They say the two most stressful things in life are getting married and moving.
But imagine how much worse it could be: you’re not just moving yourself and your family, but moving a whole office with hundreds, maybe even thousands, of people. People who are used to the way things are, who may not want to move, and who will all have their own concerns and needs….Marriage? That’s a breeze in comparison!
There are so many things to worry about, figuring out where to start can be just the first hurdle. What work-style will you be implementing? How much collaborative and meeting space will you need? What technology will future-proof your new offices? And how are you going to get the employees to engage with the idea, from the initial planning to the final bedding-in? And while you’re focusing on the big issues, you still can’t neglect the “little” things.
One client described how a decent coffee machine became an issue during an office merger: in one of the two offices, the employer provided free coffee where as the other did not have any provision for refreshment. During the pre-move consultations, many employees listed the coffee issue as an area of concern – were they still going to get it? It sounds so minor when compared to the major issues (like the building, design, furniture and fit-out, the location and commuting time, the technology, or the work-style), but it was something people got concerned about.
This example only demonstrates the importance of the project leaders and executives putting themselves firmly in the employees’ shoes, and providing information that’s specific to each individual.
If you’re thinking of moving office take a look our guides. They will help you keep track of all the important details so you can focus on the little thing that will help make the move more comfortable for your staff.
Too see all of our guides follow this link
