Archive for the ‘Office Furniture’ Category

Office Furniture Buyers Guide

Monday, December 14th, 2009

This modern office furniture guide aims to inform you on different aspects of furniture buying course for both home offices and regular offices. Office furniture has changed with changing work style, the aim being to save on space, while optimizing on productivity and playing it easy on paper, in-line with the modern work mantra. There are two categories of office users; a segment deals with home office furniture with its peculiar up-to-date needs. Then there is regular modern office storage furniture, desks and office computer workstations that fill up on norms of modern day lifestyle playing it smart on colors, trendy on style and high on functionality. The demand is for power-packed furniture that saves clutter and allows space to move around.

This guide emphasizes on individual users and regular office furniture, following is the list of modern day furniture essential for any office to function,

Desks:One of the most important features of an office, a desk is where all the work comes to life. You may think about executive office desks that come in different size and shapes for home users. Before you start looking around, it is advisable to make a list of the functions you would need the desk for. You may be conferencing regularly, or perhaps need a large desk for a variety of functions like printing, reading and writing or sketching work and so on. Estimating your need should give you a fair idea about the ideal size within the available space.

You get multi-tasking tables with extendible models that can be used for everyday work. Knowing what tasks you’ll be doing at your office desk will help you choose the best one for oneself. If you are the type who spends more time on the computer than using a pen and paper, workstation is more of the thing to suit your purpose. For regular offices, it is important that your furniture matches up with the work environment and settings in the most complimentary way. Also you get great combo of workstations with seating for 4-6 people, complete with partition and individual storage units that are quite modular and trendy.

Arrangement: How big is the room or work area (for offices) you plan to set the desk or workstation/s in? For home users, it is important to get a desk that fits in the space and also allows movement around the room. If you have a complete room to use as an office, a larger desk sounds like a better idea. Once the space is determined, style, color, and material can be rounded up with ease. For smaller spaces and offices, corner desks sound like a great idea.

Modern/Executive Office Seating

Chairs are important too and you get a wide range of ergonomic models that ensure comfort and allow great posture while working. Before you buy a chair, you may like to ponder on the following details,

• How much time will you spend on the chair? Determine from heavy to moderate usage.
• Are your feet comfortable and supported? They should rest comfortably on the floor, and your thighs should be firmly supported and form a square with the floor.
• Back support is of utmost importance to avoid back pain and stress. The ideal angle between your upper legs and torso should be between 90 and 105. Tilting the back should be easy, but also firm to allow a good posture.
• The desk chair should be ergonomic and allow posture change with ease.

Ergonomic office chairs these days come with advanced mechanism to control your sitting position for superior comfort. The idea is to minimize body stress by offering different tilting angles and positions to support your back and feet.

Modern Office storage: Storage in any office is central to work and relative to convenience and productivity. A trouble-free storage unit neatly arranged and close to your work desk always helps with saving time. Clutter free and paper-less zones are yet to arrive, we do need paper in our office lives even if it’s been reduced to minimal. File storage and everyday paper work still needs to be stacked for records and you get filing cabinets and modular storage furniture in all trendy shapes and sizes. Mobile storage units are also great to allow easy moving within the office. Materials range from sleek steel, glass and wood.

Office Storage:
Points to ponder when buying storage units

• For home and office users, how much of paper work you do everyday?
• How many cabinets do you need for filing?
• Does the unit have sliding draws?
• Does it allow additional space?
• For bigger units, is it easy to open and stack files?
• Is the material robust?
• Does it go with your office theme and colors?

You can find almost any variety of furniture, some of which will meet your exact needs. Just keep in mind the practical details like room size, desk size, how many people will use a work desk or workstation. Keep in mind the functional part and fit in furniture that compliments the theme and work environment at your office and home.

Amanda Somers
http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/office-furniture-buyers-guide-675042.html

The Fundamentals of Office Furniture Project Management

Friday, December 4th, 2009

The result of successful office furniture project management is a project completed on time and on budget. If you are the person responsible for a office furniture project at your company, this information should be helpful to you. I remember when office furniture project management was easily defined; a Project Manager had valuable skills and specific responsibilities. In my experience, that is no longer always the case. Since my experience in this industry was in NYC, these problems may not be valid in your area.

