When a business moves, one of the most important things to remember is to keep downtime to a minimum. Every day that a company cannot provide its services or products, a considerable amount of revenue is lost. That can translate to angry customers and even a loss of customers permanently.
Keeping your business running while you relocate is essential to keeping your company’s doors open. The key to a successful commercial relocation is to have a comprehensive moving plan and to keep everyone – including your customers – aware of the moving schedule. Here are some tips on keeping customers happy while you move your business.
Deciding on When to Move
When is the best time to move your business? There are two main things to consider – the time of year and the days of the week. These factors depend on the type of business you run. For example, if your summer sales are the highest all year, you may not want to move then. Additionally, if your offices are closed on the weekends, you may want to move then to avoid closing the business down at all during the work week.
Schedule Enough Time
The amount of time you’ll need to move will depend on how much stuff you need to relocate. Some businesses can move in a single day while others may need several. It really comes down to what you can afford to spend. If you’re on a budget, you may want to delegate some moving duties to company staff – managers can pack and organize less essential items leading up to moving day.
Have a Communications Plan
A fundamental aspect of any moving plan is to also have a communications plan. That means keeping everyone informed, including the customers. Employees should be made fully aware of what their role in the move will be, when things will happen, and what’s going on. A good rule of thumb is to remember that the more an employee is involved in the planning, the more they will be able to help later.
Hiring an Outside Consultant
A moving consultant can help make the move less stressful, especially if you must relocate in a short period of time. However, if you are moving on a budget, crunch the numbers to see if you can afford a consultant. Often, business owners find that with strategic planning and clear communications, they can take care of a lot of relocation efforts in-house.
Hiring Enough Movers
Unless you have a one-man office and a single desk, it is a good idea to hire a moving company to handle your office relocation. Hiring a reputable moving company will prove to be worth every cent, especially when things are done in an expedient manner. Moving companies specialize in relocation, so upon initial discussion and review of your business office, they will be able to recommend the right amount of movers to get the job done.
Jon Huser
