Finishing your national, local, or personal office with style and within budget. What to look for in a design and installation company to fit your growth strategy.

Some people think that because they eat every day they could run a restaurant. Just because you drive a car daily, it also does not mean you can build a car. Likewise, just because you sit in an office all day does not give you the skill set to professionally fit out business spaces.

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Could you eventually, over budget, full of stress, be able to make something functional? I believe you could, but let’s not waste time and money on a “good enough” product. Customers, vendors, partners, and would-be investors rely heavily upon the first impression. Our surroundings say much about us. In business, the appearance factor is magnified.

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If the curb appeal of your house is poor, few buyers will venture inside to find the beautiful space you have created. Websites can be well designed and functional, due to the professionals you hired. Who will you hire for commercial office fitouts? The reception or entryway to your business is the first chance you are offered to present a real-world impression.

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Does the space you are working on need a complete fitout from a new and empty office to a functional center of production? More frequently, businesses need to adjust to changes in staffing, specific need of a new meeting room, or privacy dividers and partitions between desks based on growth.

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Growing pains are welcome, at least in my mind. When investing in capital production equipment purchases, detailed planning and calculations are necessary for good returns and a trend that is up and to the right. However, an inefficient corporate office can cause serious roadblocks to your growth strategy.

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Speaking of efficiency, artificial intelligence(AI)  has been sweeping offices clear of people in human resources, finance, research, graphics and other departments entirely as remote work is becoming more commonplace. Hybrid employment options are highly beneficial to employers, who receive happier staff and increased production. Workers receive a better life-work balance and reduce commuting time or expenses.

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Plan your future office with AI in mind. What will you outsource? Who will work from home? How many staff will require in-office accommodation? Rather than a sophisticated copier-printer, you may need to house a server for digital growth. All markets are trending digital, even my weekend farmers market. Does your plan include digital growth?

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I am grateful for the ubiquitous application of the word sustainability. It is a buzzword that should have remained at the forefront of all growth. Now it is a deciding factor for customers and investors alike. When updating your office space, consider sustainable options, ecologically responsible materials, and where to recycle your old and discarded items.

​Scaling to a plan that is centered around efficiency or sustainability helps mitigate the costs of goods sold and operating costs. Being efficient enough and producing quality products or services of value will make you the most attractive to buyers, investors, and customers while boosting employee satisfaction that they are employed by someone who cares.