http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/feed/ en http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/the-high-performance-workplace/ http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/the-high-performance-workplace/496#When:2009-10-26T10:55:46+00:00 “You can only do so much with salary,” says global architecture and design firm Gensler, in their 2008 Workplace survey. “High-performing companies, the ones with high profits, strong brand positioning, and better employee engagement, are the ones that have the highest-performing workplaces,” the study said. So, what exactly does a high-performing business workplace look like? Steelcase researchers agree that Generation-Y workers seem to know, as do Baby Boomers, who are slowly picking up their values from the younger set, this kind of business setting allows for four basic elements to come together and happen at any time: 1. Focus – Concentrating on “head down” work. 2. Collaboration – Working with other people to achieve a goal. 3. Learning – Building knowledge through education or experience. 4. Socialization – Interacting interpersonally with others. What’s being seen is that the importance placed on a company’s size, brand image, and history is shifting to how well the business can support a worker’s preferred working style, how much they can learn, and how well it supports work/life integration. In other words, a business’ physical workplace has to get better at allowing the people in it to learn, create, and innovate. How does that happen? We’ve found that a range of work settings is key. The ones that are the most effective support all of the four personal work modes above. Some ideas might be as easy as installing outlets around the office with seating to allow employees to plug in their computers and congregate, or by using Media:Scape technology in your conference rooms. Skeptics may say that a changing business’ office characteristics isn’t the only way to building a high-performance company, but we feel that it’s certainly key to surmounting the challenge, which is why we’ve made a range of products such as cobi, i2i, and c:scape that attempt to do just that. Backed up by data that you can find on our Come Together website, we’ve seen that the environmental aspects of work reinforces a company’s values – by paying attention to how you’re communicating access, openness, and free communication to your employees, you’ll be well on your way to enhanced performance. 2009-10-26T10:55:46+00:00 http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/win-a-walkstation/ http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/win-a-walkstation/498#When:2009-10-21T03:46:27+00:00 Submit a 2 minute video and enter to win 1 of 3 Walkstations. Entries must be received by November 13. Take steps for better health… and a better life for kids in need. Win a Walkstation from the Steelcase Store (retail value of $4699 !)and enjoy the benefits of walking while you work. As a winner, you gain the good of walking while working and you’ll help donate shoes to kids in need. It starts with a video you create to explain why you or your team should win a free Walkstation (it’s that easy!). If you’re one of our three winners, you’ll participate in a two-week walk-a-thon, where every mile logged earns a donation to Friends of TOMS, the non-profit organization that mobilizes, connects and empowers supporters of TOMS Shoes One for One Movement. . It’s your chance to make every step count. For you. And for kids who really need a pair of shoes. Find more info and all the details here. Submit your video today. 2009-10-21T03:46:27+00:00 http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/what-kind-of-worker-are-you/ http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/what-kind-of-worker-are-you/494#When:2009-10-12T23:25:54+00:00 So, are you a filer or a piler? Steelcase researchers have found that nearly half of the US workforce falls into one of those two groups, in a semi-annual workplace survey. The rest? Call them neat freaks, pack rats, or (gasp) slobs. Over the course of the survey, it was found that women fall more toward the upper extreme, with 40% considering themselves neat freaks. There was evidence that lent credibility to why 75% of men weren’t; lack of elbow room might play a role in why workplace organization has become a challenge. Researchers discovered that while team meeting spaces have increased in size (great for collaboration), individual work spaces have decreased (not so good for “head-down” work). Other take-aways from the study showed that younger workers considered themselves neater – 18 to 34 year olds ranked themselves 40%, with 55 and older at 37%. What kind of organization type to you think you are? What about your office? Is your space clean and spartan like Facebook, or do you lean more toward organized chaos like Al Gore? Show us! Upload photos of your work space! 2009-10-12T23:25:54+00:00 http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/do-your-homework/ http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/do-your-homework/476#When:2009-10-02T13:14:02+00:00 Working from home can be a blessing and a curse. In some, a change of scenery helps them concentrate better, get more work done, and boost their creativity. On the other hand, others that we’ve talked to say that it does the exact opposite. Whatever side of the coin you’re on, a good time management plan really minimizes the negatives and amplifies the positives of working from home. Here are ten of our favorite tips paraphrased from ZenHabits.com: 1. Set a morning routine – shower, get dressed, eat breakfast, or do it all in reverse, it’s the structure that helps get you going for the day. 2. Put together a daily work schedule – try to check and respond to emails at the same time and try to be “working” during the same time period each day (even if you’re watching Good Morning America) – this will allow coworkers to get in contact with you, and help you to not miss anything! 