Month: March 2021

Managing employees during a relocation can be challenging – especially if you’ve got a large group to manage. It helps to have a plan and stick to it. These tips can help you maintain productivity in your workplace while also keeping up employee morale. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Plan Your Relocation at a Quiet Time of Year

Pick the right time of year for your upcoming office relocation. Moving at a busy time of year places undue stress on your employees, leading to burn-out.

2. Communicate With Staff

Communication is vital during an office relocation. Give your employees a timeline to keep them up to date on what’s happening during the move. If you expect employees to be part of the relocation effort and pack, sort, or unpack — layout your expectations at the start of the relocation process.

Work on a plan with your employees. Take their feedback and listen to their concerns. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page and agrees about what needs to be done.

3. Provide Encouragement

Moving is hard for everyone, including staff! Encourage your employees throughout the relocation. Tell employees when they’re doing a great job, and give bonuses or prizes to employees who go above and beyond.

4. Provide Tours of the New Space

Let employees see where they’ll be working! This can be especially helpful if some employees are reluctant to move into a new space. Provide tours and, if possible, give employees a chance to pick their own workstation. Even if they can’t choose their own workstation, provide them with an opportunity to be a part of the planning for the area’s appearance and layout they’ll spend the most time.

5. Incentivize Employees

Some employees may decide not to relocate with your company. It might depend on where you’re moving and what the new location is like. Some employee incentives to stay with your company might save you a lot of headache and hassle if you can retain most or all of the people who work for you.

6. Have a Management Plan

Collaborate with other leadership members in your company or organization to ensure that all of your company managers are taking the same approach to staff management. This may involve some planning meetings to strategize. Have regular check-ins with other managers to get a sense of how things are going and ensure that everyone in your organization is on the same path.

7. Play Up the Positives

Remind employees periodically about the positive things they can expect from your upcoming relocation, whether your new building will have more storage space, a better view, or a larger parking lot. The more attractive you make the forthcoming location sound, the more excited your staff will be for their upcoming move.

Work With a Reputable, Full-Service Moving Company

Make the relocation easier on your employees by working with a full-service moving company. Working with a reputable company will reduce the workload for your employees, so they can stay focused on what matters most: their jobs. Call today for a price quote.

 

Let’s face it: Moving is stressful. With multiple components to schedule and organize, it’s no wonder that moving is consistently ranked among some of the most stressful life events.

However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Hiring a professional moving company takes much of the burden of moving off your shoulders and makes the experience less stressful.

But how do you choose a moving company? With so many available options, knowing how to pick a reputable, reliable mover is critical. These steps will help you hire a moving company that’ll save you stress.

Referrals, Reviews, and Credentials

When it comes to choosing movers, there’s nothing like getting a personal recommendation. Start your search by asking family, friends, and co-workers for referrals. If they’ve had a good moving experience — or a not-so-great experience — ask for details.

Next, check online reviews, but don’t just limit yourself to reviews published on a moving company’s website. Instead, look at sites like Yelp, Google, Better Business Bureau, or the U.S. Department of Transportation.

While you’re on the USDOT site, you can check to see if an interstate moving company is licensed. Movers that make in-state moves should be insured and licensed, too; check for a DOT license and insurance information.

Review Estimates

Now that you’ve created a list of reputable moving companies ask for estimates. You’ll want to compare at least three.

An in-person estimate will be more accurate, as the company will do a walk-through and see precisely what they would be moving. A good mover will ask questions about what you plan to take and what you will leave behind.

Look for Red Flags

Keep your eyes open for red flags during the estimate process. These may include movers that show up late, seem unprofessional, or have recently changed their company name. Extremely low bids are another red flag and may indicate a scam or lack of experience.

Unless they must rent special equipment for your move, moving companies should have their own vehicles. A rental truck can be a warning signal.

Finally, beware of moving companies that request a large deposit upfront. In most cases, payment is due after the move is complete. If movers request a large deposit (more than 20 percent) or ask for cash, that’s a big red flag. Always pay with a credit card.

Get Everything in Writing

Once you’ve chosen a mover, get your contract in writing. You’ll want to make sure that terms are laid out in the agreement, including:

• Estimate and prices
• How overages and additional fees are handled
• When payment is due
• Insurance policies
• Pick up and delivery dates
• Inventory/list of belongings

What to Do if There’s a Problem

What if you run into issues with your mover or have complaints? In most cases, you have up to nine months to report any problems and file an insurance claim, so don’t wait too long to go through your belongings and check for damage.

You may file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. For interstate moves, you can contact the Federal Motor Carry Safety Administration. If the company belongs to the American Moving & Storage Association, you can file a complaint there.

While moving is stressful, a good moving company can make it less so. These tips will help you find the right company for your move. Contact us today for a quote. We can work to make your move more manageable.