Making Your Office More Green

I recently read a great blog by Turnstone about making your office more green with the addition of plants(click here to read their blog). I know this topic has been broached before, especially if you're trying to avoid your coworker's colds (geraniums are great!), but there is something about a vase of flowers or a potted English Ivy during a dreary winter which adds a bit a sunshine to your work area. Check out Turnstone's Blog and consider making an addition to your desk or office space!

Click here!

Happy Holidays from B&OI!

Whether you're celebrating your second day of Hannukah, scrambling for your last minute Christmas gifts, or just happy that NBA basketball is starting/NFL playoffs are around the corner/NHL is having a good season or that Mission Impossible comes out next week, Bank & Office Interiors wants to wish you and your family a Happy Holiday Season and a wonderful New Year!

retrieved from http://www.jockpost.com/

So enjoy the festivities and stay warm! Like my father always says..."Be good. But if you can't be good, be safe". i.e. be careful with your travels and your parties!

Best Wishes,
Kendal

Your Worklife Without the Copier?

In March 1960, a curious new machine was first delivered to a customer by a small, little known company; Haloid Xerox.  It was the size of two clothes washers and weighed 650 lbs.  A few of them were prone to setting themselves on fire. It was the Xerox 914; the world’s first commercial electro-photographic copying machine. It revolutionized business and now copiers are a business necessity.

Can you imagine what your work life would be like without the copier? Before it became a “must-have”, clerks and secretaries spent incalculable hours typing out documents on a typewriter with carbon paper to insure a copy could be retained. Make a mistake?  Start over.

Today, the copier is an omnipresent part of the office landscape.

They glory days of the copier are, however, limited. Bank & Office has implemented Document Locator; an electronic document management system.  Eventually, all documents will be cataloged in an electronic library accessible quickly and easily by anyone on all sorts of devices. Together with progressive customers, we can do business using electronic documents exclusively.  Ultimately, we will be able to reduce the number of copiers and printers, saving money, space, electricity, paper and other resources. Filing needs will drop dramatically.  We can spend more of our time helping our customer.

Bank & Office owners’ willingness to invest in Electronic Document Management puts us in a position of leadership amongst businesses in Washington State and our peers in the nation-wide furniture industry. We will be able to offer customers a more cost effective, agile, and environmentally friendly way to do business with us which none of our competitors can match.  It’s a win for the customer, it’s a win for us and it’s LEAN!

~ Danä – Director of IT

How Email is a Bad Thing

When I do new-hire orientations on our Information Technology resources, one of the major topics is e-mail.  The first thing I say is: “E-mail has become the most important means of business communication.  That’s too bad.  Communicating by e-mail is a very stark, raw form compared to sitting down with someone and having a conversation where you have rich visual and verbal elements that drastically enhance the communication. Even a phone call is better than e-mail”. I then go on to discuss policies and best practices to help manage one’s e-mail.

It might seem incongruous that an I.T. Director would discourage the use of e-mail, but this is a thoughtfully deliberated position that touches on issues of community, mentality, perception and success. It is ironic to note that as technology has given us more and more ways of communicating, there is an indisputable and significant decline of physical interaction. Physical interaction is, however, the necessity of community and even more fundamentally, humanity.

Here’s a company which, with more pragmatic motivations, is radically assaulting the morass of e-mail: http://news.yahoo.com/tech-firm-implements-employee-zero-email-policy-165311050.html

Think about this topic and maybe you’ll find yourself having more face to face conversations and reap the benefits thereof.

~ Danä – Director of IT

Beat the Holiday Pounds at the Office!

On Monday morning, I stepped on the scale in the middle of my workout and cringed. After four days of being thankful for various food dishes and beverages, my body was telling me, rather blatantly, that I may have taken gluttony to a new level.

To beat the turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, various types of pie and wine out of me, I plan on taking additional steps at the office to help shed some calories. Here are four tips to help  jump start the activity:

1. Take fitness breaks. I've written responses to a few articles that talk about how your office chair is killing you. The first step is actually getting up from your desk every 50 minutes to an hour. Set your outlook calendar, your cell phone, your co-worker...anything that makes you move.
Your response could be "but I'm busy and in the middle of a major project". Take one minute,  push your chair away from your desk, lean back and stretch your arms over your head. Pick your feet off the floor and rotate your ankles. Roll your shoulders, softly roll your neck....and get back to work! Repeat every hour!

2. Get your co-workers involved. Know a few colleagues you don't mind talking with in the cafe at lunch time? Why don't you suggest taking the conversation to go! Pack a healthy wrap so you can eat while you walk without the mess and burn those calories. You can set a goal to walk at least 2 times per week.
Your response could be "but it's winter and the weather is gross". Very true. I work in a center that has 5 flights of stairs and rather walkable paths indoors. Is there a mall close by? Mall walkers are not just our grandparents! How about a Lowes or Home Depot? Don't let this derail you...just get creative!

