can also make reconfiguring your office easy when the need arises.

Location

There are many alternatives to the traditional, stand-alone office building. If you are looking to downsize your daily needed square footage you may consider alternative workspaces. Pairing up with another business to share conference areas or break rooms can help decrease the square footage of your needed personal office space. You can also encourage your employees to work from different locations. Allowing your employees to work from home or another location, even on a rotating basis, can save your company loads of space.

Think Vertically or Digitally

When needing more storage space, many businesses tend to expand horizontally, adding in another desk or file cabinet. Horizontal expansion however is not always the best option. Businesses can use less square footage if storage is built vertically or digitally. Acquiring shelves to go on top of desks or to be secured on walls can mean less furniture spread throughout the office. Digital storage is also a great option to reduce the amount of furniture and thus space needed in an office. You can remove large amounts of paper and store it online or on hard drives and turn a whole file cabinet into a folder on a computer with digital storage.

Interior DesignersInterior designers can help you downsize your office space functionally.

Designing an office to be both functional and space efficient requires skill and knowledge about what products are out there and what designs are functional. Interior designers can design and organize an office for functionality and efficiency no matter the office size. Choose interior designers that partner with a relocation company for a smooth transition through space design, furniture selection, and furniture installation. If your goal is to have a small yet functional office, hiring a moving company that is paired with interior designers can help your business achieve your ideal balance of office size, storage area, and workspace room.

Downsizing to a smaller office can be a beneficial decision for your company. With some careful planning you can obtain increased efficiency in a smaller space and save money all at the same time. Think outside the standard office space to downsize effectively and remember these practical tips for a smooth transition

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.

Avoid Moving Twice with New Furniture

Posted on June 7, 2016 by - Commercial Relocation, Facility Installation, Moving Preparation, Office Furniture

Moving logistics can be a nightmare when trying to coordinate all variables. From the moving company, keeping clients informed of your schedule, interior designs, system installers and everyday vendors, the stress can add up quickly. The Quality Group can help alleviate much of this stress and can help our clients that use this time to update their office furniture as well. Whether it is due to normal wear and tear or the desire to keep the office atmosphere consistent with the new location, businesses can often add another layer of complexity with scheduling when making this decision. What happens if you order and it is scheduled to arrive after you’ve already moved? What happens if it arrives too early? We have some advise on how the Quality Group can help.

Don’t Let New Furniture Result in You Moving Twice

Avoid Moving TwiceYou can avoid moving twice with help from The Quality Group.

A common practice in the business world when relocating is to essentially move twice. You may think this is absurd, but it happens more often than you think. Many companies will move into their new office with their old furniture, then pay someone to come and get the old furniture and then pay someone else to bring in the new furniture. Businesses lose a production day when this procedure is followed, but they often don’t see another option. Companies have to keep old furniture until new furniture arrives and scheduling pick-ups and deliveries for the same time is virtually impossible. You can however, avoid moving your furniture twice with a little help and planning.

Purchase and Ship Your New Furniture Early

To avoid moving twice, purchase your furniture early in the moving process. You can avoid a large amount of stress by researching and purchasing your new office furniture before you start attempting to coordinate companies. Purchasing the large items early will also give you leeway on deciding when and where you want it delivered. Instead of shipping your new furniture to your old location where you don’t have room for it, or having it shipped to your new place weeks after you’ve moved in, you can ship it to your moving company: The Quality Group.

Store Your New Furniture with the Quality GroupAvoid moving twice by shipping your furniture to The Quality Group

Storing your new furniture with The Quality Group can reduce the amount of work you have to do by cutting down coordination requirements and streamlining the time needed to get your new office up to par. When you purchase your furniture from an outside vendor, The Quality Group is able to safely store it until moving day. When you ship the furniture to The Quality Group, you remove the need to find storage elsewhere and you avoid moving twice. The Quality Group receives, inspects, corrects any mistakes, and stores your furniture until you are ready to move into your new office.

Enjoy the New Furniture at the New Office

When your move day comes, The Quality Group brings and installs the furniture to your specifications. With this process you don’t need to worry about having your old furniture in your new office until the new ones arrive. You also don’t have to worry about coordinating multiple companies, into your move. The Quality Group will already know your move schedule and relocate the new furniture into your office at the same time as moving all of your other equipment, thus avoiding operational downtime. The whole process will happen on the same day and you will avoid the double move situation.

Storing new furniture with your moving company can greatly reduce the stress and work that comes with business relocation. Excess company coordination is removed and aesthetics are not sacrificed when everything arrives at the new office at the same time. The Quality Group aims to ease your moving process by helping to manage your furniture substitution by storing your office furniture until the day you move into 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.

