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Being creative with space can save money for your business

We can all get too familiar with the environment we work in every day. At best, it makes it cosy and safe and it allows us to work at least without having to deal with the stresses of navigating new office boundaries or searching out exactly where they keep the paper-clips now! But the downside is, especially for management, there is a failure to consistently make the most of the space available to employees. In order for there to be a healthy work place, company growth and the most made of a restricted budget, there is a need for constant monitoring of how daily processes take place.

In the 21st century, how and where we work is constantly changing. Technology and instant communications is freeing us from the restrictions of the office and more people are working from home. According to statistics released by the Office for National Statistics, between 1998 and 2014, the number of people working from home has doubled. Some employees (mostly self-employed professionals) work totally from home, but there has been a real rise in employees sharing work time between the office and from home.

Streamlining work processes

This has streamlined office processes in a great many ways, but most of all it has effectively reduced overall company costs. At the same time, as making processes more effective, it is also making the office environment more acceptable. With more space available, offices are calmer, more relaxed, and meet health and safety standards easily.

It also means company management can consider how that space is freed up further. Is there in fact, a need for an office at all? The “digital cloud” has become a part of everyday processes in businesses just like the fax machine was in the eighties. Now, along with the fact that employees have the necessary technology in their own homes, documents which would normally be kept as hard copy can actually be filed away seamlessly in hyperspace. The need for huge office space is reducing and with this, the cost of rent and associated costs can be removed.

Time to get out?

However, there is still a need for documents which need archiving. There is still a need to store assets which will be sold in the future, there is a need to store seasonal assets or assets which are used on an infrequent basis. At this point company owners take a deep sigh and decide the rent for that huge building just isn’t going to go away.

But think again. Another new service which is now highly popular for businesses is self-storage. Now you can store the smaller assets and assets you wish to archive in a lock up unit that could cost a tenth of renting a building and force you to re-visit overall business costs.

Do yourself a favour – be honest with yourself – how much money is being wasted on a daily basis at your office?

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

 

Keeping your valuable business documents safe

Archivio cartaceoIt’s a sad fact that even in the modern age of cloud storage, online communications, and e-documents, our desks still get cluttered up with paperwork that we will probably never really get a chance to look at. Whereas a lot of the mess can easily be ordered with an efficient secretary, an in-out box or a large litter bin, there is always going to be a need to keep some legal and contractual documents archived in hard copy.

Self-storage in Kent

Keeping documents that can be archived in the office where you work can only lead to chaos and could also lead to 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

 

 

 

 

 

Make sure you are safe when moving and storing

At Need A Space self-storage we try to make everything as simple as possible when you want to move and store your precious domestic and business valuables. We provide all the equipment and assets such as forklift truck use, van hire, unloading areas and parking to make the project go as swiftly and easily as possible. Our staff also offer as much support on site as possible.

However, as much as we will ensure that your valuables are safe (we use CCTV, high security infrared beams, state of the art alarm systems, and perimeter fencing) we want to make sure you stay physically safe when you may be doing a lot of heavy lifting when moving and storing. So here is our guidance for moving some of that heavy stuff:

Before you consider lifting

Check the route

You need to have an idea as to how far you will be taking the heavy object. Is this something you can manage? Check out the route you will be taking and if there are any obstacles in the way. You do not want to be continuously picking up and putting the object down so wedge doors open where you can. Make sure you are aware of sudden slopes and steps. Especially the small ones.

The easiest hold

Check the item to see if it has easy to hold handles. Even cardboard boxes are sometimes equipped with side handles to make them easier to pick up.

Will you be able to see?

When you pick up the item will it restrict your view? Consider the height of the object and whether you will be able to see in front of you when in hold. If you cannot see clearly in front of you do not attempt to move the object – you will need another method.

Can you cope with the weight?

Is the weight acceptable? If you feel strained on lifting – don’t do it. You either need to move the item with someone else or use a piece of equipment to move it.

Ready your muscles

If moving extra heavy objects, or a lot of objects, it may be a good idea to do some warm up exercises beforehand to avoid cramp.

Lifting safely

Position your feet evenly either side of the object at about shoulder width apart. Squat to the floor by bending the knees. Never bend your back and raise. Take hold of the object and spread the weight evenly – ensure you feel balanced. While keeping the object close to the body straighten your legs to stand up. This way you are not putting strain on any other parts of your body – only your legs. When placing the object down do the process in reverse. Bend at the legs to place the object on the ground.

Be safe! See you soon!

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

 

Self-Storage – an overview

self storage canterbury

What is self-storage?

Self-storage is a relatively new idea which has become extremely popular over the last decade or so. Instead of paying huge amounts of money and having to deal with loads of red tape when storing your valuable possessions in a corporate setting, the concept totally simplifies the storage process for you. You have access to as many storage units as you wish depending on how much you need to store and how much you can afford. You have access to the unit whenever you like so you can add more valuables or take some out at any time. Due to unbelievably low prices, both businesses and domestic residents can take up the facility of storage where before they could not.

Who can benefit from self-storage?

Just about anyone who has too many assets and not enough space. The self-storage units can be used for short-term or long-term periods. For instance, it offers organisations a much cheaper way to create space on their business premises. Instead of getting rid of valuable equipment which is used infrequently, or losing space to its presence in the office location, managers can keep overflow company assets in a safe and secure cheap self-storage unit at low cost. This is especially important with data which needs to be archived. Huge amounts of unused paperwork can be shifted to an outside area at low cost and free up space on site.

