Our Employees Speak Out: Why They Choose to Work at Corporate Environments
So, what makes a workplace amazing? Is it the company policy, the office amenities, the bonus structure, pay, or work model? We can attest that it’s the people that we hire, the people who help build company culture because without them Corporate Environments would not be as successful as it has been today.
Corporate Environments was recently recognized by the AJC as a Top Workplace for 2023! So, what makes a workplace amazing? Is it the company policy, the office amenities, the bonus structure, pay, or work model? We can attest that it’s the people that we hire, the people who help build company culture because without them Corporate Environments would not be as successful as it has been today. Our goal at Corporate Environments is to create an environment that supports employee growth, well-being as well as spark innovation and deliver unmatched client experiences. We asked a few of our employees why they decided to join, stay, and apply from within.
Meet some of our employees!
Why did you decide to apply from within rather than search for outside opportunities?
ANDREA GOINGS
Architectural Solutions
Project Coordinator
Atlanta, GA
I have been with CE for 3+ years and truly have great admiration for the business and quality we as a company present. The company is ever changing and progressive, and I say that because I am in my career as well. When the opportunity was listed internally for the Architectural Solutions Project Coordinator, I quickly applied. It was a different realm than furniture, but it was an opportunity to make myself better and learn more.
Why did you decide to join corporate environments?
BRIAN BRIGGS
Project Manager
Atlanta, GA
After my initial phone interview with the recruiter, I began my research on who and what this company was about and in doing so, I became more and more intrigued with the overall make up, purpose and vision of the company. Then throughout my interview process, I began to meet the people that make up this company and experience the culture which helps drives this vehicle called CE to success.
What was your experience like on your first day?
So far, during these long industrious few weeks I’ve been here, lol … I have enjoyed every moment of the ride. It’s like learning a new language every day I come in to work, which excites me beyond words. My baptism began with excel overload and status reports with a few site visits sprinkled in along the way. Like a kid at Christmas who can’t wait to show off his new gifts, I can’t wait to show this company that the investment they made in me is worth its weight in gold.
why did you decide to apply from within rather than search for outside opportunities?
EMILY SMITH
Healthcare
Project Coordinator
Atlanta, GA
I have always had an ambitious attitude when it comes to my work life and one of the key factors for me at work is the opportunity for growth. I joined the CE family in June of 2022 and from day one I always told everyone I was eager to grow and expand my knowledge within. As soon as the position for Healthcare Project Coordinator was posted, I knew that it was something I wanted to apply for. I really enjoy being a part of CE and am so thankful that opportunities to be promoted from within.
WHAT MADE YOU STAY AT CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTS?
KURT MEYER
Sr. Sales Representative
Atlanta, GA
I loved the market but wanted to engage deeper with the entire project process. CE gave me that opportunity. Once you’re here you’re hooked! It’s a family.
It sounds cliché, but your clients become your friends and family as well. I have many clients who we’ve partnered on relocations 4-5 times over the years. I feel lucky to have found a place I love.
why did you decide to join corporate environments?
MIA PHAN
Project Designer
Savannah, GA
I really thought it would be a good fit for me to make the move. It is a woman owned company, has an array of talented people, represents brands that I like in commercial design, and it seemed like everyone enjoys their job – which is an important detail that I was missing at the time.
What was your experience like on your first day?
I noticed that everyone is really welcoming and genuine, and no one is too important for you to reach out to and have a conversation. I think it is extremely helpful that the designers here include the whole team on helping source items for different projects if it is needed because it really pulls together everyone’s knowledge for the benefit of the project.
We hold the Top Workplace award with high honor. Corporate Environments encourages employee feedback and allows every voice to be heard. Our vision is to be the company people want to do business with and people want to work for. When employees go through the onboarding process, they take part in the CE culture including monthly birthday celebrations, team lunches, happy hours, team outings, and more! But we know any company can provide free lunches and free beer, so what sets us apart from our competition? The people that cultivate our culture.
Being part of the commercial interior office design industry means that competition is everywhere, so to set Corporate Environments apart from the rest, we continue to place employees as our most valuable resource and priority and strive to retain our wonderful team.
As we continue to strengthen and grow our team, we are always looking for top talent. Check out our current open positions.
