By Eric J. Nelson,
Double Day Office Services
When I was asked to write an Ask the Expert column for BOMA in regards to my area of expertise, which is commercial relocation, I had no idea what topics to touch on. Do I bore you with the basic ideology of Office and R&D moves, new reusable equipment or processes, or could there be something else that might grab your attention?
So, why not sustainable liquidation of assets? This is something that myself and Double Day Office Services have been a part of for years. The question becomes, once you decide where, when and what you are moving to your new space, what do you do with all the old furniture and electronics that you are leaving behind at your old space?
There are several options when it comes to successfully liquidating your assets. First, dealing with a company who can manage all the small pieces of the inventory, sales, install, logistics, and move for your particular project. This will save you time, money, and a huge headache. This can be a daunting task and you should choose a company you trust and can manage all aspects of the project.
When it comes to getting rid of your assets, you can sell to end users who will pay a retail price for your furniture, or you can sell to a wholeseller who will buy at bulk and pay a lesser amount for all the furniture. Another option is to donate the items to several non-profits that are constantly looking for affordable furniture and electronic options. The last step if all previous were or are unsuccessful would be to ultimately recycle the assets. Nearly every asset can be recycled these days. From metal to wood to electronics, nothing should go to the dump unless absolutely necessary. Of course all of the previous steps success depends on the quality of the product, what the market will bear, and what kind of network and manpower the company you hired has in place. The most sustainable option out of all of these is reuse. Part of the puzzle is understanding what product you have and what it is worth. Getting an accurate idea of what your assets are worth retail and wholesell the better off you will be. Expectations are everything. The more money you receive for the product, the more it will help you reduce and/or cover the labor to remove the remaining product, and you may even make some money! Again, it all depends on the product and the market.
Along with your move, there are several other items you need to consider when relocating. It can seem overwhelming, but remember there are businesses that can handle the smallest detail and can manage all the aspects of the relocation move or otherwise. One last thing to remember when choosing who to elect internally to manage your relocation and how much responsibility you put on that person. 66% of all individuals who are put in charge of a relocation for their respective company either get demoted, quit, or fired! This complicated process should be left to the professionals, and believe me it is more complicated than you can imagine.
By Eric J. Nelson,
Double Day Office Services
650-872-6000 x1121
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