Situation: The Company has taken advantage of favorable lease rates to secure a larger space. How can they minimize work flow disruption during the move?

Advice from the CEOs:

• Plan the move in detail: electrical, intranet and telephone needs; office space and facilities; design or production space and facilities.
  • If you can’t move everything over a short period of time – a 3-day weekend – consider moving in steps – a series of discrete moves over time, each with its own requirements and timetable.
• If you carry inventory, pre-build inventory to see you through critical steps of the move.
  • If you have a major customer with strict delivery deadlines, try to negotiate a delivery window during which you can conduct the move.
  • Determine if there is seasonality to order delivery that makes a particular time of year more convenient to move critical operations.
  • Custom work will require special planning.
• If you plan to upgrade equipment, consider purchasing, installing and operating the new equipment in the new location instead of your existing location.
• If you will be leasing the new facilities – maybe even if you are purchasing – ask the new lesser or seller to provide cash to:
  • Finance delayed shipments at a price discount,
  • Cover expenses of the move and outfitting the new location to your needs.
• Consider converting to a wireless intranet and telephone system to avoid the expense of wiring the new facility.
  • Look at plug and go options.

Key Words: Planning, Location, Work Flow, Inventory, Technology, Customer Service, Logistics  [like]