The Modern Office

Posted on April 26, 2016 by - Office Furniture

The New Modern Office is Trending

It’s 2016 and the workforce is slowly shifting from the baby boomer generation to the millennial generation. With that workforce shift comes a shift in office space and lifestyle expectations. Keeping your new work force motivated and happy at work can have a huge effect on their happiness and productivity. Many millennials now want to be part of the open office trend, which means you might be looking into a new office space and an openly designed office layout. While you are shifting your office over to the new modern office trend, keep The Quality Group in mind as we can help you get into your new office with ease.a modern office

Location

The millennial generation puts emphasis on balancing work and home life. Having an office in an urban area with high walkability access will sit well with millennials who are big on convenience. Easy access to work and entertainment in an urban area will be exactly the kind of convenient balance of work and life they are searching for in their life. They also like the option to choose where they work. Finding an office that has multiple workspace options, including outside options, can go a long way with your upcoming employees. While moving into a new office can seem daunting, planning for the happiness of your future employees is important. The Quality Group can ease your move into that modern office by taking every detail into account. We even calculate how many elevator trips it will take to move you and do so at a time that won’t interrupt business.

Space Planning

The modern office trend that the millennial generation expects comes with a whole different setup from the cubicles that used to be popular. Open-concept design and collaborative furniture are now on the rise and require spaces where more than one person can sit. The Quality Group has partners who can help any office optimize its space for the new workforce. They can optimize your office for your workers who need open spaces and for those who need individual spaces.

Furniture

The Quality Group partners with interior design companies that can help any office plan, design, and equip their office with the right furniture. From collaboration furniture to individual workspaces, they can help create your modern office with a perfect blend of open and individual workspaces with furniture professionally modern office furnitureassembled by the Quality Group. Whether you are bringing your previous furniture with you or are looking for new furniture, The Quality Group can help by moving, arranging, and collaborating with you on your furniture needs.

The millennial generation may have a different idea of an office from previous generations but The Quality Group is here to help you get a handle on moving. When you find the new office that will suit your workforce’s expectations, let The Quality Group come and seamlessly move you and create a workspace your new employees will love.

 

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.

Large Office Move

Posted on March 15, 2016 by - Commercial Relocation, Office Furniture

Coordinating a large office move can be stressful and time consuming. There is a lot to plan and many matters to consider. You need to worry about what day to start getting items together, how to unload when you get to the new office, and how to continue operations during that time. The Quality Group can ease your stress with your large office move by coordinating and executing the entire process. With our proven relocation formula that provides a seamless transition, we will move your large office with precision and efficiency.

We dedicate our resources to your large officeEquipment

No office is too large for The Quality Group to relocate. Our consultants start each move by determining the size of your relocation and what equipment will be needed to ensure your office is moved safely and securely. Our large inventory and many resources allow us to move your items in the most efficient and cost effective way possible. When we move your large office, all of our resources are dedicated to you until you are comfortably settled into the new place.

No Cost Surprises

Your large office may have hundreds of pieces of equipment that need special attention during a move. This may bring you to worry about the cost of the move increasing as it progresses, but that doesn’t have to be the case. We use our expertise and outside resources to anticipate challenges. When you move with The Quality Group, you get our not-to-exceed pricing principle, which means we try our hardest to refrain from adding unexpected fees. We tell you the expected price upfront and work within the quote.

Effective Process

Our proven process delivers an efficient move with little to no down time. Our consultants assess your large office and coordinate our three teams to create an efficient move with no wasted time. We provide a relocation plan specific to your large office needs and factor in everything, even the weight capacity of the elevator, to deliver you your ideal customized move. Our process leaves you with no worry, as we organize and plan the entire process based on when you want to be in the new office.

Additional ServicesWe offer additional services during your large office move

Your new office is obviously going to be different than your old office. It will have a different number of rooms, different dimensions, and a different flow. You might be unsure as to how you want your new furniture to be arranged or if you even want it anymore. If you don’t want the hassle of deciding how to arrange the furniture, leave it to the Quality Group. We can optimize and organize your new large office based on your needs or manage your furniture until you decide. We can provide new furniture customized to your office or store your furniture that you are unsure what to do with. Let us know how we can help and we will provide you with exactly what you need.

The Quality Group can move any sized office, from 1,000 to 400,000 square feet and beyond. We can relieve your moving stress and relocate your business into the new office with a customized plan so you can focus solely on your business. Your relocation doesn’t have to be stressful when you move with The Quality Group.

The Quality Group Takes Care of Your Furniture Needs

Posted on January 12, 2016 by - Commercial Relocation, Moving Preparation, Office Furniture

Here at The Quality Group, we take care of your furniture during your move, no matter what stage of its life cycle it’s in.  We make sure all your furniture needs are taken care of so there is no extra work for you.