Let me say that there are furniture dealerships that are extremely reputable and have capable staff members. With that said, there are also dealerships with inexperienced, unqualified staff members. Not all dealerships have the same internal structures. Here are several viable staff structures — all of which are effective with the right personnel:

  • At some dealerships, the Designer or Product Specifier may also function as the Project Manager. By the way, this situation works very well.
  • In some situations, the Sales Representative may assume some of office furniture project management responsibilities; such as suggesting the best products within your budget that meets your needs.
  • Another procedure is that the Project Manager doesn’t get involved until the delivery and installation phase. In this case, you need to find out who is responsible prior to that time.
  • Dealerships that own their own warehouses will have Foremen on staff. An experienced Foreman can be invaluable, and his responsibilities may overlap with those of the Project Manager.

Below is a list of tasks which may be the responsibility of the project manager.

  • act as the primary contact for all questions and decisions regarding the furniture for this particular project
  • attend “kickoff” or original planning meeting
  • evaluate any existing furniture to be reused
  • confirm field measurements of the space
  • collect data regarding the function and needs of your staff as well as discussing the projected growth of your company
  • attend construction or project meetings as needed
  • develop a furniture project schedule including delivery and installation dates that will meet your move-in date
  • prepare status reports with necessary updates
  • provide building manager with Certificate Of Insurance
  • review CAD drawings and product specifications
  • perform final walk through with client and compile punch list (if an architect or outside design firm is involved in the furniture, you will want them to be in charge of this walk through and punch list)
  • oversee all punch list work and get a sign off from the client when all work is completed to their satisfaction

In most cases your furniture dealership will be responsible for these tasks at no additional cost. However, there are times when it is valid that there are additional charges for some tasks.

Before finalizing your agreement and placing any orders with the dealership, you should discuss exactly what is included in the office furniture project management services you will receive. If this is your first experience with a particular dealership, you may want to ask that this be noted on your proposal or quote.

You should also find out when the PM will become involved in your project. It is not an unreasonable request to meet this person and discuss his or her experience and background.

Janet Vogel
http://www.articlesbase.com/project-management-articles/the-fundamentals-of-office-furniture-project-management-159909.html

Why You Need Ergonomically Correct Office Furniture

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Most people spend long hours each week in their office, making it very important to have the right style of furniture. While comfort is important, you really need to be more focused on the office furniture being ergonomically correct then on the color or material of it.

You will feel much better at the end of the work day, and have more energy to complete your tasks with an ergonomically correct office chair. It will help improve your posture, resulting in less pain in your back and neck areas. It will also reduce the risk of office injuries and claims.

If you use a computer in your office on a regular basis, not having the right posture can lead to carpal tunnel in your wrists. This is the result of moving them in a particular repetitive motion throughout the day. Along with an ergonomically correct keyboard, you can prevent such injuries from happening.

Many manufacturers of ergonomically correct office furniture offer a wide selection of office furniture products to choose from. This allows you to still get a great looking office but one that is designed for your body as well. It is a good idea to purchase ergonomically correct office furniture with the help of a qualified consultant. They will be able to identity what needs to be improved with your current working conditions.

You can purchase entire office furniture work stations including desks, chairs, computers, keyboards, and all the accessories that are ergonomically correct. You can save a great deal of money if you purchase a package deal than if you buy one or two pieces separately.

Many people who use office furniture don’t realize that it has a negative effect on their posture, health, productivity, and even their mood. More employers are starting to recognize the importance of providing ergonomically correct office furniture. Not only do the employees get more work accomplished, they take fewer sick days.

Gabriel Adams
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/why-you-need-ergonomically-correct-office-furniture-139920.html

Sample Cover Letter for an Office Furniture Job

Friday, December 4th, 2009

It is a dog-eat-dog world out there in the job market and you need to set yourself apart early. You must be wondering how it is possible to make a terrific impression with only a piece of paper and some information. How you present that information is going to determine if you get that awaited for interview. Use some of these great tips when you start writing your superb resume cover letters. For the purpose of this article, we will use a generic job of “Office Furniture Purchaser” to illustrate the main ideas.

* Don’t use up your first paragraph with a boring introduction. Make sure that you grab their attention. Give them the reasons you are qualified right off the bat.

