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Essential cornerstones of business growth for SME’s

Business growth has to be a goal for all organisations. The form that growth takes will be different for each company. Some businesses will be looking for a greater share of the market, others will be wanting to streamline processes, others will want to break into new markets, and others still want to either introduce new products, enhance their primary product or add variations to a popular original.

Where will your business focus be?

Whatever direction you are taking, be careful not to lose sight of the factors that placed the business in a winning position: such as the usp; the loyal target market; don’t lose the quality for the sake of cheaper production. For instance, the small local pub that does well from a local clienteelle and then adds the facility of a restaurant may well be adding an extra dynamic to it’s services, but as well as losing that personal touch it may also be entering an arena where substantially different skills are needed and where there is heavy competition.

More growth, more space

Even horizontal growth needs to be thoroughly thought through. For example, as companies become successful there is a greater onus on space. Not only for stock but also staff. The latter will need to be able to deal with an increase in orders and equipment may be needed to back up the processes. More space calls for more property which in itself calls for more staff and equipment. Old top down leadership models can become fragmented and more difficult to monitor so there is also a need for refined processes. (on a small-scale business considering storage expansion can use self-storage units before looking to buying new premises).

Always keep your customer needs central to future growth

Before making any decision about growth direction, a business should strongly consider their customer base and future customer retention. After all, it is customer loyalty (their target market) which has bolstered success. If considering a new market, bear in mind that it can be 20 times more expensive than working on existing accounts. And remember that your greatest asset is your labour force. If growth will mean diluting working relationships, consider how that may affect future processes.

In the same way, growth does not just have to be about the product itself. Start with the customer and consider how your organisation can enhance the customer experience. You may be in a place where you can enhance products, provide a greater product variety or step into a slightly different market, but at the end of the day, if it does not enrich your client base you could be on sticky ground. Factors such as help and support which to some may just seem to be expensive add-ons, can be the kind of triggers that not only keep your customers coming back but are fundamental to real growth in the future.

Need A Space is based in Canterbury Kent and offers self-storage facilities to the London and surrounding areas such as Faversham, Medway and Herne Bay. for a quote see our homepage or call us on 01227 260500

Why self-storage is so popular in the 21st century

self-storageIt is a hard to remember a time without the huge benefits of self-storage. Self-storage units are dotted across our landscapes in the UK; they help us when we are moving home; they support us when storing our valuables temporarily; they help businesses deal with space growth and space creation -cutting budgets and streamlining processes. Why have they become more popular than ever in this new millennium?

Self-storage – a brief history

Self -storage like so many things in recent years found its way from across the pond because it all started – no surprise – in the United states of America. The USA saw its first units appear as early as the 1960’s but the UK did not see it’s first self-storage units until the 1980’s. The rest as they say is history. There are more than 1000 facilities across the country which equates to approximately 37.6 million square feet of rentable space. Clearly a booming industry, but you have to look to the environment and current culture to get an idea as to why it is thriving so much.

Relationships are more unstable

Unfortunately, in many ways some would say our relationships are much more unstable than they were just 50 years ago. Due to liberal ideals, sacred rituals such as marriage happen faster and easier. In the same way, the Christian religion accepts divorce much more easily and it has become acceptable to the point where sadly it is commonplace. Where once it was a scandal now it is just seen as one of life’s many hurdles. With this environment, people are much more transient. With movement there is a need to store valuables until you can find a more permanent location.

People living longer

With advances in medical science we are becoming an aging society. Whereas in the 1930’s you could expect to live for a couple of years after you have retired, now you can look forward to living for a further 2 decades. Older couples are more likely to be moving on from the large family home and downsizing. With no place to store their nostalgia in the new smaller home they look to self-storage to hold onto precious memories.

Individuals are more transient

Even as late as the early 20th century individuals and families hardly left their own town or village.  the 21st century travelling to other side of the world can be organised almost at the push of a button. Travelling long distances to commute or live temporarily is as much a part of everyday life as the sun in the sky. Hence people need self-storage to cater for those times when they are on the road. For instance, the student who lives far from home can find self-storage essential when studying away, and returning home during term holidays.

Small business is supported where possible by government in the UK and so new SME’s, especially over the last twenty years are thriving. Self-storage can assist organisations where there is restricted space and so can streamline in-house procedures and enhance business growth.

