Moving office often signals a time of growth. Everything is moving fast. You've been living with your current office space for a while now and as the staff count grows. The place is starting to feel crowded, and finally, you know it’s time to find somewhere new.
Whatever your reason for needing a new office space, keeping a happy crew is essential for a smooth journey on to your next chapter.
So here are 10 questions to spark conversation in your team and make sure they feel included in the process. It can also help tackle any uncertainty they may have about the move. Making sure their views are heard and their needs are met to help retain the talent you’ve worked so hard to find.
1. What are your current office gripes?
Is it excessive noise from colleagues, phone calls, or external factors getting in the way of their focus? Is the layout lacking dedicated quiet zones with soundproof booths?. Are there never enough meeting rooms for brainstorming sessions or presentations?
Identifying those specific pain points will help shape the new office into a haven for productivity and well-being.
Consider offering a variety of types of space to work within the new office. This could include dedicated areas for focused work, presentation spaces for internal sessions or when clients come to visit.
2. What area of London would you ideally like to be in?
This one is a biggie. Understanding any preferred areas within central London, can help narrow down your search and ensure a location that is convenient for the whole team. What's your vibe as a business?
Are you a tech start-up wanting to be in the centre of the action? Or a digital agency looking for a spot surrounded by exciting brands and fresh street art at every turn?
Choosing the right location can set the tone for your day-to-day, and influence your working culture, so explore your options. Take a walk around the neighbourhood, try the restaurants, and soak up the atmosphere.
Inviting, open-plan areas with designated collaboration zones equipped with whiteboards and comfortable seating will give the team flexibility and a sense of freedom to choose a space that suits their working style or the specific task they’re working on.
3. How does your commute impact your work-life balance?
A bad commute can be a deal breaker, so the perfect office space can’t add 30 minutes to everyone’s daily commute. Explore the average commute times and preferred modes of transport within your team.
Are long commutes by public transport draining energy and impacting productivity? Are limited tube options causing frustration or additional costs?
When searching for a new office location, prioritise areas with great transport links, like underground stations or bus stops within walking distance. Think about secure bike storage facilities.
It could even be an opportunity to explore your business’ green credentials and offer a cycle-to-work scheme or similar.
It’s a great time to reflect on your feasibility of flexible work arrangements, like the balance of office and remote work options or staggered start/finish times to ease commute burdens and enable childcare and family commitments. 
4. Do you prefer an open plan layout or private space – and should you have to choose?
Spend time understanding the individual work style preferences within your team. Do some team members thrive in the collaborative energy and social interaction of an open-plan layout, while others require the quiet focus of a private office?
A hybrid, flexible approach is often the answer, catering to diverse work styles , project requirements and even different moods. Within your private office, you can designate specific areas for collaboration, with whiteboards and comfy seating.
Balance this with quiet zones like phone booths or break-out spaces for those preferring focused work environments.
At Canvas, we spend time understanding how your team works best and we translate that into a space that works for your business, encouraging productivity and wellbeing with a personalised style to make it feel like home. 
5. What are the must-have office perks?
Go beyond the essentials and explore amenities that enhance your team’s wellbeing and work-life balance. Consider your budget and the space available in your private office, or explore offices that have communal or shared space where things on the “nice to have” list become much more realistic.
We have a great variety of amenities across our locations, including breakout spaces and 'chillout' areas with sofas and armchairs, pool tables and pinball machines, and even nap pods for a recharge when your brain needs it most.
Our General Managers know the locations very well and can provide you with welcome packs, with great suggestions of local eateries or gyms.
Some of our locations also offer secure bike storage facilities and outdoor space to enjoy when the weather behaves itself.
