Your business has been growing steadily, or maybe you’ve only just got together a team that you want to work with. It’s now time to move into your first Proper Office. You need the space, perhaps to accommodate several employees or even to carry out activities like packaging and sending your products. So now that you’re ready to set up your first office, you need a plan in place to get everything as you want it. Assuming you’ve found the perfect office space, you’re next step is to ensure that you have everything that you need to get to work.
Drawing Up a Floor Plan
You might want to start by coming up with a floor plan. How do you want to structure your office for everyone to work? First, you might consider whether anyone more senior is going to sit separately from everyone else. Do you have separate office spaces, or do you perhaps want to create spaces that overlook the rest of the office? You also need to consider how you want everyone to work. You might have cubicles, an open-plan layout or shared tables or rows of desks. It will depend on the size of your office, number of employees and the kind of work culture you want to foster.
Giving Everyone Essential Equipment
You also need to make sure that everyone has what they need to do their jobs. Of course, they will need somewhere to work and sit. So you’ll need to source desks or tables and chairs. You’ll need to think about computers, as well as other office equipment such as printers and photocopiers. Don’t forget to consider stationery, even if you’re aiming to keep a relatively paperless office. Storage is a good idea too, especially if you need a filing system. Ask your employees what they need to get their jobs done if you want to make sure you have all of the essentials.
Create a Tech Plan
You’ll need to think about technology in your office. Everyone needs the right tools to get their jobs done, which will include computers, an internet connection, phones and other various tech. Creating a technology plan will help you sort out what you need, and ensure your technology grows with your company. You can decide how you’re going to access the IT support that you need and deal with tech problems when they arise. A good technology consultant can help you to develop a tech plan.
Branding Your Space
If you’re more excited about decorating your office, you’ll probably want to consider making sure that it’s in line with your brand. There are some great ways to brand your office space, such as using your brand colors and having your logo on display. Think about how your brand translates into your work culture and how you want your company to appear not just to employees but to visitors to your office, such as clients or business partners.
Your first real office is a big deal. Make sure you come up with a solid plan to get it set up and ready to go.
