The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 58: December/January 2021 | Page 34

Stick or Twist ?

Thinking of Moving Office ? Define Your Workplace Strategy First

Reinventing or moving your workspace can be a daunting project – one that takes diligent planning , deep consideration and an ability to look at the big picture and tiny details simultaneously .
The initial stages of the project are a perfect time to review your overall workplace strategy :
• What ’ s the primary driver for creating a new workplace ?
• Does your workspace offer what your employees require to thrive ?
• Are you expecting growth - or do your current premises no longer reflect the aspirations of your organisation ?

Stick or Twist ?

Although refurbishing an existing space can be a cost-effective way to bring new energy to an organisation , moving to an entirely new space allows you to take a comprehensive approach to modern amenities , sustainability and possibly even allows a fresh start for your business culture .
Moving office should be a chance to reimagine elements of your organisation from the ground up – a blank sheet of paper on which you can map out a new vision .
Interaction are working with a number of clients across the UK to help them introduce hybrid working as we design and build their physical workplaces . We help them scope :
• Budgets
• Space requirements
• Potential locations
• Approach to sustainability
• The suitability of your existing space for your business strategy
• The cultural impact of a move , including retention and recruitment
• New and optimum ways of working
• Have your employee numbers grown beyond capacity – or are you needing to downsize to a smaller , but better-suited space ?
• Do you have a clear understanding of the ways in which your current premises suits your requirements and aligns with your preferred ways of working - and where it doesn ’ t ?
This is a great time to consider a feasibility study – a strategic investigation into how necessary or realistic an office move might be compared to a refurbishment , or simply doing nothing .
Your workplace strategy should inform the space you choose – not be driven by it . Many organisations , on deciding they need a new office immediately jump to calculating the square footage they require , then look for a space that matches .
However , they will be missing some crucial steps in this journey – a developed workplace strategy will guide them in many vital aspects , not just raw square footage .
• Timelines and legalities
• Stakeholder management and internal communication strategy .
Get in touch to find out how we can help you make the right choices for your business : Charlie Moss charlie . moss @ interaction . uk . com Relationship Manager www . interaction . uk . com