When we think of moving, we often flash to an image of a large moving truck, stacks of cardboard boxes and a brand new house. But moving is a fact of life at work too. From reorganizations to relocations, everyday, hardworking men and women are asked to change their work location. And while might not be as stressful as a house move (there should be a lot less stuff!), it can still be a royal pain in the butt. Moving and storage doesn’t have to be difficult! Here are a few tips to prep for a cubicle or office move.
PREVIEW THE NEW SPACE. Before you commence packing, take a look at your future work area. This is not always possible, but a visual can help you determine what you need to bring with you. Obviously, the less stuff you schlep with you, the easier the move. There’s no point in moving something from Desk A to Desk B if you’re only going to end up tossing it or taking it home since there’s no room for it.
UTILIZE PLASTIC BINS. Your job will likely supply you with cardboard boxes for your move. Unfortunately, these are often an afterthought; rundown boxes salvaged from the trash bin in the mailroom. Rather than scramble with your co-workers to track down some decent moving vessels, bring in your own collapsible plastic crates. They are easy to transport since they lay flat, and will provide you with sturdy handles for carrying. (I know some folks who keep one in their cube so they can make a quick exit in case they get fired!)
An added bonus of using milk-crate like boxes is that they are somewhat open. Even though we know YOU would never steal, bosses tend to get super nervous when things are on the move. A plastic crate can help put them at ease.
COMPUTER COMPONENTS. Larger companies will often have the I.T. department handle moving computer equipment. However, if you must do it yourself, be sure that all machinery is powered down before transport. Bunch all wires with elastic ties or rope. Keep all related components together. For example, your printer should be kept together with its power cord, ink cartridges, etc.
CLEAN MACHINE. When you inherit a new workspace, you also get the germs and dirt that come along with it. Be a good corporate citizen and wipe down your old and new work location with disinfectant wipes. Treat your keyboard to an air bath; hold it upside down and spray it with compressed air. You’ll be mortified at what falls out!
We also recommend that you keep any important files handy in case your PC is not available for an extended period of time. It’s also a good idea to refresh your memory on how to remotely connect to work email and other Web-based accounts.
Whether you’re moving from a house or to another cubicle, the process is stressful. Hopefully these tips will make your office move a little more tolerable.
Guest Bio: This guest post was provided by FlatRate movers. These NYC movers can help you with residential and long distance moving, providing an up-front all-inclusive price.
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