3. Find a few desk routines. There are many websites that offer different exercises you can do at your desk. Like this one. Or this one. And here's a youtube video workout.
You could say "but I'll look funny and awkward". I can't stand there and tell your co-workers to stop chuckling or staring. And you may have to explain to your boss why you're doing lunges in your workspace. However, as you continue to get fitter and this becomes more of a second nature, inevitably the stares will stop and those same coworkers may start coming to you for advice.

4. Stay hydrated. Water. Lots of it. All day. Cut back your coffee/tea intake, try and remove soda from your diet and drink lots of water. I've also read having a smaller water glass will  help get you away from your desk to get more water...instant break!
You shouldn't have a response to this one...we've been told since we were 8 that 8 glasses a day of water is a good thing. They may have take away Pluto as a planet and the Triceratops existence - but water is still a necessary.

There are many additional articles you can find on this - here is Mayo Clinic's article and Prevention's article. Also bing/google searching "exercise at the office" or "workouts at the office" brings up a bunch of info, as well. Additionally, this is one of my favorite topics - so if you want more info on health at the office, check out this article and this article.

Stay Healthy!

Kendal

Giving Thanks

Last night, I watched a program that claimed the Indians may not have been invited so much to the first Thanksgiving as just sort of showing up hearing all the commotion. All 90 of them. And then, realizing there wasn't enough food, brought some more deer meat to even things out. To be fair  though, the only reason the pilgrims had food in the first place and were able to celebrate was because the Indians taught them how to plant and harvest. So I don't think it's necessarily a bad trade off then that 390 years later, we're really celebrating a house party that got crashed.

Click here for the Indians possibly crashing the Pilgrims party.

Click here for the History channel's overview of Thanksgiving.

Whatever your personal reasons for celebrating the holiday (seeing family and friends, watching many hours of football or the traditional Macy's parade, using it as your one guilt free day off your diet), we truly hope you and your family have a very Happy Thanksgiving. We have hundreds of days a year to worry, stress, be angry and frustrated about what's going on in the world and in our lives. But let's use Thanksgiving for a day to be thankful for anything we do have (be it a little or a lot).

Take Care and have a wonderful holiday!

Kendal

One Lean Journey Leads to Another

Partnering with customers beyond furniture
by Dana Devol - Director of IT

Local Steelcase Workplace consultant Jacquie Hartmann and Bank & Office Interiors had a good relationship with a major client, the University of Washington (www.washington.edu ). Still, competition for the UW’s business had been mounting and Jacquie knew in order to continue the relationship they had to strengthen it. Steelcase needed to make the move from vendor to customer to vendor/partner.

It turned out Steelcase’s Lean experience ( www.lean.org) was the key to that transformation.

Jim Keane, president of Steelcase Group ( http://www.steelcase.com/), came to Seattle to meet with V’Ella Warren, the university’s senior vice president of Finance and Facilities. They discussed sustainability, pricing, research and innovation. But what really caught V’Ella’s attention was when Jim brought up how Steelcase has had success applying lean manufacturing principles to their office processes.

Jacquie, Kurt Jonker, Steelcase Director of Project & Process Management, and Mark Swets, Steelcase Office Lean consultant, sat down with V’Ella and Ruth Johnston, vice president of Strategy, to discuss lean concepts, principles, and tools, and to share where Steelcase is in their “lean in the office” journey.

That conversation compelled them to delve deeper, so Steelcase offered to help the UW as a partner help them start out on their own Lean journeys. The Steelcase team agreed to consult on a specific process identified by the university: furniture ordering and purchasing. B&OI Dealer Principal Jeff Rospond was assigned as co-lead of the Lean engagement along with the university’s Director of Purchasing, Dennis Gawlik.

The University of Washington team participates in a lean
training session in Grand Rapids 

To fully expose the UW group to the principles of Lean, V’Ella and Ruth knew it would be valuable to have them visit Steelcase and experience our operations firsthand. So UW paid the travel expenses for eight them fly them fly out for several days of training. “Steelcase made sure the agenda was loaded with hands-on experiences,” says Kurt, including classroom training, gemba (the Japanese word for “the actual place” or as we say, “go and see”) walking and an intensive four-hour lean simulation. The group also met with several Steelcase executives who shared their perspectives on lean and how the process has helped Steelcase become more fit.

During training, “we were also learning more about the issues that impact what they buy from us,” explains Jacquie. “Right now they’re sitting in a lot of our first-generation furniture.” When they came to Grand Rapids and saw our newer products, “they began asking, ‘How can we help you better represent your brand on campus?’”

