4 Tips for Reducing Daily Stress at Work in Your Office Space in Kansas

Often the simplest solution to relieving stress is looking at how you are caring for your own body.  Here are a few suggestions for relieving stress at work by taking care of yourself.

  1. Eat Healthy.  Overeating can drain your energy, while low blood sugar can make you moody.  A good way to maintain consistent healthy eating and stabilize your mood and energy is to eat smaller meals frequently throughout the day.
  2. Avoid Alcohol and Smoking.  You’ve heard it before—both of these things may be temporary stress relievers, but the effects can wear off in the long run and overuse can potentially cause dependence issues.
  3. Sleep.  It is a vicious cycle: lack of sleep can cause more stress, and additional stress can trigger insomnia.  Staying well rested keeps you emotionally balanced and more prepared to take on the day.  Ideally try to aim for 8 hours a night.
  4. Exercise.  Not only is it healthy, but it is a major stress reliever.  Doing cardio exercise (increasing your heart rate), can help relax you, improve your mood, and give you more energy for focusing and being productive at work.  The best scenario would be getting 30 minutes of cardio exercise most days, but this can even be broken into smaller workouts depending on your schedule.

None of these tips are revolutionary, but being more cognizant of these area of your life can have a major impact on stress reduction at work!

If your business is considering relocating to an office building in Overland Park, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to set up a tour of one of our office suites for rent in Overland Park!

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4 Tips for Small Business Moving Out of the Home and into an Office Space in Kansas City: Part II

Once you have decided that you are ready to move your small business out of the home, and you have assessed your budget and business needs, there a still a few more steps to smoothly transition into a new office space:

#3 Choose a Location

Making a final location decision will require some research.  You want to make sure the presence of your business will be felt, but also that you are visible and accessible to your regular customers or clients.  If you are in retail, it is a good idea to have a design or store concept ready to help you describe your business plan to landlords looking for a certain kind of tenant for their property.

#4 Update Your Paperwork

When you move to a new city, state, or county, you will have to make sure to update several different business requirements.  For instance, your “Doing Business As” name will need to be updated with the local government, as well as your business licenses and permits.  You will also need to make sure you understand your new location’s tax requirements.  Finally, make sure you notify your former state of your move.

If it is time to move your small business out of your home office, do not be afraid to take that leap, but do prepare yourself by assessing your needs and finances, doing a little research, and making sure you have all of your paperwork in order.

If you are looking at commercial MLS listings in Kansas City, give Kathy Woodward at DDI Commercial a call at 913-685-4100 to learn about our available spaces!

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4 Tips for Small Business Moving Out of the Home and into an Office Space in Kansas City

While running a business from home is a low-cost and low-risk way to start a business, often there comes a time when business owners feel the need to move into an office space—whether because their enterprise is growing or because they are going a little stir crazy at home.  Here are a few tips for making the transition to an office space smooth and cost efficient:

#1 Consider Your Needs and Budget

When looking into commercial property, have an understanding of your budget on a per-square-foot basis.  Consider how many offices or cubicles you will need at this point and in the future.  If you are anticipating growth, look for properties with extra space you can expand into.

Also factor furniture, utilities, and IT expenses into your budget.  Be sure to spend wisely; you might avoid excessive expenses by renting furniture and equipment or buying government surplus equipment.  Another option is shared office space or a hot-desking environment in which employees share desks by working at the desk at different times throughout the day while the other person does other tasks.

#2 Look Into Serviced Suites or Offices

Spaces like these are usually located in busy business districts and are already fully equipped and are managed by a firm.  They often have more flexible rental agreements and have easy options to upgrade spaces.

Though moving from the home to a professional space might seem like an overwhelming process, there are options and preparation work that can be done to make the jump less daunting!

If you are looking for office space in Kansas, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to learn more about our available commercial realty in Kansas City!

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Choosing a Kansas City Office Space: Step 3

Choosing an office space location for your business is a process that requires time and careful research.  There are several things to be taken care of before you even begin your search for a space, the first being to determine your business’s needs.  Once you figure out what it is your business absolutely must have in a space, the next step is to take a look at your budget, assessing not only what kind of rent you can afford, but also factoring in any extra costs or financial incentives that might be tied to particular spaces.  The next major step in finding a location for your business is doing some research on the areas you are considering:

Find Out if the Area is Business Friendly

Having an awareness of the laws and regulations that will apply to your business in a specific area is extremely important.  As your business grows, it might be worth it to work with a small business counselor or specialist.  Often state government and local communities offer various programs and support options to small business, and many states even have online tools to help small business owners launch and develop their businesses.  Some examples of programs that support small business are the SBA Offices, Women’s Business Centers, Small Business Development Centers, and other government-funded options.

