Introduction: Business Transformation
In the world of business, change is inevitable. Such transitions can be daunting, whether it’s relocating an office, upgrading technical infrastructure, or moving critical operations to a data centre. However, with the right strategy and expert guidance, these changes can be managed smoothly, allowing business leaders to focus on what they do best—running their company. At Project Plan Partners (PPP), we specialise in taking the stress out of business change management, ensuring that complex projects are executed flawlessly.
Here’s how we helped one multinational company navigate a significant transition with minimal disruption.
The Challenge: A Forced Relocation
Meet Seth*, a seasoned US executive with 40 years of experience in the industry. Seth oversees a large multinational company, with Sam* and his team handling operations in the busy London office. Their business has thrived in a 44,000-square-foot building in central London for the past four decades.
The location is centrally located in London and strategically surrounded by competitors and partners offering complementary services.
However, their world was suddenly upended when Henrys and Sutherland*, their landlords, notified them that they had to vacate the building within six months. While the Landlord offered to contribute financially to assist with the move, the offer was only valid if they exited the building within the stipulated time frame.
The Landlord’s demands put immense pressure on Sam, who was already stretched thin while managing daily operations. Planning and executing a large-scale move while maintaining business continuity was overwhelming. That’s when Project Plan Partners stepped in.
The Solution: Strategic Planning and Expert Execution
PPP’s engagement focused on three critical pillars:
- Building Temporary Technical Infrastructure: We identified a temporary location to house the business operations. Our team oversaw the build-out of the necessary technical infrastructure, ensuring the move would be as seamless as possible.
- Co-locating Data Center Services: The London office didn’t have internal staffing equipped to handle such a complex project alone. We guided the technical team through the final phases of contract negotiation for a twenty-rack co-located data centre suite. We also ensured the network capabilities from the old site, the new office, and the data centre were fully functional.
- Coordinating the Physical Move: The most daunting task was the coordinated breakdown and move of services from the old building to the new locations. PPP meticulously planned and supervised the move, ensuring minimal downtime and uninterrupted business operations.
The Outcome: A Model for Success
Sam and Seth were naturally nervous about the scale and scope of the changes, especially given the tight timeline. However, PPP’s expertise allowed them to stay focused on their core responsibilities while we handled the complexities of the move. Our daily communications and progress reports informed Seth and Sam, enabling them to make critical decisions without being bogged down by the details.
The project occurred during the challenging winter months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite setbacks such as team members needing to isolate, our proactive approach and early communication with the Landlord allowed us to secure a critical one-month extension without any financial penalty.
Ultimately, the move was executed successfully, with minimal downtime for select operations. The transition to the data centre was smooth, ensuring that core equipment remained operational. Seth could confidently report to the company’s board members, knowing that the London office was in good hands.
Looking Ahead: Replicating Success
The success of this project in London became a model for future transitions. PPP has helped the company roll out similar projects in their New York and Los Angeles offices.
Conclusion: Why Business Change Management Need Not Be Scary
At Project Plan Partners, business change management need not be daunting. With the right team in place, even the most complex projects can be managed efficiently and effectively.
Whether you’re facing a relocation, a significant infrastructure upgrade, or a complete overhaul of your operations, PPP is here to help you navigate the transition with confidence. Let us handle the pressure so you can continue to lead your business to success.
Do you need to act now on a move decision? Contact Project Plan Partners to help you. ppp@projectplanpartners.com
*Names are anonymous for client confidentiality.