4THBIN News:Q&A with Jeff Silverstein TAG

Moving offices? The Experts Share Key Insights & Lessons Learned

Q&A with Jeff Silverstein, The Advance Group

published
May 10, 2021
News

There is no question the recent pandemic has had a major impact on the real estate portfolio of many, if not most, companies.  According to PwC’s US Remote Work Survey- January 12, 2021,

“Most executives (87%) expect to make changes to their real estate strategy over the next 12 months. These plans include consolidating office space in premier locations and/or opening more satellite locations.”

Any office move or relocation is a significant project, and there are many pieces to consider.  To explore this topic further, 4THBIN sat down with Jeff Silverstein, EVP Sales & Marketing for The Advance Group (TAG), a commercial moving and logistics leader.  He shares his insights about lessons learned, services available, and what companies need to think about when planning an office move or closure.

Q: What are the trends that you have seen over the last year?

A:  In the beginning, we saw a lot of projects get put on hold pending more clarity regarding the impact of the pandemic on their companies, their employees, and what the new 'normal' would be for office settings going forward.  Over the last six months, we have seen more companies start making decisions about their real estate.

We have supported several companies with their mass exiting from California and move to other states like Texas, a phenomenon that has gained momentum over the last year.  And in general, we definitely see more office closures or consolidations than openings and a lot more demand for storage than we have seen in the last five years.  Companies are using the storage option as a way to end their current leases and defer decisions about office size and location until they are ready to make more permanent decisions about their office work environment and policies in a post-pandemic world.

Q:  What would be some of the biggest lessons learned from some of these office moves?

A:  Far too often, companies underestimate the time and effort it takes.  Upfront planning and close project management are critical to a successful move.  Typically, 10% of that plan will change. It's essential to have a vendor who understands what can cause those delays and has a range of scenarios built into the plan to mitigate them.

Companies tend to focus on the physical packing and moving component.  From a time and cost perspective, you need to take into consideration a multitude of other factors. Including the disassembly of furniture, the IT component, storage cost, redelivery and set up, liquidation of furniture or ordering and delivery of new furniture, as well as the need to clean the space before returning it to the landlord.  Ensuring you have a realistic project plan and cost transparency enables a seamless move from start to finish. At TAG, we assign a professional project manager to each project and provide our clients a detailed itemized list to avoid any hidden surprises or unexpected upcharges.

Q:  What advice would you give a company that will be relocating or decommissioning an office space in the near future?

A:  Take the opportunity to purge things you no longer need.  Moving provides an excellent opportunity to reassess what you really need and let go of things that you put in your bottom desk drawer or supply closet for that "someday I might need this" day, knowing deep down you will never need it again. It not only reduces what you need to move, but it is also a very cathartic process.

Plan, plan, plan.  This move needs to be treated like any other company project with the same level of discipline and focus.  Having a moving vendor who has professional project management capabilities not only helps take the stress out of moving, you also know it is going to get done on time and within budget.  Time is money when it comes to an office move, and it can get costly for a company if they are not out of their space by the end of their lease.

Onboarding your moving and logistics vendor early in the process is vital, ensuring that they have all these capabilities in-house to ensure the job is done right and without unintended delays from third parties.  Speak to your landlord/building management early in the process to fully understand what is required when you leave the space.

Q:  Is there anything your clients would find surprising about the services you provide?

A:  Yes.  We are unique to the moving industry, with a comprehensive set of capabilities under one roof.   We provide

  • IT services with expertise in relocation and set up of computer systems, AV equipment, and data centers.
  • Expertise in the relocation of laboratory equipment
  • Design services
  • Furniture installation
  • Furniture restoration
  • Short and long-term storage for furniture, documents, technology
  • Liquidation, recycling, and responsible disposal of office furniture & equipment

Q:  Is there a checklist or expectations that you provide your clients to think about in advance of the move?

A:  We provide a quick move checklist as a guide for your detailed planning. It helps define what is to be moved, when you should move it and a proper timeline.

In addition, no matter the size or scope of the office move we provide our clients, we start with a project survey that is a fact-finding interview that includes a precise inventory of all contents and generates a realistic project estimate.

