Tag: Boston moving company

Office Social Distancing COVID-19

Posted on by jstfort

The COVID-19 pandemic crisis changed the world forever. This virus has altered our personal lives, travel plans, and work habits. The time to return to work is nearing, and many companies are worried which are the right measures to accommodate their working environment. Olympia can assist your organization with office social distancing, changes, and essential services for opening your offices and physical locations again.

Relocate Employee Workstations, Contents, and Computers To Right-Size Your Business

To respect social distancing norms in your company when people come back to work, we can re-arrange the equipment your workers use. For instance, workstations or computers should be placed at a more significant distance from each other, as well as other furniture in your office. We will help you move each workspace to a minimum six-foot distance apart. Many companies are also planning to stagger desks to achieve distancing. The goal is to properly space employees in the workplace. 

You may also want to re-configure common spaces in your workplace. Kitchens, conference rooms, and lounges may need furniture rearranged or removed to create more space between employees. Arrangement in warehouses, labs, and other workplaces may also require changes to meet these new needs.

high cubicle for right sizing your businessInstall High Panels at Existing Cubicles

Many companies utilize cubicles to separate workers. While this might be an efficient measure, you will have to consider the size of your cubicle panels.  A taller or larger panel will create a stronger barrier between employees and minimize risks.

Our professional installation team can help you keep the existing floor plan of your office by installing high panels to the existing framework of your cubicles. This addition division of space will create more confidence and minimize health risks in your office. 

Re-Configure Office Furniture to Fit Social Distancing Needs

Your office set up may completely change when right-sizing. Some companies might need to invest in smaller furniture that allows more space for distancing.  Other offices might be able to just rearrange the office settlement with minimum investment. Olympia can help assist with both these scenarios by disassembling and reassembling workstations. Along with old workstations, you may also need to liquidate miscellaneous furniture, file cabinets, and more to create space to distance desks. Regardless of your needs, Olympia can help you develop a strategy according to your situation. As we assist you with the reconfiguration of your office furniture, we will consider not only the new social distancing norms, but also the comfort of your employees and your budget. 

Temporary Storage for Office Furniture Not Needed During Right-Sizing

During the reconfiguration phase, you might end up with some excess furniture. We have to consider that this phase may not be a permanent one. If you are planning for full restoration to your previous office set up down the line, our warehouses can pack and store excess furniture for the interim. This will help to create space and alleviate any clutter right now, and allow your company to return to a productive workplace sooner.

Delivering Content, Computers, and Furniture to Home Officessetting up a home offices for right sizing your business

Some offices are opening their doors while some are extending their work from home policies. We are seeing a progression of more companies implementing a work from home option as a new standard business practice.

Overall limiting the size of people in your office is recommended as office distancing will remain relevant, whether the new schedule it is a time split between in-office and at-home work, or a full push to remote, your employees must have the adequate equipment furniture and resources to effectively perform from their new remote work stations.

Olympia can handle the delivery of contents, computers, and furniture to the new home offices. We can receive and store the equipment for your employees at our full-service warehouses. We will then be able to the deliver equipment directly to your employees’ homes. Our team can even install desks and workstations in your employee’s homes as necessary. Whether it’s delivering new office furniture to homes, or packing and moving office furniture and contents to homes, our professionals are adequately equipped to execute this new transition.  

Going back to work might be a challenge, but we can help you make this transition a lot easier. Our crew are experts in right-sizing workspaces of all kinds. We will help find the balance so you and your workers can remain executing at a high level.

We all must pull together as we continue to overcome these constantly changing challenges. To speak with a move consultant to get a free estimate on right-sizing your office, click here or call 800-222-4744.

6 Ways Restaurants Can Use A Professional Moving Company

Posted on by rhunt

Restaurants are rarely need to move. In fact, the measure of a restaurant could be whether it has become an institution in its current location. Tacconelli’s Pizzeria in Philadelphia has been in the same spot since the 1920s and is still so popular that customers have to call ahead to reserve pizza dough. Tune In, a local favorite in Washington, D.C, has sat in the same spot on Capitol Hill  since 1947.  And, J.J. Foley’s Cafe in Boston has been a city-wide favorite for Irish pub food since 1909.