B&OI and Steelcase’s focus was on helping to accommodate the university’s purchasing. And now? Along with B&OI, Jacquie is working with UW on several research projects, consulting on collaborative workspace arrangements and interfacing with high-level staff on a regular basis. “There are things they’re coming to us with now that they wouldn’t have thought to ask us about before,” she says. “It really demonstrates the way our relationship has changed.”

-Source: Steelcase 360 Magazine – edited for this blog

Staying Healthy at the Office

On Tuesday this week, my running partner showed up to Greenlake at 5am with a bad cold. Personally, I'm a proponent of trying to exercise all the bad stuff out, if possible (I do not recommend if you have bronchitis or walking pneumonia). So jogging a nice steady pace in the brisk weather wasn't terrible. However, it reminded me that we're hitting that time of year when our coworkers are getting sick from their kids and coming to the office anyway. And this leads to other coworkers getting sick from them....and there's not enough airborne or vitamin c in the grocery store to save you once you catch it.

So, I've done a little digging to offer some tips on attempting to stay healthy this cold season. Some are obvious - but it's always good to have a reminder now and then:

1. Keep your hands clean and avoid touching your face. Mother Nature Network says "it's all too easy to touch something in the workplace that someone else with a cold has touched, too". I am a perpetual face toucher. So even though I constantly wash my hands, I'm still at risk.

2. Keep your workspace clean. About.com says "Clean your phone, computer keyboard and anything else that you use frequently. Even if you are the only user, germs can live on these objects and you can reinfect yourself". I keep a container of lysol disinfecting wipes at my station and wipe it down every other day...just in case.

3. Chew Ginger. According to Genius Beauty Magazine, "Chew the roots of a sweet flag and ginger. They are rich in essential oils with antibacterial properties. Break a bit off the root, put it in your mouth and chew until tasteless". Those who are pregnant or have stomach troubles should probably pass though!

4. Keep an air ionizer by your desk. According to Business Insider, "This will purify air from dust particles and bacteria, keeping you healthier overall. We like this one on Amazon for $30."

5. Keep geranium on your desk. According to Business Insider, "The leaves of the plant emit phytoncides that kill airborne  bacteria. When you feel like sneeze coming, tear a leaf off the plant and rub it between your fingers to release more phytoncides. Inhale a pleasant odor for a moment instead of sneezing all over your workspace".

For more great tips, click on the links above for the full articles. Stay Healthy!!!

~ Kendal

I Work Too Much

I work too much.  Of course, it is my fault.  I have a dozen tasks I’m juggling and I find it hard to put them all aside. It’s as if I think the world would screech to a halt to the woe of everyone else. That’s just plain silly. Time away from all that busy-ness (aka “business”) is important. 

Last week, I took a road trip to Walla Walla ( http://www.wallawalla.org/ ) in the Southeast Washington.  We drove slow, taking small back roads and stopping frequently to enjoy a sweeping vista or a curious road-side tableau.  Standing on an outcrop of rock with a chilly brisk wind, deep breaths were draughts of pure re-creation. We stayed at a Bed & Breakfast (http://www.innatblackberrycreek.com/ ) that was charming and the people were so nice. It was a delight to amble along with no deadline, no rush. These are good things. They restore a degree of humanness which our mad-dash world crushes. I’m back at my desk now, refreshed and ready to take on the remains of the year.  But I’m planning my next journey….

 

Danä, Director of IT

Tips for Staying Awake at the Office

Today is Wednesday and the 5th day of carmageddon here in Seattle. With one of our main streets closed (the poor Viaduct) for 10 days, I have been getting in the past 3 days around 7am. On top of that, I haven't been sleeping too well, so this is the 3rd night in a row with about 4 hours of sleep in me. Needless to say I'm tired and starting to fade...

It is important, however, that I continue producing good work for my company. With meetings and presentations and bids, I'm not allowed to slip, no matter how tired I am! Here are a few tips and tricks I've found over the Internet to help me (and possibly you) stay awake at work!


Tip number 1 from WikiHow: Use your sense of smell. Apparently smells both good and bad can jar us into waking up. They recommend Rosemary, Eucalyptus gum, Peppermint, and Pine Oil

A tip from Medicinenet.com is to get up and walk around. Just because your working doesn't mean you can't be moving. This helps increase blow flow and improve circulation thus making you more alert.

Buzzle.com suggest splashing a little cold water on your face and turning on the fan. That little shock will definitely wake you up!

And, if you pulled an all nighter, eHow has some tips for surviving a day with no sleep (I hope you like coffee!). Click here for the article!

I hope these tips help to keep you up and ready at the office. Make sure to check out the articles from WikiHow, Medicinenet.com Buzzle.com and eHow for some more great info!

