Insights from the forefront of future of work thought leadership

An office move or refurbishment represents an important step in the growth of your business, but it can also represent a significant expense – so it’s important to stay on top of your budget.

A well-planned budget will make every other aspect of your office relocation or refurbishment easier and help you avoid unexpected costs down the track. Of course, it’s often easier said than done, so we’ve put together some advice to help you prepare a detailed budget for your new workspace and stick to it.

1. Create a strategy

Develop a workplace strategy before searching for a property. It will help you define the kind of space you need and how to align your work processes to the physical environment. It will also assist you prepare a budget across several categories, from leasing and moving expenses to upgrading furniture and technology.

If you’re moving to another property, don’t forget to factor in the exit strategy from your current space. You may need to cover the costs of breaking a lease, repairing damage, disposing of items you no longer want etc.

2. Get multiple quotes

One of the first steps in the process is to get quotes from all suppliers involved in the project, from office removalists to stationery designers. Ideally get three quotes from each provider for comparison, and document all costs in a spreadsheet. Suppliers will provide quotes free of charge, so you can plan your budget and understand the financial impact of creating your new workspace.

You’ll also need to consider the design and refurbishment of your new office. We recommend budgeting an additional 20% above your planned costs, in case the unexpected occurs.

In today’s competitive market, innovation in the workplace is something we all need.

It leads to new ideas, new approaches and new ways of working, which can drive business growth and put your company on the path to long-term success. It’s become essential for doing business. However, companies often make the mistake of focusing on products and services when looking for opportunities to be innovative, forgetting that the most valuable source of creativity in any business is the people that work there.

“If you look after your staff, they’ll look after your customers. It’s that simple.” Richard Branson

The benefits of a positive workplace culture

Workplace culture is essentially the personality of your company. It involves the physical workspace, company values and staff mindset, as well as the expectations and goals of people across the organisation. A company has a positive workplace culture if its employees feel like their needs are met and they’re aligned with the mission, vision and values of the organisation.

The result? A highly-motivated workforce and better outcomes. A study from the University of Warwick found that happy employees are up to 20% more productive. Staff satisfaction also has a significant impact on innovation in the workplace, with positive moods associated with creativity and goal attainment. A positive culture can also predict strong financial performance, with research by Deloitte showing that companies with a sense of purpose beyond profits were more likely to find long-term success.

How to boost innovation in the company

One of the best ways to foster a positive workplace culture and boost innovation in the workplace is to develop a workplace strategy. We start by defining the needs and values of your company and its employees, looking at every aspect of your new office to determine how it will support those needs and values.

We also ensure your physical environment is aligned to your work processes, so you can maintain peak performance at every stage of the project.

Here are some tips to consider when refurbishing or relocating your office, so you can foster a positive workplace culture and nurture the creativity of your team:

A good office layout is essential for a positive workplace culture. Open meeting areas, collaborative hubs, quiet rooms and wellness rooms encourage staff to build relationships and work together as a team.

Designing the desk layout so certain people are seated together can improve relationships between employees and teams, leading to better problem-solving and decision-making across the organisation.

A creative office interior design can inspire employees to think outside the box and enjoy the time they spend in the office. Whether it’s textured paint colours, natural light or inspiring artworks, there are plenty of ways to brighten your workplace.

The technology you use can support the work of your employees, so they spend less time being frustrated at slow or duplicate systems and more time being creative and achieving their goals.

Spacious breakout areas and modern kitchens encourage staff to collaborate and supports their health and wellbeing. The old days of squeezing staff into a pokey kitchenette to cook their lunch are long gone. Many companies now provide healthy snacks or meal offerings to keep brains fuelled.

While considering your workplace strategy read our Progressive Leaders Guide To The Future of Work to ensure that you shape a thriving workplace,