Sitting: It’s the New Smoking

December 19th, 2011

(From KI) During a typical workday, the average American spends as much as 95% of the day sitting in that comfy new office furniture. Research shows that while sitting, the enzymes responsible for burning fat shutdown, leading to increased obesity, lower HDL, and an overall reduction in metabolic rate.

Studies show that a sit-stand work environment can result in:
• Smaller waist circumference
• Lower body mass index
• Reduced levels of triglycerides & glucose in the bloodstream

In addition, a combination of sitting and standing during the workday helps employees:
• Increase energy and alertness
• Reduce fatigue and improve work performance
• Enhance overall wellness

So no matter what furniture design you have for that office chair, you need to give it a break and stand up every once in awhile. Your results will show for themselves!

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Trends That Matter: Now and Then

August 23rd, 2011

The office of 1960 had no computers, executive office desks, photocopier or teleconferencing equipment. It was characterized by a strictly ordered plan that placed private offices at the perimeter and cubicles and cheap office furniture at the center. People looked different, too. Men wore shirts and ties; women wore skirts and stockings. A hierarchy was securely in place from executives at the top through middle managers to secretaries and clerks.

Today’s workplace houses four generations of diverse workers – men and women of different ethnicities who represent cultures from around the world. A successful workplace must embrace diversity and take into account the different needs and expectations of people who do not see work (or life) in the same way.

We can define four distinct generations of workers as:

·         Traditional                            1928 – 1945

·         Boomers                               1946 – 1964

·         Generation X                        1965 – 1980

·         Millennial or Generation Y     1981 – 1991

In general, Traditional workers joined the workforce before the social upheaval of the 1960s. Boomers arrived in the ’70s when digital media was still not widespread, while GenX and the Millennials came of age in a Web-based world. At work, these tech-savvy young workers exhibit high expectations of self, comfort working in teams and a fluid sense of space. Everyone “owns” all the space. Work can take place anywhere. It’s an attitude that appears to be analogous to growing up in a networked world where you can connect with others at any time and any distance, from the comfort of your own home. Everyone can access any information they need via an iPhone or BlackBerry.

To address these vast differences in preference and need, office planning must provide for variety and choice. One size does not fit all in terms of sensory stimulation (color and noise) nor is it desirable in terms of amenities and behavior (views and professional dress). Not everyone should get executive office chairs. Success lies in finding balance between uniformity – a degree of structure is necessary – and giving workers the ability to make choices. The challenge is to design appropriate variation.

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New Tax Benefit Can Improve Your Cash Flow

March 1st, 2011

By: Bob Rohlman (National Furniture)

As your partner in success, we wanted to share this tax benefit tip so you can utilize it and pass it along to your customers.

On December 17, 2010, the Job Creation Act of 2010 was signed into law. A potential benefit for you and your customers from this act is the acceleration of tax depreciation, which allows 100% accelerated depreciation for NEW assets purchased from September 9, 2010, through December 31, 2011. In 2012, the law moves to 50% accelerated depreciation for NEW assets purchased in that calendar year.

What does this mean?

For purchases made from September 9, 2010 through December 31, 2011, businesses can deduct sooner and at the full purchase price of qualified capital items to reduce tax expenses; therefore improving cash flow.

The next purchase of National™ your customers make could save them money in calendar 2011. For example, if they purchased $100,000 of National Office Furniture products in 2011, they could save approximately $30,000 in tax savings in calendar 2011(assuming a 35% tax rate).

This tax benefit applies to any qualified capital purchases. Informing your customers of this when preparing quotes and bids will remind them the value you bring to the relationship.

Note: Organizations should consult their tax advisors to see how this law can benefit them. The tax benefit goes to the organization that is the final purchaser and puts the items into service.

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Are your vital records safe?

February 3rd, 2011

Could you be one of the 59% that believe vital records are secure in a steel filing cabinet…because they’re NOT!

IMPORTANT Questions to Ask Yourself about Your Vital Records ?
1. Where do you store your vital  records?
2. How much would it cost to replace the documents you have in normal steel cabinets?
3. Where is your computer media stored?
4. How would losing those documents affect your business?
5. How much is your business worth?
6. Who is responsible for your records management?

