Many of the biggest brands in today’s business landscape were set up in home offices, kitchens and co-working spaces, growing rapidly to become the behemoths we now know. No matter which industry you work in – whether you’re a fledgling tech startup or a specialist recruitment agency – there comes a time when the confines of your workspace become a serious hindrance.
In today’s article, we’re helping you spot when it’s time to go out to open workspace viewings, make a decision and then pack up your cardboard boxes and move to a larger office.
1. Access to a private meeting room is at a premium
There’s no denying that meetings are an essential part of business operations. Whether it’s an introduction to a potential client with a pitch presentation, sitting with management to discuss confidential matters or an internal department meeting, a private space is essential in the modern workplace – and when access to one becomes difficult, it can cause serious issues.
An element of flexibility is crucial when it comes to meeting spaces, so if your staff are struggling to book time in one, it can be a clear indicator that it’s time to move to either rent a new meeting room if you’re currently in a serviced office or move to a new location altogether.
2. Facilities use has become a luxury
Whether it’s the communal toaster, the toilets or the car park, you shouldn’t have to fight to use facilities. And that means if you find yourself – or your staff – are wasting time in queues or forsaking facilities use altogether, it might be time to think about an office upgrade.
Having the facilities to accommodate a larger team might not seem crucial, but it can play a significant role in staff welfare – after all, who wants to work for a company that can’t even provide the essentials?
3. Noise pollution has become overwhelming
Unless you work solo, being around others is part and parcel of being in an office – and that means you come to expect to be around a certain level of noise day-to-day. Whether it’s the office radio playing top 40 hits, your desk neighbour tucking into their mid-morning snack or ad hoc discussions happening among teams, a low-level buzz isn’t a serious cause for concern.
However, as your business expands, you’ll undoubtedly hire new staff and bring in new equipment – which can introduce distracting noise levels to the environment. When average volumes become excessive, concentration and productivity can both suffer, so know when yours have crossed the line.
4. There’s no space to focus in
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While most job tasks are suited to an office environment, there are some that require your complete and undivided concentration. This is usually when a small break room or conference room can come in handy, giving employees and management alike an area where they can focus on the job at hand without distraction.
But if your meeting room is often full (see point 1), and there’s no other space you can use to get your head down, it can be hard to work your way through difficult tasks in the busy main office room – and that means you won’t produce work to the same quality as you would otherwise.
Having to move to a larger office space is an exciting position to be in. It’s a sign that your business is growing, which in turn says that what you’re doing is working – so don’t be afraid to embrace a change in location when the time comes. Though it’ll take a little time to settle into your new surroundings, the potential opportunities are endless – from attracting top talent to impressing new clients – just don’t leave it too late!
Further reading on moving from your office
