Commercial Realty in Kansas City

5 Tips for a More Efficient Planning Process of your Kansas City Office Space

Productivity and collaboration are key components to any thriving business, and these can be promoted by designing a space that employees feel comfortable in. Making sure that employees are happy with changes in office space will help make the transition from one space to another a lot easier! Even though the space and design layouts of the Facebook and Google offices are impressive, they aren’t exactly effective for everyone’s workspace. So here are a five tips to consider when redesigning your own offices, as suggested in the article “9 Efficiency Tips for Space Planning Your Office”:

Make it your own. Personalization is an key factor for feeling proud of your space. People who design and rework their own work environments feel a sense of ownership of their space. This can increase a sense of attachment and productivity toward work that is developed and executed there.

Consider the amount of space. When designing the amount of space you need for your office you may want to consider how much space is actually essential versus how much space you want. One thing to consider is that storing and filing important materials are very important parts of the workflow, but this needs to be done without sacrificing the natural feel of the office space and the workers’ requirements.

Design then grow. It is important for the office layout that you are considering to be designed with growth in mind. When coming up with each of the different departments of your office space; remember to think of the unique type of work that will be getting done there, as well as what the space will be in the future of the company.

Think technology, be aware of budget. Technology is a great way to create a unique environment for your office. Talk to IT consultants and management about what is needed to get a deeper understanding of what could be used in the future for workers. This may help create a very distinctive atmosphere for your employees. However, be aware of the budget and time constraints – it can be easy to get lost in the conceptual design of an office.

Look for a variety of opinions. The design of the new office space should incorporate other people’s ideas as well. Remembering to ask management and IT is important, but also consider asking employees about potential design ideas. Get everyone involved in the redesign and this will help promote a positive attitude toward the change.

Redesign and change can require a lot of work, but incorporating these tips could change a dispirited space into something everyone is happy with!

Are you looking for commercial realty in Kansas City? Give one of our commercial real estate brokers in Overland Park a call at 913-685-4100!

3 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Looking for Commercial Realty in Kansas City

When you run your own small business, you will eventually be faced with the task of finding commercial space for rent. Regardless of what city you operate your business from, there are a few common questions to ask yourself as you evaluate your professional needs and what an ideal space looks like for your business. Here are a few questions to consider as you start this process, as suggested in the article “The Secret of Looking for Commercial Office Space”:

What kind of space do I need? First consider the general question of what kind of space your business needs. Do you need an office suite, or is it important for you to have a storefront? This will be the first step in narrowing down what you’re looking for.
How much money can I spend on a space? Next it is important to determine your budget. Not only will this prevent you from wasting time looking at spaces you can’t afford, but it will also ensure that you don’t get too attached to a space before realizing that it is out of your price range.
What extras do I need? Is it important that this space has foot traffic? Do you know that you need a conference room, or at least two private offices? Make sure to determine the things that your business absolutely needs, so that you can work with a commercial real estate agent who can weed out unsuitable options based on your preferences. Obviously it is important to be flexible on somethings, but know the bottom line necessities your business can’t do without.

Consider these questions as you begin the search for an office space!

If your business is looking for Kansas City office space for rent, give a commercial real estate broker in Kansas City a call at 913-685-4100 to learn more about our available space!

3 Ways to Motivate Employees in Your Office Space in Kansas City by Challenging Them

As someone responsible for a group of employees, figuring out how to engage and motivate them can be a difficult task. Often companies approach this by increasing social events or perks such as free meals, but some studies have suggested that employees are most satisfied with their work when they are being challenged to actually use their skills and abilities. Here are a few suggestions for ways to challenge employees who are itching for a new problem to solve, as suggested in the article “Want to Make Your Employees Happy? Ask Them to Do Something Hard”:

#1 Expand their current work. Don’t overload your employees with a bunch of new and different tasks, instead assign them more complex work that builds on the work that they are already doing.

#2 Apply their experience in new ways. You might also challenge them to step a little outside of their comfort zone by bringing their skills and experience to a related but different area. They might bring a fresh perspective and enjoy working with a new problem.

#3 Challenge them with the unfamiliar. If an employee is really looking for a challenge and is prepared to handle it, consider putting them to work on something that they are entirely unfamiliar with, but you know they will be capable of working through. An employee who really wants to grow might be grateful for the opportunity to expand their skill set.

A big part of successfully challenging employees is knowing their interests and boundaries, but if correctly done, these kinds of challenges can be rewarding for you and your staff!

If your business is interested in commercial realty in Kansas City, give Kathy Woodward at DDI Commercial a call at 913-685-4100!

