Walkstation in the Business Center at the JW

The Walkstation can now be found in the business center at the JW Marriot in Grand Rapids, MI. As of today, the Walkstation is only at this particular location, but it is our hope that it’s popularity grows.

You’d be surprised how quickly you learn to walk + work. The Walkstation caps out at 2 mph so you can’t run even if you try. It is also whisper quite as to not disrupt your neighbors.

There is lots of good that comes with the Walkstation, including free shipping and installation…not to mention burning calories while working! Check it out here on the Steelcase Store.

What is that you might ask? That's an early prototype of the Leap Chair Back.

Ever wondered how the Leap Chair was designed? Well, no need to wonder anymore. Check out this post by Solidsmack.com. It gets pretty technical, so for those of us that aren’t designers or engineers, here are some fun facts mentioned in the post.

• Leap technology has been integrated in some way in virtually every chair launched by Steelcase since Leap (e.g. Think, Amia, Move, Siento, cobi and i2i).
• Leap technology has also been licensed for use in automobiles and airplanes (Cathay Pacific with more to come).
• Leap was in development for 4 years; Steelcase partnered with 4 universities, 27 different scientists and 11 studies including 732 participants.
• LiveBack technology incorporated in the Leap allows the upper and lower parts of the backrest to function independently.
• Leap mimics the individual user’s unique spinal motion so the user is free to move, but never left unsupported, allowing the user to stay comfortable and productive.
• Lower back controls allow the user to specify the preferred amount of lumbar support, creating a hugging sensation as the pressure is dialed up.
• The Natural Glide System allows the seat to glide forward so users stay in the vision and reach zone even when reclined.

Click here for more product reviews and product information. Enjoy!

Does your office chair make you want to break out in a cheer? Check out this You Tube video as these SNL-like cheerleaders display their love for our very own Leap Chair.

Maybe we’d all be this enthusiastic about where we spend 8+ hours a day if we sat in a Leap. Don’t believe it?

Try the Leap or any other chairs from our seating collection risk free with our 30 day money back gaurentee and see if you are ready to burst into song. We bet you will be…

Check out Steelcase offices from the May, 1963 edition of Fortune magazine. Although these are insanely color coordinated, and obviously staged, the layout is very open. This what life was like pre-cube. What else is missing? Computers.

I would LOVE to have one of these retro desks or chairs. But my favorite part? The bearskin hanging on the wall of the private office. Seriously?!

OK, so it’s the middle of January and I’m a little slow to comment on the trends of 2009 (too bad procrastination isn’t a trend). Anyway, Trendwatching released their annual 150 page trend report about what will be in and out in 2009. For those that don’t have the time (or $) to read 150 pages they were considerate enough (and smart marketers) to extract a half dozen of those trends in their monthly Trendwatch Briefing.

Some comments on the list:

1) Nichetributes: low-cost, practical tributes to the zeitgeist
So first of all, what’s a Nichetribute? Nichetributes are attributes / features / additions to existing products, making them more practical for specific user groups, while at the same time signaling to those users that the brand ‘gets it’, that it cares, and in some cases even pays tribute to their lifestyle. So how do you do that with office furniture? We have products that cater to specific user groups like the super easy to adjust Airtouch table or the burn calories while you work Walkstation. But it’s tougher to find low cost and practical examples.

2) Luxyoury: in 2009 you define what constitutes luxury.
This one is closer to the “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure” saying than it is about the extravagance displayed on an episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. I like how Trendwatching put it: what constitutes luxury is closely related to what constitutes scarcity. At Steelcase if you’re looking for luxury look no further than Coalesse’s Flag Halyard Chair designed by Hans J. Wegner.

3) Feedback 3.0: Think we’ve reached full transparency?
There’s almost not a single product or service that you won’t find an online review on. I just bought a “new” (2 year old used) car and I spent the majority of my search in front of my computer narrowing down my choices based on a compilation of editorial and consumer reviews. What’s ahead for Steelcase Store in 2009? At the minimum we’ll be adding product ratings and reviews to our site. After that I’m hoping you’ll also be able to rate our service as well.

4) Econcierge: Savings are the new green
You just knew there had to be a “green” trend. Econcierges are firms and services dedicated to helping households go green in any possible way. Coming off the heels of Fast Company declaring Grand Rapids, Michigan to be the “greenest city” in the nation, our mayor announced an upcoming re-tooling of our free recycling program … one that will offer new carts that can weigh recyclables and reward residents with “City Bucks” that can be redeemed at local stores, theaters and restaurants. Great idea – it encourages customers to be green and rewards them (and our local economy) for doing so.

5) Mapmania: Why maps are the new interface
The more I use Google Maps the more I’m amazed by what it can do. And Google Earth almost makes me want to be back in junior high again so that I can literally zoom in on the actual pyramids of Egypt without ever leaving my living room. Those two are obvious and known by everyone so be sure to check out this section of the brief for more examples.

6) Happy Ending: The silver lining of each downturn
2009 is an excellent year for those businesses keen on showing consumers that they really care. Our hope is to show you we care through our service. If we serve you, our customers, well … we hope you’ll stick with us during this downturn and stick around for the happy ending. Let us know if there’s anything we can do to serve you better.