Lists. They’re kind of like road maps, guiding us logically from point A to point B. No wonder we rely upon them so heavily. They are nothing more than information presented systematically. What they represent is experience — the wisdom of someone else who has been there, done that.
Why do we value lists? It’s because we value experience, or at least we should.
You know how to run your business. But that doesn’t mean you know how to move your company, or even to duplicate it in another part of the country. That’s why people count on the experience of others to help them through the process.
| Moving a company is not an everyday occurrence. In fact, for most companies, it’s a once — at most, twice — in a lifetime experience. |
Moving a company is not an everyday occurrence. In fact, for most companies, it’s a once — at most, twice — in a lifetime experience.
But you are ready to make a multimillion-dollar commitment to the future of your company by setting up operations in a new facility.
It’s an exhilarating time, but it’s also a time fraught with danger. Pick the wrong place and your business will be paying for it for years.
Fortunately, there are experts in the field of expansion and relocation who can help you through the process. You notice I didn’t say “guide you through the process.” I said “help” because there is a difference.
When you contract the services of a guide, you generally turn over the operation to them for the duration of the journey, and resume control at the conclusion. However, you didn’t become successful by doing things that way ... and you sure won’t remain successful by starting now.
That’s why I use the word “help.” It implies a partnership, with you being the controlling partner.
For those companies that can afford their services, there are consultants who specialize in expansions and relocations.
Then there are the economic development organizations representing just about every community and state in the nation, all chomping at the bit to get you to locate in their area. Not only that, but just about every major utility has an economic development department that can work with you on a more attractive rate schedule.
Then there are the industry magazines, like this one, that serve the dual function of educating you on the process of picking the right site, while also serving as a conduit for detailed information from state and local communities. Basically, we serve as information brokers, responding to your wants and needs, trying to help you make the best business decision possible on your new location.
And that brings us back to lists.
The amount of information you acquire between now and when you make your final location decision will astonish you. Never forget, though, that all information is relative. You’ll find yourself constantly asking, “Compared to what?”
A state’s tax rates are good or bad only when compared with the rates of other states. Same with unemployment insurance premiums or workers compensation rates or available work force or environmental regulations or land and construction prices or …
Well, you get the picture.
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