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Make the Most of Your Office Space With Our Office Space Planning Checklist

office-space-ChicagoEfficient and effective office space planning is crucial to making the most of your commercial real estate. The design and layout of your office space has a direct effect on the productivity and happiness of your employees, who spend a large chunk of their time in your office.

That’s why you should make planning the layout of your commercial real estate space a priority. Here are some of the most important things you should take into account when planning the layout and design of your commercial real estate in Chicago:

  • As an employer, you have a responsibility to look after the health and safety of your employees. Let our office planning professionals help you plan an office that minimizes occupational hazards. Effective office planning can reduce the risk of accidents and create a safer work space.
  • Staff productivity. You’ll be surprised at how office design can influence the productivity of your staff. A dark, poorly-designed, and dreary office atmosphere can hurt employee morale and lower productivity. No one wants to come to work in a dingy and depressing office. A cheerful, comfortable office environment makes employees want to work.
  • Regulatory compliance. Your office plan needs to take multiple regulatory compliance issues into account. The layout of your office should comply with fire codes, for example, and meet the needs of employees and clients with disabilities. Tenant representation services like ours can help you meet regulatory compliance requirements.
  • When you fail to put appropriate consideration into the layout of your office, communication between staff members suffers. A well-executed office plan puts staff members who work together closely in physical proximity, to make communication easier and boost employee productivity and morale.
  • You might be throwing money away on extra office space that your company doesn’t even need. Efficient office space planning can help you optimize your use of the space you have, so you can avoid making a costly move to a larger space.

Countless businesses struggle due to failures in office space planning. Don’t let yours be one of them. Get professional help from Tenant Advisors in planning the best use of your office space today.

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Etiquette for International Business

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There are some customs that seem natural to us in the United States. However, when doing business with partners from all over the world, it can be possible to overlook the cultural differences. Consider a few of these helpful international business etiquette tips for your next international client.

  • Time – Being punctual to corporate meetings can have a different impact in certain areas of the world. For example, in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, it is critical to arrive on time or early for all appointments. Arriving late can give the impression of superiority or disrespect in these cultures.
  • Joking – Kidding, joking or adding humor into business transactions can be taken as disrespectful in some cultures. For example, in Germany and France, it can be misconstrued as arrogance when joking or adding humor into a serious business transaction.
  • Gifting – A custom in some countries, such as Japan, China and India, is gifting to your new clients or business associate. It can be rude to not present the other business with a wrapped gift to express a token of appreciation for their time. Not presenting a gift could instantly ruin your chances for further business deals.

When deciding to participate in international business ventures consider these customs when traveling or working abroad. Looking for office space planning near the Chicago area? Check out TenantAdvisors.com for local listings, today!

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Feng Shui Your Office Space

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Feng shui is the ancient Chinese way of arranging items in your life to promote positivity and good energy. When incorporating feng shui into your life, it is important to understand the basics of obtaining a positive feeling and motivational energy in the workplace. Here are a few tips when setting up your office space.

  • Clutter Free Feeling – When designing your office space, consider designing the desks to hold multiple organization units, such as filing space or an area for multiple binders or other organization systems. Keeping the office clutter-free is the first step to improving overall positive energy and productivity within your office.
  • Placement Screams Potential – Placement of your desks within the office is one of the most important aspects to positive feng shui within your space. This would include having your employees all face the door at an angle or from the side. Moving the desks to this placement will promote positive energy as a client walks in the door and makes the employees feel included when anyone enters the building, as you would if a person enters your home. It would give you the opportunity to welcome them, as well as control the situation at hand. Thus, making your employees feel powerful within their space.

When designing your office space keep some of these factors in mind to promote a positive energy for all who enter your work space. Looking for office space in Chicago? Check out TenantAdvisors.com, today, to learn more and look at local listings.

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Set Up Your Office for Success

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Your office is the place where all of your success for your business can happen. Getting set up correctly can be the difference between making it big or losing it all. Here are a few great tips to get your office off to the right start when moving or starting your business.

  • Use Resources Wisely – When deciding how to budget the money going back into your business, consider cultural and environmental factors. This includes the space in which your employees spend most of their time. An office that has high satisfaction for employees can lower the turnover of your business. It can actually be a key factor when an employee is deciding to stay with, or leave, the company.
  • Placement for Prosperity – Knowing where your office will be located in proximity to cafes, lunch places, markets and fun environments is also an important factor when choosing an office space. When your employees enjoy their surroundings, it makes it a more productive environment within your office. It can lead to employees working harder during office hours to enjoy time in the local surroundings.

When you’re looking for the perfect office space for your business, be picky. Make sure that you take the time to analyze every detail of your new space to make your budget, and most importantly, your employees happy. Looking for tenant representation services? Check out TenantAdvisors.com for more information, today and find the perfect place in the Chicago area for your business.

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Subordination & Non-Disturbance Agreements in Office Leases

Chicago office space rentalWhen an office tenant signs their commercial office space lease, it’s only natural to assume that the tenant will have an undisturbed tenancy and complete access to the premises as noted in the lease. This is often the case, however, there comes a time on occasion when a tenancy is disturbed for one reason or another. This can happen when the property has a mortgage on it and there is a lender involved. Should the property owner/landlord default on their mortgage, the lender may have a right to interject in some form. This is where a subordination and non-disturbance agreement comes into play.

What Is a Subordination and Non-Disturbance Agreement?

The subordination and non-disturbance agreement is one which will be signed at the time of the lease signing. Basically, this agreement states that should the landlord default on their loan, the rights of the tenant are subordinate to the lender. The non-disturbance portion of the agreement safeguards the tenant by stating that, even though the lender forecloses on a property, the tenancy and tenant’s rights under the lease will go undisturbed. This agreement acts as a way to cover any issues which could possibly arise in the future with a property that is in some way involved with a lender.

Is This Form of Agreement Common?

In commercial office space leasing, you will often find a subordination and non-disturbance agreement present within the paperwork. With real estate transactions such as this one, it’s important to consider all possible instances which could occur in the future and ensure that there is an agreed-upon solution stated in writing should such an instance occur. Office space tenants should not be hesitant to sign a subordination and non-disturbance agreement as it will safeguard their tenancy in the future and ensure that their lease term will go undisturbed throughout the length thereof.

The Importance of Reading the Agreement Thoroughly and Ensuring It’s Part of the Lease Agreement

When presented with the subordination and non-disturbance agreement, office space tenants should read through the agreement thoroughly and make sure that their rights under the agreement are known. A tenant representative can help the office space tenant to understand this document and explain in further detail the different components of it. With an agreement of this type as part of the lease arrangement, the tenant knows exactly where they stand should the lender choose to foreclose. It’s also readily agreed to by the lender, as the subordination portion benefits their rights to the property, especially when there is a tenant in possession of the property under the lease term.

The subordination and non-disturbance agreement is just one more necessary piece of the leasing puzzle which helps to outline the rights of the parties involved in the real estate transaction. It will not be put into the motion in most instances, however, it is vital to have this type of strategy in place should a loan default and foreclosure become an issue during the life of the lease term. Tenants should be sure to inquire with their tenant representative about any questions they may have related to this type of agreement prior to signing it.