The move preparation itself consists of three primary components:

  1. Close coordination with our client's move team
  2. Tagging, marking, and layout from your approved floor plans
  3. Protection of property, including all labor, supervision, material, and equipment

Q:  Is there a top list of things you should consider when looking for a moving and logistics vendor?

A: I suggest you consider the following

  • In-house project managers
  • Has a range of in-house capabilities to support all your needs
  • Is knowledgeable and compliant with all building regulations
  • Has certificates of insurance
  • Can provide asset inventory and real-time tracking
  • Has nationwide capabilities to support multiple locations

 

About The Advance Group:

The Advance Group (TAG) is New York’s largest office moving, storage and furniture installation company. They are also the founding member of the Office Moving Alliance (OMA), an international network of commercial moving, storage, and office furniture installation specialists servicing many of the world's largest companies. For more information, contact Jeff Silverstein or check out TAG’s website, including their latest podcast entitled “The Mass Exodus from BIG Cities:  Joe Rogan, Tesla, and Other Companies are Moving.”

 

 

More News

News

4THBIN 4GOOD - 4THBIN Partners with Up Transport to Redefine Logistics and Community Betterment

In a significant stride towards environmental sustainability and community betterment, 4THBIN is proud to announce our partnership with Up Transport! Up Transport is a Fine Art shipping and crating company that has been providing services to galleries, artists, and museums since 2012. This collaboration not only underscores our shared commitment to excellence and sustainability but also opens doors to innovative solutions that redefine industry standards.

News

4THBIN 4GOOD - Auriea Harvey: My Veins Are the Wires, My Body Is Your Keyboard at The Museum of the Moving Image

We are excited to announce our sponsorship with the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) for the exhibition of "My Veins Are the Wires, My Body Is Your Keyboard," a survey of the pioneering net-artist and sculptor Auriea Harvey! The exhibition will be on display from February 2, 2024 - July 7, 2024 and will feature more than 40 of Harvey’s works, including her groundbreaking net-based interactives, video games, and augmented-reality sculptures from a career spanning nearly four decades.

News

4THBIN’s Role in the e-Stewards Performance Verification Program during Data Privacy Week

As we observe Data Privacy Week, 4THBIN takes center stage in championing environmental responsibility while prioritizing data privacy. Our active participation in the e-Stewards Performance Verification (PV) Program not only underscores our commitment to the highest standards of environmental health and safety but aligns seamlessly with the principles highlighted during Data Privacy Week.

Media Alert

4THBIN and Ecotech Management Unite to Redefine Sustainable Solutions

We are excited to announce the merger of New York City’s first e-Stewards Company (The 4THBIN, Inc.) with Long Island’s first e-Stewards company (Ecotech Management, Inc.).

News

Navigating E-Waste Recycling and Data Destruction with 4THBIN in 2024

In the rapidly advancing world of technology, the demand for responsible e-waste recycling and secure data destruction has never been more urgent. As we step into 2024, the need for secure and sustainable e-waste recycling has become not just a choice but a necessity. As a leading e-waste services provider, 4THBIN is here to provide innovative solutions for a more ecological and secure digital era in 2024 and beyond. 

Event

4THBIN's sponsorship of Climate: Make That Change at St. John's University
December 2, 2023
Event

Climate: Make That Change at St. John's University

We are excited to announce our sponsorship with St. Johns University for Climate: Make That Change, an event dedicated to understanding climate change issues and the impact they have on the community in Jamaica, Queens.

4THBIN-BGA-Event E-Waste Recycling Fall 2023
November 15, 2023
Drop-off Event

4THBIN and Broadway Green Alliance Team Up for a Fall 2023 E-Waste Drive

We are excited to announce our collaboration with environmental innovators, Broadway Green Alliance (BGA), for a Fall E-Waste Drive. We aim to provide members of the Broadway community and beyond with the opportunity to securely and sustainably recycle their old electronics. 

4THBIN -PS 29 Rummage Sale Fall 2023-Neighborhood Recycling Event
October 22, 2023
Drop-off Event

PS 29 Rummage Sale Fall 2023 - Neighborhood Recycling Event

We are excited to announce our collaboration with PS 29 again this fall for an Electronic Recycling Event. We aim to provide members of the PS 29 community and beyond with the opportunity to securely and sustainably recycle their old electronics.