You know we love a great open-plan office at BE. They are great for collaboration, creativity and building strong coworker relationships. However, they are not the best when it comes to privacy. Sometimes, privacy is necessary in the workplace for more focused work, meetings with new clients and other important discussions that don’t require the whole team. Luckily, there are some clever ways to create privacy in an open office space. With well-designed, multipurpose office furniture, your workspace can have the best of both worlds.
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It’s the end of the year, which means it’s time for performance evaluations. Whether that means rewarding team members that are performing above standards or discussing what has to change, ensuring your team is operating to its full potential is absolutely necessary for any business. While many believe these evaluations can be conducted successfully online, there are indisputable reasons why a face-to-face meeting is the way to go. In this article, our office design specialists in NJ will discuss why end-of-year performance evaluations should happen in the workplace – as well as how to create the optimal setting for these reviews to take place. Scheduled face-to-face interaction shows each team member that they are a priority In the world of daily Zoom meetings, having yet another Zoom call for a performance review can definitely feel less meaningful. Especially if you are one that usually keeps your camera off. Planning to meet in person sets a more professional tone. Think about it, if your team members have a flex work arrangement – this performance evaluation meeting will not be like the days when they are working from home. This in-person meeting is an opportunity to put their best foot forward in terms of appearance, conversation and presentation. They have the floor to show you why they continue to be an asset to your organization. Better gauge of each team member’s feelings. A lot can be hidden over the phone, and we don’t mean this in a malicious way whatsoever. There is just a big difference between the impression you receive over the phone versus how you feel leaving an in-person conversation. When you talk to someone in person, there are a few levels to the conversation. You’re hearing what they say, while also gauging how they truly feel from body language and facial expressions. Engagement is also higher during face-to-face interactions versus phone calls because you are eliminating external distractions. A meeting between you and your employee in a private office will make you both really focus on the conversation at hand – which will prove most helpful for the continued success of your company. Creating the optimal work space for end-of-year performance evaluations While many businesses have opted for an open plan layout in recent years, it’s still important to still have some rooms in your space that offer privacy. Whether it’s a conference room or an executive office, it’s important to have a room set aside to discuss private matters with your employees or clients. Year-end performance reviews especially should be discussed one-on-one with each team member in a private space. This is so your team members feel more comfortable confiding in you about their aspirations and concerns regarding their job performance and even the performance of other team members. Fortunately, there are easy ways to update your private office rooms to ensure comfort, privacy and more efficient collaboration. The ideal space to conduct year-end performance evaluations should include some (if not all) of the following aspects:
If you’d like to learn more about creating a progressive work space that includes developing private offices for year-end reviews, give BE Furniture a call today. Our in-house design specialists look forward to getting to know you, your business and your goals for the future – and incorporating each aspect into a comprehensive work environment that not only looks great, but is also designed to perform at full potential. Please visit our website to found out more about what BE can do for your office in the new year: https://www.befurniture.com/ The original blog is posted on - https://www.befurniture.com/why-performance-evaluations-have-to-take-place-in-person/ Today, more people are rejecting excessive consumerism to focus on purposeful, meaningful spending that supports a more sustainable and practical way of life. And this has extended into office design and office furniture. Space-saving and functional, multi-purpose office furniture creates workspaces that do more with less. Here are just some of the most important benefits. #1 – Space-Saving Multi-purpose office furniture means you can put even more function into a small space without making the space cramped. This is a great option you have a small space that needs to have multiple functions. For example, storage that doubles as seating, whiteboard privacy partitions that are easily rearranged, desks that have adjustable height for staff who prefer to stand to work. Tables or desks that have built in extensions, so they can easily be adjusted from a small desk to a large desk that can accommodate multiple people. #2 – Saves money With hybrid and flexible working, many organizations simply don’t need the costly square footage they once did and have downgraded to smaller office spaces. To make the cost-saving go even further, multi-purpose furniture makes small spaces as practical as possible by doubling up on functionality and preventing spaces from feeling cramped. Instead of buying office furniture for every function, you can save by purchasing a few items that fit several needs. For example, rather than having to spend money on a boardroom table and chairs that gets used once a month, you can create a boardroom setting from multipurpose modular desks and chairs when needed. #3 – Reduces clutter Smaller office spaces can feel cluttered and cramped quite easily, but multi-purpose office furniture can solve that too. Desks and seating with plenty of storage eliminate the need for bulky filing cabinets. When everything has a place, it is easy to avoid clutter which can become distracting. Another option we love are workstations with vertical storage, and easily collapsable furnishing that are small to store, but offer extra table space when you need it. #4 – Last longer Multi-purpose office furniture is designed for constant use and heavy wear, which means it’s more durable, easier to maintain and clean, and lasts a lot longer. This keeps it looking good no matter what you’re using it for and keeps office furniture costs down in the long run. And a great-looking office that’s adaptable to different functions and operations for years and years is the perfect investment during uncertain times! Designing office spaces that really work BE Furniture is a custom office design business specializing in the development and building of innovative office interiors. We’re passionate about delivering spaces that are not just an office, and firmly believe that customizing each office design to a client’s specific goals helps to create happier, healthier, and more productive spaces. Chat to our team today about reimagining your office space to make it more practical, functional, and purposeful. To know more visit – https://www.befurniture.com/ The original blog is posted on https://www.befurniture.com/sustainable-purposeful-and-practical-multi-purpose-office-furniture/ It’s the New Year! Which means it’s time to take a look at the different trends and modern office design ideas shaping the office design industry. One of the most interesting and exciting trends that is set to make a huge impact in 2020 is resimercial office design. Our contemporary office furniture company has briefly talked about this trend in previous articles. Here’s a more in-depth look at this trend as well as why it’s becoming so popular.
