Resources to help keep your world moving

Though the end may be in sight for the COVID-19 pandemic, the remote-work craze is far from over. As companies work to rebuild normalcy by returning to in-person workplaces, many are moving to smaller offices so some employees can keep working from home. A recent survey by KPMG found that 17% of surveyed CEOs plan to downsize their business’s footprint this year. And of the companies currently looking for new offices, more than one third are looking for smaller offices than they previously had, according to FreeOfficeFinder. The benefits of downsizing your office are plentiful. Not only does it allow for a more flexible workspace, but it also saves significant money and allows you to create a more productive and collaborative environment for your team. If you’re considering a downsize for your organization but don’t know where to begin, here are five things to consider: 1. Listen to your employees’...

After the pandemic forced workers to dust off or create their home offices, some employees are realizing that they don’t want to go back to the cubicle life. According to a survey by PwC, 83 percent of employers say the transition to remote work has been successful for their organization, and 55 percent of employees want to continue working from home at least three days a week. As employers prepare for permanent shifts to more flexible workplaces, many are beginning to downsize or decommission their offices — and seeing the hefty price tags that often accompany those processes. Decommissioning involves returning your space to its original condition, as stipulated by your contract. This may include removing all of your belongings and cleaning the floors. Depending on your lease agreement, failure to do so can result in a heap of unnecessary costs. The fees for your agent and legal support, as...

If you are loving the work-from-home life, you’re far from alone. A recent survey by JLL found that 66 percent of workers expect to work in a hybrid remote and in-person model once the pandemic fades. Meanwhile, in a Limeade Institute study of more than 1,000 formerly onsite employees, 100 percent said they were anxious about returning to the office. And right now, companies are paying attention. Businesses looking to say farewell to a static space have two main options: fully decommission the office and embrace a remote workforce, or downsize to a smaller office and adopt a hybrid model. If you are torn between the two, here are 10 things to consider when making your decision. 1. Decommissioning provides the most cost-savings. Though both options will save you significant money on overhead costs, decommissioning is the most cost-efficient. By eliminating your office space altogether, you can remove the costs...

Outsourcing warehousing and logistics to a third-party provider is the secret to success for many of the world’s leading businesses. In 2019, 92 percent of Fortune 500 companies used a third-party logistics provider, according to The Armstrong Company. Across a wide range of industries, companies count on expert third-party providers to handle the ins and outs of their logistics and warehousing. Whether your industry is ecommerce, home improvement, food, technology, retail, pharmaceuticals or more, your company will likely benefit from making the switch to outsourcing. Here are five popular reasons why companies choose to outsource their warehousing and logistics: 1. Save money through cost-effective solutions. Instead of shelling out significant money to hire an internal management team, you only pay for the services you need when you outsource. You gain access to cost-effective solutions that add value to your supply chain, and you turn over the day-to-day management to industry...

As you set your sights on a new office building your next step is likely to investigate what the relocation will entail. Office relocation can be daunting, but don't let that stop you from making the change. Whether you are moving a few blocks away or across the country, we have identified five common moving pitfalls that, if avoided, can help make this transition seamless. Moving without a Strategy Lack of pre-planning is the cause of many common issues when moving. From logistics to time management to coordinating a checklist — these moving pieces will be better executed if planned ahead. Don't rush this process. A hurried move can lead to delays and additional expenses. Take time to scope out scenarios that may cause delays and troubleshoot them before the move. Find the right time to start the move. Coordinate with teams on a planned timeline: before the move, the...

Efficient warehousing and logistics are crucial to the success of any business. Without proper management, your inventory would be a mess, and your order fulfillments would be riddled with errors. We’re here to break down everything you need to know about warehousing and logistics, starting with three frequently-asked questions. What are warehousing and logistics, anyway? Warehousing provides the secure storage of raw materials or finished goods, often in an off-site location. While warehousing focuses on storage, logistics focus on flow and the customer experience. Logistics management includes organizing the movement of items in and out of the warehouse according to your customers’ needs. Warehousing and logistics are vital for a successful supply chain, but performing it all in-house can cost you too much time, money and energy. Instead, many businesses have turned to outsourcing for better efficiency and end-to-end visibility. In 2019, a survey of companies found that a whopping...

The year 2020 was record-breaking for the housing market. In December, the National Association of Realtors projected 2020 home sales for the year would total about 5.7 million — the highest level in 14 years. Existing U.S. home sales experienced five straight months of growth last year, according to Reuters, and some experts are already predicting that housing sales in 2021 will outpace 2020 levels. In fact, during the first week of 2021, U.S. long-term mortgage rates reached new record lows. With a booming housing market and about 33 percent of the U.S. workforce still working from home, millions of Americans are moving. However, the pandemic poses unprecedented obstacles to the moving process and you will need to plan accordingly. Here are seven steps you should take to protect yourself when moving in the era of COVID-19: PRIOR TO MOVING DAY: Ask your moving company about its COVID-19 protocols. You...

When office clutter increases, so can workplace stress. Luckily, there is a simple solution for reducing some of the clutter and stress - off-site commercial storage. Not only does commercial storage give you peace of mind by keeping your assets safe and accessible, but it also keeps efficiency high in your workplace. Not sure which assets to move to storage? Consider these top five things. Records and Files Storing records and files on-site can clutter your office space pretty quickly, while also forcing your employees to work in discomfort and disorganization. A survey of hundreds of professionals by M-Files Corporation found that 38% reported that some of their organization’s paper records were lost or misplaced a few times every month, at least. In the same survey, respondents said they left around 58%  of paper documents that they received on desks or in file cabinets. By storing files or copies of...

Key Takeaways Office moves are complex, but professional furniture installation services simplify the process Armstrong ensures your office is ready for work immediately after relocation Specialized expertise in handling and installing all types of office furniture and fixtures Why Furniture Installation Services Matter Moving any space can be stressful, time consuming, and physically demanding and this is especially true of office spaces. Computers, desks, chairs, wiring, monitors, and break room accessories are just a few of the items you have to worry about making the journey to your new space and trust us- your employees don’t want to do it.  How can you make this easier on yourself? Commercial moving companies like The Armstrong Company have been helping businesses large and small move their office spaces for many years. With expertise and experience to back us up, we are sure to move and install all of your valuable items safely...

Moving your healthcare facility, also known as healthcare transition, requires the right partner, strategy and plan in place in order for everything to go as seamlessly as possible. Going into the process, know that there can never be enough planning when it comes to moving a medical facility, and success is a moving target the entire time. Building your healthcare transition dream team If you’re a healthcare professional or are working on a healthcare move or relocation, it’s key to get your vendor partner involved in the process as early as possible, often as far out as 12-18 months from the move. There are movers, there are commercial movers and then there are experienced healthcare transition professionals, such as Armstrong Commercial Services. You want to make sure that you’re working with someone who has extensive healthcare moving experience because it requires a very unique skill set. It’s important to properly...