Perhaps the biggest factor for the continuous growth of the self-storage industry is people are more aware that it is there and what it is for. Let’s face it – space (that is earthly space) has never been that interesting. Now its like the grocers on the high street. Pop in and see us to find out what services we offer at Need A Space self-storage in Faversham. Contact us on 01227 751673 or fill in our website contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Moving home? Check out our top tips!

moving homeAt Need A Space we can help you with all the practical help that you could possibly need. From a removals van to self-storage and from storage materials to the very best in security, our aim is to make the complex task of moving home just about as easy as it can get. However, because relocating can be so complex and stressful we have also come up with our own little shortlist of essential tips to help that big move run a little smoother:

  1. Don’t forget to re-direct your post. It will give you peace of mind that you will receive all your important mail and take the frustration away from the people who are moving into your old home.
  2. Label all boxes with contents each contains and which room they will be going to in your new home
  3. Keep all fixtures and fittings from larger furniture in one place – again clearly labelled
  4. When you learn your council tax band you may get a shock. But don’t despair, statistics show that over 400,000 homes have been wrongly categorised. So check it out at the valuation office agency
  5. Give yourself time at the end of the moving out day to say goodbye to your old home – it could be quite emotional.
  6. Start packing early. Once you have a date for moving, schedule how you will deal with each room, leaving the most used rooms of course to the end.
  7. Start getting to know the environment you will be moving to before you move. Check out where you will find your creature comforts, speak with the community if you can, find out energy suppliers, where important elements like fuse-boxes and stopcocks are etc.
  8. Get an idea of storage space when choosing your home. Not the most exciting factor, but it could save you a whole lot of headaches in the future.
  9. Trying to visualise how all your valuables will go into your new home can be difficult and if you are downsizing you may be left with too little room. Check out the self-storage provision in your area to ease the pressure until you are settled.
  10. Be realistic about how the move could uproot you and your family psychologically. You will want to get back to routine as soon as possible but don’t go too fast – it’s a big change.
  11. So many people to tell about your big change. So many things to do. As you get nearer to the big move day make lists of the essential tasks which need to be done.
  12. Don’t expect to move into your new home as soon as you get there. Sometimes the estate agent will not hand over the keys until monies have been exchanged – and this will be dependant upon where you are in the chain.
  13. It is courteous to leave your old home clean and tidy for the new occupants. So leave time at the end of moving out to give the house a clean. This could be a mammoth job and it is sometimes a good idea to hire a cleaner or cleaning company.
  14. Find out when you will need to leave the property as you will need to deactivate your white goods (i.e. defrost the freezer; de-plumb the washing machine etc)
  15. Create a box for essentials that will be with you on the day of the move. This could include address and contact book; first aid kit; torch; chargers; mobile; snacks; drinks; keys; moving documents etc)
  16. Because moving home can be expensive there may be a tendency to buy cheaper accessories (i.e. cardboard boxes), but always use quality materials – you want to get your precious valuables there in one piece.
  17. Don’t be tempted to overfill boxes. If the box breaks so do your valuables. Also, you need to pick up the box once it is filled!
  18. Check your house contents insurance will cover your valuables during the move.
  19. Consider beforehand how you will deal with laundry. Make a cut off date for the last wash so everything transported is dry and you and your family will have enough clothes over the moving period.
  20. Keep a track of important documents by categorising them and storing them in the same containers such as labelled box files.

To learn more about Need A Space services click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Archive business documents cheaply and safely

archive

Electronic communications has made the need for paperwork in the office almost redundant. This is great news for networking and instantaneous contact. It also means that those piles of documents you are not going to get around to read anyway, can be kept quite neatly in hyperspace. However, there is some paperwork you just need to have in hard format: legal documents, tax and accountancy paperwork, contracts, manuals and guarantees just to name but a few. As your business grows you want to expand but you are no doubt seeing the amount of space physically reduce in front of your eyes as all those official documents that ought to be archived get in the way of daily work processes. Time to put a stop to that with self-storage.

Self-storage in Kent

Keeping documents that can be archived in the office where you work could lead to chaos, insecurity and inefficient business processes. If there is insufficient storage within your organisation you may want to consider self-storage facilities in your area. Here at Need A Space in Canterbury Kent we offer storage space for both business and domestic needs. But what is the best way to store those infuriating but precious pieces of paper?

Top tips for archiving your documents

  • Store for easy access: Some documents will need simply for legislative reasons (I.e. for tax purposes you need to hold on to business account information for 5 years) but there will be some documents that you may need to find for current activities. Load these boxes last so they are stored at the front and easy for access.
  • Protect against long term damage: Mould can grow quickly and cause damage. Keeping things dry from the start is the best way to avoid damage so whichever self-storage provider you use, ensure the unit will be dry.
  • Security: Check with your self-storage provider to find out what security provisions are in place. Many business documents and records are confidential and need to be private. Need A Space offer CCTV, a perimeter fence, high-security infra-red beams and state of the art alarm systems.
  • Label boxes.As well as easy access you need to know where each and every document is. So however short of time you may be, have a clear labelling system.
  • Office filing system: It is often useful to use an office filing system twinned with the labelling system you use at the self – storage outlet. For instance, labelling a box by a number and then put the relevant details on an excel sheet which is easily accessible in the office.
  • Be cost effective: Always find a self-storage unit close to your office for obvious reasons, but in some cases (especially with documents which need to be archived for long periods and do not necessarily need frequent access) consider storing outside of your location. For instance, London prices are high, but by storing down here in Kent you could make quite a saving.