What Is Resimercial Office Design? Office design is shaped around the office culture and what we want from the workplace for our clients and employees. In the past, offices have been designed for the following purposes:
What Makes Resimercial Design So Popular? This office design style has gained a lot of popularity over the last year, primarily because it challenges our modern “always-on”, high-stress way of life. The demands of the office are higher than ever before, and office spaces can help accommodate this reality by transforming the workplace into a space that employees will actually enjoy. With plenty of home comforts, the Resimercial office helps reduce stress, boosts focus, and promotes productivity. What Features Are Key to Resimercial Design? As with all design trends, resimercial builds on previous office designs. But, it brings them together with a unique focus. This includes: Comfortable Seating Ergonomic chairs are matched with comfortable lounge-like seating spaces, arranged in cozy nooks and spaces for downtime, relaxation, and informal meetings. Expect to see soft fabrics, decorative pillows, and rich textures. Flexibility Spaces need to be multi-use, just like rooms in a home. Large spaces can be made more cozy on a day-to-day basis by using movable walls and opened up for large meetings or events with ease. Employees should be able to pick a space that not only works for them, but that also works for their particular task. Soft Lighting Natural lighting is very important! It’s supplemented by soft ambient lighting as well as personal lighting like lamps to create a softer, gentler glow. Accessories From libraries of books to artwork, indoor plants, rugs, and coffee tables, the resimercial design is brought to life with homelike accessories that evoke a sense of welcome, familiarity, and home. Will Resimercial Design Work for My Offices? Our New Jersey Team Can Deliver a Custom Design At BE Furniture, we assist our clients in achieving an optimal workspace for their business. Whether you are looking to remodel your office design completely or replace your furniture with a contemporary office furniture fit-out, our experienced team can handle it all. For more information about our design services for contemporary office interiors and reception areas, which include corporate office furniture, movable walls, glass partition wall units, desks furniture, and more, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.befurniture.com/ . Original content was posted on https://www.befurniture.com/shifting-to-new-design-category-called-resimercial/ . Whether you’re a tech start-up, a law firm, a marketing agency or a wellness clinic, you want an elegant office reception area that tells your clients that they’ve come to the right place. Thanks to the collaboration movement and the rise of resimercial design, office reception areas are being transformed from intimidating and unoriginal spaces into creative rooms that can handle the multiple, demanding functions of a business entrance. Here are 3 ways to inject some creative juice into your space, from the contemporary office furniture specialists in NJ.
