Resources to help keep your world moving

Is the work-from-home bubble bursting? In 2020, many firms cited increased productivity and employee satisfaction with working from home. As the pandemic dragged into 2022, the enthusiasm for working from home seems to have cooled for employers and employees alike. Employees express frustration with the monotony of working from home, many saying it blurs the line between work and home life and creates an imperative for employees to be available 24/7. Working from home has also distanced coworkers by eliminating the informal and spontaneous communication that comes with sharing the same physical space.  Employers have expressed dissatisfaction with visibility into employee activity, some even going as far as tracking keystrokes or eye movement to ensure employees are actually working when working from home. Some have also pointed out the difficulties in identifying candidates for promotion without regular face time. The bottom line: employees are starting to demand more satisfaction from...

Medical facilities have enough responsibilities on their plates. The logistics of relocating their medical practices shouldn’t be one of them. The right moving partner can take care of the day-to-day preparations for your relocation with expertise and efficiency, freeing you up to focus on your patients. But in the sea of legitimate and fraudulent moving companies advertising online, how do you know which is the right fit for your medical office? There are some critical factors to consider when determining who you will trust with your sensitive equipment, electronics, patient files and furniture. Cut through the noise by asking potential moving partners these five questions. Are you a full-service moving company? When it comes to healthcare relocations, finding a full-service moving company is a must. Rather than just providing last-minute labor, a full-service moving company is your dedicated support for every last detail, from the initial planning and budgeting to...

Companies are finally starting to reopen their in-person workplaces. However, those office spaces look a little different than they did pre-pandemic. Businesses are increasingly adopting hybrid models for employees who want the flexibility to choose between face-to-face and virtual work environments. The Microsoft 2021 Work Trend Index found that more than 70 percent of workers wanted remote options to continue, but more than 65 percent longed for more time in person with their teams. As a result of these differing work preferences, Microsoft found that most surveyed business leaders were considering complete redesigns of their offices. Two of the most common buzzwords right now for creating hybrid workplaces are “right-sizing” and “desk hoteling.” Both provide ways for future-looking businesses to maximize their spaces while accommodating diverse workforces. Option 1: Right-Sizing A company can right-size its office by taking a critical look at its footprint, repurposing assets and filling missing gaps...

Even amid pandemic-era disruptions, Huntsville is exploding with new development. Huntsville is already home to some of the fastest-growing companies in the United States. This year, 34 companies in the Huntsville metro made the esteemed Inc. 5000 list. Now, even more of the nation’s corporate giants are bringing their businesses to this thriving city. As the innovation hub of the South, Huntsville is teeming with million-dollar expansion projects and new jobs. In particular, three industries are growing their presences in the Huntsville and Madison County area. Here’s what you need to know about the major local players and why they’re betting on Huntsville to prosper. Aerospace and Defense Aptly nicknamed “Rocket City,” Huntsville has been a capital for aerospace and defense since World War II. In the 1940s, the U.S. government established the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, a 38,000-square-foot facility for chemical manufacturing that now houses the army’s missile and...

Companies are reopening their offices again and employees are returning to physical workspaces at the highest rate since the pandemic began, according to the Wall Street Journal. As businesses return to office work and redesign their spaces to meet new needs, many executives have decided that it’s time to downsize, expand, renovate or relocate their in-person teams. A successful move can bring new life to an in-person work environment while minimizing downtime and distractions. If you’re thinking about relocating your office, ensure a smooth transition by avoiding these six common mistakes. Mistake #1: Scheduling moving dates during a busy season. When relocating your office or facility, you need to minimize downtime to keep your customers, clients and employees happy. Start planning your relocation at least three months in advance, and schedule the physical move to occur outside of your company’s peak season. During the holidays, most CEOs are too busy...

Huntsville continues to rack up accolades. Huntsville is one of the top five cities to which people are relocating, according to United Van Lines. Additionally, the area recently made the top three on the U.S. News & World Report’s list of best places to live in the U.S. Every year, more families race to the area to experience its convenient location, low cost of living, excellent education and booming job market. In 2021, Huntsville surpassed Birmingham to become Alabama’s largest city after experiencing a migration boom during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re considering a relocation to Huntsville, here are a few of their top-selling factors: Location Conveniently positioned in northern Alabama, Huntsville provides easy access to some of the most popular vacation destinations. Looking for a beach getaway? A six-hour drive can get you to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in Alabama, or Destin and Panama City Beach in Florida....

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’...

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...

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...

No one likes moving. It’s labor-intensive, exhausting and overwhelming. Yet, time and again we find ourselves scouring for boxes and breaking our backs hauling antique armoires up and down the stairs. For what? To avoid the cost of hiring movers? When it comes down to it, you’ll end up wasting far more of your valuable time and energy trying to move yourself when a full-service moving company like Armstrong – Huntsville could’ve handled your move in a fraction of the time. A lot of folks think that you’re only paying for a few strong arms and the costs of a truck, but we’re here to help explain eight benefits of hiring a full-service moving company. 1. Supplies No more extra trips to the hardware store because you underestimated how many boxes you’ll need. No more running out of packing tape at the worst possible time. A full-service moving company, like...