Moving can be a daunting task, especially for small service firms or nonprofits. However, it can also present opportunities to reduce costs and optimize your workspace. Having moved twice in the past 12 months, we’d like to share some insights and tips to help you navigate this process successfully.
Assessing Your Needs
Understand Your Space Requirements
Organizations and their needs for office or retail space change over time. Start by evaluating how you spend your time in your current space. Consider:
- Time Allocation: Where is most of your time spent?
- Functionality: What works well and what doesn’t? This will provide great insight into what you should be looking for.
- Space Needs: How much open space do you need compared to private space?
- Access Requirements: What kind of access do you need?
- Parking – What kind of parking does you team require?
- Location – Where is it convenient for your team to meet?
- Cost – Is it a cost effective solution for your needs?
Prioritize or Rate
Some of the above requirements are more important than other. Rank the requirements in order of importance to make sure that your end result is meeting your most important requirements.
Visualize Your Ideal Space
Creating a vision board can help you conceptualize your ideal workspace. Whether it’s open and airy or warm and comfortable, sketching out your ideas can provide clarity and direction.
Exploring Cost-Saving Opportunities
Consider Subleasing
Cost is a significant factor for many small businesses. One option to explore is subleasing from another company for a short period until a better opportunity arises. This can provide flexibility and reduce expenses.
Evaluate Multiple Options
Once you have a list of potential spaces, narrow it down to your top three choices. Conduct site visits to assess each option thoroughly. This hands-on approach will help you make an informed decision.
The Moving Process
Simplify and Declutter
One positive aspect of moving is the opportunity to reduce unnecessary baggage. Each move allowed us to streamline our belongings, making our operations more efficient.
Budget Considerations
Our primary motivation for moving was to lower our monthly rent. We successfully reduced our rent from $1800 a month to $600, and then down to $320. Although there were some small fixed costs, they were easily absorbed by the savings in rent. Though cost savings was the primary goal for the move, the end result have a vibe that was a much better fit for BudgetEase than the prior two offices.
Use Professional Movers
To minimize disruption to your business, consider hiring a moving company. This allows you to focus on important activities like marketing, sales, and client services. Both of our moves were completed in about one to one and a half days, ensuring minimal downtime.
Conclusion
Moving can be challenging, but with careful planning and consideration, it can lead to significant benefits for your small consulting business. By assessing your needs, exploring cost-saving opportunities, and simplifying the moving process, you can make the transition smoother and more efficient. We hope these insights help you with your next move. Good luck!
Here at BudgetEase, we believe in cost-effective solutions. Let’s stay in touch --we are ready to help you out when you need us. Better Together!