Moving is one of life’s great stressors, right up there with divorce and death.
This year, I’ll be moving into a new home. While I love change, I despise moving.
I hate packing. I hate unpacking. I dread the paperwork.
This time, though, I’m ready for it. I’ve bolstered my moving resume. I just finished helping the Communitech team move to our new space in the Tannery.
Not only have we opened up two new floors at the Hub to our staff and tenants, but we’ve changed the way we work.
Communitech photo: Phil Froklage
As part of the moving team for six months, I learned a lot that can be applied to moves of homes or workplaces. Here are my five key take-aways:
- Moving is a great chance to try something new
Communitech is creating a new workflow. We’ve given up permanent desks for team home bases and lots of hoteling space throughout our three floors. We’re encouraged to move around as often as needed, and to sit with the companies we work with to better understand their needs and challenges. Will it work? Stay tuned.
- Delays happen, even with the most organized strategy. Plan for it.
Construction, budgets, waiting for the keys — delays are a part of life. As I write this, I’m getting appliances delivered for our new space. My team has been waiting a few days for back-ordered dishwashers and fridges. Storage lockers for personal belongings are also delayed, which makes us look like high school students carrying belongings between classes.
Communitech photo: Phil Froklage
Delays are a pain, but also act as a tool to help people. And for me, every delivery day is like Christmas day.
- Everyone reacts differently to change. Be prepared for a glass box of emotions
Change management is a profession for a reason. During our move, I witnessed people experiencing a range of emotions, from happiness and excitement to sadness and stress.
Change is hard, and everyone reacts to it differently. Whether moving three children and dog, or 85 employees, you can’t make everyone happy. You can prepare for different situations, and be ready to problem-solve to ensure that everyone feels looked after and supported during the move.
- The move will keep evolving
I wish I had moved my team into the perfect space last Friday. To be honest, there is still a lot to do. Walls are still being painted. We’re waiting on appliances. Desks and electrical outlets will need to be moved as we settle into our space.
My floor plan works in theory, but real life situations will force it to evolve. That’s ok. Walls can still be moved, paint can be changed, and I’ll be arranging furniture for the next six months while we figure out how our spaces will work.
- Food solves a lot of problems
There’s a reason why beer and pizza is a traditional meal during moving, and it’s not just because you can’t find cutlery in hundreds of scattered boxes. Breaking bread together helps people bond. A shared meal in a new place makes it yours.
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Now that the major part of the Communitech move is over, I’m excited to get back out into our community. I see and hear that . . . This Thursday, April 28, is the third Gilt Pop Up Restaurant themed evening (305 King St. W., Kitchener). The theme is When World’s Collide, starting at 5 p.m. The menu will be designed around random fusions from 20 countries. Reservations are required. Pricing is per tapas and will vary . . . The Food Bank of Waterloo Region is hosting Filling the Palette, an evening of local artists showcasing their work at the Food Bank warehouse, 50 Alpine Ct., Kitchener). Artists will be selling their work, with a proceeds going to The Food Bank. The event runs 7–10 p.m. on Friday, April 29, and it is free of charge . . . This Saturday, April 30, THEMUSEUM celebrates Canadian Whisky, in partnership with The Companions of the Quaich KWC Chapter. The event begins at 6 p.m.,10 King St. W., Kitchener. Your $57.72 ticket includes a whisky tasting, snacks, a whisky glass and a copy of Davin de Kergommeaux's book, Canadian Whisky: The Portable Expert. A cash bar will be also available.