Take Down the Walls: Opening up a space will make it feel more welcoming, spacious, and integrated with your office environment, and clients will be impressed by the hive of activity they can glimpse. The natural lighting is ideal for comfort, and you can keep privacy a priority by installing smoked glass walls or architectural glass partition walls where needed. Add Some Flavor: Your office reception area is the first taste your clients, customers, suppliers, and visitors get of your brand. So, it’s important to make it count. Rather than the generic reception spaces of the past, try to find a way to make your space more personal to your brand and industry. For example, a statement art piece by a local artist that’s connected to your industry theme is a fantastic investment that shows your brand cares about the local community while telling people what your business is all about. Make it Communal: Today’s office design is all about embracing multi-use, communal space that caters to gatherings and private meetings – and your reception area is the ideal place to put this into practice. Expand your reception space as much as you can, allowing it to transform into a collaborative space where informal meetings can take place, where employees can work and collaborate over a cup of coffee, and where clients are welcomed into the buzz of your workplace. Of course, there should be a clear flow through this space, thus ensuring suppliers and delivery people can do their work with ease and clients can wait in comfort. Distinctive modern reception desks are key to ensuring that every visitor knows exactly where to go, and workflow isn’t compromised. From Modern Reception Desks to Innovative Office Design and Fitment – We Do It All At BE Furniture, we assist our clients in achieving an optimal workspace for their business. Whether you are looking to remodel your current reception area completely or replace your furniture with contemporary office furniture, our experienced team can handle it all. For more information about our design services for waiting areas and reception areas, which includes seating, glass partition wall units, desks furniture, and more, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.befurniture.com/ . Original content posted on https://www.befurniture.com/3-creative-ideas-for-your-office-reception-area/ . NeoCon is one of the top exhibitions for the commercial design industry, showcasing the latest design trends and innovations in contemporary office furniture as well as workspace design itself. Here are 5 of the biggest contemporary office furniture ideas and trends from NeoCon 2019 to inspire your office remodel!
Lighting: Gone are the days when ugly, harsh fluorescent lighting was seen as acceptable in the workplace. Now it’s time for lighting to really make a high-impact design statement. Easy on the eyes, the office lighting that was on show was bold and artistic as well as functional, customizable, and energy-efficient. Obviously, a great way to lend a wow-factor to your brand. From dramatic pendants to wireless charging lamps and daylight bulbs, the biggest trend in lighting was creating access to ambient, customizable lighting options for individuals. Scandinavian Style: The office’s love affair with Scandinavian-style furniture shows no sign of slowing down, thanks to its simple and timeless appeal. Look out for furniture with this style’s characteristic pale wood, sloping silhouettes, splayed table and chair legs, and elegant lines. This is a great trend to embrace if you really want your office furniture to not only last, but also to look trendy for many years to come. Color and Fabric: In rebellion to workplaces of previous generations that were dull, bland, and neutral, this exhibition went all-out for color and texture in furnishings. There were lots of bold color combinations in rugs, couches, tables, and chairs, as well as rich textures like quilted surfaces, velvet, and thick upholstery. This delivers a touch of decadence in the workplace that invokes a luxurious, home-like feel. Privacy: The cubicles and workstations on show were nothing like the relics of the cubicle farm, offering a private, secluded space for focused work in an open-plan environment. This includes curved and boldly-colored walled units, work pods, and compact but luxuriously finished cubicles. Resimercial Design: This trend, which debuted last year, is all about melding the commercial office and the comforts of home. It was out in full-force throughout Neocon, showing a clear influence on everything from lighting and artwork to furnishings and accent pieces. These comfortable spaces are designed to increase collaboration, employee satisfaction, and wellness – luring the work-from-home employee back into the office. Innovative Contemporary Office Furniture and Interiors from Our New Jersey Team Want to find out more about the latest trends in contemporary office furniture? BE Furniture is a full-service corporate office design and contemporary office furniture company in New Jersey, offering a wide range of environmentally-sensitive and innovative products and services in line with contemporary office interiors. For more information on our contemporary office interiors, design and office fit-out services, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.befurniture.com/ Original content was posted on https://www.befurniture.com/the-5-biggest-office-furniture-trends-from-neocon-2019/ AI is an incredibly effective way of crunching data to give us a better understanding and insight into everything from workflow and in-office processes to productivity and customer service. One of the leading modern office design ideas of our time is to use this data to create corporate office interiors and workspaces that foster innovation and engagement, making the workplace more effective and adaptable than ever before.