Spring Cleaning Your Technology in Your Office Space in Kansas City

When you’re thinking about “spring cleaning” this year, remember that this can also extend to your technology in your office! Here are a few suggestions for how to overhaul your office technology this spring, as suggested in the article “Spring Cleaning Your Office”:

If your laptops have become outdated, consider switching to tablets to increase mobility and save space.
If you cannot get rid of a laptop or desktop, consider investing in an ergonomic keyboard to alleviate wrist strain when typing.
Go green with your outdated technology by recycling the items you no longer need, such as ink cartridges, monitors, and printers.
Literally clean up your technology by wiping down all of the surfaces and blowing the dust out of keyboards and cracks.
Clean up your desktop itself by getting rid of apps you no longer need. You might also consider making sure that everything is backed up and have a recovery plan in place.

Don’t forget about your technology – cleaning, updating, and even recycling it – as you do your spring cleaning this year!

If your business is looking into commercial realty in Kansas City, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to learn more about our executive office rental in Overland Park!

Thinking Like a CEO When Looking For Commercial Realty in Kansas City

Looking for a new office space but don’t even know what you need yet? Here are a few things that a CEO of a New York Stock Exchange publicly traded company listed as top priorities in a new office space, as outlined in the article “5 Things CEO’s Want from their Office Space”:

Image. An office space should project a professional and positive image to both clients/customers and employees. The space should make an impression, but not be too extravagant – the kind of space that helps a company attract and keep good people.
Wellbeing. A good space should reflect concerns for the health, safety, and wellbeing of those who work there. Some things to consider are security, lighting, and amenities in the space and near the property.
Collaboration and Efficiency. A space should be designed with the goal of enhancing productivity, especially by allowing employees to work together.

If you are thinking about renting a new office space, consider thinking like these experts as you decide what kind of space will best serve you, your employees, and your clients!

Looking for office rental space in Kansas City? Give Kathy Woodward at DDI Commercial a call at 913-685-4100 for information on our available spaces or to set up a tour!

Understanding 5 Options for an Office Space Lease in Overland Park

There are several types of commercial leases to be aware of—here are the definitions for five of them, as outlined in the article “Lease Types Defined”:

1.Full Service (FLSV) – A lease in which operating expenses and property taxes are included in the stated rent.

2.Triple Net (NNN) – A lease in which the tenant pays a fixed rent rate, as well as other property lease expenses including taxes, maintenance, insurance, utilities, etc.

3.Full Service Except Janitorial (FLSVEJ or FSEJ) – Similar to a full service lease, except the janitorial services are not included in the rental rate.

4.Gross – A lease in which the listed rent covers taxes and operating expenses. This is essentially the same as a FLSV lease and the opposite of a NNN lease, and it is the most uncommon type of commercial lease.

5.Modified Gross (Mod Gross) – Somewhere between an NNN and Gross lease—some expenses are included, but things like utilities are most likely the tenant’s responsibility, but even utilities could be combined depending on how things are metered in the building.

If you are looking into commercial leases for your business, it is important to understand what each of these lease types mean and what kind of payment would be most cost efficient for your business.

If you are interested in finding out more about commercial realty in Kansas City, give a commercial real estate broker in Kansas City a call at 913-685-4100!

6 Things to Look For When Touring Commercial Realty In Kansas City

When searching for commercial office space for lease, it is essential to take a tour of all properties before singing anything so that you know exactly what is included in the space. Be sure to make yourself a checklist of things to investigate before you go to a space so that you can make sure it meets all of your requirements and easily compare it to other spaces. Here are six things to check for when you are looking at a prospective location, as suggested in the article “Commercial Real Estate Corner”:

Safety. A safe environment is a top priority in any kind of space, and a landlord’s concern for safety should be apparent on a tour. Check for locks on both doors and windows, lighting in parking lots in common areas, and cameras or a watch staff for after hours. You can also ask about getting access to any incident records.
Handicap Accommodations. Make sure that the premises are equipped with elevators, wheelchair ramps, wide entry doors, and handicap accessible restrooms in order to sure that all guests and employees feel welcome and comfortable. If these accommodations or not present, keep in mind that adding them could be quite expensive.
Condition of the Space. Check to see if the space is in good physical condition by looking for any signs of structural issues or problems with tenants. Check for unpleasant stains, odors, or cracks. Don’t hesitate to ask the landlord about anything you see before agreeing to sign the lease.
Common Space. Check to make sure that common areas that are not technically in your office space are still well maintained, including restrooms, elevators, lobbies, and hallways, as these spaces will still make an impression on visitors.
Amenities and Services. Find out if there are businesses nearby that could be convenient for your company, such as a bank or an office supply provider, or even places that our employees might like to be near, such as gyms, restaurants, coffee shops, or day care.
Parking Lots. Check to make sure that there is enough parking for both your clients and employees, and make sure you are aware of any parking fees, versus what is included in the lease. If weather is an issue in your location, ask about snow plowing services.