Recycle

We donate unwanted furniture You’ve taken a look around the office and noticed that your furniture is not what it used to be. It has some scuffs and scrapes, it’s a little out of date and not all of it even matches anymore.  With the move coming up, you decide to throw out the old and bring in the new. The problem is you don’t know what to do with the old. The Quality Group however, knows exactly what to do with your old furniture and they will even do it for you.

When your office moving date arrives, The Quality Group will take the furniture you no longer want and donate it to Habitat for Humanity, on your company’s behalf. You get to free up your space for new furniture without extra work, and Habitat for Humanity gets to use your old furniture for a good cause.

Store

It’s come to your attention that you don’t quite know where to put some of the office furniture in the new office. The new office has a different layout and while you’ve discussed where it can go, you’re still not quite convinced. You don’t want to put it there yet and you don’t want to get rid of it yet either.  Not to worry, during your dilemma, The Quality Group can store your furniture until you are ready to make a decision. Once you’ve decided, just let The Quality Group know and they will help you carry the decision out.

Sell furniture

We sell you furniture perfect for your new officeYour company doesn’t have any furniture for the new office you are moving into because of the different space requirements.  You can’t have your clients sit on cardboard boxes when they come to visit and you can’t expect your employees to sit on them either.

If your new office is going to be looking bare, then let The Quality Group know during your move. They will consult with you about your furniture needs and make suggestions from their assortment of office furniture that they sell. They will ensure that everyone in the office is happy and comfortable with the new furniture.

Furniture is one of the biggest things to worry about during a move, whether you are getting rid of it, keeping it or even if you are unsure about what to do with it. Whichever stage you find yourself in with your furniture during your move, The Quality Group is happy to help.

New Year Moving Goals for Your Office

Posted on January 5, 2016 by - Commercial Relocation, Moving Preparation, Office Furniture

The New Year is about setting goals and making a fresh start. This year your business is making a fresh start with a move to a new office. The move is the first step in making some major changes in the way your business is run. You’ll want to make sure the changes start right in the beginning with the relocation so you can carry that momentum through the year.

Here are some New Year goals for your business you can begin working on during your move and that you can carry forward throughout the New Year.

Recycle

Recycle old office equipment Businesses burn through a lot of material, including recyclable material like paper and plastic. In addition, employees of businesses go through their own materials including water bottles, soda cans and sandwich bags. Set up a few recycle bins in the office while you start your move and recycle the materials that won’t be following you to the new location. Once you are in the new place, keep the recycle bins alive and encourage your employees to recycle their materials as well.  Your business will become more earth friendly and you will feel better about your business.

Donate

Donating unwanted office chairs

Similar to recycling, during your move you might find some equipment that you no longer use or have replaced a while back with newer versions. Instead of throwing those items out, donate it to other companies that might need it or to stores that take donated items that will resell it. Just be sure to erase any stored information on the equipment to ensure your business’ safety. Donating these items will reduce how much you have to pack from your current office and store in your new office. Supplies that are no longer being used are always appreciated any time of year.

Relieve the extra stress

Moving is a stressful job and adds more to your already huge pile of things to do. To relieve some of that stress set aside time to relax and to ensure that there is no down time in your business operations, hire a full-service moving company that will unpack everything for you.  This will help you stay calm during the move and the service will remove some of the things you have to worry about. Your employees will be able to walk inand start working Monday morning, as if nothing has changed. Setting aside time to relax during the week is a good practice to keep going throughout the year as well, you’ll feel more relaxed and ready to get to work when you need to.

With the New Year here and your business starting fresh in a new place, take some time to set goals for your business as well as for yourself. After all, the New Year is all about making improvements and there is always room for improvements, even in the business world.

Designing an Office Lobby Your Customers Will Love

Posted on November 3, 2015 by - Facility Installation, Office Furniture

As soon as a new client walks through your business’ door, the evaluation of your company begins. Wandering eyes will carefully examine the lobby looking for clues as to what you and your business might be like. This room is where your company gets its first impression, so you want it to be a good one. Here are some tips on how to make a positive lasting impression on everyone that walks through your business’ front door.

Office lobby with check-in deskBefore you design your perfect office lobby, you need to think about a few things. Will there be a lot of people in your waiting area? Will there be a check-in desk? And, how much space do you have to work with? These questions are important so you know how to effectively design your space.

After you figure out the answers to those questions, you’ll know what kind of furniture to work with so that you can adequately accommodate your guests. Make sure to plan for enough seating for the maximum amount of people that you think will be waiting at a given time. You don’t want any of your guests uncomfortably standing.

If you have a check-in desk, it’s important to make sure this desk is not too high. If it is, it can cause guests to feel intimidated. So, just be sure when planning your check-in area, that the desk is a suitable height for your guests.

