“Where do I start?” It’s a question many ask, especially at the onset of a large project. When that project is investing in a new office, it’s important to take the right approach from the very beginning. For small businesses just getting started, here are three questions that will get you thinking in the right direction.

How can space best support a future vision?

An office that supports a company’s vision for where it wants to go should be regarded as money well spent. A company in the health industry can support employee wellness by providing its people with highly adjustable ergonomic work chairs and sit-to-stand desks. A design agency can reflect its emphasis on creative collaboration by turning walls into spaces to share ideas. If an office isn’t supporting the vision of the company doing business there, a big opportunity is being missed.

How can a space balance the need for collaboration?

People often come together for formal meetings. But informal exchanges can be just as effective for moving work forward. A balance of both types of interaction is best for any organization, ideally one that’s determined in the beginning of the space planning process.

How can space better support the highest-value work people do?

The needs of workers differ greatly from company to company. That means there is no one-size-fits-all approach to getting started with planning a new space. Looking at ideas that work for other companies can be helpful, but space planning should start by considering the unique needs of a business’ people, their work, and the value it offers to customers. Herman Miller’s Small and Medium Business Program consultants help businesses analyze and address these needs.

This sort of self-evaluation could be the very thing that helps your space become a true reflection of your vision. If you’re ready to take the next step, click to get in touch.