~ Kendal

Need CEU Training? Check out this event!

Need CEU training? Check out this great event hosted by Bank & Office Interiors, Fuller Associates and Vanerum Stelter that will take place in two locations!

First, Spokaneon November 8th:



And check out the Seattle event on November 10th!

 Hope you can make it!

~ Kendal

Business Cards and Why They're Still Relevant

About a year ago, a local vendor came in to discuss his new and improved furniture line. After the meeting was over, we started chatting about the use of social media and its extremely large presence in the world. And then he said the oddest thing - "soon business cards will be obsolete". Obsolete? Really? He then told me a story about how he had just gone to a conference in Vegas and met two European gentlemen he wanted to network with. He pulled out his business cards, they pulled out their smart phones...they wanted to connect virtually instantly (via LinkedIn). They no longer carry business cards. Well that's slightly embarrassing, I guess. Apparently America is still one step behind the current trend...

So what does this mean? The days of shaking hands and exchanging cards in a face to face fashion are going away? Soon everything will be virtual and digital and smart. Well, not necessarily. "Exchanging contact details is still not high tech to everyone. There are still a good number of people who prefer the business card over modern marketing means" - Martha Killian (http://ezinearticles.com/).

Martha's article discusses the advantages of having a strong card to represent your business. As she mentions, not everyone is tech savvy and there are many who still prefer the old-fashioned Rolodex. It's also not as archaic as some may have you believe. Going to local events with your business card stack refreshed allows you to introduce yourself and pull out your info...icebreaker solved. You can check out this article from Amazing Webzine for more ideas.

As we continue to work outside the office, the importance of branding yourself and your company via the old rectangular cardboard-like paper is still as relevant as ever. Having all your networking capabilities on your card will allow you to connect in the virtual world. But first, maintaining that first impression with a simple card will continue to help your business grow in the real world.

So! Time for new business cards?

Check out Vista Print for great prices.

You can be Zazzled

And you can be sustainable from 123print

Happy Designing!

Kendal

A Quick Way to Brighten Up Your Day? Task Lighting!

Today it is gray in Seattle. Tomorrow will most likely be gray, as well. And if I'm honest with myself, I will probably rarely get to see the sun shine over the next 8 months. How does one fight off the urge to move to Arizona after sitting in a dark office for 8-10 hours? Why, task lighting of course! Cute, fun and effective ways to keep the gloomy days ahead out doors. Here are 4 of my favorites that we have scattered around the showroom:

The Terea from Luxo "combines energy-efficient LEDs, ergonomics and compact design for an incomparable value. Terea, which efficiently and cost-effectively illuminates any work surface with maintenance-free operation, better articulates its ergonomics with the effortless tilt of its arm and complete flexibility of its head. This allows the light to fall asymmetrically across the work surface providing optimal lighting and functionality". I also enjoy the modern look and feel it brings to the desktop.



The Ovelo from Luxo is a "uniquely designed LED task light for the modern office. Complete with a timer which automatically turns the light off after 9 hours of use to ensure energy savings, this task light uses 6W dimmable LEDs to illuminate an entire work surface. A combination aluminum and steel construction and covered spring-balanced arm provides complete flexibility of the pivoting arm and lamp head". It kind of looks like a classy donut...but I love it!

The Pisa by Details  "is a uniquely designed free-standing, incandescent task light. Pisa leans up to 20 degrees in any direction to position light where you need it most. Making it useful as a lighting supplement in a workstation or wherever direct light is hard to get". It was one of the first desk lamps I saw in the offce and fell in love with it's cool color and "home-like" design.

And lastly, but certainly not least, is the Dash Light by Details. "Designed in collaboration with Foster + partners - the new dash LED Task Light is as much about improving how we work as it is about making a subtle statement with its design. Featuring clean lines, fluid movement and a timeless aesthetic, dash provides optimal lighting in nearly every environment. Yielding a soft consistent pool of light which “falls off” considerably less than other LED lamps. It is the first freestanding LED task lamp to achieve BIFMA Level 1 certification - utilizing a mercury-free LED and a wireless current to eliminate PVC. Use dash to complete a space or define it. The freedom is yours". They have so many colors to chose from...who wouldn't want a desk lamp with a colorway of Wasabi?

I may have to go commandeer one of the showroom samples of these task lights for my space...but which one to choose???  

 ~ Kendal

Office Shenanigans

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shenanigan

Due to an influx in projects and deadlines, I could not come up with a well thought out blog for today. However, that does not mean I can not supply you with a somewhat entertaining  post. When thinking of something quick and fun I could write about, I randomly thought of the word "shenanigans". And then I searched the phrase "office shenanigans" online and found some odd, yet hilarious, short videos for your enjoyment.

