Signed Lease - Now What?
Signing the lease is only the starting point.
Engaging a trusted advisor to guide you through the leasing process is the proven way to reduce operational risk by building certainty into this key business expense.
The Key to Reducing Risk
Negotiating a successful lease can feel like the culmination of a long journey for a business leader. The unfamiliar terms, multiple stakeholders and risk mitigation tactics may seem like a successful navigation of uncharted waters. Which is why engaging a trusted advisor to guide you through the leasing process is the proven way to reduce operational risk by building certainty into this key business expense. That said, signing the lease is only the starting point for implementing a real estate strategy for many businesses.
Whether the leasing decision is based on an extension in place or relocating operations or entry into a new market; the business must now implement tactics to support the real estate strategy that led them to a lease.
What can come as a surprise to business leaders is the amount of time, energy and expertise required to integrate your company’s strategy into actionable tactics. Similar to preparing for any trip; planning your new space requires vision, relationships and expertise map out options. Why does this space exist? What kind of employees will work here? How should your culture and brand integrate into the space?
Project Manager, a Smart Investment
The PM brings experience across the full life-cycle of a real estate project, not simply the design or singularly focused on construction. Rather the PM should provide guidance in workplace strategy, furniture, technology and market conditions. This breadth of experience provides you with a lead budgeting, scheduling, design intent and constructability assessments.
As part of your trusted advisory team, the PM should be part of early discussions to ensure they have complete understanding of your company’s brand and culture. The PM can be your resource for building the design & construction team, validating initial cost & schedule estimates, recommending changes to your workplace strategy and developing your technology tactic.
From Facilitator to Controller
As the project transitions into construction, the PMs transition continues from facilitator to controller. The PM is ultimately responsible for controlling change on your behalf; whether that be scope, schedule or budget. During this phase, changes are the most impactful and cost prohibitive. Ensuring the project team is aligned on goals and working as a cohesive unit BEFORE change occurs is the best way to minimize the impact.
An Essential, Protective Layer
As occupancy nears, this is when the time spent learning your culture pays off. A PM ensures the relocation and change management tactics your business requires are planned well in advance of moving day. The PM is first face your employees’ see on Day 1 in the space. Ensuring the leader delivers on their promise to the team is never more important than Day 1.
The Project Manager is the essential, protective layer allowing business leaders to maintain focus on their core business and operations while providing a steadfast presence to count on for expert advice.
At Strata, our decades of experience in architectural, engineering, construction, furniture and workplace supports building the “right” team of experts to deliver your project. We promise your project will be thoughtfully planned and meticulously executed from start to satisfaction.
