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Managing the Move
You have successfully determined that you need commercial space, found the perfect property and negotiated the lease. What more do you need to consider? You need to manage the move.
Office Image
A space is just a space until you make it your own. Whether you are a small start-up company or a large organization, you will have something called "corporate identity." This is how the rest of the world views your company. What do they think about it? What message does it communicate? The design of your space contributes to that message. Before you begin, it is always advisable to maintain an office move checklist for saving time and resources.
- Office layout sets the pace for entering the office. When entering the space, what do you see first? Most properties have some type of lobby space to greet guests. Depending on the number of clients that will visit, you will need to determine how much space needs to be allocated for the lobby. Then you want to make sure that you plan out the space in the most functional and friendly manner. As a starting point for your plan, keep in mind the work flow, which employees interact the most together, and the sound level.
- While furnishing the property impacts the identity you are creating for the company, it can also be a financial concern. You may be fortunate enough to already have furniture that you can move into the space, and if so your major preparation is planning the space with that furniture in mind. If you don't already own furniture, you may consider making new purchases, finding old furniture from liquidator companies or looking at remanufactured furniture. Your budget usually makes the decision for you; just keep an open mind to the many choices available.
- Creating an office design layout which matches the type of business you have is quite essential for organizing your office in a professional style. Match the style of the furniture to your corporate identity. For example, ultra-modern furniture in neon colors would be out of place at a funeral home. Instead, you'd expect furniture that contributes to a soothing and comforting atmosphere.
Office Wiring
The office space will need to be wired for your specific company needs. A commercial space does not typically provide phone equipment, so you will need to purchase a communications package.
- Phone installation will wire the space for phone jacks in all areas you designate. When purchasing the phone system, you will have a designated number of lines and phone bases. You will find that you really need to have your office layout well-defined so you can have each desk wired with a phone jack. There will be other common areas that may require phones, such as the conference room and the lobby.
- Your office space will likely need to be wired for high speed internet as well. Wireless technology may be an option, but keep in mind that, so far, it is generally less secure than wired. The type of business you are operating is a factor in the level of security you choose.
Related Articles
| Sample Lease A commercial lease agreement may take many different forms, but the most common are Gross, Net, Percentage, Ground, Sale-Leaseback, Sub, Assignment, Turnkey and Build-to-Suit. Each type has its own idiosyncrasies dependent upon type of property: office, land, industrial, retail, medical or technical. | | | | Lease Negotiations When you have found the perfect location for your business-you've done your homework and made sure the space was the right size, the building location is suitable and you are ready to make the commitment to take on a lease-the next step is to negotiate the lease terms. Make no mistake, obtaining favorable terms can be a deal-breaker. As a good business person, you need to know when to walk away. It's not a bad idea to have a backup property in mind so you don't feel cornered during negotiations. | | | | Renewal Options You may feel as though you only just moved in when the lease comes up for renewal. There are several options to consider, many of which are the same options you considered when you were looking for the space initially. Does the space meet the company's physical needs? Is the location convenient to clients and staff? Is the building located in the geographically desirable area for our needs? After you review those answers, you need to explore your options. | | |
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