Clearly, moving usually isn’t a hallmark of the most successful restaurants. However, there is still a lot that a professional moving company can do for your restaurant. Here are just a few:

Updating Interiors

Old, cracked vinyl diner booths still hold just as much charm today as they did in 1950. However, not all old restaurant furniture can say the same. If you need to ditch your worn tables and chairs, a professional moving company can be very helpful. If you plan on getting rid of larger items like stoves, bars, large dining tables, and appliances, a professional moving company becomes crucial.

So, you’re getting rid of old furniture, what are you going to do with it? Common practice would be to just throw it out, but using a professional moving company means you might have other choices. Furniture is an under-looked but highly sought after donation to non-profit organizations looking to furnish public spaces. A professional moving company can remove unwanted furniture from your restaurant and then store it and transport it to those in need.

Installing New Interiors

Just as your old furniture in going out the door, new furniture is coming in. In that flurry of activity, you might realize that your restaurant lacks the space to accommodate a delivery of that size. Not to worry! A moving company like Olympia has the storage capacity to receive large deliveries and then delivery and install your new furniture or equipment in your restaurant.

Seasonal Furniture/Patio Furniture Storage

The same applies to patio furniture. It’s not likely to fit in the supply closet nor should it stay out to face the elements year-round. Olympia has provided many restaurants with winter storage for their patio furniture, with disassembly and reassembly included. Your furniture can be picked up at the first sign of frost and returned when spring has sprung.

Fire or Flood

Tragically, it’s not always a good thing when furniture needs to be moved. If your restaurant has experienced a fire or a flood and needs space to make repairs, a moving company can be on hand for removal and delivery to repair professionals or storage. Or, in the worst case scenario, they can be called on to junk ruined furniture so you can focus on fixing what survived.

Restaurant Logistics for Large Catering Events

If your restaurant is catering its own event, a professional moving company can help you handle time-consuming logistics. You and your staff need to focus on providing delicious food, so hiring a professional moving company relieves pressure.

For more information on outdoor events for your business, read some of Olympia’s best tips.

Moving In or Moving Around

A professional moving company can help a restaurant at all stages of life. If you are opening a restaurant, hire a moving company to take over furniture delivery and set up, allowing you to focus on all the other factors of a grand opening. And, after huge success leads to multiple locations, a moving company can transport large equipment like ovens or freezers between locations if a shuffle is required.

With just these six examples, its clear a professional moving company can do a lot to help restaurants of all sizes. Olympia Office Movers is proud to work with a range of restaurants in Greater Boston, Washington DC, Austin and Philadelphia. If you have a similar job or something totally unique to your business, it’s important to find a moving company that works for what you want.

If your restaurant needs logistic support, call Olympia to schedule a proposal meeting at 800-222-4744 or request a quote online.

Moving Office? Feng Shui Your New Space

Posted on by olympiamoving

When moving into a new office space it’s the perfect time to reorganize and decorate. These are some tips to help your transition and plan an office that will generate positive energy and inspiration.

Trash the clutter.

Businesswoman watering plant at desk

Go through all of the loose paper and random sticky notes and trash anything that isn’t relevant! The tricky part about this is keeping it de-cluttered; try to get into a habit of leaving your desk clean at the end of the day and don’t over crowd items . If it’s still feeling cramped, possibly invest in a mirror to open up the space.

Get some plants.

Encourage your coworkers to give the office some green and fresh air by adding plants to the office. This will spruce up your desk space and improve what you are feeding your brain while at work.

Give your desk a “commanding position.”

Office6Tips3

Orient yourself so that you can see out the window and people in front of you; this creates a safe space. People working behind you can often be distracting and you may get the feeling that someone is always looking over your shoulder.

Harmonize the layout of your desk.

