A to Z Of Business

During our formative stages, we are inviting suggestions and referees to businesses that can assist with an office move.

The categories are:

Accountant. Perhaps more appropriate when you are starting out, someone to help you plan and budget for your move.

Architect. Often when considering an office move, a company can consider owning their own premises or as is sometimes the case, purchasing and developing upon their own land.

Art. Especially in new premises, you can make a fantastic first impression or make a statement by having either a unique piece of art commissioned, or even rent. From a print to an oil painting in reception, through to a sculpted masterpiece in reception, even the smallest of businesses can benefit.

Call Answering. Ideal for any down-time while you are moving, someone to answer your calls either during the interim or maybe even as a permanent or partial (over-spill calls) solution.

Electrician. Will everyone who needs one, have power? Will they need more than is currently there? An electrician is often needed to relocate or add new sockets.

Furnishing And Interior Decoration. Where will everyone sit? And what will it look like? An expert to help you plan and design your office layout and perhaps internal partitioning is useful. Also someone to help you source and specify the right furnishings.

Insurance Broker. To make sure you have office/contents and public liability cover for both your new location and to cover you for any risks during the move.

IT And Office Equipment. Expertise to help you move or install and configure your IT equipment in your new base.

Letting Agents. To help you find the ideal place to locate to.

Locksmith. Often forgotten, but designated keyholders or perhaps all of your staff will need a set of keys to access your new office.

Office Equipment Supplies. Photocopiers, printers and any other general office machinery you may need to consider for your move.

Plumbing. Anything from heating, new sinks, toilets, through to plumbing in a shower a plumber could well be on your list.

Printing. Business cards and letterheads not only need to be changed to reflect the new address, but even if theren't any major design changes, you will need a minor tweak and re-print.

Project Management. Bringing the whole project together by using a specialist because of the sheer scale, or if you are smaller using a manager so you can remain focused can pay real dividends and definitely relieve the stress of a move.

Recruitment. You may need to recruit if your prospective office move is related to expansion or you need your first staff.

Removal Specialists. Have all of your furniture or machinery moved into your new base.

Secretarial Services / Typing. To keep your document production flowing during any down-time or to assist more permanently as either cover for holidays or more busy periods.

Security / Alarms. What is the security like? Will you need an alarm? Will it lower your insurance?

Signs. For the front of the building, the main entrance to your premises, your company vehicles etc.

Solicitor. To advise you on terms of the lease before you sign and make sure you avoid any nasty surprises in future years.

Stationery & Other Literature Design. You may need new letterheads, compliment slips, or a re-print of your brochures to reflect the address change. Again, it's a great opportunity to review what you have and update it.

Support Agencies. Connections into local organisations who can assist with funding or other support.

Telephones And Cabling. You will need to consider sockets for both computer and telephone points, moving or supplying a new system and also whether you want Internet-based telephones for home-workers or to connect to another branch.

Training. You will need to consider any other issues this change has instigated. New staff may need training. The change may coincide with a need to review your systems.

Web-site Design. When you move office, you may need some tweaks to an existing website (new address, a positive announcement about what the move means). Or simply to take the opportunity to freshen up an existing site or if you are starting out, getting one set up in the first place.