E.g.: Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to apply for your advertised position as office furniture. am keen to emphasize the significant points of my career from the past 15 years in the office furniture industry with you.

* Don’t use old stand-bys like “Attached please find my resume…” Your prospective employer can SEE your resume; they don’t need you to tell them it is there. Abstain from using such statements that provide no real value. If you need to refer to your resume in your cover letter, use statements like this:

E.g.: My curriculum vitae will reveal I am a qualified and skilled office furniture purchaser with a proven track record in budget saving techniques.

There, you just told them that you have experience, and you know how to save them money, AND you have a resume.

* Make sure that your resume cover letter is written in an easy-to-understand manner. If you are educated, they will know that you can use big words in the interview.

E.g.: It would be an honor to join your team, and establish my record breaking office furniture purchasing experience with your company.

* Make sure that prospective employers are aware of what you are looking for, and mention words used in the ad in your resume as things you can do. It may look blatant, but it actually works subconsciously in the minds of the prospective employer. For example, if the ad says, “seeking detail oriented and efficient time manager for Senior Office Furniture Buyer”, you want to say…

E.g.: My skills include a flawless attention to detail, commitment to meeting deadlines, and multi-tasking experience as a Senior Officer in a National Furniture Division.

Follow these quick tips and get yourself a smart and intelligent resume cover letter. Good luck!

Ajeet Khurana
http://www.articlesbase.com/resumes-articles/sample-cover-letter-for-an-office-furniture-job-145584.html

Help Yourself And/or Your Employees: Modular Office Furniture

Friday, December 4th, 2009

It is a simple fact of life…very few people actually like their jobs. Most people feel a little twinge of depression on Sunday evening when just the thought of Monday morning is looming over them. Depending on where you work, that twinge of depression could actually be a hint to take on some medication. The truth is that there are some great jobs out there, but the general population does not possess them, and common sense will tell you that if someone can like their working environment, they may not question calling in sick every other day. I understand that space can be of the utmost importance in small spaces, but if you are a business owner and decide that you want your office to be more up to date, friendly, and successful…go modular.

First, you should know that all modular office furniture is not created equal. The whole point of purchasing modular furniture is to be able to rearrange the furniture as needed. So, if you get a whim to redecorate you can change an office’s entire look by rearranging the desks. Sometimes, you will find modular furniture that is on the lower end, but it’s made solely for the purpose of being modular. For instance, you can get a modular desk or office system at places like Office Depot, Staples, or the Internet. They come in all shapes, colors and sizes. A great modular desk is the Hansen Cherry and Galaxy Modular Desk system that comes in a dark finish and is only $289. However, if you are looking for the modular cubicles, they are going to be much more expensive, but you have to look at it as buying four desks that fit into one.

If what you want is a more modern take on modular furniture, and you are willing to spend the money, there are some great products out there. Modular furniture has become more popular with firms, and offices where the employees are more out in the open. There is a company called strong project, and their website has a more modern take on your typical office furniture. For instance, their cubicle (product # 10678) takes a different spin. It looks like a rectangle that has been cut into and it boasts four different working stations while keeping all of the lines clean and modern. They also have home modular systems that you can create yourself, such as product # 10417, which lets you choose between work spaces, storage, and tables. They also have the option of privacy screens, which can shield your workspace from others. The screens are lightweight and can come in many varieties including frosted acrylic. If you like the look of this company’s products, but you are afraid that you don’t have the money, there is a used furniture choice to check into.

Modular furniture is available for all budgets and all industries, but you have to be realistic about your building demands. You need to make sure that the cubicles that you buy will coincide with your telephone lines, computer hookups, and easy access for those who will not be at their station all day long. Make sure that you have enough employees to make the procurement of a modular system worth your while. Changing the appearance of your office can bring productive results because the aesthetics can make you staff feel more refreshed and in the right frame of mind to produce positive outcomes. However, it is important to remember that modular systems are not inexpensive ways to decorate, and you have to be mindful of your budget if you want your company to grow. Therefore, plan your options out ahead of time, and be realistic when you make you decisions, after all, business is business.