The left side of your desk has to do with wisdom, relationships and wealth. You should decorate this area with cooler colors, family photos and plants. The center of your desk should be clutter free and clear, this area aligns with your career, health and reputation. You can fill this space with motivational quotes, business cards and colors like yellow, black and red. The right side of your desk promotes creativity, love and compassion. Bring in the colors gold, white and silver, a mantra or flowers for inspiration in these aspects of your life.

Bagua-horz-pageOnce you have established a work environment that allows you to be productive, reach goals and enjoy every minute of it, you can then begin expanding Feng Shui techniques into other areas of your life.

Before you can Feng Shui your office space, you need to move there! Request a free office moving estimate online or by calling us at 800.222.4744

3 Tips For Preparing Employees For A Relocation

Posted on by olympiamoving

Deciding to relocate your business is a big deal. There are a ton of aspects to consider, so how much should you include your employees in the decision-making and how should you be preparing them for a move?

Your employees are a huge part of your business, so it’s important to ask yourself if you know what’s important to them. You may want to create a communication plan ensure you’re in touch with their needs and get organized for the relocation.

While there are countless things you need to convey while preparing your employees for a relocation, we understand that you’ve got plenty on your plate.  We’ll keep it short with these 3 tips:

  1. The size of the new space and what they can bring

    Whether an employee has worked at a company for 6 months or 6 years it’s more than likely that their desk has accumulated more junk than they realistically need or want. You’ll want to keep this in mind when planning a relocation due to the change in space. Let your employees know if their new work spaces will be larger or smaller than the area they’re currently occupying so that they prepare for their own relocation accordingly and they aren’t over-packing.

  2. Commute Logisticspreparing your employees

    Another commonly overlooked, but important, aspect to take into account is the geography of your new office. Preparing your employees for a change is important because you run the risk of losing employees based on commute time and accessibility. Once you have a space in mind it’s important to factor in how your employees will be getting there. Have an open conversation about how commutes will change and let your employees know the best routes, transit lines, and parking options so that they feel comfortable and valued during the upcoming change.

  3. Area Amenities

    Whether or not we like to admit it, food is a huge culture builder in and out of the office. One of the main complaints from employees is lack of accessible food or coffee options in the areas surrounding their offices. Do a little bit of research on the food, drink, and fitness options new area. Let your employees know that you care by sharing a list of top spots in close proximity to your new space. They’ll appreciate your attention to detail and their caffeine needs and they’ll feel better about preparing themselves for their first day in your new office.

No matter what your reason may be for relocation, the best course of action is to keep everyone involved well informed and preparing employees is a huge part of that.

Looking to move your office or have more questions about preparing for an office move? Give us a call today at 800.222.4744 to discuss your options or request an estimate.

You might also be interested in:

  1. Countdown to a successful move
  2. Open Concept Office Positives and Negatives
  3. Employee Relocation Instructions 

 

Office Moving Mistakes

Posted on by olympiamoving

moving mistakes

Moving is never easy, but when other people come into the equation your responsibilities to the move change drastically. It’s important to know what you should be doing when planning an office move, but what about the common moving mistakes to avert?

5 office moving mistakes to avoid:

  1. Don’t wait to finalize your moving plans

    When you’re planning a move for your office you have more than just employees to worry about. Whether you’re moving internally or to a new building, you’ll want to have all of the details planned out ahead of time to minimize stress and room for error. Commercial moves require different types of people with specific attention to detail, and the building you’re relocating to might have special requirements from the crew you’ll be working with.

    It’s no surprise that procrastination is moving’s worst enemy, so don’t add to your workload by doing so.

  2. Don’t keep your employees out of the loop

    Employee happiness is directly related to their work environment. If you’re planning a move you should inform your employees as soon as plans are set and give your employees enough time to plan for their new office. When you keep information from your employees you run the risk of disrupting productivity and happiness.

  3. Don’t forget to do your research

    Are you really willing to risk damaging your company’s belongings or new work space after all of that effort you put into planning your relocation? Not all moving companies are the same, so don’t make the common moving mistake in thinking so.