Why the Workplace Needs to Change Offices have been evolving since the industrial revolution as businesses try to find new ways to compete, grow, and achieve success in their industry. Today, this transformation is being driven by technology, where a sophisticated and connected environment allows for faster and easier communication, rapid decision-making, and automated processes. Not only the way we work today, but also the technological similarities between our homes, places of leisure, and offices have led to a blending of all three, with organizations embracing a home-like design, work-from-home flexibility as well as the idea that employees can work from almost anywhere that they choose. Human Design and AI – Leading the Way to the Smart Office Just as AI has paved the way to the smart home (a home that is interconnected, automated, and allows for unparalleled customization), so it’s also critical to the development of a much larger and more complex project – the smart office. Machine learning and analytics pave the way for unprecedented data gathering and analysis, allowing office designers to make strategic decisions that optimize work processes and the use of their available space. Through smart sensors, you’ll be able to know very specific details, like how often different rooms or even different seats and desks are used, and all this detail will build up to create a holistic view of building space utilization. AI also allows designers to test out different office layouts and concepts in great detail according to your business and industry, using predictive analytics and advanced modeling based on your organization’s unique data. This can be critical in the event of an office redesign or relocation debate, delivering a cost-effective and customized model that allows organizations to evaluate their interests, performance goals, and employee satisfaction priorities in line with different physical space options. Seeking State-of-the-Art Contemporary Office Interiors? We Can Help! BE Furniture is a New Jersey-located company that strives to meet all your contemporary office furniture and office design needs. Our team can assist you with everything from corporate office furniture selection, architectural walls, and contemporary office interiors to office fit-out services and furniture recycling. For more information on the latest contemporary office interiors, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.befurniture.com/ Original content was posted on https://www.befurniture.com/ai-and-human-intelligence-come-together-to-create-the-next-generation-of-office-spaces/ If you take a look around your office, you’ll likely notice that it’s a very different place to a few generations ago. Not only are teams more diverse in terms of gender and ethnicity, but they’re also very diverse in terms of age. In fact, we’re at a point where many organizations will see four different generations in the workplace. Here are some tips from our contemporary office furniture on how to help everyone get onto the same team.
What are the Four Different Generations All About? While it’s important not to expect every person from each generation to fit the mold, it’s important to have a good idea of the general characteristics of each generation. Here is a brief summary: Baby Boomers: This includes people born from 1946 to 1964 and is the first generation to be known for prioritizing their work ethic. Face-to-face interaction is more important than tech, and they’re known for being competitive, driven, and single-minded. Generation X: Born between 1965 and 1980, Gen X is more about work-life balance. They’re generally independent, flexible, and adaptable. Millennials: This generation, born between 1981 and 1995, is known for their love of technology. Millennials tend to have better formal education than other generations, they prefer flexibility and have an independent, entrepreneurial spirit. Generation Z: Born between 1996 and 2010, these will be the youngest members of your workforce. They’re tech-savvy, multicultural, and ambitious, wanting to constantly improve their skills and embrace a life of fast-paced, interesting challenges. Bridging the Gaps to Create a Vibrant, Productive Team Diversity comes with its challenges. But the rewards are considerable too, if you put effort into bringing your team together. One of the most important things is to understand the differences and make compromises, even in terms of office design. Invest in contemporary office furniture. But, don’t implement standing desks across the board. Instead, ask for input from your team and try to create a space that offers flexible use to everyone. When deciding on a design scheme, don’t embrace something that’s very young and trendy, just as you shouldn’t go for a 1980s cubicle farm or an open-plan only space. Instead, create a variety of spaces that will suit different roles and work styles. Have collaborative spaces and private spaces to suit different work modes; places where your team can meet to brainstorm and then retreat to focus on their tasks. Make sure the furniture is comfortable, accessible, and ergonomic. And, do bring in a mix of styles to deliver a look that’s as eclectic as your team. Remember that designing an office space for four generations isn’t about appealing to just one sector. Rather, it’s about bringing your team together to help them deliver the best possible performance. It’s a challenge where an experienced office design and fitment team can be of significant assistance. Let Our Contemporary Office Furniture Team Design and Deliver Your Ideal Office Space BE Furniture in New Jersey can help you create a functional and appealing office space that supports your culture of diversity, agility, and engagement. In addition to our wide range of office furniture, including modern reception desks and office reception area furniture, we can also assist you with expert workspace design and fitment, as well as office furniture recycling. Let us help you bring out the best in every generation. For more information on our services, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.befurniture.com/ Original content was posted on https://www.befurniture.com/four-generations-are-coming-together-in-your-workplace/ Sustainability is more than a trend in the business world. In fact, it’s becoming a staple that guides every aspect of the workplace, from building design and eco-friendly heating and cooling to partnering with green businesses for everything from office supplies to contemporary office furniture. Here are 5 great ideas for creating a sustainable workplace:
