The Weiss Consulting Group Analysis Shows Office Space May be Weighing Down Companies
Office efficiency experts The Weiss Consulting Group has recently analyzed eight office relocation projects that it managed and has made some startling discoveries about how costly office spaces can be. This information already has led companies to consider how to improve their own office situation.
Miami, FL (PRWEB) May 21, 2009 -- The Weiss Consulting Group, a leader in helping companies relocate, consolidate, or expand their operations, has recently analyzed eight office build-out and relocation projects during the past eight years and is offering their findings and expertise to companies looking to improve the efficiency of their office space.
In today's tough economic climate, many companies have already considered reducing labor force, cutting facility services, trimming paper usage, dropping subscriptions, and so on, but there is another area to consider that can create new savings across the board.
The idea involves the office space itself. The Weiss Consulting Group (www.theweissconsultinggroup.com) has found that it is possible to reduce costs by consolidating office space(s). This is where companies combine several offices into a larger office.
The obvious advantage to successfully executing a consolidation is that a business is positioning their company to spend less on rent. Even though they must still maintain any empty space, they will spend less on securing, cleaning, cooling, and repairing these spaces. Administrative assistants and office equipment will be able to serve more people. Rented furniture and equipment can be returned. Consolidation also presents a unique opportunity to update and renovate a business.
Difficulties arise from not understanding the implications of moving or redoing the office, and from over-simplifying what's involved.
But, the real jewels in this type of project are the long term opportunities. In a move, there is the expectation of change held by employees, so the owner can take advantage of minds being opened up to new possibilities. Carefully planned, this could be the unique opportunity to modernize old processes and create spaces that teach employees and visitors about the company's history, mission, and values. This can create an environment of new thinking and pride within the company.
This type of project is not quick. Nor is it cheap.
By analyzing the eight office build-out and relocation projects, the Weiss Consulting Group has found that a good starting place is 12-24 months for the entire project, and about 130 - 150 dollars per square foot, based on about a 40,000 sq foot floor plan, about 150 persons, fairly heavy duty technology requirements, and the assumption that a company will take some of their technology with them. The costs scale upward or downward somewhat depending on the requirements. Planning can be compressed only to a certain point, though. Long lead times dictate that draft plans are utilized before planning is complete. The top project costs are information technology (37%), general contracting (25%), and workstation furniture (23%).
Not spending adequate time in planning can serve to lock in antiquated processes that no longer help the company.
According to Jay Weiss, founder of The Weiss Consulting Group, "One client was planning on purchasing equipment to support an elaborate paper pushing process of unstapling documents, photocopying the documents, sending the copies to an out-of-state office for more processing, and then sending the original documents to a storage facility, while another department had already been scanning and processing these same documents for years."
Information Technology is complex and day-to-day demands on internal I.T. professionals can be extreme. Without demonstrated planning from your I.T. Department, there is the danger that the technical challenge does not have the focus that it requires. This can lead to rushed planning.
Weiss does mention that moving an office can lead to employee concerns, including an increase in commute cost, the need for a new and possibly more expensive day care provider, the time needed for lunch becoming more than is allowed, the comparative equitability of their personal space, new office procedures, and a new telephone system. But Weiss said employees will generally respond well if their opinions are sought out and given genuine consideration.
The top mistakes include allowing a lease with unreasonable control afforded to the landlord, not pre-clearing the plan with the landlord and the municipality being moved into, and underestimating the overall planning and preparation needed.
Finally, the top signs that the Information Technology component may not have the required focus are that after successive meetings, a person still cannot be shown the disaster recovery system in action, a person is receiving a rearrangement of the same basic status, there is little or no diagramming of the data center, and little evidence of external participation.
To view all key findings of the report, click here.
To learn more about how The Weiss Consulting Group can help a company with their operations, visit www.theweissconsultinggroup.com or contact Jay Weiss at 305-632-8469 or jay@theweissconsultinggroup.com.
About The Weiss Consulting Group
Founded in 2001, The Weiss Consulting Group offers companies looking to relocate, consolidate, or expand their operations, the knowledge essential in making such an initiative happen. Their mission is to utilize their network of professionals to help your team with the overall management and all project phases from inception through occupancy. They streamline all processes by keeping the project organized, within scope, budget and time. Their vision is to work as part of your organization to develop a deep understanding of your business, culture and values, to provide the highest in quality planning, resulting in a custom solution that may or may not involve relocation. Their overall goal is to help you overcome the challenges and exploit the opportunities that accompany this type of project. For more information, visit www.theweissconsultinggroup.com
###
Post Comment:
Trackback URL: http://www.prweb.com/pingpr.php/RW1wdC1FbXB0LUhvcnItU2luZy1IYWxmLUNvdXAtWmVybw==
Bookmark -
Del.icio.us |
Furl It |
Technorati |
Ask |
MyWeb |
Propeller |
Live Bookmarks |
Newsvine |
TailRank |
Reddit |
Slashdot |
Digg |
Stumbleupon |
Google Bookmarks |
Sphere |
Blink It |
Spurl
|
