Resources to help keep your world moving

When COVID-19 struck, e-commerce sales exploded. As people switched from real to virtual shopping carts, companies of all sizes suddenly found themselves struggling to keep up with the new demand. The pandemic accelerated the growth of e-commerce by four to six years, according to an Adobe report. Even companies with already-established warehouses.had to pivot to accommodate the surge in online sales. Luckily, there’s a simple solution for companies that need to efficiently scale their operations. They can outsource their warehousing and distribution. An Armstrong & Associates report found that 90 percent of domestic Fortune 500 companies outsource part of their supply chain to third-party logistics providers. In Texas, industries ranging from apparel to health and more count on third-party partners to handle the logistics of their warehousing and distribution. Outsourcing your warehousing and distribution can be your secret weapon. Here are eight reasons why you should partner with a third-party...

Office vacancy rates reached new heights during the pandemic. Now, companies are gearing up for a grand return to the in-person workplace. As the popularity of remote work continues to rise, many executives are parting with their pre-pandemic office and moving to new, smaller spaces instead. A recent survey of Fortune 500 executives by Great Place to Work found that 58 percent plan to reduce their office space by at least 10 percent from pre-pandemic levels. Whether you are expanding, downsizing or just changing scenery, moving offices can stress out even the most well-seasoned executives. Here are 12 tips for moving to a new office space that will make this transition seamless. Before the Move: 1. Start planning early. On average, experts predict that the moving process, from planning to getting settled in your new space, could take at least six months. It’s not a timeline that you can rush...

Dust off those cubicles because the work-from-home life may be coming to a close for some employees. As the vaccination rate continues to rise in the United States and restrictions start to lift, businesses are hoping to regain some normalcy. A recent survey by LaSalle Network found that 70 percent of corporate leaders plan to have employees back in the office by fall. With the threat of COVID-19 fading, Human Resources representatives are once again gearing up for a wave of employee relocations. You can make this relocation process easy for both you and your new employees by avoiding these four common pitfalls. Pitfall #1: Insufficient Planning Relocation experts recommend saving at least three to six months for the relocation process, particularly if the move is cross-country or international. After all, you are asking an employee to pack up their life and household for your company, and that is not...

Sometimes, the elation of finding the perfect job is quickly followed by a moment of dread — you may have to relocate. Despite the pandemic, 2020 was a big year for relocations, and experts predict that 2021 will host even more moves. According to data from the Pew Research Center, roughly 1 in 5 adults say they moved because of the pandemic or know someone who did. Whether this is your first move or your fifth, it can be hard to know where to begin. Relocating can be an undoubtedly daunting task, and without the dedicated help of a moving partner, your to-do list can become too long for you to manage. Here are 10 tips for how to tackle your relocation like a seasoned professional: 1. Don’t be shy about negotiating. Read through the fine print of your relocation package and find out what benefits it offers. How does...

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...

If you’re looking at a map, you can draw three lines connecting Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh. This is called the Research Triangle, and it’s one of the hottest places to live in the nation. Every year, more and more people are hustling to join the area’s long-term residents. In fact, more than 70 people move to the Research Triangle every day, according to a report by the Research Triangle Regional Partnership. If you’re looking to relocate, the Research Triangle may be the perfect place. Here are 10 reasons why you should make the Triangle your new home: 1. Robust job market At the center of the Triangle sits the Research Triangle Park, a 7,000-acre epicenter for more than 200 companies and 50,000 employees. It’s the largest research park in the country and has driven substantial economic growth to the Triangle. Some refer to the park as a “mini Silicon...

Congratulations! You’ve found a new home and are getting ready to pack up and move. There is a science to packing efficiently, so here are nine things you should consider when beginning the packing process. Decide whether you’ll be doing the packing yourself. Packing can be a stressful process, so hiring a moving service to do the packing for you can save you significant time and energy. There’s a reason that so many people choose to leave packing to the professionals — movers know how to pack your belongings in the safest, most efficient ways. While they pack, you can focus on other tasks. Regardless of whether you are going solo or leaving it to the pros, you should plan ahead and start early. Gather the right supplies. If you’re going to handle your packing, you’ll need to identify the quantity and sizes of boxes you’ll need. Small boxes are...