Tin Foil? Click here!
Post its? Click here!  - "it changes the whole room".
Poor Craig! Click here! ...and the consequence

I didn't know this, but I guess Butterfingers had a promotion for an office shenanigan, too. Click here for one of the entries!


Working in a showroom, we don't get to partake in crazy shenanigans like these (which is fine). And unless you know your coworkers are cool with small pranks, I wouldn't recommend gift wrapping their cube for their birthday without knowing their temperament, as well as your company's tolerance policy.

Alright, it seems we are close to getting through this hump day - thank you for letting my slack a little and I hope you enjoyed the videos!

~ Kendal

The Workspace and Productivity

About 20 minutes ago, I came across a great article by Tanha Patel on Designing for Organization Effectiveness.  Imagine then my inspiration when I go to Steelcase's homepage and see the above image staring back at me. "67% of workers feel their current spaces do no support a variety of activities". It must be a sign that today's blog should be an ode to creating a flowing workspace.

Patel discusses three key elements to foster efficiency: People, Systems, and Tools.

"Workplaces today are being perceived as a space that fosters creativity and transparent communication. And, organizational effectiveness doesn’t mean utilizing more space, but it means using the physical space more wisely". Additionally, she gives tips and strategies to create a balanced and more productive workspace (check out the full article here).

• Reflect the goals, purpose, and culture of the organization
• Maximize organic, and multi-directional communication
• Maintain equilibrium between flexibility, privacy, and collaboration
• Accommodate multiple generations of workers and their work styles
• Encourage high employee engagement

Steelcase also has some tips for gaining efficiency and creating harder working spaces (click here for full article - quite long, but very informational):

• maximize real estate utilization
• foster and support collaboration
• help attract and engage talent
• reinforce the culture and build the brand of the organization.

Both Patel and Steelcase acknowledge that a more efficient workspace creates a better, more productive environment for businesses of all shapes and sizes. If your company is currently looking for new ideas, I highly recommend checking out http://www.workspacedesignmagazine.com/ and http://www.360.steelcase.com/. Both are great resources!

~ Kendal

The Joys of Giving Back

Making the streets of Seattle squeaky clean

Yesterday, I wrote a blog for B&OI's internal website on community service. It seems we have a lot of people involved in different organizations and causes and that is something that should be acknowledged and celebrated. As a company, B&OI donates money to charities, participates in the adopt a street program (our Operations team rocks!), as well as contributes gift wrapped carts to a local hospital's children's holiday party. Individual employees are part of multiple charitable organizations and donate time and effort to making hundreds of lives a little bit better.

"I wish I could be involved", you say to yourself, "but I don't have the time, money, resources, etc. right now". You know the amazing thing about getting involved? It doesn't have to be a huge contribution / time commitment if you don't want it to be. Giving $10 to a local charity, buying those girl scout cookies, running / walking in a 5k race, donating shoes and lightly used clothing to church groups/ homeless shelters - easy ways to help out without a large burden. When you find you have more time, get involved with charities / organizations that mean something to you. You may find they don't need board members - just specific events to attend and help out on.

It feels good to give back! Have a Washington State Charity you want people to know about? Post it below!

Staying Fit in the Office - Edition 2

Personally, I think going to the office can be painful (and recent articles concur!). Depending on your current employment situation, you could be sitting at your desk for 8 hours a day, ignoring your body, blinding your senses with the computer monitor lights or worse, squinting to see your mobile devices latest email from your boss while simultaneously doing a PowerPoint presentation on the importance of sustainability in the office.

In my first blog regarding your health and the office, I mentioned a lot of articles depicting the negative affect sitting all day does to our body. I also listed a few possible ways to get out of your chair - including a desk that can raise for standing height, exercises you can do discreetly, and trying to talk your boss into getting a walk station! 

I thought it would be good to introduce you to a  few more cool ideas for your office!

Meet Sit to Walk Station!

The younger sibling of the Walkstation, this little beauty fits conveniently under your height adjustable desk for easy movement and flow. It's personal and convenient!

 Meet Kybun Footpad

A second cousin of the walkstations, this footbed provides necessary blood flow which helps remove toxins! Again, perfect for the height adjustable desk!

And finally,  meet the Mini Pedal Exerciser

If you're like me, you may have lost your height adjustable desk and semi private space to the accounting girl who no longer works at your office. Or, your office doesn't have a budget to install the sit to walk in every station - and if Jimmy and Johnny can't have a sit to walk station, there's no way you'll be getting one in the foreseeable future. Enter the manual mini bike. These puppies run from $20 - $140 depending on just how serious your pedaling needs are. I will be getting the cheapest model possible because I'm really just trying to have body movement throughout the day as opposed to trying to hit my cardio goals (I'm at the gym reeeaaallllyyyy early for that). Amazon has quite the variety...check them out here!

