How to Beat Monday Blues

Monday Blues‘ is a sad feeling or slight depression that we feel when we join the work after a weekend or after a break. We all come across different people who feel low on Mondays and wait again for Fridays to come.

Why Do We Hate Mondays?

It’s hard to come down from the weekend, especially if you’ve had a great one that you wish wouldn’t have ended. People put a lot of burden on the beginning of their week, stop doing that and enjoy your Monday. There’s no reason to hate Mondays.

Mondays are exciting! It means a new week of opportunities, growth, and expansion. How many new people will I meet? What type of realizations and growth will happen for me in my own personal practice?

Follow these simple steps to beat Monday blues and greet the new week like it’s a Friday night.

Don’t skip breakfast

For most people, breakfast is nothing more than a morning meal which you either eat or avoid, but it is so much more. Starting your morning with breakfast will boost your metabolism. So EAT!!!

Relax

Pick either Friday or Saturday night to go out, and spend another evening staying home with friends. Find time to relax on weekend.

Hit the Gym – Workout

Working out before work or after not only gives energy but also reduces stress. Exercising gives you the productivity boost you’ve been looking for.

Plan your meal

Nutrition is really important if you want to maintain a high energy level. Plan your meal. Decide what you like the most. Take something delicious on Monday. You can also plan to eat your lunch with coworkers.

Plan ahead Sunday night

Decide your Monday morning outfit. This will eliminate stress and will make  Monday’s more tolerable. Also, remember to reset the alarm in order to wake up on time and avoid being late for work.

Set weekly goals

Setting weekly goals help you to guide your week. On Monday, it’s easy to get stuck on taking care of emails that piled up over the weekend and tying up the loose ends of the past week. That’s why it will be best if you plan your week ahead, so you will be guided well with your work.

Listen to music

When the office is almost too much to stomach, music can deliver much-needed relief on the job. Music can affect your mood in many ways. Start your day with your favorite music.

Take small breaks throughout the day

Always try taking small breaks. Go for a walk and talk with your coworkers. Don’t stay glued all day.

Lastly, Smile!

How do you start your day? Do you start your day with happiness or sadness? With joy or anger? Starting your day with happiness, sets the right mood for the day. Start the week right by having a great Monday. We hope that this article has given you an inspiration. Check our blog on how Coworking can beat work burnouts.








What are the Factors Affecting Workplace Productivity?

Workplace productivity typically describes the amount of work your staff can do within a certain number of hours or amount of labor cost. The desire of every organization is to achieve goals and objectives.

Productivity in the workplace relates to how efficiently your workers accomplish your company’s goals and produce goods or services for customers. A productive workplace not only benefits your workforce but also your members and guests. When your employees manage their time and produce work without defects, you get a greater output for your labor and materials costs.

Below are a few factors that affects workplace productivity:

Peaceful Environment

Peace adds a feeling of tranquility and security to the workplace, which supports your employees’ ability to focus on the job and engage with others. Establishing peace in the workplace manages the pressures of everyday life and find a deeper meaning in your daily work.

A peaceful workplace should be the goal of every organization or business. Not everyone loves a quiet place, there are few who would prefer listening to music because they say it helps them work better. The surprising thing is that they could be right. Background music, in particular, can affect people’s mood which, in turn, can positively affect productivity. Also, coworking spaces have dedicated desks where it allows people an opportunity to mold the area to their need. They are designated on one area, so they’re not interspersed with collaborative or social areas.

When employees come to work excited to see their co-workers and actually enjoy doing their job, it creates a more peaceful and productive work environment for everyone.

Coffee Shop or Cafe

Are you a coffee addict? Heading to the coffee shop also puts some space between work and you. What if you get exhausted and you need a break?

