As a successful business owner, there will most likely come a time when you will need a bigger office space. Whether you want to rent the equipment and hire a team to build out a new location or look into leasing a larger space that’s move in ready, it’s important to know that you’re making the right call by moving. The question is how will you know when it’s time? Here are five indicators that will help you decide if it’s time to move to a bigger office or build onto your existing space.
Employees Are Out of Working Space
If you find that you have to keep rearranging your employees’ work spaces, and they’re getting closer to one another, it’s time for a bigger space. Your employees need their space to be productive. They should not hear every conversation taking place in the office. This can be a distraction, and in the long run, it can make your employees unhappy with the company.
You Don’t Have Room to Hold a Meeting
In addition to your employees needing adequate space at their own workstations, there must also be a space for group meetings. You need enough spaces in the office for teams to gather and discuss projects and other plans for the company. A short-term solution is for teams to meet outside the office at various locations such as a local coffee shop. However, this is not an ideal solution, as you don’t want to discuss confidential information in public places.
You’ve Run Out of Storage Space
Similarly, your storage space must also be taken into account. Using other places in the office that were not meant for storage, such as a hallway, is not a good solution. If there is no room for important documents, papers, and supplies, you need a bigger space to accommodate these items.
The Parking Lot is Too Full
Image via Flickr by aldenjewell
The next item to consider is your company’s parking. If employees are beginning to complain about having to park around the corner and down the block from your office, you need an upgrade. There are enough headaches that can come from work, and looking for a parking space should not be one of them. Not only is parking important for employees but it is also needed for clients and potential clients who visit your office. You want potential clients to have an enjoyable experience with your company from beginning to end. Not having enough parking spaces is a definite turn off.
Employees Are Unhappy and Uncomfortable
As mentioned before, employees can become unhappy with the company if they don’t feel comfortable. Therefore, if there is a high employee turnover rate, you definitely should consider a bigger office space. In order for your employees to produce results and help your company grow, they should like where they work. According to a recent survey, 57 percent of employees who said they were very stressed at work felt less productive and disengaged, while only 10 percent of low-stress employees reported feeling this way. Therefore, it’s important to listen to your employees’ complaints and concerns about the company. If many of them can be solved by providing a bigger space, you should start looking for one.
With a growing business comes increasing business needs. This means new equipment, more resources, and more employees. By expanding your office or finding a new building, you will be able to fit these items.
