Challenges of moving a business cross-country

Moving a business cross-country is necessary sometimes. Perhaps your business needs to change location due to downsizing or quite the opposite – expanding. Either way, it can be extremely stressful, so it requires careful planning. Some challenges include the financial burden of moving, staff turnover, financial losses during the shutdown, and more. Learn how to deal with those in advance.

The financial burden of moving a business cross-country

The cost of the move can be very high. You should set up a budget in advance, so you know what to expect. How much money you should set aside can vary a lot. The main factor is the size of your business – the bigger the business, the bigger the budget that is needed. Once you know the amount of money you can afford, you can start your search for the right moving company. It is important to hire the right long distance movers so choose a company you can rely on. Most of them offer a free quote, but also advice when it comes to what furniture to keep, what is the best way to move, where to find the right storage, etc.

Staff turnover when moving cross-country

It is normal to have some employees that are unwilling to move cross-country. This is not necessarily something you can influence. Some of them have families or school-age children, and some just don’t like the idea of moving long distances. You should respect their decisions. However, you should try to be as transparent as possible. Make a public announcement explaining what are the reasons for your business move. Focus on the benefits. Tell them that it wasn’t an easy decision, but that you are going to one of the best cities for millennials in the US – this might entice them to follow you.

Talk openly about your company’s plan and why you think this is a good idea. Tell your employees that their positions are safe and that you will provide additional support to them. Give them time to think, but also specify a deadline for them to make a decision. It is important to have the final numbers before you actually start moving your business cross-country.

Financial loss during shutdown

Some financial loss will probably happen when you are moving a business cross-country. You will have to work at a reduced capacity or even close your business during the relocation. Some businesses are part of industries that are more amenable to a methodical approach when it comes to moving. That approach requires that infrastructure and technology are first to be set in a new location, followed by employees. Other businesses require a movement of a lot of assets, and that can cause a lot of financial loss. In order to survive a short shutdown, you need to complete the relocation as fast as possible. Follow our ultimate moving guide and you’ll find the best ways to move your business fast and efficiently.

Notify your clients

It may happen that your employees are not the only ones that don’t like the idea of moving cross-country. You should notify your clients in advance and give them a chance to ask questions. Open different communication channels- customer service, social media like Facebook, Instagram, and others where your clients can get all the information about your move. Show them that you are well organized and that this move is not going to impact your current and future business.

Choosing the right moving company when moving cross-country

This is definitely one of the biggest challenges when moving your business. It’s hard to imagine that a company would decide to move their business cross-country without hiring a moving company. It is necessary to make the right choice, so take your time and do your research. Ask a couple of companies for a free quote.  A good company should help you with the moving process from start to finish. Ask them about the services they provide, such as:

• Help with planning the relocation process
• Assistance with assembling and disassembling furniture
• Professional transportation service 

Packing can be a big challenge when moving a business

Perhaps you have decided on a moving company that you will hire, but your job is not finished yet. You should plan your office move in as much detail as possible. It can easily be accomplished with an ultimate moving checklist – it will guide you through every step of the way, so you don’t overlook anything significant. Here are some tips and tricks:

• Color code: You can use color-coding to designate floors, departments, or individual rooms/offices.
• Labeling: Label everything such as chairs, desks, lamps, mats, etc. Make sure labels on furniture are visible.
• Inventory: Make an inventory list of all items, so you don’t lose anything. Taking inventory by room will give you the foremost accurate count and can help you with the labeling.
• IT Equipment: You should let professionals move all your IT equipment such as printers, copiers, routers. Be sure to label each office machine with its desired location within the new space.
• Filing Cabinets: You can often move the filing cabinets with files inside. Just check that  with your moving company and lock the cabinets,
• Storage Cabinets: Make sure to empty all contents and pack them into boxes. Lock all the drawers and place the keys somewhere safe. If there are no locks, put some duct tape over the drawers.
• Desks: Pack loose office supplies like pens and paperclips in plastic bags or envelopes.  Most desk contents can be packed into a box and sealed, but personal items like pictures and plants should be personally carried to the new space. After completely emptying your desk, lock or tape shut all drawers and place a label where it will be seen.

Moving a business cross-country is almost always stressful. But it doesn’t have to be the end of the world – just prepare and plan in advance and you’ve got this!