Salary, a healthy environment, and awesome coworkers they all matter and influence your motivation. But what about your work effectiveness? Do you feel happier at work when you stay productive and complete all tasks fast, big, and in a novel way? Productivity is not that easy to maintain. I bet you know that feeling after lunch when you are ready to do everything, except work. Tasks are waiting, but what you can do is sit and stare at the blinking text cursor in the hope it will disappear. It frustrates, right? It makes you sad as you want to succeed at work, be happy, and stay motivated. Do you need a solution? Take your laptop and go to a coffee shop or a cafe, as it’s proven to increase your creativity and productivity!

Employee Satisfaction

Employee satisfaction or job satisfaction is, quite simply, how content or satisfied employees are with their jobs. When employees are not satisfied at work it affects productivity. Workplace struggles or inadequacies often lead to bad attitudes and employees who no longer care. Needless to say, employees who no longer care, but are still employed, aren’t working to their potential.

However, the opposite is true for workers who love their jobs. They feel a high degree of satisfaction and, as a result, often produce high volumes of work.

Workplace Appreciation

Recognizing your employees more often can lead to higher engagement levels and greater productivity. Have you ever wondered why?

People like recognition for their hard work. If you want to retain your staff, you have to show more appreciation. Make sure that your employees don’t feel underappreciated by focusing on what’s broken or not done.

Final Words

A supportive work environment encourages your team to learn from their mistakes rather than fear them. Bear in mind that your employees reflect you and your company. Thus, it is wise to pay attention to their health and make sure that they are active, refreshed and energized.

What are the Technological Needs in Coworking Spaces?

What is a Coworking Space?

It’s a  shared office space which also means a vast network, that enables you to get some network outside your company. You wouldn’t meet the same people, you would meet other people from other companies. If you are an entrepreneur looking for a startup office space for rent, then working in a coworking space is the ideal choice.

Moreover, coworking space offers the facilities you would normally get in a normal office, you don’t need to worry about paying for the internet, coffee machine, cleaning services, and other facilities because the coworking space would handle that. It’s an alternative to working from home where people do not feel isolated and can keep away from distractions.

Why choose Coworking Space?

Coworking spaces develop a source of connection among coworkers, they make you feel part of a community. Most members work out of their homes and they need a coworking space that provides all technological requirements that they’re looking for. Having the most up-to-date technology is most important for any business.

Why do we need Technology?

Technology refers to the use of tools, gadgets, and resources that help us control and adapt to our environment. It refers to the knowledge and utilization of tools, techniques, and systems in order to serve a bigger purpose like solving problems or making life easier and better. Its significance on humans is tremendous because it helps them adapt to the environment. Your space cannot be deemed “tech-friendly” without a good dose of special equipment.

List of Basic Technological Needs of a Coworking Space

Reliable Internet Connection

Internet at a coworking space is a crucial factor which can be a make or break decision for the majority of clients. Fast, reliable internet connections are the glue that holds every coworking space together. That connection needs to consistently perform at peak capacity in terms of bandwidth, speed, and security. In a coworking environment, people need quick access to internet services. If you’ve ever been subjected to slow internet in a coworking space, you know the struggle already.

Uninterrupted Electric Supply

Without electricity, your whole business can come to a standstill with no running computers and other electronic devices. Thus, providing an uninterrupted power supply is probably the biggest prerequisite for coworking members. Coworking spaces need a 24/7 power supply to maintain the continuity of operations.

Smart workstation

A smart workstation provides a healthier, safer and happier place to be. From access control to improved lighting and temperature control, from member authentication and online meeting room bookings. There should also be an advance building access control system for members to stop letting anyone enter the work premises. There should be smart door locks for your coworking space. The latest technology allows members to enter coworking spaces with no keys at all. A smart workstation simply means a better workspace with better technology.

Flat screens and Tablets

Flat Screen is designed to save time. When you need high-tech access, just press the button. Screens should be well positioned, starting with the meeting room. Decide the size of the screen or overhead projector based on your budget. Don’t forget to link everything to your network. You can equip your meeting room with tablets and offer them to your coworkers for their presentations and work meetings. Or, install a tablet at the entrance of your space to play the role of a concierge. Anyone who comes for a meeting can report their arrival by a pre-written, intermediary text message indicating precisely what time they entered.  Also, you could set up a digital screen in your meeting rooms to show the daily schedule, and book rooms via smartphone.