Edwin Passorio
http://www.articlesbase.com/management-articles/help-yourself-andor-your-employees-modular-office-furniture-96782.html

New Office, Modern Furniture

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Modern Office Furniture; When the Modern Office replaced the “old office” the old office furniture went with it. Modern office furniture reflects the needs of young, dynamic, and creative businesses. Today businesses, trying to distinguish themselves from others, often use their office environment, workspaces and communication systems as key tools in distinguishing themselves from their competitors.

Modern office furniture products need to be flexible, ergonomic, elegant, and most importantly, comfortable and functional. To maximize performance and productivity, today’s manufacturers are incessantly designing new modern office furniture pieces that can keep up with our rapidly changing world. MAiSPACE is leading the field with its unique designs and, as might be expected, is the fastest growing office furniture company. MAiSPACE provides a variety of modern office furniture systems that are sleek, elegant, exceptionally affordable, and immensely versatile. Innovative, functional, and individually-centric MAiSPACE modern office furniture products provide all of the features and benefits of expensive alternatives, proving that style, elegance, and function can come at an affordable price.

The modern office is warm, friendly, comfortable, and functional and it’s eco-friendly. Our wood furniture products come from sustainable forests. Another advantage of wood furniture is its natural aroma; definitely the air that you breathe is much healthier and it’s natural in an environment of natural wood versus other non-natural materials. A study recently revealed that some of the components used in office furnishing systems were sources of toxic compounds.

MAiSPACE also offers safe and recycled materials. Our modern office furniture products are fiberglass free. Unlike many office systems, which are filled with fiberglass that doesn’t break down in landfills, we use post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from ground up soda bottles. We hope other manufacturers will share our concerns and follow our lead. Due to the large number of plastic containers being discarded, much of this material goes unused. We are very happy to find a use for it that makes sense from every perspective.

Modern office is designed with simplicity and functionality in mind. Ergonomic chairs, fixed, foldable, and transitional conference tables. Based on this philosophy, MAiSPACE takes innovation and interior office design to the next level. MAiSPACE redefines the rules about what the office should and could look like. MAiSPACE introduces a new lines of modern office furniture that suits the needs of the creative minds of today’s thriving businesses. MAiSPACE designs office systems and furniture that help workers to work more effectively and productively.

In today’s corporate world, space is always a central issue. As such, today’s interior design is all about space planning and utilization, and efficiency. What we need is more breathing room in today’s modern offices. The office space cannot be too confining. The modern office workstation can be easily taken apart and then re-assembled to meet your ever changing workspace needs. We offer modern office furniture that allows you to maximize comfort in a minimal work space.

At MAiSPACE, we also help you reconfigure an office floor plan in hours without disrupting the entire local area network. Reconfigurable, ready-to-assemble frames equipped with self aligning connectors simplify moving elements into and throughout the building reducing installation costs.

Modern office furniture is about using the latest technology to your advantage. We are here to bring order out of chaos, because we know in today’s corporate world it’s all efficiency, productivity … but also the look and feel of the workplace. MAiSPACE and Morspace, our two signature product lines, are based on the size, reach, movements of the users. User-friendly components, such as cascade edge worksurfaces and adjustable height, sit/stand keyboard platforms for computer intensive environments provide plenty of usable and breathable space and help manage information. We also take pride in cable management. Frames provide unobstructed cable pathways top to bottom. Cable runs are laid in behind lift-off panel segments, not bundled and fished through structural elements. Off-modular design allows flexibility in workspace size, configuration and in locating bins, shelves, and divider panels.

At MAiSPACE, we are changing the way people think of office and office furniture. Modern office furniture speaks volumes about your business … functionality, productivity, your attitudes and image. We also know that the way your office is structured and organized can communicate the message beyond the company … at MAiSPACE, we understand this and are here to help you meet all of the requirements and objectives of your modern office.

Christopher Carter
http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/new-office-modern-furniture-380571.html

Contemporary Office Furniture: Where Should You Buy It From?

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Are you a business owner or are you in charge of purchasing supplies for your company? If so, there is a good chance that the supplies you need to purchase will include office furniture. Where do you currently purchase your office furniture from? If you are like many other business owners, there is a good chance that you may make your purchases from a large, nationally known office supply store chain. Of course, there is nothing wrong with doing so, but you may want to rethink your decision. After all, there are a number of benefits to purchasing your office furniture from a small business; a small business that may be just like your own.