The bottom line when choosing an office space location is to do some research.  Talk to other business owners on the property and potential co-tenants.  Check in with the small business community and utilize all resources available, such as demographic data provided by the government.  All of these things can help you reach the best location decision for your business.

If you are looking for a small office lease in Kansas City, give a DDI Commercial real estate broker in Kansas City a call at 913-685-4100!

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Choosing a Kansas City Office Space: Step 2

Choosing an office space is a hugely important decision for your business, and can have a major impact on your business’s success and financial state.  The first step in choosing a location is to determine your business’s needs, allowing you to quickly evaluate properties and decide whether or not to pursue them based on if they meet your business’s criteria.  The next step in finding a commercial space involves taking a look at what you can financially handle:

Evaluate Your Budget

Besides determining what kind of space you can afford, there are a few other financial considerations to be aware of:

  • Hidden Costs – Spaces are rarely ready for your business to move right in.  These hidden costs might include things like repairs, decorating, technology upgrades, etc.
  • Taxes – Make sure you are aware of the income and sales tax rates for that state.  Are there property taxes you will have to pay?  Could locating your business across a nearby state line save you some money in tax payments?
  • Government Incentives – Often there are government economic business programs in an area that can provide you with state-specific loans for small business or other financial benefits.
  • Minimum Wage – While there is a set federal minimum wage, many states have a higher minimum wage in place.  You can determine the requirements for your state by looking at the Department of Labor’s list of minimum wage rates by state.

Being aware of unexpected costs and what your budget can accommodate is an important step in determining if a business location is a fit.

If you would like to learn more about office lease rates in Kansas City, give a commercial real estate broker in Kansas City a call at 913-685-4100!

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Choosing a Kansas City Office Space: Step 1

Selecting a location for your business is one of the most important decisions a small business owner will make, so careful research and preparation is required.  Here is the first of a few steps to help you find the best location for your business:

Determine Your Business’s Needs

An obvious factor in choosing a business is customer exposure, but here are a few other factors and needs that you might also consider:

  1. Plan For Future Growth – If you think your business might grow during the duration of a lease term, be sure to determine if the property has extra space you can lease and what that process would entail.
  2. Competition – Are the surrounding business in the property complementary or competitors?
  3. Brand Image – Does the location fit with the image your business is trying to uphold?
  4. Local Labor Market – Are there potential employees in this area?  Will they have to commute far?
  5. Zoning Requirements – These dictate what kind of business you can conduct in a location.  Contact a local planning agency to make sure your business operations comply with the regulations.
  6. Safety – Is there a high crime rate in the area?  Are there measures in place to make sure your employees and customers will feel safe in your parking lot?

Determining your needs before beginning your search for a business will help you quickly determine whether to pursue or reject various properties.

If your business is interested in office suites for rent in Kansas City, give a DDI Commercial real estate broker in Kansas City a call at 913-685-4100!

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Six Tips for Successfully Negotiating an Office Space Lease in Overland Park: Part III

Here are a few final steps for preparing for productive lease negotiations:

#5 Try to Build in Clauses to Protect Your Business

In order to protect you business interests and investment in the long term, consider trying for some additional clauses to the lease that would favor your business.  Here are a few examples:

  1. Subleasing options – In case your business plans change, you might want the option of subletting your space to another business.
  2. Co-tenancy – If a property has an anchor tenant and that tenant chooses to leave unexpectedly, this clause can help protect you from losing customer traffic by stipulating that the landlord must find a replacement tenant in a specified amount of time, or you are allowed to break your lease.
  3. Exclusivity clause – This clause prevents a landlord from leasing property to another business that is in direct competition with yours.

#6 Defaulting

Businesses are often shut down because of defaulting on their lease. Avoid this by knowing what you have agreed to upfront.  Find out whether you will be locked out immediately, if you can negotiate for more time, and if you could be released from paying rent for the entire term and instead just pay for that month.

These tips are a good place to start if you are not sure how to proceed with your lease negotiations.  A little research and advanced preparation can have a big impact on your tenancy in a space!

If your business is interested in commercial space for lease in Overland Park, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to find out more about our available Overland Park office space!