Sound Facility

Can you imagine working in a coworking space without a sound facility? Now that you have visuals in place, don’t neglect sound! A good screen is always made complete with powerful speakers, if your budget is too limited to install the latest home theater design. Some are excellently manufactured at very reasonable prices and plug into all kinds of devices. Another option that provides unparalleled sound quality yet maintains quiet in the office: headphones. Why not provide personal headsets with microphones to your members for their phone calls?

Digital Payment Systems

People nowadays no longer carry cash in their pockets. There are digital payment systems that are appropriate for coworking spaces to handle the bookings, billing payments in the most stress-free manner. Go paperless and take your payment system digital.

Final words

There’s a lot of technologies that you can use in your coworking spaces. Find what makes your coworking space efficient and productive for everyone. What are your thoughts? Share your valuable insights with us.

How to Find the Best Coworking Community

Joining a coworking space can be a great way to have a professional workspace without all of the overhead costs. Choosing a coworking space is no easy task. With thousands of coworking spaces visible around the world, and new spaces opening up all the time, it’d be easy to get stuck in analysis paralysis. How can professionals decide on a workspace that is as unique and fitting as their own personal ambitions? As many says, the environment is everything, and finding the right environment is paramount to creativity, output, and professional fulfillment.

When deciding if a community is a good fit for you, you may want to ask yourself; of what professions are people at this workspace? Are my skills a good fit for this community? Does this space host regular events for members to network with each other? Will this space help drive and hone in my ambitions?

As you join a coworking space, you also join its community. It’s important to understand that being surrounded by other entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and talented independent professionals are one of the biggest benefits of joining a coworking space. Always take extra care when choosing your coworking community. Don’t just choose randomly.

Tips on Finding the Best Coworking Community

Do Research on the Coworking Location

Consider a location that is convenient. Keeping your commute short gives you more time to build your business. Try to stalk on Instagram or other social media platforms and you’ll get a better idea of your preferred coworking space and community. Visit the location and its neighborhood. The coworking space’s location can be a big factor in how much value you get out of your membership. Being located in a prestigious neighborhood can impress potential clients. Also, convenience stores within walking distance is a big plus as well. What kind of location suits you best?

However, if you can’t visit the place physically, most spaces have their own website. These sites have information like pricing, prices, and features. Do basic research and do a comparison of the different coworking spaces by looking online or calling.

Check out the Amenities

Who wants an office with just the basics? A better-equipped workplace means a better performing team. That’s why it’s essential to consider amenities when choosing a shared office space. Apart from a work environment that allows you to focus, it is also important to find a coworking space that gives you everything else you need to maximize your work experience. So check out their amenities and see whether they have cafes for food and coffee? Or do you prefer a coworking space with a kitchen? The kitchen area paves way for members a chance to introduce themselves to people they haven’t met before, catch up with those they have, and connect with the community in a relaxed, homely environment that doesn’t suffer the conversation-stultifying tag of ‘networking’. Or does the coworking space have a communal area to gather?

Here are some suggested amenities that you should keep in mind when you’re searching for your perfect coworking space:

  • Parking Space
  • Mail Service
  • Coffee and Snacks
  • Events
  • Printing
  • Conference rooms
  • Technology ( i.e., projectors, sound system)

Read the Blogs and Reviews

Reading the blogs and reviews on their site gives an idea of how much they care. Remember to cross-check member reviews on Coworkers, Facebook, and local blogs for a wise decision. Oftentimes, you can find a list of best coworking spaces in a specific city through local blogs.

Visit the Coworking Space

Finally, when evaluating a coworking space your best bet is to visit the location in person. Don’t be afraid to drop-in before committing. You can request a day pass or a tour. This allows you to explore the culture of the coworking space and also a great opportunity to you ask probing questions to see if this is the right coworking space for your business or not.

