6 How-to Tips for Opening a Brick and Mortar Office

There’s no getting around it. Advances in technology have paved the way for new and exciting business opportunities in the virtual world. But not all businesses can or should be operated without brick and mortar offices. In fact, the depersonalization of many online-only businesses may be an asset for entrepreneurs who offer a product or service accompanied by personal customer interaction through a physical office. Because the thought of opening a brick and mortar office can be daunting, here are 6 how-to tips to help expedite the process.

  
1. Leverage location

From your own experience as a client and a customer you get it that first impressions really do count. Keeping that in mind as you search for the right location for your office can pay big dividends before anyone walks through your door. Although you may find several suitable locations that fall within your budget, be on the lookout for the location that best leverages your image. What you’re shooting for here is “success by association”—putting your corporate office near or next to the offices of other companies that present a positive professional image. Another aspect of leveraging location is choosing a spot that is easy to find and offers you and your employees a relatively short commute.

  
2. Know your parameters

As an entrepreneur there are certain risks that you will be required to take in order to achieve your goals. However, leasing an office that is too small to accommodate reasonable growth should not be one of them. By the same token, paying out money every month for extra space that may never be needed should also be avoided. Depending on the nature of your business and your ability to predict future needs, it may be wise to consult a professional to help you determine the optimal size for your office.

  
3. Know how to negotiate a good lease

Once you’ve found a desirable location you will be required to sign a lease. Being that a lease is a legally binding contract between you and your landlord, it should not be entered into lightly. As you go over the lease—and it would be advisable to do so with an attorney or a good accountant—make sure that you fully understand the terms and conditions. For example, when it comes to the length of the lease, the optimal goal would be to negotiate a short-term lease with options to renew at a pre-determined rate as your business evolves, as opposed to being locked into a long-term lease that may be difficult to get out of. You’ll also want to make sure that the lease spells out how you are permitted to use your space, especially in terms of whether you can remodel your office or sublease space to another party without having to go through a lengthy process to gain approval or denial from the landlord. Also, being that your landlord will be raising your rent on a yearly basis to offset “cost of living” increases, try to have these increases postponed for at least 2-years and see if you can come to terms on a predetermined amount that the rent will go up each year to eliminate costly surprises. The key here is to do your homework in evaluating your business needs to the best of your ability and making sure that each of those needs is properly addressed in the lease.

  
4. Maximize your office space

Being that your monthly lease will be one of your most expensive business costs, you need to make sure that your office space is designed for maximum efficiency. In coming up with a design there are two main concerns. The first is how to create a positive and productive working environment for yourself and your employees. The second is to make sure that the office design creates a positive first impression for your customers and clients. Unless you or someone on your staff has a feel for office design it would be wise to hire a professional.

  
5. Resist the urge to splurge

Obviously, for your office to function properly you need quality equipment you can count on. However, going overboard to buy the latest and greatest gadgets can be costly and unnecessary. Before making a purchase you should ask yourself 2 simple questions: 1. Do we really need it? 2. Will it prove to be cost-effective in the long run?

  
6. Green it and mean it

With a brick and mortar business comes the need to be more environmentally responsible. From buying refurbished office equipment to using recycled paper to finding ways to conserve electricity, going green will not only save you money, it will also help you to create a positive image in your community—an image that, along with bricks and mortar, can help you build a successful business.