Did you know Socialfix is moving offices? Yes, we are! Our new crib will be located in Clinton, NJ. Check out some things we learned while we packed and moved all our stuff to the new location!

Moving to a different location comes with a multitude of challenges and decisions to be made. If you know you are moving locations ahead of time, there are ways to plan ahead to make for a smooth transition. Here are some of the best ways to stay on top of what needs to be done and to keep yourself from going crazy!

Know your move-in date:

Make a date and stick to it! This will give you time to hire who you need to, give your employees notification, and set up any utilities so you are not without internet or phones for longer than you need to be. Nothing is worse than having to hire last minute professionals when they may not perform the optimum service.

Decide on professional or DIY:

Decide ahead of time if you are going to hire professional movers. Depending on the size of your office and if you can recruit help from employees will determine whether you should hire commercial movers or make it work on your own. Don’t hurt yourself to save a few bucks.

Create an inventory list:

Things get lost on a daily basis, so imagine what could go missing during a complete move. Create an inventory list and divvy it up by department. This ensures that you know what you already have and each department can be responsible for making sure it makes it through transport.

Procure plenty of packing materials:

You will need boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, etc. to ensure your materials make it over in one piece. High-value electronics will need special attention as those are not items you want to find in tiny pieces upon arrival.

Plan out your utilities:

Be sure you understand how the utilities function at your new location. You’ll need to have these set up either before you arrive or immediately when you arrive. If you depend on internet or phone lines for your business to function, you need these setup and working to make sure you do not lose valuable time for your business.

There are many other nuances that go into the moving process. These are a few ideas to add to your checklist as you plan ahead or try and keep yourself together on a short-notice relocation. Know that you can make it work, that there will be bumps along the way, but if you keep yourself level-headed and focused on the idea that moving locations is an amazing step on the journey of expanding your business.

Sources: http://www.chipmanrelo.com/blog/2011/04/20-tips-for-smoother-office-moves/

http://www.helpmovingoffice.com/resource/office-moving-checklist?gclid=CIuC5LDJ4c0CFUgehgodmpkJPQ

Women and minority business owners make up 10 million of American businesses, but many opportunities to expand their business may not be taken advantage of. A great way to get started would be registering your business as woman-owned or minority-owned to make yourself official and available to these options. There are several organizations that will certify you and are worth getting involved with.

Many organizations, such as WBENC, National Association of Women Business Owners, or NMSDC, provide resources and events where you can showcase your company and expand your business. Meeting and working with other companies with a similar status expands the group and ensures the continuation of these programs. Within these organizations, there may also be grant prospects available. Researching and applying for these grants may provide opportunities for your business to grow, host an event (maybe sponsoring a non-profit organization), or to push revenue back into this network of industries.

Another avenue to explore is government projects. A certain percentage government organizations are required to reach out to woman or minority owned businesses for contracts and developments. This could be a way to secure clients or spread into a market you may not have considered before. This includes public (or even privately owned) educational institutions that may be looking to support your business for their school programs. It’s a win-win for both parties as they can showcase this unique sector of this business market while you can publicize your company.

If you consider yourself a woman or minority owned business you should realize there are numerous ways to project yourself as a strong, capable organization while still taking advantage of your status. Research groups where you qualify to join, then reach out to network and market yourself. Joining together makes the cause stronger and multiplies your chances of success.

Sources:

• http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2009-12-04/how-minority-owned-businesses-can-catch-a-breakbusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice
• http://smallbusiness.chron.com/apply-women-minority-owned-business-grants-5190.html
• http://www.thehartford.com/business-playbook/in-depth/women-minority-owned-businesses-opportunities-disadvantaged

Being a part of the roster of exhibitors at WBENC Orlando, FL this past June was a BLAST! The event was co-chaired by some major global brands including The Walt Disney Company (it was held in Orlando after all), Wells Fargo and the Pinnacle Group. The most rewarding aspect of our experience was having the privilege to attend the largest women business owners conference in the U.S. Having the rare opportunity to network, learn and share in such a rich environment of successful women entrepreneurs is something everyone should do at least once.

Read more below:

9 Things We Learned @ WBENC Orlando 2016

#9 – It’s Good To Get Out and “Sharpen the Saw”
The idea that sometimes you have to take a break from the “work” in order to sharpen your skills was a gratifying new lesson learned. A dull axe won’t cut a tree nearly as effectively as a sharp one. “Sharpen the Saw” means preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have–YOUR CREATIVITY. It means having a balanced program that rewards the four areas of your life: the physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual. We work hard as a team, and at this event we had a chance to have a great time with new and old friends. We injected a little childhood magic into our lives at the Magic Kingdom, enjoyed many of the nearby restaurants and partook in other great attractions. Can’t wait to do it again in New Orleans and Las Vegas in 2017!

#8 – Get Social – Meeting Like Minded Influencers and Business Owners Makes all the Difference
“Some of the biggest leaps we’ve taken as an agency have come from being at industry events and being able to nurture the relationships that were formed over the years.” says Terry Tateossian. We pride ourselves on being an agency that’s “relationship-driven.” At the end of the day, it’s not just about building websites, producing videos or crafting marketing strategies, it’s about people who make things happen. It’s about people who become part of our daily landscape and who help us achieve incredible things. Whether they are clients, vendors, or even our internal colleagues – we start and end the day with gratitude for the people we work with.

#7 – Never Undersell Yourself – Even to Yourself
Don’t undersell yourself or allow yourself to believe larger companies aren’t looking for someone like you.  There is a growing trend in many Fortune 500’s to work with smaller vendors on a project basis.  Google Inc., for example, allows project managers to work with vendors who fit their needs regardless of size.

#6 – Don’t just sit There! Participate!
Make an effort to get the most of the experience of being at an event like this. Be a part of all the day and night time schedule of events.

#5 – Book Your Travel Reservations Early
Booking your hotel reservation early is key. The best hotels and accommodations fill up within weeks of the announcement of the next WBENC conference. If you want to make the right connections, booking a hotel close by will reduce any commuting time and give you access to the best restaurants and bars, where most networking happens. Plus, who doesn’t love a little extra time to freshen up between events.

#4 – Be Persistent and Memorable
Bring lots of business cards and share them without hesitation. Leave each person with more than a card, leave them with a great first impression.

#3 – Tailor Your Presentation to Your Audience
Know what your audience needs to know, why they have come to hear you and provide them with a mix of what they expected and add a bit of the secret sauce. They will thank you in ways that will keep on benefitting you and your company.

#2 – Set an Achievable Goals and Be Strategic In Advancing them
Know what you bring to the event and what you would like to take away from it. Then figure out the best way to deliver what you brought and how best to get what you need and want.

#1 – Follow Up, Follow Up, Follow Up.
The most important rule after any event centered around opportunity to meet and network with potential future businesses is to grow your relationships. That means staying in touch. Make the first contact post-event relevant. Jot down something the person said that will be a good ice breaker. Just had a baby, ask about the baby by name. Just lost a loved one – inquire how they might be doing. Just got promoted – ask how they are doing in their new position and how you might be of help in making it an even easier transition. Be thoughtful and thorough.

Sources:

• www.bloomberg.com
• www.smallbusiness.chron.com
• www.thehartford.com