On occasion, businesses must move their operations following things like the end of a lease or an organizational expansion. While moving a business can sometimes be an exciting milestone, it often takes months of meticulous planning and an eye for the finer details.
What's more, during a move, businesses may experience challenges that can adversely impact their bottom lines if the proper planning isn't considered. As such, it's important to keep in mind the following to ensure a successful move:
- Set a moving budget, account for all moving and transitioning services, potential updated to the new location, lost revenue due to downtime, and any insurance needs.
- Create an internal moving committee and hold meetings to discuss action items. This group will also help you keep track of receipts, invoices, contracts, and other important documentation.
- Communicate moving plans to your employees well in advance.
- Hire a qualified move and order packing materials.
- Take inventory on connectivity requirements, scheduling the removal of technology from the current facility and installation at the new facility. Make several backup copies of all company date.
- Identify a point person who will handle any questions during the move.
- Create move packets for employees, complete with parking instructions, building information, seating charts, packing materials, expectations and the finalized move schedule.
- Collect old security keys and ID cards, and distribute new ones.
- Remind employees to unpack, and provide instructions on where to stack boxes and moving materials, if applicable.
- Confirm that all change-of-address corrections have been made.
In addition to the above, consider revising your insurance policies and discussing any additional insurance needs in preparation for the move with your broker.