    You’ll want to do more than just compare prices when it comes to choosing your mover. We suggest reading reviews and speaking with a representative of the company in order to make a better informed decision about who to work with. While price is always a factor you’ll want to be sure that the company you choose can handle your type of move and specific needs. Make sure you know about the quality of work and accountability your mover is putting into your relocation. At the end of the day you’ll be paying for quality and experience.

  4. Don’t forget to ask questions

    All moves are different, and that includes yours! Communicate with your movers and vendors and make sure you’re all on the same page. This will help you avoid any moving mistakes and confusion during or after your move, when it’s time to pay for services rendered.

  5. Don’t forget to budget the actual move portion into your plans

    If you’re planning an office move, you might also be involved in some other planning activities. Finding a space, renovating, or upgrading your furniture and equipment are all tasks associated with office moves, but while you’re choosing your favorite chair you’ll want to remember to leave room in your budget for the actual move.

    Many people make this moving mistake and underestimate the time and costs associated with the physical portion of their relocation causing them to be forced to settle for cheaper moving companies who are ill-equipped to deal with their needs. Keeping relocation costs in mind throughout your planning process will save you unexpected costs on what matters most, the integrity of the new items and space you’ve put time and money into.

    Here’s a tip: many vendors work together so if you’re at a loss for who to contact, ask someone you already trust.

Planning an office move or considering a relocation?
Avoid these moving mistakes and call us today at 800.222.4744 to discuss your options or request an estimate

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What is a Shared Workspace?

Posted on by olympiamoving

Bright colors, inviting design, and cold brew coffee in the kitchen, this is what comes to mind when we think of a shared workspace.

It’s no surprise that the concept of shared workspaces is becoming increasingly popular. High rents and a changing economy make running a business expensive. With the rise of the boutique business, people are finding new and creative ways to save on cost. But, is a shared workspace right for your company? What does it entail? Olympia Office Movers spoke with Dave McLaughlin, WeWork‘s East Coast General Manager, to get the real deal on using a shared workspace. shared workspaces

I must admit, based on how nice the offices are, we figured a shared workspace at a place like WeWork would be a bit pricey.

The truth? A shared workspace in the WeWork common area can range from $45 to $350 per person per month, based on your needs. Sounds good, right? It gets better.

All Commons packages include amenities such as high speed internet, discounts and benefits from over 250 partner companies such as AT&T, Hubspot and Uber, access to an online professional network of over 40k members worldwide, guest reception & community managers, and not least of all, kitchens with free coffee. When asked whether they had collaborated with another WeWork member on something, 70% of members said yes.

“I would say my favorite thing is the opportunity to network regularly with people within the community and other event goers. I meet at least 1 new person every event who I can connect with a friend in need of their service or collaborate with myself,” says Nike John, of Vibe Residential, on her company’s shared workspace at WeWork

shared workspaceWeWork builds their spaces around their shared kitchens, creating a place where people can interact and share ideas. Their mission is to build communities, not offices, and with locations worldwide they show no sign of slowing down. Focused on building a larger community, WeWork has created a place where members can connect with potential clients and business partners from around the world to build better businesses. With the use of a digital app to address frictions, WeWork seems to have found a way to make business solutions easier for the community as a whole, mapping what members need and delivering accordingly.

Shared workspace communities often offer events benefiting personal and business development, from exercise boot camp to business advice forums, the events offered are bound to catch your interest. WeWork’s members are even welcomed and encouraged to host events in their spaces.

It’s a common misconception that shared workspaces only work for small startups. WeWork’s Boston location is home to a financial company of 100 employees, which is by no means a small start-up! Rest assured that whether you’re a company of 1 or 100, they can make it work.

Inc.com reported in 2014 that according to a report from the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, the number of shared workspaces in America had gone from one to 781 since 2005. The shared workspace trend is only growing more popular as that number increased 83 percent from 2012 to 2013, while and memberships at facilities increased by 117 percent in that time.  With over 50 shared workspace options in the Boston and D.C. areas with attractive amenity offerings, month to month leasing, and a visually appealing space outside of the 9-5 cubicle norm, it’s easy to see why companies are drawn towards using a less traditional workspace to build their teams and attract young talent.

