Where to Locate
When a business first starts up, the office is usually located somewhere convenient for the founders.
But as it grows it will need to move – usually more than once.
When these opportunities arise, what things should you consider?
Accessibility
How will the staff get to you?
Not just the founders. Not just the current staff. But all those people you haven’t yet recruited and will surely need.
You’ll need to cast the net wide as you grow – appealing to all types and all ages – to get the right mix of skills and experience.
If you’re stuck in the city centre – easily accessible by bike and by train – then you’ll attract:
- City locals – those who like to walk and bike.
- People living near stations along your line.
But you’ll inhibit:
- Countryside dwellers.
- Those who need to drive to work.
Usually you’ll find energy within this first group but experience within the second – and you’ll need both.
If you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere then it’s the other way around.
So choose a location that’s accessible from within the city and from outside it.
Catchment
If you must choose a location that limits your catchment:
- because too many current staff depend on it,
- because of the nature of the available space,
then make sure you understand what sort of resource you will struggle to recruit – and make a special effort to find it.
- Go the extra mile to offer flexibility.
- Be ready to allow remote working.
Space
The space on offer is important, but weigh it carefully against location.
- Is being part of an ecosystem worth a limitation on accessibility?
- Is it lower cost because it’s unpopular or inaccessible?
- Is there enough space for you to grow for a while?
Always choose open plan space so that you can decide how best to use it for your business.
Points to take away …
- Consider the locations accessibility for the staff you haven’t yet recruited as well as for your current staff.
- Favour locations that allow access from within the city and from outside it.
- Understand and make allowance for the recruitment limitations that your location may impose.
- Balance the benefits of the space with the benefits of the location.