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From Employee to Entrepreneur: A Journey of a Woman-Owned Furniture Dealer
“DO YOUR BEST IN WHATEVER JOB YOU HAVE, NO MATTER WHAT IT IS. LEARN THE MOST YOU CAN, EXPAND YOUR EXPERIENCE AND DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. NEVER BE AFRAID TO TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT.” - Karen Hughes
“DO YOUR BEST IN WHATEVER JOB YOU HAVE, NO MATTER WHAT IT IS. LEARN THE MOST YOU CAN, EXPAND YOUR EXPERIENCE AND DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. NEVER BE AFRAID TO TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT.”
- KAREN HUGHES
Emerging from the activities of labor movements during the twentieth century in North America and Europe, in 1977, the United Nations officially established March 8th as International Women’s Day. A decade later, the National Women’s History Project petitioned to designate March as Women’s History Month. Year after year, the recognition has increased globally, and society has celebrated many contributions by women to history. Because this year’s Women’s History Month theme was Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories, Karen Hughes, CEO + Owner of Corporate Environments, shared her story with our team. It was an intimate and encouraging opportunity to learn about her journey of being an auditor to a business owner.
From living out of a suitcase, wearing a hard hat, and being a stay-at-home mom to becoming CEO + Owner of Corporate Environments, Karen accurately represents a perseverant person, taking every opportunity with a leap of faith. Her story is a testament to her courage and willingness to take risks. Growing up with brothers, Karen often found herself being very competitive, and with the mindset of “whatever they (her brothers) can do, she could do better,” she was able to hack the ideology of how boys could do some things girls couldn’t.
To prove everyone that she could do it, she went off to Auburn University and graduated with an accounting degree and later earned a master’s degree in accounting. After interviewing with several companies, Karen moved to Birmingham, where she worked in the auditing department which required her to travel extensively due to many of her clients being out of state. Despite the challenge of balancing work and family life, Karen persevered until she realized that living out of a suitcase away from home during the week was not what she wanted. Time passed, and Karen eventually transitioned into a different field- manufacturing, where a hard hat and boots were required. After the unions went on strike, she learned she would have to live at the plant for months and realized she did not want to be locked in, so she opted to move on.
After that experience, Karen started auditing for an office furniture company. From the start, many concerns arose, and she realized that the organization was not abiding by the accounting principles, which did not align with Karen’s beliefs. Karen decided the position was not the right fit for her and again chose to move on. After having two children and relocating to Atlanta, Karen decided to take a break from work to become a stay-at-home mom. However, when the 1990 savings and loan crisis hit, it took a toll on her husband’s commercial real estate company, and they began downsizing, downsizing, and downsizing until finally it reached the point where they both felt that Karen would need to find a job.
Once again, Karen had to go on the job hunt. While on the search for a job, she met John Harris, who was looking for someone to help run his furniture dealership’s internal operations at that time. They talked and checked each other out, and Karen finally decided it might be a good fit. Corporate Environments started with about eight employees, and after the merger with Ball Stalker, CE became a $25 million company overnight. It was like drinking from a fire hose. The constant growth and huge opportunity were exciting and required a lot from Karen to consolidate everything while running a business with little experience in knowing how to.
Through all this growth, John decided to move to the next phase of his life and sell the business. One day, he approached Karen with an offer, and for a second, she thought he had been drinking at lunch because she did not have the means to purchase such an organization. But her background in accounting brought out her analytical side, so she sat down and figured out how to make this happen. After careful thought, Karen moved forward with the acquisition.
A month before they closed the deal, CE won $10 million in business. At that time, they had a whole installation side of the business with a 100,000-square-foot warehouse and grew to 60 employees working in the field. Unfortunately, after 9/11, CE lost 30% of its business. Eventually, Karen decided to sell the installation side of the business, which had many overhead costs. After so many economic downturns, today, she claims it was the best business decision made that helped prevent any future financial drainage to CE’s stability.
Fast-forward to today, Corporate Environments has become a successful furniture dealership in the Atlanta Metropolitan area and has expanded into other southern regions, such as Savannah, Georgia. Corporate Environments is proud to say that we are woman-owned, and Karen’s story has made that even more real today. We continue to celebrate the women that make things possible.
Have you been inspired by a woman in your life?
let us know in the comments below!
Looking for love? These task chairs could be “the one.”
