If that small business you started out of your basement is suddenly not so small, you may be readying to move to your first office. But the decision to do so may be one of the most complex and unfamiliar ones that you will ever have to make. Opening an office is not as easy as one might believe. There are quite a few things to keep in mind in order to ensure that your future workspace is designed properly. Here are a few helpful hints to ensure that your expanding enterprise gets off to a smooth and successful start.
Opening An Office: Things To Know Beforehand
Leave the IT to an Expert
With a growing staff comes a wider communications network. While you may have successfully hooked up your phone and computer back in your basement, wiring an integrated office system is not for the faint of heart. There’s office layout, workstation phones, and network infrastructure to juggle all at the same time. It’s best to look into networking experts in your area and hire one that is experienced in custom it services los angeles.
In other words, it’s best to leave certain things to the professionals. This way you can rest assured that the job is well-done and things will run smoothly.
Don’t Skimp on Your Furniture
Good furniture not only makes a statement to your clients; it creates a positive working environment for your employees. So when you begin shopping around, start with retailers who offer a wide range of styles that are both pleasing to the eye and ergonomically designed. Many studies have shown that there’s a strong correlation between office surroundings and worker productivity.
So be sure not to skimp on spending extra money when it comes to certain pieces of furniture – namely chairs, couches, and armchairs. They can really make a difference in the productivity and mood of your employees.
Conserve Your Office Supplies
A funny thing about how our mind works is the perception of abundance and the bias it creates. Basically, you don’t want to overstock on office supplies. This advice is counter-intuitive, but it’s a really good piece of advice. Why? Office supplies can often deplete rapidly if you overstock them. The mechanism behind this is quite simple. If an employee sees an entire shelf of sticky note pads or binder clips, he or she can burn right through them. Order only the amounts you will need on a weekly or monthly basis, and put one person in charge of your office supplies inventory.
Opening an office is not easy. Besides costs, there are a lot of things to take into consideration. From furniture choices to the number of office supplies, making the right decision can be crucial to the productivity of your employees. While opening your very first office is one of the most exciting moments in your career as an entrepreneur, making wise decisions from day one is the key to long-term business success.