When it comes to purchasing office furniture, a large number of individuals search for contemporary office furniture. Contemporary is another word that is used describe modern. In this case, you may be searching for new, updated, and modern office furniture. Despite what you may believe or assume, a large number of small office furniture supply stores do carry contemporary office furniture. In fact, the selection of contemporary office furniture you have to choose from may even be more than you could have ever imagined.

As it was stated above, there are a number of benefits to purchasing your supplies from an office furniture supply store that is often considered a small business. One of those benefits is quality. Small business owners are often noted as giving their business and the products or services that they sell more attention, when compared to larger businesses or corporations. For you, this means that you are almost always guaranteed a quality product. Whether you are looking for an office desk or leather office chair, the piece of furniture in question was likely handpicked by the owner of the office furniture supply store.

In addition to quality products, there are a number of other benefits to purchasing your contemporary office furniture from a business that is often referred to as a small business. Another one of those benefits is service. Although most large businesses or corporations do have a customer service department, that customer service department is often made up of a large group of individuals; individuals who may be unfamiliar with the products or services that are being sold. When it comes to a small business, this same problem is often non-existent. With small businesses, you will find that they employee less individuals than most nationally run companies. This means that, when contacting a small office furniture supply store, there is a good chance that you may end up speaking with the same employee on multiple occasions. This may help to ease your fears of doing business with a new company and it also helps you to develop a business relationship with the company or employee in question.

In conjunction with the above mentioned service, you are also likely to receive more assistance when purchasing your contemporary office furniture from a small office furniture supply store. This assistance not only includes taking or verifying your order, but it may also include helping you choose the perfect pieces of contemporary office furniture for your office and your needs. For instance, do you or any of your employees have back problems? If so and you are looking to purchase a leather office chair, you may be wondering what type of leather office chair could help to combat your back problem or the other medical problems of your employees. Small business owners and employees are more likely to extend their assistance or professional advice than larger, national office furniture supply stores.

When it comes to purchasing contemporary office furniture for your office, the decision as to where you want to purchase your office furniture from is yours to make. However, as it was mentioned above, there are a number of benefits to doing business with a small business. If you are a small business owner, yourself, you may have a better understanding of these benefits. To purchase contemporary office furniture, such as a nice leather office chair, from a relatively small, but reliable office supply store, you are urged to examine OfficeDr.com. With a large selection of products and a trustworthy staff, you are sure to find all of the office furniture supplies that you need, all in one place.

George Finnerin
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/contemporary-office-furniture-where-should-you-buy-it-from-92089.html

What To Consider When Buying Furniture For Your Home Office

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Are you self-employed? If so, there is a good chance that you may operate a business right out of your home. If this is the case, you are running what is often referred to as a home based business. Like all businesses, home based businesses must achieve success. One of the best ways to do this is setup your office just like a traditional office, such as one that may be found in a large, nationally known workplace. Whether you are in the process of starting your home based business or if you would like to rearrange your home office to increase your productivity, you will need office furniture.

When it comes to purchasing contemporary office furniture, do you know what to look for? Unfortunately, not all home based business owners do. As it was touched on above, the way that your office is setup will not only have an impact on your comfort level, but your productivity as well. To increase your productivity and in turn increase your profits, you will want to purchase the perfect furniture for your office. Unfortunately, this isn’t always as easy as it seems. If this is your first time purchasing contemporary office furniture, you may be overwhelmed with all of the choices that you have. If so, it is best that you keep a number of important factors in mind. These factors, which are outlined below, may help make buying office furniture one of the easiest decisions that you will ever have to make.

Perhaps, the most important factor to examine is the amount of money that you have to spend. As you likely already know, office furniture comes in a number of different sizes, shapes, and styles, all of which are offered at different prices. When searching for contemporary office furniture, it is best that you know, ahead of time, how much money you can afford to spend. Knowing this important piece of information will not only make choosing office furniture easier, but it may also help you save time. By knowing how much money is too much to spend, you can prevent yourself from examining office furniture that you can’t even afford.

