Your Business Is on The Move

There’s nothing small about it when a small business is moving. The issues and effort are truly disproportionate to the name. While we have relocated companies of all types, this blog is devoted to enterprises of moderate size but big ambition as they move to a new commercial home.

Here are just a few things to consider:

• First and foremost, hire professional movers such as Yarnall who are licensed and insured and have experience in commercial moves. Items like expensive office printers, big filing cabinets, or heavy machinery can be expensive to replace. An insured mover safeguards your small business from potential loss.

• A good move is one planned months ahead, if possible. This gives you time to inventory your facility, get rid of what you don’t need, and maybe even begin moving some of the less essential and/or smaller items. It also gives your staff time to take a look at the new facility to plot out their workspaces.

• Make a “moving agenda,” a to-do list that assures nothing is overlooked. Involve representatives from each of your business’s departments to help break it down by when tasks should be accomplished. Then make separate lists for each department, if necessary. If you’ve ever planned anything big like a wedding or a family reunion, you know that a checklist means the world.

• While understanding that all the necessary planning and implementation can be disruptive to workdays, strive to keep people on schedule for the move, to reduce a last-minute rush that can cause stress – and mistakes.

• Avoid putting square pegs in round holes. Make sure your furniture and equipment fit where you want them to be in your new location. Measure; don’t guess. And let each department/person know what kind of dimensions their new spaces will be.

• As you would in a personal move, box up all the individual items in desks, bookcases, cabinets, etc., purging as you go. Put loose items, such as pens and paper clips, in envelopes before boxing them.

• Look around and clear the walls. You’ve grown used to your surroundings, looking past familiar features like posters and portraits, but now’s the time to look at everything with a clear eye.

• Work closely with your moving consultant regarding the transfer of personal items and any fragile or sensitive materials. Also, collaborate with the moving company on proper labeling/documenting for item placement.

• Let your customers/clients know that you are moving and if there will be any downtime. To avoid the latter, companies may choose to move over weekends, slower periods, or holidays. Signs for walk-ins, your website, and social media channels can be used to spread the word. If you think proper notification requires correspondence, send a postcard. The extra cost will pay off in goodwill for not letting them show up at an empty storefront. Notify your vendors and service providers as well, of course, assuring they have your new billing, delivery, and shipping addresses.

• Take advantage of the move to contact former customers, if appropriate. It’s a valid reason to get back in touch and evidence that you’re still going strong.

• Speaking of the internet, make sure your website and online profiles are updated, as well as your email signature blocks.

• Even if you’re moving to a larger space, take less with you than you have now, if possible. Get rid of what needs to be trashed, shred what needs to be shredded, donate what won’t work in the new space, sell anything you don’t want, and give yourself room to breathe – and grow.

Moving? We can help.

We pride ourselves on having a loyal, dedicated team of movers. On average, our moving team has been with Yarnall Moving & Storage Solutions for more than 17 years. And over the decades, we have changed with the times and expanded to offer needed services. As problem-solvers, we help customers overcome their unique moving and storage challenges. We’re here to help every step of the way. Learn how.