A STAGGERING 50% of companies that incur a fire are out of business within 6 months. That number increases to 90% within 18 months.

WHY?
1. Insurance companies are not in the business of giving out checks.If inventory and stock levels cannot be documented the insurance agency will not honor the claim.
2. Accounts receivables are lost and due monies cannot be recovered.
3. Banks issue credit and allocate funds on yearly volume and inventory levels, if the numbers cannot be proven, money will not be granted.
4. Contracts and customer lists are gone and the business has to operate off human memory and essentially must start from scratch.
5. Human Resources are necessary for compensating employees and keeping records of time owed or time due.
6.  Tax returns must be kept– the government does not accept fire as an excuse for not having tax records.

Visit  www.fireking.com or contact your mbi’s sales represenative for more information.

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Modular Trends for 2010

December 13th, 2010

Carpet tile is the new trend for the commercial environment.  There are many choices when it comes to flooring from carpet to hardwood to ceramic and laminate, but the rising trend seems to be carpet tile. Modular carpet tile is providing many benefits that include functional installation, creative design, and is recyclability. Carpet tile is easy to install, and replace when a tile becomes damaged. This is a huge plus compared to broadloom. Another advantage is that designers have more freedom to create a unique design by mixing colors and patterns to brighten a space without using a customized product to update a workspace. Workplaces are changing becoming more open and creating a collaborative work space, and with the tiles it helps make an area look more spacious and adds to the design element.  Another bonus to using carpet tiles is that they are environment friendly, because they use recyclable materials which reduce the amount of raw materials. Modular carpet tile is the new way to decorate your work space, and something to consider when redesigning a space.

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The Truth Behind Visual Distractions

November 1st, 2010

By: Terry Carroll, Kent Reyling, and Jay Henriott

 There is a hierarchy to what visually distracts individuals from working. Other people are at the top of the list.We instinctively want to recognize the emotions of others around us, so attention is given to other people,specifically their eyes, when they are present; movements and bright colors round out the other primary attention grabbers. Understanding what catches the eyes’ attention, and why, can help designers and facility managers create more efficient and less distracting work environments.

Because vision is the dominant human sense, it tells the brain where objects are and greatly drives behavior. To recognize what triggers a reaction in the eyes, it’s important to understand how the eyes focus. There are two types of photoreceptor cells In the eyes that control vision: rods and cones. The rods are sensitive to light and control peripheral vision and provide the brain with blurry details of a person’s surroundings; they help the brain understand where items, such as tables, pictures, other people, doors, lights, etc., are located. Distractions in the peripheral vision are almost impossible to ignore because the movement causes a reflexive reaction. Through this reflex, the eyes and brain acknowledge when something or someone is approaching. It’s common to see animals react to movement within their peripheral vision.

The cones are more sensitive to color, changes, and details, which is why vibrant colors sometimes create distractions. Cones are located in the fovea, which only has a visual field of approximately two degrees, or roughly an arm’s length. Visual scenes are created as the eyes scan an area and take in details, at which time the mind combines the scenes to generate a mental image. Fortunately, we have control over this process by choosing where we look, and are not left to the mercy of distractions.

 Visual distractions are the primary sensory interruption affecting focus, and for more than 40 years, office design has been addressing the issue through the implementation of screens and systems panels. Anthropometric studies reinforce that office dividing walls must be a minimum of 68 inches high for standing height visual privacy and 50 inches for seating height visual privacy. With ongoing trends to lower wall heights, visual distractions will likely increase.

 One of the fundamentals of good collaboration and communication is making work signals visible, such as indicating to someone their attention is needed. Identifying how to block visual distractions, while encouraging work mode signals is tricky. However, it is possible to design and arrange an environment that filters out unwarranted interruptions, while allowing access to necessary ones. Understanding the nature of an organization’s work and identifying employees’ needs will help designers, manufacturers, and facility managers plan an environment conducive to productivity with minimal unplanned interruptions.

