Most businesses will need a headquarters at some point, especially as they grow and want to scale up their business. That being said, when it comes to setting up a headquarters, there are a lot of things to think about, and it can be daunting for anyone who hasn’t done it before. This is why we have put together the following guide for you, so let’s get into it.
Factors To Consider
When it comes to setting up the space, three things need to be kept in mind at all times. They will influence every decision that you make. First and foremost, you need to think about the employees. You need to find a space that will work for their needs. Every business is different, so there is no one size fits all. So, when it comes to deciding your headquarters, think about your employees and whether they would thrive in that environment.
It would be best if you also considered the purpose of your business. What do you do, and what are your goals for the future? For example, if you want to expand, it may be worth finding a space that can facilitate this growth instead of outgrowing the area and having to move again in the future. Finally, it would help if you also tried to keep your company’s values in mind too. This will be important throughout the process but more so when you begin to kit out the space. For example, if your business strives to encourage a better work/life balance, then you might want to ensure that you have spaces for rest and recreation within your reach.
Finding A Space
Looking for a space to house your headquarters is not an easy task. There are several things you need to think about. Whereabouts do you want your offices to be located? Are you going to rent, or are you in the position to buy? Are the local amenities good? Can your business grow into the space, or will it stifle it? These are all things that you need to think about. It would help if you had an answer to each of these to start your search.
The Layout
Once you have a building in mind, it is time to consider the layout. Firstly, are you going to opt for an open-plan layout, or are you going to employ the use of cubicles? Open offices can encourage more collaboration between workers, but it can also increase distractions. On the other hand, Cubicles can limit distractions, but they can be more isolating.
Your headquarters will also need to have a good amount of storage. Clutter can be very distracting for your staff, and it also looks a little unprofessional to the visitors of your organization too. So any building that you choose should ideally have ample storage space. Closets are great for tidying away office supplies. If the space allows, you could even have a room dedicated to filing paperwork, or to circumnavigate this, you could strive towards a paperless future and instead choose to store things on a cloud-based system.
The next thing to think about is your staff break room. You need to have a designated area for your staff to use to unwind. You are legally obligated to provide your staff with a few kitchen amenities like a fridge, microwave, and sink. Most businesses tend to look for headquarters that have at least one kitchenette on-site otherwise, you have to work out other solutions. The breakroom needs to be far enough away so that any chatter doesn’t distract those who are still working. Finally, a headquarters for a business needs to have a lobby or a reception area too. You need a place that you can use to greet visitors and guests. It also allows you to communicate your brand to them.
The Supplies
The supplies that you provide to your employees matter; it directly impacts how well they can do their job. At the very least, you will need office furniture, electronic equipment, an internet connection, or a private network, and finally, you need to think about including some home comforts that match the aesthetic of your business. This will help to make the headquarters feel more personal and less clinical and cold. This is often the trickiest part of setting up a headquarters. Luckily, there are a lot of resources online that can help, including this guide to setting up an office from Branch Furniture.
To Conclude
The way that you decide to set up your headquarters is important. It provides you with a base for your employees to work from as well as the first point of contact for your clients and visitors. Therefore, it is imperative that you put the work in. There are a lot of elements to consider, from the building itself to its location and the equipment that you plan to kit it out with. Keeping in mind the needs of your employees, the purpose of your business and its values can go a long way to ensure that you are making the best decisions for your company and those who work there.