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TechTrends e-Newsletter I May 2004 Page 6 of 7 Perspective Trading Places • Relocatinga business is never easy; here area few tips to consider as you start the p process. By any measure, relocating a business is a demanding process. Once you make the decision to move (no small task in itself), there are a host of matters to consider— everything from finding a new facility to negotiating a lease or purchase to dealing with realtors. Of course, those are in addition to the challenges posed by the need to pack and unpack, forward mail, print new business cards and stationery, deal with IT issues, and the like. In short, it's a huge topic. That said, here are some basic considerations and strategies to keep in mind as you plan your move. Employee buy-in Want to avoid disruption and maintain productivity as much as possible during the moving process? Get your employees to accept and buy into it. The first step is to make sure everyone understands the reasons for the move and what it will accomplish—along with the challenges it will present. Another way to get buy-in: Create a moving team and a moving team leader that can manage specific aspects of the relocation process. Location matters Yes it's overused, but there's a reason why the cliché gets repeated. Your new 411 location will have a ripple effect on all areas of your operations. How will it affect your current employees, who may or may not want to commute to the new spot? Will the new area be enticing enough to allow you to recruit new employees? Does the new location have high-speed Internet access and other necessary infrastructure components? What impact will it have on your customers? ; Special economic zone opportunities Another option to consider: special economic development areas that offer relocation incentives. Many cities and counties offer relocation-related perks and programs. One, the State of Minnesota's Job Opportunity Building Zone (JOBZ) program, has gained steam of late. Designed to stimulate economic development in rural areas by providing tax exemptions, the zones can be attractive options for businesses looking to pack up and move. For more information on the JOBZ program, see the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development's (DEED) Web site: http_J/www.deed.state.mn.us/programs/jobz.htm. In a similar vein, DEED also offers a range of services and information for companies looking to relocate—including permit and licensing basics, local community profiles, real estate information, and much more. Check out http://www.deed.state.mn.us/businessdevelopment.htm. http://www.minnesotatechnology.org/publications/techtrends/2004/June/printVersion.asp 6/15/2004