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We Are Moving! Here is Avoiding Pitfalls When Moving Offices

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

How to Use Your Woman or Minority Owned Business Status to Improve and Expand Your Company

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