INsight Hub
MARCH 27, 2023 | WEEKLY EDITORIAL
Design Influencers:
Digital Tools & Resources
Written By Rob Kirkbride, Editor-in-chief, officeinsight
This week The Insider is going to take a look at design influencers, but instead of focusing on people, we are going to take a look at some of the other design influencers that are abundant in our industry. You know the people who influence design in the industry. What are some of the websites, digital tools and other things that influence design?
Attracting the Next Generation
There’s a lot of handwringing about the lack of young folks entering the office furniture industry and it is a topic that is concerning, but in this column, we are going to highlight one influencer in our industry worth watching and also go over why it is important to include younger generations in leadership roles.
Industry Innovation
The office furniture industry spends a lot of time talking about products that are cool, fit a certain niche, function in a different way or match well with a segment like hospitality or corporate. We don’t spend much time talking about something much more important than any of that: innovation.
viewpoint: A New Interactive Industry Magazine
I’m excited to announce that OI Publications is launching viewpoint, a new interactive magazine created to connect design with office furniture dealers and reps. It is a monthly magazine, free to anyone in the industry.
How to Evolve Your Relationship with A&D
Relationships are key to the office furniture industry. But one of those relationships that always seems to be tense is the connection between manufacturers and dealers and the architecture and design community.
How Offices Help Attract Talent
What comes first, a beautiful, high-performance office or an engaged, productive workforce? It is a question our industry thinks about all the time. And it isn’t far from the philosophical question: What comes first, the chicken or the egg?
Employee Health and Wellness: Overcoming the Winter Office Blahs
SAD is a workplace issue as it contributes to presenteeism, or employees at work but not engaged, and absenteeism, or employees missing days of work. It may also adversely impact multiple areas of employee performance, including focus and decision making, time management, completing physical tasks, social interactions and communication.
The State of the Industry: Things Are Looking Pretty Good for 2023
This is in no way scientific or complete, but when you are in a room with 180 industry leaders all at once, you can gather a bit of perspective about where things stand. And I’m happy to report that despite our hand-wringing over the looming threat of a recession, the industry is in solid shape heading into 2023.
The Top 5 Industry Events (and Why You Should Start Planning for Them Now)
So what are some of the other must-attend industry events? In this column, I’ll outline the industry’s most important reoccurring events along with a brief description, who should attend and why it is important.
Communication Breakdowns Can Lead To Major Problems (Just Ask Johann Rall)
I polled some communications professionals and scoured the web to compile a top 5 communication tips from an amalgamation of sources. From all the tips I found, the following were the most commonly recommended.
Breakrooms and Cafés
Learn how breakrooms and café spaces support employee engagement and cultivate company culture.
Conference and Meeting Rooms
In these selections we read about the changes in conference room design inspired by the new ways we work.
Reception and Waiting Areas
This month we’re highlighting why reception spaces and waiting areas are important spaces to harness and use more thoroughly. With more attention being directed to these areas in the past year, we have included a sampling of perspectives.
2022 Year In Review
This month we’re highlighting our most popular Space Solutions features of 2022. Take a look at the most-read articles of the year for an overview of some of the biggest design trends.
Hybrid Work
The range of data and employee feedback collected over the past couple of years provide invaluable insight on how to optimize spaces that support hybrid work, which is clearly here to stay. While ideal solutions may vary by company and individual employees, elements that promote socialization and inclusivity are recurring themes in designing highly effective environments with the hybrid worker in mind.
Ergonomics and Wellness
As people return to the workplace, keeping them healthy and happy is at the forefront, and it doesn’t have to be difficult. Focusing on environmental details like fresh air and light, as well as keeping people moving is key. (Unassigned seating and multiple workspaces are topical and pertinent elements in the discussion.)
The Results Are In from the Latest I Care Employee Wellness Survey
The I Care Employee Wellness Survey, developed by INDEAL Cares, is an annual initiative that aims to better understand the health and well-being of individuals working in the commercial interiors industry. Now in its third year, this year’s survey was securely hosted by work experience data provider, Align.
Developing and Enhancing Your Team's Potential
If you re-read the title of this article, you might be inclined to think that it’s only directed at managers or supervisors but it’s not. I’m addressing the way peers can impact the development of their team’s potential and performance, on their own. This is not about excluding a manager or supervisor but about all team members taking responsibility for the team’s success or failure.
Expanding Into Vertical Markets
This month’s topic is “Expanding Into Verticals.” On the surface this sounds simple; just identify and start selling into business types that comprise all the potential purchasers in a particular occupation or market; healthcare, GSA, education, hospitality, etc. – but there’s more to it than that.
Empowering Your Team To Live Well
We know that inspired leadership will connect, develop, and enhance healthy workplace communities. Studies show that when leaders put their thoughts and attention toward improving employee health and well-being, employers are 4x more likely to see improved health outcomes.
Some Thoughts On "Virtual Selling"
Virtual selling is not new, but it has certainly taken a major leap forward, thanks in large part to the pandemic. I still believe that selling in-person has a lot of benefits, but that doesn’t necessarily require both parties to always be in the same room or even in the same city. Just like selling in person, it does require some planning.
Inside Social Media 7.22
Get a recap of all the latest updates, insights, and ideas you need to level-up your social media game. Whether you’re a marketer or just looking for ways to reach potential clients, this content will help you keep up to date with trends to help engage your audience (and increase sales)!