Have you ever considered how much time you spend sitting at your desk? We spend more time swiping on dating apps than thinking of the impact the chair we sit on has on our body and day-to-day productivity. Think about it, we spend about eight hours a day at work, and out of those eight hours, we are oblivious to the comfort level of the chair we’re sitting on.
February is the month where love fills the air. Although it is one of the shortest months, love always seems to saturate the entire month. During this time, many single people search for someone to spend Valentine’s Day with, but they’re not the only ones doing the searching- organizations are also searching to match their staff with the right task chair that supports employees during long sitting hours as well as after-hours conversations in the office.
Have you ever considered how much time you spend sitting at your desk? We spend more time swiping on dating apps than thinking of the impact the chair we sit on has on our body and day-to-day productivity. Think about it, we spend about eight hours a day at work, and out of those eight hours, we are oblivious to the comfort level of the chair we’re sitting on. Is that chair meeting our basic lumbar support needs? Is it causing that back pain we keep complaining about? Next time you notice pain or any discomfort, do some research on your current task chair.
We all need a soulmate that ensures we are comfortable while still bringing design aesthetics and ergonomic support. Finding the right task chair can be as tedious as getting a perfect match on Tinder, but we’ve done the work for you and have swiped right on the four most popular task seating chairs. So, if you’re looking for a long-term relationship, sit back and picture yourself sitting on one of the following chairs:
Let’s get to know the matched MillerKnoll candidates:
Aeron- By Herman Miller
Aeron is part of the Performance task section offering a variety of benefits, including a smarter weight distribution through 8z Pellicle, adjustable PostureFit SL for total spinal support, and balanced recline and natural movement by the Harmonic 2 Tilt. The Aeron compatibility is measured in three settings: Dedicated, Shared, and Group. Meaning the Aeron chair can acclimate to any setting while supporting you along the way. If you’re into sustainability, this chair is your perfect match; it contains over 50 percent recycled materials made with ocean-bound plastic. Some of the other key differentiators are the following:
Suspension seating with full ergonomic support
Iconic design that complements any space
The industry benchmark for ergonomics since 1994
Accommodates the widest range of body types/sizes
Verus By Herman Miller
If you’re still deciding whether you want a short-term or long-term relationship, Verus is the right one for you. Its ability to fit any aesthetic guarantees comfort to any type of sitter. It is the ergonomic chair for anyone and everyone at any time of the day. It’s quiet form and versatile design can shift this to any workplace aesthetic, while keeping your finances looking good. Not only is this chair the affordable type, it also comes from a diverse family, including the Verus Plus Chairs, Verus Side Chairs, and the Verus Stools. So, the comfort doesn’t stop at Verus, the legacy is continued by versatile options. Now, you decide which chair is best for you based on its differentiators:
Budget-Conscious
Rectilinear design
Versatile design
Wide range of selections
Generation by Knoll
Looking for a nontraditional love? Generation by Knoll combines freedom, holistic ergonomics, and elastic design to bring in a flexible back with a fun style. This chair encourages free expression, creativity, and engagement in any environment; it’s the partner that will bring out the best in you, even on a gloomy day. This candidate has gone above and beyond to receive the Best of NeoCon Gold Award for Seating in 2009, especially based with following differentiators:
Unparalleled flexibility
Frameless Flex Back ensuring optimal support for shoulders
Frameless Flex Seat
Dynamic Suspension providing weight-compensated without metal links/springs
Continuous lumbar support
Life by Knoll
Life by Knoll is the chair that will bring a joy to your work experience. It’s curves, slim silhouette and smooth movements set a standard of sophistication in design and ergonomics. The Life chair enriches the workplace with its light aesthetic, broad color, and finish palettes. It is a chair that brings beauty, comfort, and durability to the table. Not only is it supportive, it is also engineered for the environment. Its use of minimal materials and easily replaceable components help extend its usefulness. If you suffer from lumbar or shoulder pain, this is the chair that is paired with a back suspension fabric that will provide support in those areas, don’t go another day with pain, choose Life.
We get it. There are a lot of chairs in the sea, but it is important to pick the one that suits your needs. Choosing the right task chair can be challenging, tedious, and very exhaustive. With the number of options available, researching for the ideal chair can consume a lot of time, so we’ve narrowed down the list to the top candidates from the MillerKnoll Collective of Brands we think you should consider. Who knows, maybe you’ll swipe right and find your happily ever after (chair)!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TASK CHAIR?
LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
After install, what’s next?
Organizations refresh, move, or rebrand their workspace every day, and with that comes a high investment of money and time. During the first part of the year, it is common for organizations to reevaluate their space and reconfigure all or slightly tweak where needed. Regardless of the magnitude of space change, our Day 2 Service Program helps your organization manage the upkeep of your interior furnishings, ensuring your products last longer and that your workspace continues to perform at its very best.
It’s 2023, and after months of going back and forth with contractors, designers, and dealers, your newly renovated office space is set and ready to accommodate your employees. Since the pandemic, the entire office has had the luxury of working remotely, but everyone is now eager to get back into the office to socialize with their colleagues. Walking in on the first day in the new office, the smell of new furniture and the sight of fresh paint fills the space. Something has changed. You can’t put your finger on what it is. Then it hits you as you find yourself walking through the space and seeing employees collaborating and having conversations. The office fills with conversations, excitement, and motivation.
Organizations refresh, move, or rebrand their workspace every day, and with that comes a high investment of money and time. During the first part of the year, it is common for organizations to reevaluate their space and reconfigure all or slightly tweak where needed. Regardless of the magnitude of space change, our Day 2 Service Program helps your organization manage the upkeep of your interior furnishings, ensuring your products last longer and that your workspace continues to perform at its very best.
Chip Allen, Director of Sales, describes the Day 2 Services Program as “a constellation of solutions” for the client. Not only does Corporate Environments assist in planning and installing the new space, but we are experts in maintaining your investment after the project is completed. The Day 2 Service Program answers the following questions:
Project Management– is internal business keeping you from an efficient transition?
Project Design– is your office furniture selection preventing employees from staying productive?
Installation– need help building your systems workstations?
Reconfigurations- going through daily internal moves of people and furniture?
Relocations– is your organization considering moving to a new location?
Warehousing- is that excess inventory taking up space in the employee resource area?
Warranty- is that new height adjustable executive desk having mechanism issues?
Reupholster– is that soft seating in your lobby showing its age with worn spots, tears, or stains?
Wood Furniture Repair- have several of your Knoll Islands Collection tables received gouges over time?
Decommission & Liquidation- what do you do with existing furniture?
Just like most physical things, commercial furniture depreciates over time. Furniture is an investment, an investment that is typically replaced every 7-10 years. CE’s Day 2 Services can provide a liquidation option that may reduce the cost of knockdown and removal, and in some cases, pay you directly for your used furniture.
The relationship and support you enjoyed during the project phase continue even after everything has been installed. It can begin immediately after installation. From prior experience, we’ve seen the work model change in a blink of an eye. As we all faced during the pandemic, transitioning to working from home has become a new offering employers now implement in their work model. Some organizations are 100% remote, while others use a hybrid model. As an organization, having a workspace that can be flexible and accommodating as it changes is vital to your continued growth. Every organization needs the same things to function smoothly. First, the ability to adapt quickly to change. Next, concentrating on your core business initiatives. How can you accomplish both with ease? By reducing the time spent on managing furniture changes/installations. With a comprehensive range of workspace solutions, Day 2 Service Programs are designed to meet your specific needs, ensuring that your unmatched service continues, even after your installation.
ASK US ABOUT OUR DAY 2 SERVICES PROGRAM
3 reasons why workplace design really matters.
Stale walls. Cubicles. Commercial carpet. Does any of that sound familiar? The traditional workplace has long been defined as a place where you come in, sit in a sea of cubicles, and plug away. Although some organizations still include cubicles, workplace transformations have become more necessary in today’s post-pandemic world.
Stale walls. Cubicles. Commercial carpet. Does any of that sound familiar? The traditional workplace has long been defined as a place where you come in, sit in a sea of cubicles, and plug away. Although some organizations still include cubicles, workplace transformations have become more necessary in today’s post-pandemic world. The office’s role has changed tremendously; it is now seen as part of the process for new talent to review before choosing to work for a company. Companies like Corporate Environments plan spaces that serve as both an environment to inspire and unleash employees’ best and a place where people choose to be. From Healthcare to Higher Education, workspace design has been at the forefront of many organizations’ goals. Many offices have become workplaces where employees are not at a desk for hours on end; now, there are breakout areas where employees can relieve stress, café areas to have a snack, and communal areas to socialize with colleagues. Chances are, when a new client or a potential talent walks in, they take a moment to scan the room and form a first impression. First impressions matter, especially when attracting employees, clients and building trust. The workplace is a powerful tool that tells the story of a company, it says a lot about the company culture. What story does your workplace tell?
