Several months ago we sat down with the magazine's art department to come up with a theme for this year's Atlas & Guide. In the course of our brainstorming session we kept coming back to the concept of site and facility selection as a game.
Not a game in the sense that it is "make believe," with no serious consequences for taking the wrong path. On the contrary, finding the right new location for your company's expansion is deadly serious. "Losing" -- or selecting the wrong location -- can have disastrous consequences for your company's financial future. After all, this game's currency is real dollars and cents, not funny money.
No, the reason the site selection process is like a game is because it follows distinct patterns, it lends itself to a general set of rules, and success is easily quantifiable.
Here are a few rules to follow as you conduct your site search.
Orient yourself to the task. Know where the start and finish points are located. Be clear from the very beginning on exactly what your ideal location would look like so that you'll recognize it when you get there. Reading publications such as this one will make that orientation much easier.
| "Expansionary" doesn't require the use of dice. That's because using dice involves chance, and a thorough site search leaves little, if anything, to chance. |
Learn the rules. Most companies expand or relocate infrequently, so there's not a lot of in-house expertise on the subject. Our cover story, written by one of America's foremost site location consultants, is an excellent place to start.
Plot your strategy. There are many ways to get from start to finish. If, like most companies, yours needs to be up and operating in its new location yesterday, you need to hone in on the right region or city quickly. You can still conduct a thorough search at breakneck speed ... you'll just need a lot of help in the initial stage so that you don't fritter away valuable time. Our site location specialists will prove invaluable to you in that regard. Don't hesitate to give them a call.
Be flexible. Don't let your preconceived notions about where you feel you ought to go influence how you play the game. Decide up front where you want to be in terms of proximity to markets, raw materials or labor ... and make sure the site you ultimately select matches those requirements.
Take it one step at a time. Don't let your eagerness to finish the "game" cause you to make a false step. Apply the same business instincts and logic that have made your company successful in the first place. And you set the pace.
Don't let yourself be held captive by the game itself. Don't get bogged down by the process. Remember, the only purpose of the process is to help you make the best decision. In other words, to wind up in the right place at the right time.
Finally, you'll notice that our game, "Expansionary," doesn't require the use of dice. That's because using dice involves chance, and a thorough site search leaves little, if anything, to chance.
So clear off the game table, set up the game, and let's get ready to play "Expansionary."
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