3. At the end of the day, clean up! – There’s nothing worse then feeling like you should be doing more work when the work day’s over with. Plus, it’ll help you to feel fresh the next morning, too. 4. Go outside for a bit – Take in a little bit of the “secret life of daytime” that you’ve been missing by toiling in the office! It’ll keep you happy and refreshed. 5. No friends during work time – Having visitors is really sweet, but sometimes you just need to crank some work out, and they end up being a distraction. We think that time you set aside for work is perfect for just that, so no friends (unless they’re delivering a pizza). 6. Dress up a little – Pajamas are great and comfortable, but let’s be honest- have you ever felt like doing anything besides sleeping and watching the Price is Right while wearing them? Me either. 7. Music, or none, matters – Whatever you’re listening to, whether it’s NPR, Britney Spears, or Depeche Mode, influences your mood – make sure that you’re putting yourself in a great frame of mind for whatever the job is that you’re doing. 8. TV will screw you up – A little bit of TV is great, especially if you’re waiting to catch the highlights of the Yankee game, but if you’re not careful, you’ll end up watching the Orioles, Red Sox, Tigers, and Mike Tyson fight, too. 9. Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow – Fleetwood Mac jokes aside, having a to-do list for the next day with three things you need to do and three things that aren’t essential but need to be done will help you clear things up before you quit working for the day. 10. Coffee, yes please! – Make sure to use all the conveniences of home to your advantage. It’s relaxing, and you’ll be able to rub it in to your office coworkers that you made yourself some fresh juice or a double mocha latte, too! Don’t count out the advantages of having a good ergonomic office chair either- our Cobi or Amia would fit perfectly in any home office! 2009-10-02T13:14:02+00:00 http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/up-your-productivity-with-apps/ http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/up-your-productivity-with-apps/471#When:2009-09-25T20:15:33+00:00 It’s already 11:00?! Between getting settled for the day, checking email, and having a coffee – it’s almost like the morning’s completely gone, and I haven’t actually accomplished anything! Know how that goes? Even the best thinkers use some assistance to get on track. Before, it was scheduling and to-do lists with paper and pencil (link to BF), now, there are lots of applications available for your computer that serve the same purpose; making your job easier and more productive. Here’s four that we use at the Steelcase store: 1. Doomi- Described on its website as “dead simple to-do’s,” Doomi does just that. It’s clean, unobtrusive, and allows for you to save completed tasks as well as set reminders for when things pop-up. 2. FocusBooster- It isn’t much more than a timer, but FocusBooster operates according to the Pomodoro technique – 25 minutes of focus, take a break, and start again. After four sessions, take a longer break. You’ll be surprised what taking control of your time, and concentrating on one thing at a time can do. 3. Think – When there’s too much fighting for your attention on the desktop (iTunes, iCal, eMail, web browsing power users know what I’m talking about), Sometimes, its easiest to block out the noise. Think does exactly that. When installed, you select an application to work with exclusively (eMail, calendar, Microsoft Word, etc.), and Think blacks out the rest of your screen. When you close the app, pick another, and finish the job without interruption. 4. Tweetdeck- For those of us that use Twitter, it’s an invaluable asset of real-time information and communication about our friends and company. Problem is, sometimes it’s either too much information, or a black hole of time wasting. Tweetdeck cleans it up by allowing for multiple columns that you dictate – whether you’re checking two different accounts or getting alerts for when a certain keyword is mentioned (like Steelcase and awesome). They even have an iPhone app. What apps do you use that help out your productivity? Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments! 2009-09-25T20:15:33+00:00 http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/quiz-is-your-workspace-ergo-friendly/ http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/quiz-is-your-workspace-ergo-friendly/468#When:2009-09-16T20:09:18+00:00 Ergonomics is a hot topic in offices these days. Most of us look around and wonder if our workspace is cutting the mustard. Is my chair secretly destroying my back? Is my monitor slowly searing my eyeballs? Is my keyboard unwittingly pushing me ever closer to carpal tunnel syndrome? When we really stop and look, every innocent paperclip suddenly becomes a potentially life-threatening hazard. Okay, maybe that’s a little dramatic. Still, the equipment you use and the organization of your workspace can deeply impact how you perform daily tasks. And that can have a significant impact on your physical health. If you’re wondering what kind of dangers lurk in your office, take this quiz to see if your environment is an ergo-friend or ergo-enemy. Instructions For each category, evaluate your current office situation. Choose “true” or “false” for each point and note your answers on a piece of paper. Chair Evaluation 1. My chair has lumbar (lower back) support. 2. My chair has adjustable height. 3. My chair has adjustable back positioning and tension. 4. My chair has adjustable armrests. 5. My chair has adjustable seat depth. 6. When seated in my chair, my feet rest comfortably on the floor with knees bent at a 90 degree angle (a foot rest is used to achieve this if needed). Lighting Evaluation 1. My computer screen is free of any reflection. 2. My computer screen can be seen easily (no glare). 3. My desk is positioned at a right angle to the window or main source of light. 4. The level and position of overhead lighting is satisfactory. 