When it comes to having functional working space, many people often forget the intent behind their workspace, from art selection to furniture placement- It all matters. So why is it that companies are starting to invest and prioritize workplace design now more than ever before? What has pushed the shift in how and where we work? The answer is simple: workplace design aims to better serve its employees because the workplace is a destination- a destination with an experience. The workplace plays a vital role in providing professional development, retaining and attracting employees, and fostering a company’s culture.
Reason number one: Cultivating professional development.
Nowadays, the expectations of providing professional development in the workplace have risen. There has been a high demand for continuous training to help employees enhance and refine their technical skills. Businesses want to offer different working spaces with various features to accommodate employees and guests during long workshops. With the new hybrid working model, many employees are working on and offsite making it is essential to integrate technology in these high-trafficked areas. For example, DIRTT provides various solutions to incorporate technology hardware into the design of the workplace. This solution comes with different display options to help support the workforce and improve employee engagement.
The need for in person seminars, lunch-n-learns, and training has led to many companies reevaluating and redesigning their workspaces to provide staff with a more functional design. As the saying goes, great employees deserve an excellent workplace design. To further equip current employees, the office design should provide modular furniture such as whiteboards with casters, chairs, ottomans, and laptop tables that are easily moved to create an adaptable learning environment. If the workplace screams dull, no one would be thrilled to show up. If people aren’t energized by their environment, what kind of work product will result from their efforts? The reason why workplace design matters is to serve employees.
Reason number two: Attracting and retaining talent.
It takes mere seconds to form a first impression. As we have all experienced, first impressions are tough to redo, so having the right design the first time is important. The most recent workplace designs include soft seating, warm lighting, biophilia, art, and technology-based furniture. There are many designs organizations can utilize in their workplace to differentiate themselves from competitors. Having height adjustable desks, ergonomic office chairs such as the Knoll Regeneration chair, and a variety of different working areas demonstrates values of putting employee welfare first. A combination of open office areas as well as privacy/quiet areas provide opportunities for employees to diversify their day and promote areas that best suits their project needs. When you keep and care for employees, your customers will be better catered to as well. As generations are transitioning in an out of the workforce, the priorities of attracting new and top talent are shifting and worth investing in. Just consider the impact it will have on employee’s wellbeing, productivity, and relationships with clients.
Reason number three: Fostering work culture.
Have you ever worked for a company where the work culture was non-existent? Yeah, we all have one company that pops into our minds. The physical work environment affects the way people interact with each other, their performance, and the overall cultural ambiance. Newer generations consider the workplace environment a top priority when deciding to work for a company. According to FreeOfficeFinder, a third of office workers in the millennial age group are willing to sacrifice a higher salary for a positive workplace that motivates and inspires. A pretty office will just be a pretty office, offering employees a sense of belonging goes much further- people want to feel seen, heard, and cared for by employers. Providing spaces where employees can build connections that enhance ideas creates an overall sense of team collaboration and accomplishment. Using spaces that are multi-faceted, such as café areas, yoga/exercise areas, and collaboration spaces cultivate camaraderie. Designing for a “we” environment will promote a positive work culture.
Designing for a “we” environment matters because the dark days in cubicle office spaces are gone. Offices design is becoming a branding opportunity to cultivate, nurture, attract, and retain employees. When the workplace serves its employees, the employees can best serve their clients, boost relationships, sales, and productivity.
Get in touch with Corporate Environments and
we will find the ideal solution for your business.
HEALING + PRODUCTIVITY FROM FURNITURE? IT’S POSSIBLE AND HERE’S WHY IT MATTERS
When we think about healthcare, what comes to mind? Insurance, hospitals, doctors, patients are probably the first things that popped into you mind. We typically think about everything else other than how furniture and design impacts healthcare users: the patients, guests, and caregivers.
