Many businesses are considering the option of downsizing their office space right now. The changing nature of office work is one of the reasons for this. Some businesses are also seeing a dip in demand and downsizing can be a way to stay competitive and lower costs. There are many benefits to operating from a smaller space, and some businesses are now realising that they are paying a lot of money for empty space too. If you are thinking of downsizing, let’s take a look at whether it would be a good option for you right now, and if it is, how to do it correctly.
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How Stable is Your Business?
If you’re dealing with cash flow issues or struggling to get sales lately and you have some space to spare, then downsizing your office or moving to a smaller one could be a good option. You could always downsize and allow someone else to use the remaining space. Many independent professionals would love to benefit from the prestige of having an office space but can’t or don’t want to pay for a full space, so don’t assume that you’ll have a hard time finding sub-tenants.
Are You Using an Open Floor Plan?
Open floor plans have been the trend for many years for offices, but more people are pointing out their flaws. As a matter of fact, most of the purported benefits of open floor offices have never really been proven and are mostly rooted in assumptions. Not only do open offices take more space, but many employees report that they feel less productive in them due to distractions. They also feel a lack of privacy and there has even been a reported increase in sick leave in offices that have an open plan. Not to mention that open floor plans take up a lot of unnecessary space.
How to Downsize Properly
The first thing you have to do when downsizing is make sure that everyone is aware of the move well in advance. You will then need to devise a new floor plan and find a way to close out unused space. Make sure that your floor plan accounts for productivity and safety as well. Emergency exits should be easily accessible. Also, look at where power outlets are located so you can create a plan that would allow cables and wires to be routed safely.
From then on, you’ll need to decide what you’re going to do with your extra furniture and equipment. One option would be to sell it all, but you can’t expect people to come to pick up all your stuff overnight, so you will need to start thinking about storage. If you want a good business self-storage solution, you can check out Easy Access Self Storage. They have some of the best storage units for businesses and units of virtually all sizes. Their units are clean and dry, which will preserve your items, and they offer 24/7 security to make sure that they are safe at all times.
Downsizing your office space could be a great idea if you’re overspending on rent and feel like you’re not using your current space optimally. So, consider the option, but move carefully since going back to your old setup could be a major problem.