Carrol, Terry  Kent Reyling, and Jay Henriott.  “The Truth Behind Visual Distractions.” Office Insight   July 2010. 1 Nov. 2010

 

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How Visual Chunking Assists with Recall

October 4th, 2010

By:  Terry Carroll, Kent Reyling, and Jay Henriott

Our working memory declines rapidly, often as quickly as 10 seconds, and studies based on working memory have proven that seven is the approximate number of items the mind can hold for a short time. Therefore, when planning an office or workspace, creating zones where similar information can be compiled for easy recall and recognition is critical. The practice of dividing numbers or items into easily understood groups is called visual chunking, which takes place in one of two modes: perceptual and goal oriented. Perceptual chunking happens unconsciously, and takes place through a series of wired-in shortcuts in the brain. An easy way to think about this is to look at a credit card or phone number. Ever notice how the numbers are chunked into groups of three and four? Without realizing it, the brain processes the information because it is divided into small, easily understood groups. Goal-oriented chunking is a more active process. It requires the brain to deliberately identify patterns or chunks to assist the memory. For example, when trying to estimate the number of paperclips that fell onto the floor, the brain would first try to divide the objects into small groups, and then add those groups to determine a total. The images accompanying this article offer a good example of how goal-oriented chunking works. Figure one shows a clustering of dots. Try to estimate how many there are in your first glance? Now take a look at figure two. By identifying the three patterns of five dots that form an ‘X’ it becomes significantly easier to count the dots. The brain strives to recognize patterns, shapes, and groups in order to make sense of a larger picture. The same holds true for workspaces. By grouping people based on projects (teams) or skills (departments), and creating zones for employees to mentally unload information (files, piles, binders, etc…), successful recall and recognition about the environment and placement of materials will increase.

Carrol, Terry  Kent Reyling, and Jay Henriott.  “How Visual Chuncking Assists with Recall .” Office Insight  2 Aug 2010. 4 Oct. 2010

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Workstation Organization

September 20th, 2010

Many subconsciously organize their workspace into personalized, time-based sections that determine what is needed now, soon, or later. There is a distinct relationship between the importance of documents and where they are placed within the hierarchy of a space. In order for designers and office managers to create effective and flexible work environments, they must recognize these three zones of organization, and that the user traditionally personalizes them.  Many people place now within reach and sight, then lay the soon documents within arm’s reach, and place later files out of sight or reach, until they are needed. While researching cognitive ergonomics and developing the Kimball Office desking line, Hum. Minds at Work, the idea of providing users with three distinct areas to unload information emerged. The primary (now) zone is where work is performed; it is the user’s personal space. The secondary (soon) zone allows users to temporarily store files that are a work in progress, and the tertiary (later) zone provides space for reference materials or files that are stored nearby for easy access. Rather than designing additional shelves for the end user, the Hum.Minds at Work line offers terraces. The differences between the two is that terraces present more options for organization by allowing the mind to align similar items without creating disorder within the hierarchy. By keeping the two most critical organizational zones in sight, and not above the head or detached from the physical workspace, work is visible and memorable. As has been previously covered, people create their own visual triggers to complete work, but the physical environment must be conducive to this personalization. Desking lines, such as Hum. Minds at Work, bring together the ideas behind why and how the mind organizes an environment. Designers and facility managers should be aware of employees’ different organizational styles and strive to provide a solution that enables the filers, pilers, stackers, and sticky noters of the office to personalize their workspace into their own appropriate now, soon, and later zones.

Carrol, Terry and Kent Reyling.  “Pattern of Workspace Organization.” Office Insight  18 Aug 2010. 20 Sept. 2010 http://www.millerbrooks.com/KO/August10/10_OI_Column8.16.pdf.

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Improving Indoor Air Quality

August 31st, 2010

 Featured Post by: Penny Bonda with Kimball Office

(August 25, 2010)

What’s really nice about good indoor air is that we don’t even know it’s there.

Bad indoor air quality–we can’t see it but we sure do feel it. Itchy eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, and headaches are some of the more immediate affects of poor indoor air. Long-term exposure can result in chronic conditions that inhibit productivity, learning, comfort, and quality of life.