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Six Tips for Successfully Negotiating an Office Space Lease in Overland Park: Part II

Feeling daunted by the prospect of negotiating your commercial lease?  Even if this is your first time or you have not had to do this in a while, you can still enter negotiations prepared by familiarizing yourself with how the leases work and a few negotiation basics.  Here are some tips for negotiating a successful commercial lease:

#3 Maintenance and Repair Responsibilities

In residential leases, the landlord typically takes care of maintenance and upkeep, but in commercial leases this is not the case.  Some commercial leases state that the tenant is responsible for all aspects of property repairs and upkeep, while others might stipulate that the tenant has to be responsible for a few systems such as plumbing, air conditioning, etc.  Check your lease to make sure you know who is responsible for these expenses and if there is a dollar limit on how much you as a tenant have to pay for these things.  It might be worth consulting an attorney to clarify your rights.

#4 Carefully Review Your Lease

Though obvious, it is worth saying—read your lease closely.  You might even consider hiring a commercial real estate attorney to help you look at the fine print.

Knowing a little bit about how to navigate commercial leases can help save your business from unexpected real estate rental pitfalls.

If your business is looking for executive office rental in Overland Park, give a commercial real estate broker in Overland Park a call at 913-685-4100!

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Six Tips for Successfully Negotiating an Office Space Lease in Overland Park

It can be tough to start and grow a business, but one thing that is currently in your favor as a business owner is the excess of commercial real estate available on the market.  But even in this buyer’s market, negotiating a commercial lease can be a complex and intimidating process that requires careful research and preparation.  If you have already found your perfect space, here are some tips for crafting a lease that suites your business:

#1 Understanding Expenses

Just like in a residential lease, landlords for commercial real estate will try to add extra costs such as maintenance fees, Common Area Maintenance costs, and more.  Be sure to discuss utilities—these are typically your responsibility as a tenant, but be aware of how they are measured, either assigned by square footage or individually metered.  Seek out any other hidden fees, and inquire as to how much tenants typically pay annually for these various expenses.  Know what costs you will be incurring besides rent so that you do not find yourself surprised by anything once you are already locked into the lease.

#2 Setting Your Lease Term

The duration of your lease and the amount of rent you will pay is the first negotiation point.  The key is to give yourself some long-term flexibility but not over-commit.  It is better for smaller businesses to stick to one or two year leases with the option to renew.  You need to also discuss rent increases over your term and what your renewal options look like so you do not find yourself dealing with any unexpected increases that could hurt your cash flow and margins.

Be prepared for some pushback from the landlord; they are typically more in favor of long term leases and will try to get you to agree to a longer term.  Getting a broker involved who is familiar with the market can help you avoid any tricks and pitfalls.  Remember though that the broker is getting paid commission by the landlord, so it might be worth talking to a real estate lawyer before finding a broker.  They might be able to recommend a good broker and act as a consultant throughout the negotiation process.

Being aware of these and other negotiation points can help facilitate smoother negotiations.  Be on the lookout for ways that you can get a better deal for your business—or lease clauses that could hurt your business.  A well negotiated lease can facilitate a successful and productive tenancy!

If you are considering leasing an office rental space in Overland Park, give a commercial real estate broker in Overland Park a call at 913-685-4100!  All of our spaces are located in the heart of Johnson County, which puts your business close to all of the amenities and services the Overland Park area has to offer, including hotels, health clubs, restaurants, banks, and more!  Give us a call today to set up a tour of one of our available affordable spaces!

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Starting a New Year Moving to a New Overland Park Office Space

If your business is looking to move into a new space this year, be sure to begin your planning early.  Set up a timeline for yourself to make sure finish all of the things that need to be taken care of in advance.  You will want to start this planning process 4-6 months before you move, and make sure that all of your employees are well aware of both the move and the timeline (you can even delegate some of the necessary tasks).  Planning in advance will also help you plan your budget for expenses like movers and any new equipment.  Here are three things to add to your moving timeline as you plan a move:

#1 Update Your Vendors

This needs to be done 1-3 months before you move.  In order to transition more smoothly into doing business in your new space, you need to make sure that any items that need to be shipped to your space—including new signs or furniture—are there when you arrive, so be sure to contact vendors and give them your new shipping and billing address.

#2 Hire Movers

If you are planning on hiring movers and cleaners to help with the move, be sure to do research on different companies and get this taken care of 1-3 months before moving.

#3 Update Information for Customers

This includes website, business cards, and letterhead, and should be taken care of 1-2 weeks in advance.  Taking care of this in advance ensures that employees can get to work as soon as possible after the move, instead of making these changes after the fact.

Start successfully with a new office space before you even move by taking care of advanced planning and tasks.

If your business is looking to relocate to an office space in Kansas, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to find out more about our business space for rent in Overland Park!

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