When we think about healthcare, what comes to mind? Insurance, hospitals, doctors, patients are probably the first things that popped into you mind. We typically think about everything else other than how furniture and design impacts healthcare users: the patients, guests, and caregivers.
It took a virus that shutdown most parts of the world to rethink the healthcare workplace, shifting the focus onto creating an intentional work environment that addresses employee values and priorities through furniture. During COVID, our hospital employees were on the frontline- working extended hours, sacrificing time with their loved ones, and, most importantly, putting their well-being aside to put patients’ needs first. Because of the labor shortage of essential workers, many felt burned-out and have moved away from the healthcare industry in search of employers that will help support their mental well-being through benefits and policies. After experiencing a worldwide pandemic, the focus has switched to reimagining and redesigning the employee experience in healthcare- where remote work isn’t possible- so building spaces to reflect the value caregivers bring has become as essential as the workers themselves.
Showcased by many different booths at the Healthcare Design expo (HCD), manufacturers made it apparent that they too have recognized this need, demonstrating their ability to push design limits in healthcare, encouraging healing, productivity, comfort, and employee retention. Last month Elizabeth Harris and Jeff Durr, two of our dedicated CE Healthcare team members, attended the HCD Expo + Conference in Houston, Texas. Many key vendors, including Millerknoll, Kwalu, OFS | Carolina, Wieland, and Global, showcased creative solutions to foster flexibility, collaboration, and workload management in the workplace. The CE duo engaged with client Levino Jones from Medical Interiors, known for designing medical offices and outpatient centers, and dove headfirst into the importance of having the right furniture and design in healthcare spaces to improve patient satisfaction, retain employees, and provide durable solutions. Designing spaces in healthcare can be complex because it requires striking a balance between efficiency and the extensive planning required in high occupancy and contagious areas. In the end, having the right furniture and design in healthcare serves both the overall employee well-being and patient experience.
At the HCD Expo, Weiland introduced the new Soul Sofa + Soul Mate that will launch in Spring 2023, guests were able to see it first in San Antonio, Texas. This flexible and unique product was the winner of the Nightingale committee’s Innovation award, naming it the premium multi-functional solution. Corporate Environments Healthcare Director Jeff Durr described it as “the cleverest product launch on the floor that will impact the spaces we manage the most”. This new product will be vital in transforming healthcare spaces and recalibrating the approach to workplace culture and productivity.
Coming soon: See what’s new at Wieland – the Amari Recliner is now available! (wielandhealthcare.com)
Similarly, OFS|Carolina had the largest booth on the floor, demonstrating its well-designed craft. They featured products like the Sorta multi-use chair, the Kyte lounge, and the Neom modular lounge highlighting solutions in healthcare spaces that promote comfort, multi-use, and, most importantly, healing for all.
Designed by Henner Jahns, the Sorta multi-use chair provides flexibility in healthcare spaces, showcasing various usage options for caregivers and patients in shared rooms, caregiver + patient areas, learning spaces to complete paperwork, armrests for blood drawing, and much more.
Additionally, the Kyte lounge chair enhances any space with beauty and elegance. This featured product can play any role, from soothing to classic, with its base options that include a rocker, swivel, or metal base. The Kyte Lounge chair is quote versatile, being used in lobby areas, caregiver multipurpose areas, senior living resident areas, and any other healthcare space you can imagine.
The Neom Modular lounge product transforms waiting areas and public spaces in healthcare by enhancing the waiting experience for patients and resting areas for caregivers. Because reception areas are the first interactions for every patient, providing comfortable and powered lounging pieces conveys thoughtfulness and care for patients, easing their wait experience. With its clean-thru design and power supply option Neom connects and supports patients reducing stress while promoting well-being.
At some point in our lifetimes, we have all played the role of the patient, caregiver, and guest. Did you ever feel something was missing – a wider seat, a modular desking option, or a simple multi-use chair? Following the 2020 worldwide pandemic, design in healthcare has become more pertinent than ever. Healthcare spaces need to provide the right furniture and design for their caregivers and patients. As seen in the HCD Expos, designing environments for caregivers will increase their efficiency and effectiveness and cultivate a workplace that prioritizes its employees as well as its patients.
In the comments below share with us your thoughts about how furniture has impacted your well-being.