Conclusion

A strong community means that connections happen organically with coworkers. The community that you want to belong will always be your choice. Community is all about belongingness, find the tribe that you can be part of. To know more on finding the right coworking space that fits to your needs, visit our blog here.

How to Give the Perfect Tour of Your Coworking Space

Coworking spaces are essentially shared workspaces. They offer affordable office space for those looking to escape the isolation of a home office or coffee shop. Also, a feeling of community is created for those that would otherwise be forced to work alone at home or a coffee shop. The core concept of the project is the creation of a comfortable environment for small companies and start-ups. It is very important to give a perfect tour of your coworking space. Through this, one can easily get an idea about your business, and it will be an opportunity to gain new onboarding members of your space.

Everyone is busy nowadays and things can fall through the cracks; including a tour of your workspace. It’s imperative to use any means possible which is to remind your prospect of the upcoming tour. The last thing you want is a ‘no-show’ – no one has time for that and definitely no one would like that. Schedule a reminder via SMS, email, make a personal phone call, and offer an option to reschedule if the original time is no longer convenient. Everything should be a point to point while promoting your workspace.

Ways on How to Promote your Coworking Space

Whether you’re new to the industry or you already know the ropes, you can use these tips to improve efficiency, define your brand and strengthen your space’s community. Prepare a calendar invite to your prospects and be sure to include your site address and the floor number to avoid confusion.

Prepare a checklist
Prepare a checklist before a tour because readiness is important especially to the prospects. They will know if you have prepared beforehand for the tour or not. In the checklist, you can include:

  • Description of your Space
  • Admin Meetings
  • Introduce your Team
  • Detail about the facilities you are providing


Some prospects will ask questions during the tour, being knowledgeable about the coworking space will be highly useful.
Some questions from potential customers are:

  • How big is this office?
  • Will this space represent my business well?
  • What additional monthly costs, if any, can I expect?
  • Will my budget cover everything I need?

Website
Your website should be your main focus and should generate demand for your site. With the demand of coworking space increasing, workspace operators must respond to the competition. It will be best to include photos of meeting rooms, suites, co-working areas, the kitchen/coffee station, and other facilities to capture and manage leads.

In order to strike a healthy balance on your site, provide the most relevant information a prospect may be looking for without overloading them with information and making them click through an endless maze of pages before getting to what they’re looking for.

Virtual tour
Adding a virtual tour on your business page may look simple at a glance, but it would take a good effort to take some attractive 360-degree images that present your business well.
Here are some ways to add content like:

  • Your website: add your link so people can get there in one click
  • Posts:  social media updates and offers
  • Photos: interior and exterior + team members

So, if your location has beautiful fixtures, great art and amazing wall, a coffee shop, and a cool atmosphere. How do you describe that instantly? With 360-degree photos!

Conclusion

This tour of your business will allow your customers to experience your coworking space. In addition, if you have an email list, you can re-engage with your past clients by sending a link to your new virtual tour. As coworking gets more media attention, make the first impression to your prospects worthwhile and worth sharing to others as well. Are you ready now to give a tour on your coworking space?


10 Reasons Why You Should Not Work from Home

Working from home certainly has its perks, especially if you’re a freelancer: There is no inconvenient dress code requiring you to wear a suit or tie and you can work directly from the comfort of your living room couch, while munching on your favorite snack.

The idea of working from home sounds great at first, but there are a number of downsides you may want to consider. We put together a list of 10 reasons why you should not work from home today!

 

1) It’ll be hard to discipline yourself

Unless you have a strong will and an almost military-like discipline, you’re probably not going to succeed with a home-based work office. Working from home means you will be working unsupervised. Sure, your boss or project manager may be sending you the occasional email or instant Skype message, but you will definitely find time to watch cat videos or check out your favorite section on Reddit. And before you know it your eight hour work day turned into a four hour catch up.