Self-storage units can also provide a great asset for people moving house. Sometimes aligning the housing chain can be difficult and an extra temporary place to put your valuables until everything is settled can be useful. Also when moving into your new home there may not be enough space to move everything in at first. So again self-storage units provide a great stop gap at low cost.

Students who are moving a lot due to the college terms may need to put their possessions in temporary storage.

Is it Safe?

We would recommend that you check out exactly what security systems your self- storage provider has to offer. Here at Need A Space in Canterbury we use the ultimate in security technology to ensure your mind is always at rest. We use: CCTV, high-security infrared beams, state of the art alarm systems and perimeter fencing.

What else should I look for?

As much as self-storage offers you the opportunity to be independent with your storage solution, a bit of support, guidance and help never goes amiss. Here at Need A Space in Canterbury we try to provide those added extras which will make the storage process work smoothly and easily. For instance, we offer packaging, van hire, mailbox rental, use of forklift trucks, unloading bays and parking areas. On top of that there will always be a member of staff on hand to point you in the right direction!

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

 

 

 

 

 

Moving home? Need space? Time to get rid!

storage faversham kentMoving house can be an exciting time. You are beckoning a new phase of your life with your family and looking forward to new adventures and opportunities. The optimum word here is, of course, “new”. It is a chance to leave the old bugbears and old tired routines behind and immerse yourself in a vibrant new life. Of course you want to take your memories with you and a great deal of your possessions will enable you to imprint your identity on your new home.

But there is another great opportunity for you as you prepare to move your castle, lock stock and barrel to the other side of the world – a chance to get rid of all that useless stuff you never use cluttering up your free space. It’s a bit like getting rid of the old you and it will help you let go of “what was” and take on your new location. As well as that, it can help massively with storage and removals costs during the moving process.

So here’s a few tips to be a little ruthless with all that clutter and get things moving:

  1. Old technology – The digital world moves so fast nowadays the computer is probably out of date before you have left the shop. So often we are left with old models or old gadgets which we have even forgotten how to use. Wipe the memories and hard disks and send them to a charity or send them for recycling.
  2. Foods and spices – most foods will not survive the move and you are going to think fresh. So go on, be ruthless throw it out – but be sure you factor in a time when you can acquire food for your first meals and tea for the move itself.
  3. Ornaments – Now’s the time to throw out that really ugly stuff you have never liked from your in-laws. The stuff that just kind of sits there and gathers dust. Your new home is about new themes – so get rid.
  4. Paperwork – do you really need those old receipts, electric bills, water bills and guarantees for gadgets you never use anymore? Now’s the time to go through it all and shred.
  5. Kitchen and DIY tools – No doubt your kitchen and shed is cluttered with that stuff you keep “just in case you need it” It is so old now it has become faded and rusty through non-use. Be brave – let it go.
  6. Clothes – The wardrobe is full, but you still don’t have a thing to wear! Be tough and ask yourself what is out of fashion, what doesn’t fit anymore, and what you just don’t like. Steel yourself – say goodbye.
  7. All that junk! – yes its junk and you know it is. You are likely to get sentimental about it in some way but moving is thinking about logistics. Cost of the removals van and storage, the packing, unpacking and all the hell in-between should bring you back down to earth!

 

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

 

Cut costs with clever storage tips at Need A Space Kent

self storage canterburyHere at Need A Space in Canterbury Kent, we want to make sure that you not only take advantage of our highly competitive prices, but also, when you store your valuables you do it in such a way as to reduce costs even more!

Take a look below at some of our top tips:

Think big

You may be a business temporarily storing equipment or a domestic resident moving house and needing to store your valuables until you have set up your new location, but in all scenarios think about the bigger picture. There may well be other assets or possessions you wish to put in storage – the more you store the cheaper the cost. For instance, at Need A Space, if you store for over 5 months you get the sixth month for just a penny! So take a closer look at how you store at your company. How can you free up space and create lucrative areas? If you are downsizing your home, think twice about throwing those valuables out – give yourself time by putting them in storage.

Preparation saves time and money

Unfortunately, getting all your possessions to safe storage takes some clever strategies so make sure you have everything you need. Here at Need A Space we can provide all those extra bits and pieces which will help your move and storage go smoothly and easily. For instance, we will give you free use of our Luton Tail-lift van when you pay for a minimum of two months. Making sure your possessions are packed safely is an absolute must and to help you, Need A Space offer some free packing materials as well as others, like wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes, at low cost!

Think for the future

We all want to get the heavy work of storing, moving and loading over, but you are only going to end up with more stress, if you do not consider the future in your storage strategy. Label all boxes so they are easy to find and ensure valuables that you will need access to, are at the front of the storage container or in a gangway. Need A Space can help with labels.

Protect your assets

Need A Space self-storage will ensure there are no problems with security when you leave your valuables with us – you just need to protect them against time and the ravages of packing. So always seal photos so they are not affected by moisture; cover fragile possessions in blankets and bubble-wrap; use tape to keep appliance doors closed; keep fridges upright to prevent damage to the refrigeration unit and protect monitors and screens with bubble-wrap.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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