Volatile organic compounds are often the culprits and there as many as a thousand different VOCs–decane, butoxyethanol, isopentane, limonene, styrene, xylenes, perchloroethylene, methylene chloride, toluene, and vinyl chloride, to name a few–that may be in the indoor environment where people can easily inhale them.

These nasty sounding pollutants get into buildings in various ways. Poorly designed and maintained ventilation systems are often the cause; however, many times we, our contractors and clients introduce the high-emitting materials and furnishings that contribute to poor IAQ. VOCs are ubiquitous, found in hundreds of products from building materials to furnishings.

 As designers we struggle with a myriad of decisions in order to provide safe environments for the occupants of the spaces we design. It’s so nice when a product comes along that makes our work easier, such as Kimball Office’s Pura, a water-based UV finish that is now available on nearly all the manufacturer’s wood product lines at no additional charge.

 Virtually VOC-free, Pura contributes to improved indoor air quality in workplaces and to achieving LEED points. It’s exceptionally clear and durable, scratch resistant and cures quickly. In addition, Pura’s composition is also helping Kimball reduce its carbon footprint. “The practices implemented drastically reduce waste,” according to Steven Brewster, Sustainability Director for Kimball Office. “Because Pura is water-based and robotically applied, material overspray can be recovered and reformulated with pure water, to circulate back into the system with new finish.”

Visit the Kimball Office’s Pura or contact a MBI sales associate for more information.

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Advantages of Leasing vs. Buying Office Furniture

August 26th, 2010

By:Denise Hadley(Community Leasing Associates)

Potential benefits that should be considered when determining whether or not to lease your upcoming office furniture project…

1. Conserves Working Capital.
Capital should be preserved for income-producing investments. Updating your office furniture can help generate income, but it takes valuable capital out of circulation. However, a lease permits retention of capital which can be utilized elsewhere. Additional earnings can be generated from retained capital making the overall cost of leasing even more attractive.

2. Obsolescence Hedge.
With the reduction in and in some cases loss of Investment Tax Credits (ITC), the cost of new office furniture is increased. New furniture may very well also be obsolete in a few years. Leasing can help businesses avoid the pitfalls of owning obsolete equipment. “Add-on” provisions or “trade-up” leases may be your company’s answer to replacing furniture you either outgrow or that no longer is suitable.

3. Alternative Source to Debt.
When office furniture is acquired through leasing you preserve traditional funding lines with loan covenants, particularly attractive during periods of expansion when “tight” money conditions exist. Through leasing, it may be possible to pay for furniture “on time” without the payments counting as a form of indebtedness.

4. Tax Advantages.
Congress is always “fine-tuning” the tax laws and leasing continues to come out as a viable alternative. Leasing may provide the means to minimize the negative impact of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). Even non-profit organizations such as hospitals, state and local governments and schools which are confronted with budget limitations and cannot take advantage of tax benefits turn to leasing. Remember, lease payments are essentially made from pre-tax dollars and not from profits. Of course, with any tax or accounting issue, you should consult with competent, professional advisors.

5. Accounting Treatment, Capital or Operating Leases.
On the balance sheet or off, there may be a lease structure which can be designed to address your company’s accounting needs. Equally important, leasing may reduce your bookwork costs and promote the budgeting integrity of operation.

6. 100% Financing.
Leasing provides 100% financing (which may include shipping and installation charges), eliminating such lender requirements as down payment and compensating balance on deposits.

7. Flexibility.
Normally beyond traditional methods of financing, leasing provides payment structures, terms and end of lease options which give you latitude to purchase your equipment, trade-up or add-on. Your specific needs define your lease.

8. Fixed Rates.
A hedge on inflation and rising interest rates, leasing protects against market fluctuations. You are better able to predict your future operating expenses. Your lease allows you to use your office furniture well into the future, paid with today’s dollars.

New office furniture will give you a competitive edge, and leasing can give you the furniture package! Capital fuels your operation, and leasing conserves capital. Stability, cost-effectiveness, convenience, flexibility – these are advantages of equipment leasing. So why go one more day without the furniture package that you need?

 

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