Now it’s time to talk décor. Bottom line, you want the décor in your lobby to be aesthetically pleasing to your guests. This starts with having a lot of natural light streaming through the room because it makes the room appear bigger and brighter. Also, you should not paint your lobby a “loud” color like neon green, hot pink or bright purple. Having an accent wall is one thing, but painting the entire room a loud color is not recommended.

To add some sophistication to your décor, add some art, your company’s logo and some of your business’ prestigious awards to a few walls or shelves. Spice up your company’s logo by adding spot lighting to shine on it. Not only will this be an impressive touch, but it will also reinforce your brand, and what company doesn’t want that? As for art on the walls, frame a piece or two to add a little something about your company’s personality. It could be a framed quote, or a nice picture that preaches determination and the will to never give up. Whatever it might be, make sure it will convey something your brand does or believes in.

For some small impressive accents, we suggest putting some of your branded promotional materials out for visitors to take. Whether it’s a bowl of branded candies, pens, or business cards, these materials will add some pizzazz and a professional feel. Another added bonus to having these promotional materials out for grabs is that your company is more likely to stay at the forefront of your clients’ minds even after they leave. Next time they go to write their “to-do list,” they may just grab that pen they got from you to write it.

Magazines stacked on tableNobody likes to wait, so it’s important to keep your guests happy while they’re waiting. Have some industry-related reading materials out on the table to help clients pass the time. We also suggest having a TV in the waiting room with a news station on. Not only will this keep your visitors occupied, but it will also show to them that you’re staying current with today’s news and trends. For your guests’ enjoyment, we also suggest having a coffee, tea and water station in the lobby area in case guests need some refreshments.

You only get one chance to make a first impression, and in most cases, this impression begins in the lobby. By putting a little extra effort into the design of your lobby, you can be sure that your guests will wait happy and have a positive lasting impression about you and your company.

Move without Really Moving? Here’s How:

Posted on September 29, 2015 by - Facility Installation, Office Furniture

We get it. Your business is in a prime location. Easily accessible to customers and clients, and you’ve been at this location for years. You’re not quite ready to part with your building, but you want a new, refreshed office. So, how do you get that without moving? Well, you’re in luck because we’ve got some answers.

img_paintingTo refresh your space, you can always paint, paint and paint again. Want to open up your space and make it look and feel bigger? Then, stick with lighter colors. Going darker encloses your space and makes it look and feel smaller. Believe it or not, colors can actually affect work productivity and evoke certain emotions. Want more productivity? Then try not to overload your office with white paint. Want to create an environment all of your guests will most likely love? Stick with a shade of blue because most people enjoy this color. The new paint color is sure to change things up and give your space a new and refreshed look.

The next thing you can do to revamp your current office is get new furniture, or rearrange current furniture. If you decide to go new, depending on the type of furniture you want, certain kinds allow you to better maximize space and offer storage capabilities. Research various types of furniture to see what type will help you make the most out of your offices’ space, and give you much-needed storage. If you want to rearrange your current furniture, map out what furniture would best fit in different places. Maybe you want to just move around your employee’s offices for a change of scenery. Whatever route you take, changing up your furniture will definitely help you refresh your office space and make it feel like new.

New flooring can also transform your space. Ripping out that old grungy carpet and replacing it with something more modern can do wonders. Choose a new carpet, or upgrade to tile, hardwood or laminate flooring. New flooring can open up your space and make it feel fresh and new. While you’re at it, you maimg_flooringy even want to revamp your baseboards. You might not think about it, or notice the baseboards, but when they’re new and freshly painted, you’ll be sure to notice them, and you’ll be surprised how your office transforms.

The next thing you could do to make your office feel like a completely different space is to check out the office building next to your current office. Does a business occupy that space? If not, would it be possible for you to make that space yours? If this looks at all possible, contact a contractor to see if they can put a door in to connect your current space with the adjacent one. This can be a great transformation for yourimg_upgradeicons space. You can take over a new office, while still occupying your current office. You can’t get much closer to moving without actually moving than this, huh?

Whatever upgrades you decide to do to your office, you’re going to need to get your furniture, computer equipment and everything else you have in your space out of your office so you can get it done. Our advice to you: don’t lose time moving your stuff out of your office yourselves; look into commercial movers who can help you out. At The Quality Group, we not only do moving from one location to another, we can also help you with retrofit. So, if you’re looking for that perfect office, without the move, we can move you.

Moving your office from one location to another can be a great thing for your business. But, it’s not the only option you have when you feel like you’ve outgrown your office or need a refreshed look. Whatever you decide to do to change up your look, make sure you explore your options so you can get on your way to make your office feel like new again.

 

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.