CONNECT WITH US and let Corporate Environments create a workspace that will meet the needs of both your employees and your business.
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THE NEW WORKPLACE DESIGN: HOTELIFICATION
Since 1969, Neocon has been established as the industry leading commercial interior design event showcasing ideas that will transform workplace environments. Neocon continues that tradition today, still recognized as the most valuable with a high-attendance rate event for designers, manufacturers, and dealers to discover people, products, and upcoming trends. This year, Neocon’s exhibitors showcased designs with warm, welcoming, and collaborative layouts to visually share the future of office spaces – the hotelification concept. This concept portrays the need to blend the digital and physical realms, promoting a new way of working and creating a positive work experience for everyone.
Neocon returns after a hiatus with the hotelification concept.
Since 1969, Neocon has been established as the industry leading commercial interior design event showcasing ideas that will transform workplace environments. Neocon continues that tradition today, still recognized as the most valuable with a high-attendance rate event for designers, manufacturers, and dealers to discover people, products, and upcoming trends. This year, Neocon’s exhibitors showcased designs with warm, welcoming, and collaborative layouts to visually share the future of office spaces – the hotelification concept. This concept portrays the need to blend the digital and physical realms, promoting a new way of working and creating a positive work experience for everyone.
After taking a hiatus during the pandemic, Neocon 2022 was the launchpad for the hotelification concept. This year, Neocon was back, lines were longer, elevators were full, and showrooms were buzzing with activity. Chicago was alive again. TheMart had thrill, design, and innovation on full display. Again – it was back with a stronger statement – new designs for the new way of working. Because the world is constantly changing, office models are also evolving – staying up to date and putting employees/clients first, and those tenants will remain a priority now and in the future.
The new hotelification concept derives from the resimercial trend that started before the pandemic. The combination between life and work has become interconnected, and the lines are no longer visible. The new way of designing office spaces has ceased to be linear. This new model includes privacy spaces, collaborative spaces that provide technology to support virtual meetings, stand-alone stations & single-person stations that support collaboration, café-like meeting areas, and kitchens. With the inclusion of a new layout, employers aim to bring employees back into the office and create an exciting work culture.
Flexibility, inclusion, and mental health were conversation points at Neocon. Many businesses are now designing their office spaces to provide flexibility, inclusivity, and wellness spaces for employees to decompress and take mental breaks. Pre-pandemic, the resimercial concept combined residential and commercial bringing a home-like feel into the workplace with café-style rooms, office lounge areas, and kitchens to optimize the work-life culture. Fast-forward to today with an increased demand for work-life balance, making the ability to transform the office space that encompasses both a residential and commercial feel vital. The layout of the office space is moving away from a desk, chair, and white walls into a more inviting, warm area with wood accents and soft, muted colors, such as golds, purples, blues, greens, and reds.
Creating a flexible work culture starts by providing spaces that support technology for those that are working remotely to seamlessly collaborate with those that are in the office. Flexibility includes working areas, desks, lounge furniture, individual pods, and café areas. The goal is to provide furniture in office spaces to create a comfortable work experience. Pre-pandemic, sitting at a desk was a tradition; now, more people have acclimated to working on various furniture pieces and collaborating virtually.
Corporate Environments has implemented this concept in recent projects, such as its collaboration with Knoll in the Cooper Carry office renovation. Cooper Carry had a vision, the vision of creating their headquarters into a hybrid way of working to increase the number of employees coming back into the office.
Read the story: The Future is Flexible – Knoll
There has also been a rise in inclusive design to foster workplace environments and promote greater employee inclusion in all organizations. Workstations provide an opportunity for team collaboration, individual work time, and a space where everyone feels welcomed and part of a team. Many showrooms implemented rounded corner furniture and layouts. The purpose was to create a more inviting sense of inclusivity for employees and clients. As seen in GreyStone Power’s recent project, they wanted to develop a collaboration-friendly environment designed to attract new talent and retain longtime employees. Read the story of how Greystone reimagined their workspace partnering with Corporate Environments and design firm Smallwood. Powered Up! – Knoll
Providing wellness spaces in different office areas promotes employee productivity and increases employee retention. Offices are moving away from the conference-like room into spaces where employees can have a moment to decompress or collaborate. The biophilic design has become a solution and lesson learned to bridge the gap between nature and work. Bringing in the biophilic designs creates a more natural, comfortable, and relaxing space people have acclimated to during the pandemic. Many firms are implementing woods accents, warm-muted color palettes, biophilia, and privacy & collaborative spaces.