 

Based in the heart of Kent, and situated on the outskirts of Faversham and Canterbury, Need A Space is conveniently located for both local county and South London clients. Looking for storage space in Faversham Canterbury or Herne Bay? To learn more about how Need A Space self-storage can help businesses in Kent and the London area click here

 

 

 

 

 

Why Need A Space removal services should be your first choice

moving homeIt is an old adage that moving home is probably one of the biggest stresses in life you will ever have to face.  Need A Space is a small but highly cost-effective and quality self-storage and removals service based in Faversham Kent. You don’t need to take these two services together but if you are considering relocating then we recommend you take a look at the features we have on offer.

Getting rid of the doubt

Moving home is not something you are going to do regularly. For most people it is something you do once in a lifetime – and that sometimes proves once too much. So when it comes to considering which is the right removals company for you, it is likely you will not have a great deal of pointers as to who to go with. At Need A Space we realise that the more you know about what you should be looking for, the better we can work together. So expect our staff to be available to answer your questions, pull out those extra stops, and offer you features that you should be looking for from all top-quality removals services.

Practical help before you move

How many vans will you need? What is the best way to transport it? At Need A Space we offer you a survey of your home before you have to make that big trip. We visit your home to get an idea as to what exactly you will need as well as giving you extra advice re transporting those extra-special hard to handle valuables. On top of this we can give you an estimated quote as to what the cost is likely to be – no obligation whatsoever.

All the accessories you need

Once you start packing up you are going to need all those important accessories at your fingertips and Need A Space offers access to cardboard boxes that are made especially for the job in hand. And those extras that are always never there when you need them – such as bubble wrap and robust tape. We may even be able to let you have them at a discount price!

Everything you need for your moving day

  • Each staff member briefed as to your exact requirements
  • We use floor protectors to ensure that your homes stay as clean as when we found them!
  • We come equipped with portable wardrobes to make transporting your clothes even easier.
  • We can also provide quilted sofa covers to ensure your mind is at rest.
  • We will take an itinerary of all the items being transported and this will be signed off by our staff and yourself to make sure everything is on board that should be!

 

We have enough experience in helping couples, families and businesses relocate to know how to get you there safely and with the greatest peace of mind. Your move is our move – let’s get there together. To learn more click here

 

 

 

 

 

How self-storage can help you really enjoy this summer to the full!

seasonal storageWhat makes British weather different from almost any other country in the world? At the moment, British weather is just a little bit untraditional. We are all lapping up the fantastic sunshine and the kind of temperatures that you normally you only associate with North Africa, the Middle East or the South of France. As great as it is, it does seem as if the weather is becoming the same the world over. Just hot. (we are complaining already as we always do)

But there is one weather factor in Britain that we think will never change and that is the seasons. They may have become a little irregular lately and we may get the odd rogue snow shower in July or a balmy afternoon in February – but overall the seasons are still what we have always known them to be.

We are so lucky to be able to experience a rich change in weather styles (even when we curse it!) because it brings with it diverse nature, activities, hobbies and environments each and every season. However, to make the most of those changes we have to be prepared. What happens to all of that stuff we only use during one season? Is it going to clog up the house till next year or is it going to be an extra expense when the time comes around again? What do businesses do with products out of season?

The quick, cheap and easy answer we offer is self-storage.

Summer hobbies

Many people put-off even buying equipment for their hobbies because there is just no room at home to keep it during the winter months. With self-storage you can keep you kayaks, beach furniture, Bar-b-ques, parasols, kites etc in a secure place where you have access to them the whole year round (just in case December does turn out to be hot!)

Dress to the weather

A wardrobe can only “squeezing stuff in”. And if you have to make a choice what stays and what goes then it is likely the out of season stuff is going to go first – even if it is your favourite T-shirt. But by taking advantage of self-storage you can hold onto those precious woolly hats, that little black dress, or those sexy shorts at low cost – and save you buying again next year!

Student support

Student-life with short terms and long holidays can seem pretty idyllic. However, holiday time can mean you have to give serious thought as to where you are living during your breaks and what possessions you are going to keep and which you are sadly going to have to let go. Self-storage gives students an extra option where they can store their valuables at the end of term, find them safe and secure when the come back to college and keep their budgets healthy.

Business savings

All businesses need to keep stock available all year round, but this can be confounded when they have to provide products for specific seasons into account. Organisations can quickly run out of space and may have to contemplate expanding premises just for storage or  renting property with high rent to meet the needs of supply. However, businesses can use self-storage when they need it instead of getting hooked into long-term costly rental contracts.

Don’t throw away your valuables and don’t let shortage of space let you enjoy this fantastic summer to the highest degree. Need A Space, based in Faversham put your mind at rest and get you out there!

 

 

 

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