 

2) There will be distractions

You have several tasks on queue and you’re determined to get them done as soon as possible. You promise to get it done in a couple of hours, but suddenly, your cat curls up on your lap, your jam comes on the radio, and a Facebook notification appears on your browser.

Distractions at home are usually more disruptive than at the office for the simple reason that they are usually of personal nature and compete with your professional goals of the day. Your pets, your partner or kids, your social media accounts (the most well-known productivity killer) all connect with you on a very personal and emotional level and make you lose more focus than coworkers or the lingering smell of garlic wafting from the office microwave.

 

3) Working from home is not cheap

Working from home may eliminate costs associated with a commute, but these savings are usually offset by higher electricity bills, and costs for office supplies and snacks like coffee and water.

Regardless if you are a business owner or humble freelancer, you will likely spend more money if you choose to work from home. It is worth noting that if you work at an office or from a co-working space, costs associated with electricity, internet, supplies, and coffee are generally included.

 

4) You may develop unhealthy eating habits

A large number of offices have implemented “no desk food” policies which limit your food consumption to kitchens and cafeterias. At home this situation looks very different. 24/7-access to the refrigerator or pantry, which might be both chock-full of food, will likely lead you to munching on heavenly goodies every hour.

Unless you’re disciplined with what you put in your mouth (let’s be honest, who is?!), you will soon find out that working from home is a surefire way for easy weight gain…which will take a toll on your overall health.

 

5) There are no benefits

Health care costs are brutal and if you work from home, likely self-insured, savings go down the drain if you get injured or if you have to deal with a disease. While not all companies offer worry-free benefits, most provide basic coverage and help you save for the future by offering pension benefits to long-term employees.

Even if you make more than your peers with full-time jobs in offices, the benefits they receive may offset what you earn.

 

6) You are not socializing

People who work at home may prefer an environment in which they can focus in isolation, but no one can withstand that for a long period of time.

Possibly the worst thing about working from home is having zero social interactions. Sure, you may have memories of annoying coworkers but human contact has its benefits. Working from your living room couch means you won’t have the chance to exchange thoughts with peers, expand your professional network, or brainstorm ideas.

 

7) You’re naturally less productive at home

According to a survey, ¾ of British employees admit to being less productive if they are away from their desks. Regardless of where you’re from, this is true: your mental state at home vs your mental state at the office is very different.

When you’re at home, you will likely find yourself in a comfortable and a safe environment, with no one supervising your work or judging what you’re doing. Without the fear of being reprimanded for procrastinating and doing non-work related endeavors, you will likely get fewer deliverables done and may even miss deadlines.

 

8) There is no hands-on immediate help

If you work at an office, you can easily call the IT guy to fix your laptop or the janitor to replace a broken light bulb and if the AC does not work or the microwave is fried once again then you call Facilities. At home, that’s all on you!

An empty cartridge or broken charger can easily take away a few hours from your day. Errands like these not only waste a lot of time, they also take a toll on your productivity.

 

9) It destroys your work-life balance

The whole time management aspect of your life becomes a bit challenging once you start working from home, especially if your work has no set schedule. Emails start to pour in on weekends, late at night, and likely Friday after 5PM when you’re spending time with family or watching a basketball game.

You may end up checking your phone and emails 24/7 which will eventually interfere with your personal life, hobbies, and simply add more stress to your life.

Setting boundaries to protect your work-life balance is definitely more difficult when you ‘already work from home’. Sure, you can achieve balance while working from home, but the whole process of doing so may take time and a lot of discipline.

 

10) It deprives you of learning life skills

Working from home deprives you of learning certain skills you only pick up in the office. Dealing with challenging co-workers, handling real-life relationships, or putting up with office politics are only a few situations that may not be desirable but that help you learn and grow as an individual.

