Are you thinking about making a change to your work environment? Changing up the scene every now and then is a great way to keep everyone on their toes and it could prove to improve productivity. Maybe the current space you occupy now is too large. You can easily downsize your office space with these six helpful tips.
1. Understand the Need To Downsize
Before you start the downsizing process, it’s necessary to take a step back and assess the workspace and the need for downsizing. When you have a better understanding of why you need to downsize, you’ll know which areas to attack first and how you plan to approach them.
Maybe your current work atmosphere and lifestyle are hemorrhaging money left and right. See what areas in your job require the most money. From there, strategize how you can lower the prices. Maybe the current space you occupy is too expensive. Can your office still run productively in a smaller location?
Maybe instead of downsizing the entire office space, you can just downsize one department. Observe all departments and see if they can still run with fewer staff members. It’s better to take a full assessment of the situation before you start making drastic changes to the work environment that could rattle all your employees.
2. Consider Remote Work
Sometimes, the solution to everything is remote work. The great thing is most of the world has already migrated to this solution. The idea of going back to the office every day seems out of place now. You don’t need to resort to remote work every day. You can always offer a hybrid option for your staff.
Base your remote schedule on how hands-on your day-to-day operations are. Working remotely means spending less on equipment. Most jobs only need to supply their staff with a laptop. You don’t have to worry about providing them with a desk or any other equipment because they operate from the luxury of their home.
Make sure the same rules and expectations apply to at-home employees as those who go into work. Remind your employees of the evaluations and assessments your company goes through regularly so that you can ensure they are working in a productive environment.
3. Go Paperless
The world is on its way to becoming paperless, so it’s a good idea for you to hop on the trend. The countless and endless paper documents you have on file can all be transferred to the cloud. Manufacturers invented it for a reason. You don’t have to worry about damages or lost paperwork because once something is in the cloud, it’s there forever.
Organize your cloud files the same way you did your paper ones if it makes it easier for you. Keep the same system you have going and create multiple backups for additional security. You can keep the paper documents because every now and then you or your clients will need a tangible document. Only print them out as needed.
Going paperless means you can designate one area of your workspace for all the physical copies you need for the job. If you had physical copies occupying other spaces now, you can consider putting them to a different use.
4. Rent Storage Space
Consider renting out some storage space and place items you don’t need on hand in there. At Capitol North American, we provide our customers with commercial storage facilities. You’ll rest easy knowing we are guarding and protecting all your sensitive documentation.
When choosing a storage facility, make sure you find a location close to the office. In case of an emergency, you want to have quick access to all your work at a moment’s notice. Review a few spaces before you settle on one and compare the pros and cons of each.
Ask the owners plenty of questions because your livelihood just might be in their hands. The relationship between you two needs to be solid. Don’t skip out on the renter’s insurance either. Extra protection is necessary for your business. You may be spending extra money, but think about the money you would lose if any of your property got damaged.
5. Remodel Workspaces
After clearing out all that space using a storage unit and converting most of your documents to the cloud, consider repurposing and remodeling some of the work areas. Try to take a minimalist approach and see what’s a necessity and what’s a luxury.
Do all your employees need their own separate cubicles? Or can you set them up to work as more of a collaborative team? Buying some new furniture that encourages a conducive and collaborative work environment can prove effective for everyone. Keep at least two areas for privacy because sometimes employees need a minute.
We also specialize in modular furniture installation, which can redesign and reorganize your office in the most minimalist way possible. Instead of you assembling the pieces yourself, we step in and get the job done for you. No need to stress over assimilating your equipment with your new furniture.
6. Have a Safety Plan
Every job needs a safety plan. Downsizing is great but make sure you keep the same safety precautions in play. If you moved most of your workers to remote work, make sure you go over safety precautions with them and ensure they are working in an environment where they have an evacuation plan in place.
If you’ve relocated to an office that is smaller, don’t cram things together, and don’t sacrifice safety for space. Smaller does not always mean better. If the new location is too cramped, keep looking for a new location. Narrow corridors and tight spaces can be dangerous in an emergency.
Don’t block any exit areas because this creates a fire hazard. Keep all routes clear and make sure the office has more than one exit point. The standard is two to three in an office setting. Some may vary depending on the size of your staff.
Less is more. It’s a statement people hear often, and it can apply to the workspace. If you can find ways to get the same amount of work done with less flare, then do it. For more guidance and tips on downsizing your workspace visit our website.