5. My lighting can be adjusted (if light is from a window, blinds are present). Equipment Layout 1. My work area is free from obstacles. 2. Commonly used items are kept within easy reach. 3. The layout of my workspace prevents undue twisting and lifting. 4. Cords are kept straight and away from walkways. Desk Evaluation 1. My desk is 26 inches to 29 inches high. 2. My desk surface is a suitable size for the work being done (i.e. a minimum of 35 inches x 29.5 inches for paperwork tasks or 45 inches x 35 inches for mixed clerical and computing tasks). 3. The area underneath my desk is clean and uncluttered. 4. The work surface of my desk is a matte finish to minimize glares and reflections. Computer Evaluation 1. The top of the computer screen is at eye level when I’m seating in my chair and looking straight ahead. 2. My keyboard is either resting on an adjustable tray or, if on the desk, is approximately 1.5 inches from the edge of the desk and in line with the monitor. 3. The monitor is at least arms distance when seated and directly in front of the keyboard. 4. The characters on the computer are set to display at an appropriate size. 5. A document holder is used if documents are referred to when typing. If your computer doesn’t meet any of these requirements, make the necessary adjustments. You can fix all of these issues by adjusting your body position or simply investing in some low-cost accessories. Take a look at your overall results. Count the number of times you selected “true”. If you chose “true” 19 to 24 times Congratulations. You can rest easy tonight – your workspace isn’t trying to hurt you! Of course, it’s still up to you to be cautious and continue to make adjustments as needed. As your body changes and ages, you’ll want to constantly re-evaluate how things are working. But you have the right equipment so you’re two steps ahead of the game! If you chose “true” 14 to 18 times Your workspace is definitely lacking in the ergonomic department. You may be noticing a few aches and pains. Adjust what you can and make a resolution to upgrade the old, tired equipment that is – yes -secretly plotting your demise. If you chose “true” less than 14 times Let me be clear: It’s them or you. Either the office equipment goes or your health will certainly suffer. Save yourself! Toss the junky gear before it all gathers together and forms a mega-army that’s impossible to stop…! What? Did I get carried away again? ——————————————————————————- Republished by our friends at Office Arrow 2009-09-16T20:09:18+00:00 http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/leap-1-for-comfort-and-health/ http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/leap-1-for-comfort-and-health/513#When:2009-09-11T18:27:46+00:00 We’ve always felt like Steelcase Leap Chair is #1 but it’s always nice to hear it’s made it to the top of others lists too! Apartment Therapy states Kevin Costello, president of U.S. Ergonomics, ranked the Steelcase Leap chair among the top chairs for comfort and health. For more Leap reviews, see the In the News section on the Leap product page. 2009-09-11T18:27:46+00:00 http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/trash-is-our-treasure/ http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/trash-is-our-treasure/459#When:2009-09-10T18:45:13+00:00 Quick pop quiz- What’s going to be the hot fashion and décor trend next summer? Most likely, it’s going to be trash. Ok, I don’t mean awful (although some of us might thing so), but actually and literally, trash. My grandma calls it rubbish, and it’s going to be here in a big way.Take YakPak for example. If you’re an urban dweller, odds are you really need a good backpack. Not only that, but for the sake of your image, it needs to be cool too. Problem is, most good bags cost around $100, and the ones that only look cool aren’t very good. So, where do you go? YakPak. Last month, they started selling backpacks made of recycled vinyl from used billboards. They’re only $35, guaranteed to last forever, and all one of a kind.Still don’t believe me? Try Justin Gignac’s art studio, NYCG, short for New York City Garbage. That’s right- Lucite cubes of trash, plucked directly from the bin during America’s biggest events including New Years Eve in Times Square, the Republican National Convention, and the last game ever at old Yankee Stadium. They’re signed, numbered, and dated, and typeset in Helvetica. The cubes retail between $50 and $100- possibly the classiest junk you’ll ever buy.Next month, it’s going to be hot to wear an old billboard, or have someone’s used coffee cup on your mantle. You know, now that you mention it, make old things new too with our Cradle-to-Cradle products. Products that, when they’re finished being used, can be returned to the Earth without harm, or be repurposed into another chair. Either way, it’s pretty good to see reuse getting some love. 2009-09-10T18:45:13+00:00 http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/cobi-battlemodo/ http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/cobi-battlemodo/512#When:2009-09-04T17:49:17+00:00 Looking for a new office chair and comparing features? Gizmoto has already done the work with Cobi. Gizmoto recently conducted a comparison of Cobi and provided some great info and detailed pics. Check out their comparison at Task Chair Battlemodo: Herman Miller Setu vs. Steelcase Cobi. For more cobi reviews, check out the Product Reviews section of the cobi product page. 2009-09-04T17:49:17+00:00 http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/certify-our-love/ http://store.steelcase.com/go/blog/read/certify-our-love/457#When:2009-09-02T14:40:33+00:00 Is it just me, or is there an over abundance of green-certifications out there? It’s really confusing. There are almost two-hundred estimated standards that are in use, but one that really seems to stand out is Cradle-to-Cradle.Started in the 1990s by William McDonough and Michael Braungart, C2C has gained some steam since about 2002, when their book 2009-09-02T14:40:33+00:00