 

Solution: Coworking Spaces

Unfortunately, there is no ONE solution for all of us. Even if working from home has a number of downsides, for some of us it may be a feasible option, especially if you’re temporarily looking for employment or if you’re looking for part-time work.

For those of us who dread the Corporate Cubicle but also don’t want to work from home, there is a solution to this age-old freelancing dilemma: coworking and shared workspaces. If you’ve been left in the dark, coworking spaces are shared office locations wherein freelancers, groups, and small companies can convene and work. A single coworking space may be targeting a specific group of people like developers, designers or marketers, or it can bring together people from various different industries and backgrounds. The most important aspect of coworking spaces is that they’re not employed or used by one single organization.

Nowadays, the number of coworking spaces is steadily increasing and is becoming a go-to option for startups and teams who occasionally meet to work on their projects.

For a freelancer, a coworking space can be a great opportunity to work from an office-like environment a few hours a week or even full time. It will allow you to surround yourself by like-minded individuals who are trying to accomplish the same thing as you: work in a professional environment with likeminded individuals without the constraints of a corporate setting.

Although it’s likely that coworking spaces are filled with workers minding their own business, it paves the way for socialization and networking. Who knows, maybe your next client is one of the companies sharing the coworking space in your neighborhood!

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Credits

Photo credit: Photo by  Lisa Omarali, via flickr

5 Tips on How to be More Productive when Coworking

Coworking spaces are one of the “in-things” now, with coworking facilities set to increase at an annual average growth rate of 30% up till 2018. Many have talked about the benefits and pitfalls of coworking, with most still agreeing that coworking is a great way to go if you are a freelancer or if you are starting a business.

While many love how open a coworking space is, it can sometimes be difficult to sit down and get cracking. Why? Because of the many chances to network with everyone there, the possible events that go on within the space, the different schedules everyone has and the hustle and bustle of working in an open space. So how can you be more productive when coworking?

#1: Set up a to-do list
Yes, we all know that a to-do list is very important. Be it daily or weekly, knowing exactly what you have to do is important. So why not use some tools out there to help you keep track? Cloud tools such as Asana or Evernote allow you to keep track of what you are doing, what you intend to do and when you have to complete such tasks, increasing your productivity by helping you list out what to do.

This way, when you sit down at your table in a coworking space every morning, all you have to do is refer to this list. Did you need to get back to someone via email? Did you forget to book a meeting room with a projector? That to-do list can help keep you on track and organised!

#2: Plan your time
Hot on the heels of setting up a to-do list is planning your time. Use Google Calendars, or another programme that helps to sync all your appointments and meetings into one. You can also use tools such as Calendly to allow others to book appointments with you at times that are suitable for you. Planning your time helps you be more productive as you can see how much remaining time you have left, and plan how to effectively use that to complete tasks on your to-do list.

#3: Go Pomodoro
A very interesting productivity technique today is the Pomodoro Technique. Each “pomodoro” represents 30 minutes of your time: 25 minutes of work, 5 minutes for a break. The main aim is to determine how many pomodoros you will need to complete each task that you set for yourself. During the 25 minutes of each pomodoro, you are advised to block out all distractions: your phone, websites you like to surf, social media, etc. It is 25 minutes of pure concentration, followed by 5 minutes of fun.

25 minutes is not very long, but it can help you truly focus on what you need to do and increase your productivity. Give it a shot, and you might be surprised how this can help you.

#4: Seating arrangement
Your seating arrangement in a coworking space may not sound like a big deal but it can be! Who are the people seated around you? Are they distracting you in any way? It can be something as simple as being distracted by someone who loves shaking their leg so their chair is always moving, or being disturbed by someone who is constantly tapping their pen on the table.

Another aspect that of your seating arrangement that can affect productivity is where exactly in the coworking space is your seat. Is it near the kitchen? Is it near the staircase/lift? Is it near the bathroom? Or is it your seat right in front of a meeting/conference room? Seats near such places usually experience more traffic as these are places that everyone needs to go to. Are you able to concentrate even if people are walking around you? If you are unable to, you might want to consider asking for a different seat to help increase your productivity.