Be sure to include these essential items on your checklist as you tour spaces!

If your business is interested in setting up a tour of an office rental space in Kansas City, give Kathy Woodward at DDI Commercial a call at 913-685-4100.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Renting Commercial Realty in Kansas City

Renting commercial real estate can have a big impact on a business—for better or worse. A good lease can help your small business grow and flourish in a great location, but a bad one could potentially cost your business a lot of money and can be especially risky for small businesses. Here are a few things to do when renting a space, as well as a few things to avoid, as suggested in the article “Location and Leasing“:

DO:

Look at multiple properties so be able to compare rent, location, and other variables.
Research demographic data for an area to get an idea of your potential customer base.
Make a Site Model Criteria for your specific business.
Utilize the assistance of a commercial real estate attorney to help with negotiations or purchasing.
Talk to the planning and zoning departments of a city to make sure that you are in compliance with all code requirements.
Negotiate for a short term lease with renewal options to minimize risks.
Put everything in writing
Negotiate for no competitors to be allowed to rent in the same building as you.
Use the largest signs allowed and make sure they clearly state what your business offers.
Include terms in your lease that address the possibility of expanding.

DON’T:

Evaluate a location solely on rent.
Allow your landlord to determine all of the terms.
Be too quick to settle on a location.
Depend on verbal agreements during negotiations.
Agree to a lease without making sure you have read and understand every single term.
Personally guarantee a lease if you can avoid it.
Submit to conditions that are bad for your business – move on to looking at another space.
Sign a lease without consulting your lawyer.
Depend only on your landlord’s leasing agent for advice.
Close negotiations without making it clear that the lease is still subject to securing any licenses and permits.

Renting a commercial space requires careful planning, research, and attention to detail during negotiations. Be a smart negotiator and don’t let your business get stuck with a lease that will hurt you financially in the long run!

If your business is interested in finding commercial space for lease in Kansas City, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to learn more about one of our office suites for rent in Kansas City or to set up a tour!

Questions to Ask Your Kansas City Office Space Employees for Feedback

It is important to seek feedback from your employees, even if it is sometimes painful. Here are a few open-ended questions to ask them to get them thinking and provide you with some potentially helpful information, as suggested in the article “5 Steps to Getting Better Employee Feedback (Even If You Hate It)”:

Why did you decide to work for this business? What has made you continue here?
What do you think is the biggest strength you bring to this business?
Do you feel that the work you do makes a difference in the company?
How have you been thanked or recognized for your work in the past 6 months?
What professional development assistance have you received?
Does your supervisor provide you with frequent feedback?
What do you think is the most important thing we need to improve in our organization?
What are our core beliefs and mission?
Who is our number-one competitor?
How do you usually receive company-wide information?

Remind your employees that there are no right or wrong answers and that you will be open minded in your reception of critique, and you might find yourself with some useful and constructive feedback.

Is your business looking for commercial realty in Kansas City? Give us a call at 913-685-4100 to find out more about commercial MLS listings in Kansas City.

Standard Lease Terms for Commercial Realty in Kansas City

In addition to basic lease terms that address your rent, the duration of your tenancy, and the amount of space that you are renting, here are a few more terms you can expect to see in a commercial lease as suggested in the article, “The Commercial Lease: What You Should Know“:

Gross Lease vs. Net Lease – in a gross lease, your rent will cover maintenance expenses, insurance, and property taxes. In a net lease you will have to pay for each of these items separately.
Sign Specifications – your lease will probably include something about signage—where you can put signs and any other specifications that dictate what kind of signs your business can post.
Repairs – if the air conditioner breaks down, who is responsible for it—you or the landlord? Your lease should address who maintains and repairs the premises.
Subleasing – you might find yourself in a position in which you do not need all of your space, in which case you might consider subleasing. Your lease will most likely include a section on assigning or subleasing a space to someone else, so have this possibility in mind when you first take a look at your lease.

Educate yourself on what your commercial lease will most likely include!

If you would like to learn more about Kansas City office space for lease, give Kathy Woodward at DDI Commercial a call at 913-685-4100.