Organizing Your Office Move

Posted by: admin 3 years, 11 months ago

Organizing your office move can not only revitalize the atmosphere but potentially overhaul the dynamics of the office in a way that can open the flood gates for creativity and critical thinking-- and in turn productivity.

As you approach every potential change take into consideration how each change can benefit the company and assist your employees in better doing their jobs. There is a wide range of perspectives, ideas, and skills brought together in an office and with the right atmosphere your company can utilize these assets to their fullest.

Moving Equipment and Supplies

A good way to begin planning to reorganize a workspace is to take pictures. You may get used to seeing everyday clutter that accumulated over time but seeing photographs can put everything in perspective. Take note of everything you see around the office that could be addressed. Before taking any action have a meeting to get everyone's input and field questions. Explain the plan to reorganize the office and how it will benefit everyone. Use a dry erase board to write down any suggestions or complaints employees have so they are evident for everyone to review and discuss. An open discussion not only provides you with more ideas for reorganization but also gets the staff enthusiastic about the changes ahead.

A few easy ways to get your office more organized include:

Reorganize your paperwork-- Throw out any paperwork you don't need and scan any paperwork you've been hanging onto simply for reference. Consider throwing out your old filing cabinets for newer, more visually pleasing cabinets.

Clean up the desks-- Clearing the view of your workspace can help you focus and relax at the same time. Organize paperwork using storage accessories and desk drawers, and prioritize based on necessity. Assign homes to everything you use so nothing is floating.

Update supplies and furniture-- Look into modern alternatives to your office equipment, furniture, and electronics. Take your employees' feedback into consideration and look for modern supplies that can offer solutions. For example, if an employee has complaints about their chair then look into modern furniture alternatives that address their specific problem.

Organize Computers-- Many offices are still treating computers as though they are strange new objects for every employee to figure out on their own. Get the computers in the office organized in a uniform way so everyone will be able to help each other solve problems and share projects. When you hire a new employee have a tutorial or crash course ready to explain everything they need to know, not just how to do it. Understanding is elemental to an optimal performance. If an employee considers themselves “not a computer person” then make it clear just how important it is in the modern day to be willing to learn.

Go green-- This can be done in a variety of ways to varying degrees. An easy way to start is to set up a recycling bin in the office or to install modern eco-friendly lighting. Energy Star certified bulbs use up to 75% less electricity than standard incandescent light bulbs, and studies show that having green incentives in place can lead to fewer employees calling out sick or not showing up for work.

Instill Routines-- If clutter is a continual problem then instill organization methods where the problem lies. At the end of the day everyone should follow a routine to clean up loose ends and have the office ready for the next day of work.

Moving or Renovating-- A new office location or overhaul is one of the best ways to introduce major changes to a business, and involving employees in the planning process is a good way to get everyone's support.

Office Move

There are also larger projects that an office can undertake to get better organized and directly improve the company's productivity. Technology is developing by leaps and bounds and there is a new opportunity with this for offices to work towards being paper free. This saves on cost, space, time, and effortlessly promotes sustainability on a massive scale. Many modern businesses are also instilling unorthodox practices like 4 day work weeks that save on cost while introducing an exciting new environment to the workplace.

Atmosphere is key to promoting productivity in an office. As business specialist Clay Shirkin pointed out, behavior is dictated by the opportunities presented. And with the right atmosphere your staff will feel that they are being presented with a wonderful opportunity not to be taken for granted.

Work Flow

The general consensus amongst modern design architects is that an office designed to be visually pleasing with a comfortable flow that promotes communication while respecting the individual employees' needs best promotes productivity and creative thinking. There are many studies showing that promoting creative or critical thinking and communication gets employees involved in many ways. Feeling that your voice is heard and valued is a basic human need and when this is met people can really flourish. Inviting people to get involved instead of going through the daily motions also increases an employee's self worth and in turn the amount of effort they put into their work. Every office has a wide range of employees with different perspectives and skills, and each of these different strengths need to be recognized and encouraged in order to be utilized.

Office Moving List

Ways to improve the office's atmosphere and environment:

Take advantage of windows-- If there are windows available then accent them with decorations and direct the flow of the room in their direction. You can also take advantage of the natural light with tastefully arranged reflective glass.

Use modern lighting-- Using modern lighting is monetarily and environmentally sound and can brighten the atmosphere at the same time. There is a wide range of options for greener office lighting.

Utilize your break room-- Studies show that break rooms can promote the growth of ideas by providing a more comfortable environment where people can reflect instead of feeling a need to keep pushing ahead. Set up the break room more like a cafe and consider holding more creatively-oriented meetings there.

Rearrange the office-- Take out those cubicles and consider putting desks together in clusters by department, or setting up desks in loose rows with a natural flow. Take into consideration the ways each employee prefers to work and utilize your space to promote their growth.

Open up communication-- When you introduce the idea of renovating the office, have a meeting with everyone to hear their ideas and field their questions. Put a focus on valuing everyone for their individual input even if it is not all used. If management is hard to talk with or organized in a confusing ways for employees then restructure the management systems to facilitate communication between the management and staff in a positive way.

Promote wellness-- A good company wants the best for its employees. It's in the company's best interest and is simply an ethical approach to business. Look into the effects your current office furniture and lighting can have on your employees and pursue any opportunity you find to promote health and wellness.

Organizing your office move is elemental to keep the company's pulse beating. Embracing modern business practices to suit your company's needs is the best way to keep it not only alive but continually growing. With technology's rapid development and its integration into our daily lives people are finding more personal freedom and opportunities to grow. Recognizing this and using it to your advantage is a great way to keep your company ahead of the curve.