How to move from Head Office to a local office successfully
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We recently talked about how to move from local to HO – so now’s here’s the reverse situation. Working in a local office or depot can bring great rewards and insights to how the business works at customer level. Here are some tips on how to make this move a success!
1. Culture and norms
Every location in a business will have its own culture and norms, so find out how things work at your new location quickly by asking for a ‘Buddy’ to help you settle in, or asking your new manager to list those people it will be good to introduce yourself to. This way you can engage with a wide range of people to find out how the business works, how your new department connects with or supports theirs, what the local policies and ways of working are, and their expectations of you. Equally, they will benefit from knowing more about you and what you bring to your new role.
2. Work on your network
From here it’s a short step to broadening out this new, local network in the name of ‘getting to know how the business runs’. Use your ‘newness’ as a great door opener to connect with areas of the business which don’t directly interact with yours but which help you understand the broader context the business operates in. You need to know, for example, who the local competitors are and any trade union involvement in the business, if applicable.
3. Share your contacts
Be generous in turn and use your existing contacts at HO to help your new colleagues to connect with people that might help them resolve organisational issues, or develop their careers or networks. Equally, don’t forget to keep in touch with your former colleagues. Keeping a healthy network going is really important when driving our careers and building our brand and reputation.
4. See the development opportunity
Working locally invariably gives us great operational insights and direct contact with customers. Use this to develop your commercial acumen and broader business awareness; of products, pricing, competitors, development opportunities and contacts with local business and professional forums. In turn, you may find this allows you to give your Head Office contacts vital feedback about how policies and initiatives work locally, what works well for them or causes problems; as long as others know what you are doing – and don’t see you as some HO spy reporting back on their flaws!
5. Champion local work at Head Office
You may also have the opportunity, and be encouraged by your manager, to promote what is happening locally to HO or other locations. Many organisations struggle when it comes to sharing organisational best practice so if your previous role at HO allows you to bridge some of the communication gaps on behalf of your new location this could be a boon and enhance their reputation as a place to gain great experience.
6. Avoid comparisons
Don’t fall into the pitfall of constant comparisons between HO and your new location. HO environments tend to be plush, housing the Executive Team, playing host to important clients, perhaps providing the background to product launches. So be careful not to come across to your new colleagues as someone who finds the local office ‘wanting’. It won’t be appreciated!
TAKE AWAY
Whether moving to a local office from a Head Office role is a long-term move or a short secondment, use the opportunity to build your awareness of the business, your commercial acumen, develop and share your contacts for the benefit of yourself and your new colleagues and promote best practice initiatives where possible. You’ll find the experience invaluable.
1. Culture and norms
Every location in a business will have its own culture and norms, so find out how things work at your new location quickly by asking for a ‘Buddy’ to help you settle in, or asking your new manager to list those people it will be good to introduce yourself to. This way you can engage with a wide range of people to find out how the business works, how your new department connects with or supports theirs, what the local policies and ways of working are, and their expectations of you. Equally, they will benefit from knowing more about you and what you bring to your new role.
2. Work on your network
From here it’s a short step to broadening out this new, local network in the name of ‘getting to know how the business runs’. Use your ‘newness’ as a great door opener to connect with areas of the business which don’t directly interact with yours but which help you understand the broader context the business operates in. You need to know, for example, who the local competitors are and any trade union involvement in the business, if applicable.
3. Share your contacts
Be generous in turn and use your existing contacts at HO to help your new colleagues to connect with people that might help them resolve organisational issues, or develop their careers or networks. Equally, don’t forget to keep in touch with your former colleagues. Keeping a healthy network going is really important when driving our careers and building our brand and reputation.
4. See the development opportunity
Working locally invariably gives us great operational insights and direct contact with customers. Use this to develop your commercial acumen and broader business awareness; of products, pricing, competitors, development opportunities and contacts with local business and professional forums. In turn, you may find this allows you to give your Head Office contacts vital feedback about how policies and initiatives work locally, what works well for them or causes problems; as long as others know what you are doing – and don’t see you as some HO spy reporting back on their flaws!
5. Champion local work at Head Office
You may also have the opportunity, and be encouraged by your manager, to promote what is happening locally to HO or other locations. Many organisations struggle when it comes to sharing organisational best practice so if your previous role at HO allows you to bridge some of the communication gaps on behalf of your new location this could be a boon and enhance their reputation as a place to gain great experience.
6. Avoid comparisons
Don’t fall into the pitfall of constant comparisons between HO and your new location. HO environments tend to be plush, housing the Executive Team, playing host to important clients, perhaps providing the background to product launches. So be careful not to come across to your new colleagues as someone who finds the local office ‘wanting’. It won’t be appreciated!
TAKE AWAY
Whether moving to a local office from a Head Office role is a long-term move or a short secondment, use the opportunity to build your awareness of the business, your commercial acumen, develop and share your contacts for the benefit of yourself and your new colleagues and promote best practice initiatives where possible. You’ll find the experience invaluable.