Every day I work exclusively with different businesses and organizations to help them improve their efficiency and work flow by finding an office space that better meets their needs – and budget. It’s worth taking a moment to reflect on some of the success stories of my clients and the difference their new work environment has made for their organization as a whole.

This month, let’s look at the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence and how their change in office space has improved their ability to better serve their constituents. Peg Dierkers, PCADV’s Executive Director, was kind enough to offer some insight into her experience working with Omni Realty Group and the comparison between her old office space versus her new location.

But first, some Background…

The mission of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) is to eliminate personal and institutional violence against women through programs providing support and safety to battered women, direct services, public information and education, systems advocacy and social change activities. This honorable organization has helped hundreds of local women escape violence and improve their quality of life.

PCADV’s old office was located in the Gateway Corporate Center on Route 22 and was originally flex space that had been converted into office space. It was easy to see that the industrial space was not made for an office environment. It was a maze of space that limited workflow and segmented staff, not to mention its inefficient use of energy that raised heating and cooling costs.

Fortunately, I was connected with PCADV and was excited to jump right in to help solve the problem.

Finding a new “home”

“Mike took special care to first understand our organization,” said Peg Dierkers, Executive Director. “He wanted to know about our company culture, workspace needs, where employees were commuting from and also considered our desire to stay easily accessible to people who need our services.”

Finding the right workspace for a business or organization is about so much more than simply square feet. There are countless options that can accommodate size, but what you really need to consider when choosing the perfect office space for your business are the various things that contribute to your efficiency, functionality and ultimately your culture.

I identified a variety of spaces well-suited to PCADV’s unique needs and toured each space, offering expert advice on both the benefits and limitations to consider.  When the ideal space was identified, I then negotiated hard for a good deal and provided market research for comparison. I also negotiated a detailed work letter with the landlord on behalf of PCADV to ensure the space would be customized to fit their needs.

The result

It took about one year from the time we began looking for new space to move-in, but the process was certainly worth it! PCADV’s new “home” is located at 3605 Vartan Way, Suite 101, Harrisburg, PA 17110 and the staff couldn’t be happier. They have been able to update and modernize nearly everything – even including their IT infrastructure. The space is much more communal and promotes cross-collaboration among employees. Most importantly, especially for a non-profit, is that the new lease is saving PCADV a ton of money which is more resources they can put back into the community.

This was Peg’s first time working with a commercial broker that is exclusively tenant rep/buyer agent and the experience is one she will always remember. Her biggest piece of advice for any other business seeking new office space is, “Never go it alone! Omni is a built-in expert consultant that can proactively eliminate problems and increase the value of the space you select.” Identifying the right space and negotiating a favorable lease enabled PCADV to move to the space they are in today.

The view of PCADV’s new office space via Google Maps.

The view of PCADV’s new office space via Google Earth.

Are you a business or organization looking to expand into a bigger commercial office space? I can help match you with the perfect location just as I did for PCADV. Contact me today for a free lease review and office space assessment!