If an open office concept isn’t right for your office you can still take advantage of collaborative office shares with private office options. It’s important to keep in mind that the space you’re inviting employees into directly affects their mindset and productivity.

Interested in a shared workspace? Check out WeWork and request an estimate to move into your new workspace!

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Office Moving & Employee Relocation

Posted on by olympiamoving

Office moving can be a daunting task. Finding a new space, choosing vendors who can facilitate your needs and choosing an office layout are just a few of the things to think about during office moving.

But what about relocating your employees? Anticipating employee needs in order to keep them comfortable and productive is an important part of the process in office moving.

Not only can Olympia Moving & Storage help you plan the details of office moving, from the pack to the installation of new office furniture, we’re here to be a resource for the things that may get overlooked during your company’s move. We came up with a list of to-do’s, essential for a positive and fresh start in your new office!

office moving

Things to consider during office moving include:

1. Keep your employees informed

Once you have made the decision to move into a new space, let your employees know about the specifics.

Timelines of the pack and deliver will be of utmost importance to your employees and the work that they are doing. Minimizing hiccups with proper planning and communication between you and your moving company is key.  Ask your moving company if they will come to your office to present a short pre-move seminar to fill your employees in on necessary move preparations.

2. Share your plans

Keep in mind that we spend half of our lives at work so it’s important to create an environment your employees will feel good about working in.

Whether you’re taking your employees suggestions into consideration or making the decisions without them, it’s a good idea to share your new office’s floor plan so people can easily locate their new work space. Send out instructions, including information about changes in your employees’ transportation and parking options at your new office, so that there is no confusion when they arrive on their first day.

Office moving also includes relocating your employees personal work spaces,  and you’ll want to decide whether or not your employees will be packing themselves. This may be a good way to give people a sense of ownership over their own space or take a little stress off by letting the movers do it for them.  Olympia Moving & Storage can offer your company full or partial packing services based on your needs.

3. Give them a guide!

A change in routine is never easy so give your employees a head start with a handy list of nearby places in your new area where they can grab coffee or lunch. Be sure to include some after work spots so they can explore and grab dinner or drinks together, too!

4. Start fresh

You’re in a new office, so you may as well revamp and start fresh with new resource materials. Take the time to go through your employee contact list and give your employees up to date directory information. Lord knows Linda hasn’t been at 152 for quite some time!

Moving is also the perfect opportunity to get rid of old files and declutter the supply closet. Olympia Moving & Storage also offers document destruction & purging services, so those out of date files can be disposed of without worry.

5. Welcome them

Everybody loves a bagel; treat your employees to a breakfast and a short tour on the first day in your new office.

Many of your employees will be trying to downsize their desks when packing or prepping for a pack and will need some necessities for the new office. Keep them stocked by providing office essentials like post-its and notepads or even a gift card to your nearby office supply store on the first day so they’ll be ready to dive into their new work space right away.  For some office fun, have co-workers vote on who best-decorated their new space.

Need more information about employee relocation and office moving? We have you covered. Download our PDF for everything you need to know, from prep to unpack.

Whether you’re moving an office of 40 or 400, we’re here to help during every step of office moving. Check out the services we can offer to help you plan your office move and request your free estimate today.

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Olympia at the Northeast Buildings & Facilities Management Conference

Posted on by olympiamoving

NEBFM ConferenceOlympia Office Movers is a member of the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA), so we were a proud exhibitor at least week’s Northeast Buildings & Facilities Management Show & Conference. This two day event was an educational conference and exhibition for buildings and facilities managers in the greater New England region.

Sales manager Mike Smith and business developer Despina Sidiropoulos represented Olympia at the conference, and had a great time networking and giving away some nifty Olympia Office Movers drawstring bags.

Congrats to Ellen Fee who won our gift card raffle! She will be enjoying dinner at Legal Seafood on us!

Are you interested in networking with Olympia Office Movers? Feel free to contact us at [email protected] to inquire about joining our Boston, MA and Washington, DC area networking groups! Also be sure to connect with us on LinkedIn!