#5: Get rid of distractions
Okay, so the fact of the fact is that you can never get rid of distractions entirely. But you can put yourself in a position to help you work better. If you find yourself often going to websites or social media, perhaps using a tool such as Self Control can help? Self Control basically blocks the websites that you list down for a set amount of time. Say if you are using the Pomodoro Technique, you can set Self Control to 25 minutes so you don’t get distracted. This way, you are “in the zone” and able to finish all your tasks.

Another way is to use headphones or earphones. If there is too much noise at the coworking space during events, or there is just too much hustle and bustle that day, plugging in your headphones/earphones can be of a great help to drown out the noise!

What do you do when you want to be more productive while coworking? Feel free to comment or share your own tips with us!

Hidden Costs in Your Office Rental or Lease Agreements

When signing an office lease, it is important to make sure you read all of the terms very carefully in order to avoid being taken advantage of by a landlord or proprietor.  Many times, landlords will add small things into the contract that you may not notice until after you have already signed the lease.  This is extremely important for newer or small business because some landlords will try to play on your passiveness or cluelessness.  Here are some hidden costs to look for in your office rental or lease agreements:

hidden-fees
Look for Hidden Costs in Your Office Rental or Lease Agreements

 

Electricity

Contracts are meant to confuse tenants so loopholes can be woven into the wording of the lease.  A lot of the time, landlords will include clauses that allow them to “survey” the space and then up the rate if they think it is necessary.  So you may start out with a fixed rate, but after a month or two you could find yourself paying significantly more for electricity than you started out.

Preexisting condition clause

Many rental or lease agreements will have a preexisting clause, which means when you move out of your office space, you are required to restore it to its preexisting condition.  If the walls were white when you moved in, and you painted them yellow, you will have to paint them back to white.  Anything you had installed must be uninstalled, and so forth.  Restoring your office space to its preexisting conditions can end up costing you a lot of money, so make sure you know what is expected of you when moving out of your office space.

Maintenance Costs

A common misconception among tenants is that building owners will cover most of the maintenance costs such as shoveling snow, trash removal, and any repairs that may be necessary.  Ask the owner what sorts of maintenance costs are covered by him/her and which kinds of costs will have to be covered by you.

It is so important to read thoroughly through rental or lease agreements in order to make sure you aren’t going to get screwed over by a property owner.  Whether you have or have not leased an office space before, you should make sure to look for these small clauses that could cost you way more than you initially planned.

What to Do After Signing a Lease?

Congratulations on signing the lease on your new office space! Now that the hard part is over, you need to start thinking about what to do after signing a lease.

LeaseAgreement-wide

Here are some of the next steps you should be taking:

Check for damages

Give the place a good walk-through and notate any existing damages or issues.  Make sure you and your landlord both sign-off on the existence of these damages, otherwise you will be charged for them when your lease is up.

Purchase any necessary equipment

Now that you have your own office space, you’re going to want to decorate it and fill it with the necessary furniture and equipment.  Do you have a desk? Chairs? Printer? Computer? Cabinets? Think about all of the things you want to have in order to make your office the best possible work environment.

Call and schedule movers

If don’t plan on moving all of your furniture and equipment into your new office all by yourself, you’ll probably want to hire a mover.  If this is the case, you want to pick a company, call them, and schedule a date and time for when they can move all of your things.

Inform the building of your arrival plans

Give the building and the landlord a heads up before you start moving your things in.  This way no one will be surprised when a moving truck pulls up outside the building and a bunch of sweaty guys are carrying couches and desks through the building.

Call the IT guy

Call the IT guy and set up an appointment with him to make sure you are set up for cable, internet, printing, and any other sort of technology related necessity.

If you’re not sure what to do after signing a lease, consider these steps and your move-in process should go smoothly.  What else would you add to this checklist in order to ensure a successful move-in process?