​Just because there’s an option in your lease to roll over, is it really the best option for your business?
 
The question “Should I stay or should I go?” is one that should be considered carefully, even as early as mid-way through your lease. Commercial leasing is undoubtedly a more lengthy and complicated process than residential leasing, therefore more time should be given to sorting out possibilities, from lease renewal, to searching for a new premises altogether. 

Parenting Research Centre offers a unique service with the mission of helping children and families thrive by helping governments and community agencies put the best scientific evidence on parenting support into action. This fantastic organisation is changing the way we approach parenting support and helping Australian children thrive. 

Christian Thompson joined Parenting Research Centre in 2008 bringing with him a rich history of not-for-profit management experience. BRM Projects has worked with Christian across a number of projects and we had a chat with him about how he sees his workplace. 

BRM Projects has always enjoyed working on meaningful projects for organisations with a powerful message. Our work in the Not-For-Profit sector has seen us working with teams and individuals who care about their cause and work tirelessly to promote it.
 
We’ve partnered with Mike Zervos in the past on a number of different projects for charities he has worked for, providing property advice and office fit-outs. We’re now excited to join him as commercial property advisors in his newest role as Chief Executive Officer for Courage to Care, an outreach program that uses the memory of the Holocaust to encourage the fight against prejudice and discrimination.
 
We recently sat down with Mike to talk about past experiences together and to discuss his current role in this fantastic initiative.

What Is A Make Good?

A ‘Make Good’ obligation is essentially what it sounds like. It is the tenant’s obligation, when reaching the end of the lease term, to ensure that they ‘make good’ the premises before leaving. This is a standard clause of most commercial leases requiring the tenant to return the property to the landlord in its original, clean and tidy state. 

Make Goods exist in order to be fair to both parties when it comes to the make good works the tenant will be required to undertake. A well drafted Make Good clause will specify how certain areas and items will be handled at the end of the lease, making it clear for everyone. This may involve fit-outs installed by the tenant or ownership of certain items within the property. Ultimately, the Make Good clause contributes to a more seamless leasing process and avoids disputes between the tenant and landlord upon the end of the lease. 

There are certain projects we love delivering at BRM. Often they present a challenge by way of time or circumstance. WingArc Australia was one such project. 

BRM Projects came on board to offer strategic guidance at a time when WingArc Australia was undergoing a period of significant transition. Our involvement in the company’s move to a new workplace reflected the type of guidance we offer and how that guidance can make the difference between a quick fix and a truly successful outcome for the business.

​When selecting a new office space, it’s important to get this decision right. Your new workspace can influence your internal work culture and says something about your brand to visitors.

If your workspace isn’t working for you, now is the time to start thinking about why and what you can do about it.

So, why do so many fail to allocate a realistic budget and allow for upfront costs? 
​

​Location is always a key factor with any type of real estate decision. Ideally, the location of your office should be convenient to get to for employees and clients.

Think about how your employees travel to work. Consider the proximity to public transport, parking, even bike tracks, if you have a few employees who like to ride to work.

Business is now more reliant on technology than ever before. When moving to a new office space, it can be the IT infrastructure that causes the biggest headache. You can avoid this with some forward thinking prior to signing your lease.

Searching for new office space gives you an opportunity to consider the ways you can improve your eco-footprint.
An energy efficient workspace will have a direct impact on your bottom line and positively impact the environment.
When assessing space options, consider responsible workplace design and look at how the building adheres to some of the simple environmentally sustainable practices.