In conclusion, keep moving (tap your feet, circle your arms, do some squat lunges)! I know it's easy to get tied to the computer. But getting up every 50 minutes or introducing your feet to a mini pedal exerciser is a great way to keep the blood flow moving!

Kendal

The Education Movement - Creating Spaces for Today's Learner

I still remember going to the computer lab in 3rd grade and having to pass a typing program before being allowed to move on to cooler things...like The Oregon Trail and Odell Down Under. Once you passed said program, it was the luck of where you got to sit which allowed you to walk to the front of the room and choose the floppy disk that held the prized games - sometimes you got stuck with math or spelling, sometimes you got to buy oxen. Either way, it was a much different time.

The year was 1992.  Fast forward to 2011 and I don't think too many of today's high schoolers would know what a floppy disk is, much less those in elementary school. The truth is, they have been blessed and cursed with a wide array of technology that allows them to learn things differently than I did 20 years ago. With these new concepts and tools, a shift is trying to be made to accommodate these advancements. There needs to be more flexibility in the classroom and spaces provided to the students. Fortunately, I came across two great articles that expand on these ideas.

San Jose State University posted a blog on Monday about bringing in furniture that meets the needs of today's students. "One Workplace and SJSU worked together to develop a classroom  that meets the needs of 21st century students and teachers, focusing on the ability to deliver and receive content in several different ways" (Amanda Holst).

"If students are sitting in a dynamic and engaged environment, they feel better about coming back to class and are more likely to seek out information and learn outside the classroom" - Mary McVey

I feel that statement makes sense - no kid, aged 4 - 23, wants to walk into a boring classroom. And with so much media and technology available, it's no wonder this shift is occurring. A recent article in the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce discusses how the school library is getting a face lift, as well. "The new school library must become more than shelves of books and silent reading. It must evolve into an active resource center supporting a more dynamic model of student learning" - Craig Mason

These shifts to a more modern classroom and breaking the mold of the traditional system have been coming up more and more as further technological advancements get made. The great thing about these advancements is that architects and designers, as well as furniture manufacturers have jumped on this shift with open arms and want to provide these students with the best spaces and products possible. Check out this article from Steelcase about Innovation in the classroom for some great insight and research on the topic.

Additionally, while poking around, I found this great blog from a teacher in Australia who's ideas and writings are entertaining as well as intelligent and thought provoking: http://whatedsaid.wordpress.com/

Giving Hospital Patient Rooms a Facelift - Looking Towards the Future

I don't know a single person who likes to go to the hospital...much less have to stay in one for a medical reason. And I don't blame them. First, most people don't want to be sick or hurt and have to stay in a hospital. Second, if it does occur, the hospital room you're staying in is definitely not the Ritz. Oh no, it is a sanitized, tiled, somewhat dark, probably 2 person cold excuse for a room. I know you're there to heal, but it does not ooze with that comforting feeling of your own space that you're used to and would most likely choose to be in if you could.

An article was brought to me this morning from newest edition of O Magazine that our Healthcare Specialist, Anne, and I agreed would be a great step in patient care. Meet Fable Hospital 2.0 - a blueprint for a hosptial created by researchers that would be a most ideal place for a patient to be...

 

Updates would include a more spacious bathroom with double doors so that staff could help more easily. An adaptable headwall allowing for more flexible space and less moving around for the patient. Single rooms for patients ensures more sleep and less likely of spreading diseases. Carpet reduces injuries from falls as well as protects against certain pathogens. Rooms with views of nature or just big windows - studies have shown less medication is used in rooms that are sunny or have views. Additionally, hand sanitizers, sound absorbing ceilings and soothing music would also improve the patient's stay.

The downside to Fable Hospital is the price tag. Lauren Dzubow wrote that these features would increase construction costs by about $29 million. The upside, turn around time on the investment - these upgrades would save you $10 million annually, getting your ROI in 3 years.

Overall, this article makes some great points on where healthcare should be and is going. There are hospitals that have been adapting some of these methods, so here's to hoping that hospitals being built follow this blueprint.

Check out O Magazine! I couldn't find this article on their website, but my next read will be "Making your workday healthier, happier...and oh so fulfilling".  


~ Kendal

What's in your lunch box?

It's 11:55am on a Wednesday morning and you're starving...what are you going to do? If you planned ahead, you're probably hitting up the office refrigerator and digging through various sizes, colors and shapes of bags attempting to find your lunch. If you forgot and/or were running late, you're either going to hit the vending machine or find the closest take out place to enjoy a high calorie, slightly pricey solution to the hunger problem.

