Expanding your business is an exciting time; it comes with the promise of better things to come and works to assure that you’re on the path to success. As a woman leading a company, you should be proud of how far you’ve come, but there’s still plenty left to do. 

While specific business concerns might be the first port of call when thinking of a company expansion, opening a new office could be just as important for giving your business the boost it needs to get to the next level. We’ve put together a list of five top tips to help you prepare for opening a new office so that you can drive your woman-led business towards new heights. 

1. Assess your Needs

Evaluating what you need from a new office can help you narrow your search and ensure you get exactly what you’re looking for. Will this office be used to welcome clients? Is it to accommodate new staff? Or is it simply a natural next step as your company grows? These are important factors that you’ll need to consider, and outlining your requirements ahead of time will streamline the process and limit any potential disruption to your business. 

2. Consider Equipment 

Office equipment and furniture can be expensive and can accumulate quickly. Knowing how many staff will be in your new office and the kind of work they are likely to be doing can help you make up lists of the equipment and furniture you’re going to need.

If you’re moving surplus equipment over from your current office, consider keeping it in an external storage facility ahead of time. Safestore offers a wide variety of business storage options, with a range of unit types and sizes.  

3. Identify your Ideal Space

Take your time when making a final decision on a new office space, the wrong decision can have serious adverse effects on your business. Is the space adequately equipped for your line of work? Is it big enough to fit your staff and for possible future expansion? Is it a welcoming environment for clients? Take all of these into consideration, and don’t rush into any decision unless you’re absolutely sure. 

Depending on your area of business, there may be quite a few options for you to consider. You may decide you want to be in the city centre for convenience and branding reasons. You may also decide that you want to be on the outskirts of the city as it provides a cheaper option. It is also worth thinking about the interior of the new office too. If you open a new office, but it’s too small, then this will be highly ineffective.

4. Work out your Budgets

Opening a new office can be expensive. You’ll need to carefully balance the additional overheads with the financial returns you can expect from expanding your business. Conduct thorough research into costs for rent, utilities, and other rates to confirm you’re not overstretching your finances. 

If you’re moving equipment or furniture from your current office, you’ll most likely need to hire a removal company. This can get pricey, so get quotes from a few different companies and draw up comparisons to make sure you’re getting the best deal you can. 

5. Keep Staff in the Loop

Any sort of change can unsettle staff. Keep them informed and up to date with what’s happening, especially if you are expecting some of them to move into the new office. This should be done in meetings, as well as via email. The last thing you want to do is spring a surprise move on them that they weren’t ready for. They may not be moving to the new office, but it could still be a big change that they will have to get used to.

By doing this, you’ll not only keep your staff happy and informed, but you’ll help limit any potential disruption or impact on your business as the expansion process is taking place. This allows them to focus on the work at hand, and allows them to increase levels of productivity. 

6. Consider Hiring More Employees

As well as keeping your current staff in the loop, you should consider if you need to hire any new employees for this new venture. When hiring new employees, you should ensure everyone is given a fair chance. It’s important that you utilize the right keywords in your job role descriptions, and that you are entirely truthful. This will help you reach more of your ideal candidates. 

Figure out what sort of employees you believe you need for the new office, and consider integrating some of your current employees into the new office to work alongside the new employees. This could help get your new office off to a great start. Remember, you may not need to hire new employees for this new venture, you just have to give it serious thought and consider the pros against the cons. You will also need to think about the budget, too, and if you can even afford to hire new employees.

Conclusion 

Making the decision to expand your business can be an intimidating step, though if done correctly it can pay dividends and propel you to the next level, setting you up perfectly as you step even closer to achieving your goals and ambitions. As a women running a business, you should consider what you can do to help your business achieve success.

Opening a new office is a proven way to grow your company and bolster its operations, and it can be an incredible source of pride for you as a woman running a business in the often challenging corporate landscape. However, it can be a time-consuming and often perilous procedure that, if not carefully planned and considered, can have the opposite intended effect and damage your business and your bottom line. Following the steps in this guide should ensure you make the right choices when opening a new office and driving your business forward towards greater success. 

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