"Office relocation can help you rebrand your business"

In today’s shifting economy, many businesses are shrinking, growing, or restructuring. Usually, big changes mean finding a new space that better fits your company, whether it’s a larger office, a smaller office, or a fully-furnished, flexible workspace with a short-term lease.

An office move is a natural response to changes in your business, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to alter your image by rebranding. Here are five ways to turn your office relocation into an opportunity to transform the face of your company.

1. Practice smart office space-planning. Today, most companies don’t complete a successful office relocation without the help of a qualified space-planner. Especially for a larger office, planning is critical to ensure the aesthetic appeal of a space. More importantly, space-planning can help employees to better work together, encourage spontaneous interactions, and eliminate inefficiency.

These days, fun, creative companies like Facebook and Living Social are advocates of the open floor plan, where employees are free to collaborate. With the help of a space planner, you can turn your new office into a contemporary, free-flowing workplace or a more traditional, closed-in space—whatever suits your rebranding goals.

2. Go green during your office move. Your office space-planner or architect can help you with more than just a floor plan. Today, companies striving for a green image have many options for an Earth-friendly office.

Rebranding as a green company indicates your environmental responsibility and may win over customers who share your values. From low-VOC paints and sustainable wood finishes to modular walls and reusable cabling, you can make greener choices during every aspect of the office move process.

3. Be an employee-friendly office. Making your new office a great place to work can be as complex as onsite fitness and childcare centers or as simple as a new espresso machine in the break room. If you’re looking for ideas, try asking employees what positive changes they’d like to see in the workplace.

An office move is a great time to implement amenities such as an outdoor seating area, a dry-cleaning pick-up service, or even a foosball table for unwinding. You’ll gain a reputation for being a company that cares, and you’ll experience higher employee retention rates.

4. Modernize your logo. If it’s been a while since your logo received some attention, reevaluate this and other branding materials during your office relocation. A branding consultant or graphic designer will likely have recommendations for revamping your image.

Since you’re relocating your office, you’d have to reprint your business cards, literature, letterheads, and other business forms anyway, so use your move as an opportunity to update and refresh.

5. Branding through office design. Designing a new office is an exciting time, and the sky’s the limit when it comes to the finishes, furnishings, and art pieces available to you. An office designer can help you make strategic choices as you navigate the often-overwhelming world of office aesthetics.

Ideally, your new space will have a look that reflects the uniqueness of your company, often incorporating your branding colors, marketing messages, or details of particular significance to your business. An office move is a great chance to unify your branding message and the look/feel of your workspace.

Your office relocation can be a valuable opportunity to change the way your company is perceived by both employees and clients. The key is to start early so you can evaluate your numerous rebranding options. Check out www.movemybiz.com for more great articles about office design, space-planning, green office options, and more.

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, Philadelphia Business Relocation Examiner

Shannon is an expert in all aspects of business relocation, from finding commercial real estate to selecting a moving company, and the 240+ steps in between! She blogs at www.movemybiz.com/blog.

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