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!