Now don't get me wrong - I love hitting a teryaki place as much as the next person. But bringing in a lunch has a lot of benefits to it. For starters, you'll save daily. Sure, $5 a day (hitting a dollar menu somewhere) may not seem like a lot. But that's a minimum of $25 per week, $100 a month, $1200 a year (give or take for holidays and vacations). Additionally, you may think getting that salad is "healthy" - but that creamy dressing or extra meat and cheese isn't helping your diet. There are definitely healthy to go options out there, but without looking at the total nutrition page (so you really want 1500 mg of sodium in your 400 calorie lunch), there are areas you're hurting yourself in you're probably not realizing...and as a previous post I wrote on the negative effects of sitting tells you, you need to help your body as much as you can.

"But Kendal, I don't want to eat a turkey sandwich every day - that's boring!".
"But Kendal, I don't have time for this!"

I understand these arguments. As I currently suffer from boredom and lack of hours in the day, I've found these cool websites to help you plan your lunches. You're welcome!

The Brown Bag Brigade gives some great tips on how to plan for and make some great lunches!

Eating Well has some great, healthy lunch ideas to keep you from getting bored!

Healthy Lunch Ideas is a big blog with a lot of coolness to it...definitely a good idea to explore!

The Office Diet actually gives you a grocery list for 10 days of food...though the cost is in British Pounds.


So remember, bringing your lunch (and snacks!) to work saves you money and gives you healthier options.

Bon Appetit!
Kendal

Your office, your space - how to have fun with accessories

If you are fortunate enough to work at a company that respects your individuality, you may be allowed to create a space that lets you exude your personal style onto your desk. After all, most full time employees work 40 hours a week (if not more) out of 168 hours possible in 7 days: 24% of our time devoted to our companies. It only seems fair that having some accessories to perk us up during those long hours be allowed in our areas.

Personal Pictures and Photography!

I prefer showing off people I love and places I've been to. It reminds me why I work so hard - so I can spend more time with them. Have one picture of you and your family, friends or as many as you need to stay motivated! Also, enjoy some witty phrases and design to keep your space fun! 

Plants!

Something about a plant makes your space feel better. Maybe it's the extra oxygen? Or that small feeling that you're closer to the outdoors? Whatever it is, if you enjoy the thought of living organisms creating a clean and green aura around your desk, adopt a plant today!

Supporting Your Local Teams!

That first trophy on the left is from my team in La Liga - I proudly support my local soccer leagues. The second? You are in "dawg country" in our Seattle Showroom, as well as Sounders, Seahawks, and Mariners. Show your pride to the office! Sports are a huge part of our culture - I'm sure you may have a favorite in some league?

Add some color!

Sometimes adding bright colors to your space can beat those rainy day blues (or a "case of the Moondays" ~ Office Space). Adding pinks, blues, greens and yellows throughout can make your drab space look fab!

Trinkets and Personal Creations

I work in a creative office. Our front desk admin, Mary, made the cupcake tier to the left. Cyndi, one of our sales associates, found this angel at a craft fair to the right. Knick-knacks, homemade art, pieces that make you feel more comfortable at work help promote your personal happiness and overall can help with your productivity. Explore pieces that make your desk feel homey without over-cluttering.

By being allowed to express yourself, a company shows its flexibility to their employees. Bring in a few pieces to make your space your own! Have any pieces I'm missing? Let us know in the comment section!

~ Kendal



Staying in this weekend? Rent a classic "office" film?

It's hump day. And though Friday and the weekend seems rather far away, it's not a bad idea to start thinking about ways to kick back and enjoy. For my west coast friends. it's supposed to be sunny and 70' this weekend, so make sure you get out and enjoy the sunshine! But in the evening (when it's down to 55), grab some popcorn, a couple of sodas, and consider watching a movie or two in the "office" genre.

An article by Christopher Null (2003) from CNN Money has a great overview of classic office films with some words of wisdom and insights. You can find that here. He lists the following:

1. The Fountainhead (1949)
2. The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1956)
3. The Apartment (1960)
4. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967)
5. Save the Tiger (1973)
6. 9 to 5 (1980)
7. Brazil (1985)
8. Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
9. Time Out (L'Emploi du Temps) 2001

To be honest, I have seen one and heard of two of these films. So might I suggest these four additional films about the office/work:

1. Office Space (1999)
2. The Firm (1993)
3. Gung Ho (1986)
4. Disclosure (1994)

These, too, have lessons about trust, hard work, cultural diversity, ethics, power, etc. Do you have any suggestions that can fit in to the "office" category?

~ Kendal

Is your workplace evolving with current trends and technology?