Help Your Cleaning Go Green: It’s important to have a healthy, hygienic work environment, but that doesn’t mean you have to use harsh or harmful chemicals to reach that goal. Partner with a cleaning company that uses environmentally friendly products and stock your kitchen and washrooms with Green cleaning products, soaps, and hand cream. It not only helps the planet, it’s a health benefit to employees who suffer from allergies and sensitivities to chemicals too. Start a Green Transport Initiative: If your employees are all driving their own cars to work, your company’s carbon footprint is going to be considerable. Start an initiative to make transport a little greener. Why not encourage carpooling and public transport, incentivize coming to work by bicycle or walking? This is a great opportunity to get employees involved and ask what support they’d need to achieve these goals – and rewards too! Implement Green Energy Management Policies: According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), buildings in the USA account for a massive 40% of the country’s total energy use, predominantly for heating and cooling, lighting, and electronics. Implementing an energy management policy will help reduce your carbon footprint and save on monthly bills. Ideas for this include awareness stickers placed by office machinery and lights, as well as motion sensors and automated systems to control lighting, heating, and cooling. By zoning your building and customizing your energy use, you can prevent excessive heating and cooling or unnecessary lighting when no one is at work. Local, Healthy Foods: Sustainable dining is another great green trend for offices, where you stock vending machines and kitchens with healthy, locally-produced food and snacks. Use reusable dishes rather than Styrofoam or plastic, and ensure packaging is recyclable. Green Purchasing: Buy or hire equipment that is energy-efficient, refurbish your office by upcycling items and using eco-friendly paint, add plenty of plants for greenery and air quality benefits, and buy from suppliers that offer eco-friendly office supplies. If you are refitting your office, find a partner that not only offers the latest in modern office design ideas, but also offers an environmentally-friendly approach, including recycling your current furniture. Need an Eco-Friendly Partner Who Can Create World-Class Contemporary Office Interiors? BE Furniture is a full-service corporate office design and contemporary office furniture company, offering a wide range of environmentally-sensitive and innovative products and services for innovative boardrooms and contemporary office interiors. We also offer office furniture recycling services to ensure your old office furniture is disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. All of our contemporary office furniture is covered by a lifetime repair and maintenance program to ensure that you get the most out of your new investment. For more information on our services for contemporary office interiors, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.befurniture.com/ Original content was posted on https://www.befurniture.com/5-tips-for-creating-a-sustainable-workplace/ Engaged employees are your company’s best employees! They’re enthusiastic, involved, and committed to your organizational goals. They’re also very rare. According to Gallup, 70% of workers aren’t engaged in the workplace, with 16% being actively disengaged. This not only results in poor performance, but also low productivity and a lack of innovation. Fortunately, there’s a lot that organizations can do to turn this around – including transforming your office design. Here’s some insight from our contemporary office furniture team.
An Open, Accessible and Flexible Layout Very few roles in an organization consist of one task that is repeated each day. For the most part, employees (and especially the employees your organization relies on the most) have a wide variety of tasks and goals to accomplish through their week or even their day. As a result, they need an environment that offers different spaces for different tasks in order to get the optimal level of support. This means creating a layout that is accessible and flexible, offering a range of choices for working with others or working privately, holding a meeting or phoning a client. This allows employees to embrace their different roles fully and demonstrates a level of trust and independence that empowers people to take charge. Unforced Collaboration Great work only happens in a collaborative space when employees are doing collaborative work. It sounds obvious but it’s surprising how many organizations enforce a company-wide collaborative workspace when some roles and employees thrive better in a more private space that allows for quiet focus. Provide a range of collaborative spaces and allow people to choose to use them for certain types of work, for instance, chillout areas for casual brainstorming, quiet booths for one-on-one creative discussion, and quiet spaces for the focused work that follows. By providing this support, you reduce frustration and distractions while supporting the need for creativity and innovation, ensuring your employees feel able to do their work to the best of their ability. Welcoming Comfort Recently, there’s been a push in the contemporary office interiors sector to create spaces that are less like an office and more like a work-from-home space. By introducing creature comforts, warm colors, art, and decor to create a home-like space, your staff will feel more relaxed, energized, and welcome in your space. By creating a welcoming culture, you set the mindset of your team. And, this will help to foster a robust level of engagement and enthusiasm for the working day. Contemporary Office Furniture for an Engaged and Productive Workspace Whether you are prioritizing employee engagement and are considering a new office design and fit-out or whether you are moving to new premises, it’s important to have an office design partner who understands your needs. BE Furniture is a New Jersey-located company that strives to meet all your commercial office furniture and office design needs. We can assist you with everything from modern office desks, ergonomic desks and modern office chairs to office design, fitment and furniture recycling. For more information or inspiring contemporary office furniture ideas, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.befurniture.com/ Original content was posted on https://www.befurniture.com/how-your-office-design-affects-employee-engagement/ |
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