In addition to your budget, it is also important to examine the amount of space that you have available. Although most home based business owners have a room that has been converted into an office, not all do. In fact, it is not uncommon to hear of a business owner running a home based business out of their garage, from the kitchen table, or from the living room. If this applies to you, it is important to examine the amount of space that you have. For instance, if you are looking to purchase a home office desk, it is important that you measure the amount of space that you have available for a home office desk. With a wide variety of choices, you are sure to find a home office desk that can fit into the space that you have available; however, knowing ahead of time how big of a desk you can have may not only save you time, but it may also save you money and a large amount of stress.

Once you have examined the basics, such as how much money you have to spend or how much space you have available for contemporary office furniture, you can begin to focus on what you want. For instance, what type of office furniture could you like to purchase? If you are searching for contemporary office furniture, you may also be looking for something new or modern. If that is the case, a leather office chair may be within your sights. How does a leather office chair sound? What about a filing cabinet? Do you want one in your home office? If so, what type of filing cabinet would you like to have? The best way to increase your productivity is to be comfortable in your settings and you can do this by purchasing, or at least reviewing, your first choice office furniture.

Although you should definitely put some thought into purchasing your home office furniture, it doesn’t have to be the biggest decision of your life. By keeping the above mentioned points in mind, you should be able to find and purchase contemporary office furniture without having to spend too much time searching for it or go broke in the process.

Dan Vianetto
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/what-to-consider-when-buying-furniture-for-your-home-office-92099.html

Office Furniture: Start Simple and Let it Develop as Your Business Grows

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Of all the different types of office furniture available, my favorite piece for a home office is a basic table. There is plenty of room for my computer and printer and other needed peripherals, a container for small items such as pens, I use book ends to control regularly accessed books, and then neatly place in accessible areas anything else that I often use. My “desk” does occasionally get unruly, but since it is all visible, I am forced to tidy it up, unlike a desk with drawers where you can keep your unruliness hidden away from visiting eyes.

As you start a new business, other than a table, there are only a couple of other pieces of office furniture that is necessary for a home office or small office space rented in town. The first is a shelf. The shelf is needed to keep other office supplies and reference materials, and like the table/desk, everything is visible and ergo, kept neat. The other necessary piece, and probably more important to have before a shelf, is a filing cabinet. With all the different business forms, it is best to keep them organized from the very beginning. This will help keep the state and federal tax commissions happy!

I would have to say though, that the one piece of office furniture that you cannot skimp on from the very beginning is a good office chair. Sit in a lot of different style chairs, you may be surprised what you find comfortable, play around with the knobs and buy the chair that fits you best. Find a chair that you can sit in for long periods of time, if not, you will not get your work done and your business may be doomed to fail from the beginning. So I repeat, DO NOT skimp on an office chair, get the one that works best for YOU! It will pay for itself in the long run.

Let us naturally assume that you are successful with your budding business, and before long you are moved into a bigger space and have hired a couple of employees. It is now time to get serious about purchasing office furniture. The first thing you want to do is think ahead. What will you need down the road, how do you want your office space to develop as your business grows? If you plan now, you will save money in the future. Modular office furniture is a wonder. You can buy what you need now, but easily add on to it at a later date when your needs have changed or grown.

With employees and business meetings you may want to invest in a conference table. Great for weekly planning meetings with employees, it keeps everybody accountable and focused on your business goals.

Besides employees, your own needs have changed in the way of office furniture. Perhaps now you have a proper desk with a hutch on one side and extra work space on the other. You have a nice and comfortable guest chair for visiting business men and vendors. You want your office to look nice. There are extra touches with nice prints on the wall, classy lamps and lighting that add a nice ambient feeling to the room, and perhaps a nice coat rack by the door.

Yes, you have come a long way since you started your business, and just one place it is reflected is in your office furniture. Gone is the second hand filing cabinet and shelf, replaced by quality furniture that reflects who your are and makes a statement about your business. But lets face it, you couldn’t get rid of your first “desk”. The table still sits in the corner, a great work surface for various projects around the office. You glance at it often, it as a fond reminder of how you got started.

MJ Marks
http://www.articlesbase.com/small-business-articles/office-furniture-start-simple-and-let-it-develop-as-your-business-grows-702061.html