We are working in an interconnected global world. As technology continues to improve and global marketplaces become easier to get to, the need to develop and offer the most current trends in office space and tools becomes a necessity to retain the best employees. Steelcase has written a great  informational blog/white paper on the importance of having an interconnected workplace. Here are a few interesting excerpts from the article:

This new workplace must address the diverse ways people are working today. It must support enhanced collaboration, the essence of knowledge work. It needs to inspire and attract people to work at the office instead of the coffee shop. It should nurture personal wellbeing, and leverage organizational culture and the company’s brand. Overall, this workplace must make the most of every square inch of an organization’s real estate.

An Interconnected Workplace will:
- Optimize every square foot of real estate
- Enhance collaboration as a natural way of working
- Attract, develop, and engage great talent; people really want to work there
- Build the company brand and culture
- Help improve a person’s wellbeing


For more insights, please read the whole article here.

Thought of the Day - Organizational Communication

There have been many times over the last 8 months that I have needed to remind myself I am no longer a sprightly young undergrad with nothing to worry about except soccer practice and not oversleeping for that 8am class. Last night was one of those evenings...and as I finished the last paper of the semester for my Masters program in the wee hours of the morning, I gave into thoughts about my favorite topic of recent days, organizational communication, and how differently it can be approached and received.

“Communication is the glue that holds organizations together; it is the chief means by which people relate to one another. The aim of organizational communications is to ensure that everyone understands both external and internal issues facing the organization and what the individuals must do to contribute to the organization’s success” - John Baldino, Great Communication Secrets of Great Leaders 

Completing a communication audit can be quite exhilarating. You are evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of a company based on how well they communicate to each other and to the outside world. It affects every aspect of the business - from HR to IT, Marketing to Operations. Understanding the important role communication plays inside the organization and reveiling ineffective or poor practices can save a business time and money, as well as improve employee satisfaction and productivity. 

 “Communication belongs to everyone in the organization; it is not a functional responsibility limited to marketing, public relations, or human resources. Communications must become a core competency…”  - John Baldino, Great Communication Secrets of Great Leaders 

For more information on steps to performing a communication audit for your company, check out this great two page overview from Urban Words Group. Click Here!

~ Kendal

The All Company Day

B&OI's 2006 Bowling Outing

The Company Event. It may be your Halloween Costume Contest or the Holiday luncheon, but most companies are opting to provide their employees with a fun way to come together inside and outside the office. An annual event during the summer offers a great way to lift up spirits from the long winter that just won't seem to quit (at least in Seattle!).

"Boosting and maintaining morale in the workplace is very important for both employee productivity and retention" writes Kelly Services. By offering these little perks, even if you can't give out bonuses or high pay, your are showing your employees that you value and appreciate their hard work and want to reward them for their dedication. Our company is about to head down to our warehouse location for some BBQ and then off to a Mariner's game!

Please check out the article from Kelly Services for some great all company event ideas! Click here!

Motivation

As I sat in the office yesterday and looked out the window to the beautiful Seattle skyline, I have to admit the thought of taking a four hour lunch may have possibly crossed my mind. Instead, I took a nice 30 minute walk around the neighborhood and soaked up as much sun as I could.

*sigh*

Staying motivated at work during the summer, winter, spring and fall can be challenging. With all the amazing stuff this world has to offer, one has to keep priorities in check to continue producing effective results for your employer. How does one do that, you may ask? Why, by following these cool tips and tricks I found online!


 From Peter Murphy of Ezinearticles.com:

* Decide what you must achieve today - clarity is power. It allows you to operate in a peak state of concentration and will help ensure you are at your best.

* Break down complex goals into manageable steps - take any project and list the sequence of steps you need to follow. Make sure the steps are big enough to keep your interest but not so small you feel bored.

* Use negative pressure to keep you on target - find someone in the office you trust and has a positive outlook (ideally someone you want to impress). Have them check in on your progress during the day. The fear you have of failing to give a good report will motivate you to finish the projects you're working on.

Here are some more great articles to keep you motivated at work:

From Stepcase Lifehack - 5 tips to keep you going

From Karen at Ezinearticles.com - 10 tips to keep you motivated!


Good luck with the rest of your week!

Kendal

NeoCon 2011 Pictures

While the lovely B&OI ladies are wrapping up their NeoCon trip in Chicago today, I was fortunate enough to get som inside pictures from Aimee's smart phone (sometimes technology really rocks!). Though I hope to have a more in-depth update of NeoCon next week, please check out some great pieces from the show!

~Kendal



Cool chairs by Coalesse



Designer Emilia with her Gold Winning Coalesse tables





Node by Steelcase now has a cupholder!



National Evolution



Rumble Seat by Turnstone



Traytop for Campfire Table by Turnstone





Turnstone Couch



Fun Turnstone Stool - Love the fabric!