Settling In
Mary Marx
Managing Director
Cushman & Wakefield
It’s a challenging and frustrating time for tenants. Tenancy can get off to a bad start, but that can be avoided if management remains accessible prior and during the move.
Frequent and regular communication with building managers is important. Most problems can be avoided if they’re addressed early. A moving consultant eases the process tremendously. It helps in getting the tenant in on time and happy.
Tenants should take advantage of the move-in information packet provided by management. Then all the compliance issues, such as spacing, permits and use of elevators, etc., are dealt with early on.
Tenants should have access to on-site management, engineering and building staff and after-hours phone numbers of building managers.
Lance Bird
Principal
La Canada Designs
The first assignment should be getting employees out of their boxes as soon as you can. As people settle in, morale should be high. Do everything you can to make it a good experience. Give them the morning to unpack, then have a lunch together, so people think of it as a fun day.
Be aware of the “neighborhoods” within an office, the five to 15 people you work with closely and come to know almost as family. Moving to a bigger space can be impersonal. Arranging furniture, creating a common open space and adding color/graphics can help.
Settling in takes period of 30 to 60 days. It’s tremendously important to keep employees comfortable the quicker they are settled, the quicker they can be productive. Make sure people are comfortable, with air conditioning, heating, etc.
Larry McLaughlin
Principal
McLaughlin & Associates
There’s no reason a company can’t move over a weekend and be fully functional by 9 a.m. on Monday. How quickly you get settled in after a move tells you a lot about a company’s internal organization.
People forget that installation drawings, detailed diagrams of what the new space will look like, have to sometimes go through the city or fire department. They think they can just lay out their furniture and they’ll be fine. But they don’t understand codes, aisle spacing, etc. And especially in L.A. there’s a lot of concern about earthquake safety.
A new layout will change relationship structures. Putting a wall up or adding a noisy copier to the office will change the dynamics and synergy of people working together.
Joy Boese
Ergonomic Consultant
E3 Consulting
The No. 1 and 2 problems are eyestrain and back problems. So integrate ergonomic design early. Make sure equipment is adjustable for people of different heights.
It helps to hire an outside party to facilitate the move. Employees find it’s easier to share concerns with an outside party. Don’t think just because it’s a beautiful space it’s going to work for everyone. Aesthetics are just one part of the process.
Samantha Lee