Not only has there been a change in workplace design, but also in how people work. Post-COVID, remote work has become prevalent. It is a new working method – a method that is not leaving. Many businesses have transitioned to hybrid working, while others have entirely transitioned to 100% remote working. The changing landscape of how and where people work will continue to evolve as we work towards the post-COVID era and workplace design will evolve alongside it. There has been an increase in people switching jobs for many reasons, one being the flexibility of hybrid working. The pandemic was a launchpad for employees to assess their values and determine if their employer offers those opportunities; people are not settling anymore.
Are you ready to transition and renovate your space into a more resimercial workplace? Connect with us and let Corporate Environments create a workspace that will meet the needs of both your employees and your business.
Do you agree with the hotelification approach? In the comments below, share why or why not.
Herman Miller + Knoll = MILLERKNOLL. THE STORY BEHIND THE MOST INFLUENTIAL FURNITURE BRANDS UNITING AS ONE
The two most iconic brands in the design and architecture industry known as Knoll and Herman Miller have become an integrated institution. These two brands now as one unit, offers something so unimaginable and amazing that is going to be a driving force in the design and architecture world.
Two iconic brands harmonized into one!
If you haven’t already heard about the big news, we’re here to tell you! Well…. What is it you ask?!! The two most iconic brands in the design and architecture industry known as Knoll and Herman Miller have become an integrated institution. These two brands now as one unit, offers something so unimaginable and amazing that is going to be a driving force in the design and architecture world.
MillerKnoll, now one of the largest and most influential modern design companies in the world, is uniquely positioned to catalyze the transformation of the industry and redefine modern design. It’s safe to say that the design industry wouldn’t be what it is today without the Herman Miller and Knoll’s long history of creativity and modernization.
You’re probably reading and asking yourself what does this mean?
June 1st, 2022 marks a momentous milestone on our integration roadmap as Herman Miller and Knoll become unified as MillerKnoll.
Moving forward, MillerKnoll’s portfolio includes these brands:
Each one of these individual brands, that are now a part of the MillerKnoll collective, offer a distinct perspective on design and a full portfolio to suit diverse needs. Unifying these brands under one company has been aided by feedback from dealers, customers, and other important voices within the industry such as architects and designers.
The MillerKnoll collective has such a powerful and positive influence in the design world. These two iconic brands have brought us offers unique perspectives on design and that combined strength of values, people, and expertise, that these brands design the world we live in.
“We are excited to introduce MillerKnoll, a collective of dynamic brands coming together to design the world we live in,” ”
The history of both Knoll and Herman Miller has stood the test of time in the design world and has proved every tenant that both companies are founded upon. Their influence has shaped the way people think and feel about design. The design industry wouldn’t be what it is today without the influence of Herman Miller and Knoll’s extensive history. Tracing back to the origins of both companies, you can see that the integration of Herman Miller and Knoll are very complementary of each other, taking similar design approaches.
Founded in 1938, Knoll has been an international leader in utilizing the power of modern design to create environments where people aspire to work. Florence Schust was the starter of the idea of the modern office and pioneered the interior design profession. At an early age, Florence established her interest in architecture and was enrolled at the Kingswood School for girls across from the Cranbrook academy for work.
While attending Kingswood, Florence met Eliel Saarinen, who she became close friends with and established a strong relationship with the Saarinen family. From there, Florence made important connections and developed skills by attending Cranbrook that later launched her career in design. The connections Florence made throughout her journey lead to her to study under some of the greatest architects of the 20th century including Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Ludwig Mies van de Rohe at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
After some time, Florence moved to New York where she met Hans Knoll who was in the process of building his furniture company. With an interest in both design and business, Florence and Hans were able to grow the company into an international arbiter of style and design. After a few years of working together as business partners and friends, Florence and Hans Knoll were married.
Florence Knoll created the standard of modern corporate interiors post-war. She focused on space planning, and comprehensive design to office planning and really focused on each client and their needs, defining patterns of use, and understanding company hierarchies.
“She had that ability, to critique [something], to tear It apart and put it back together. She was something else.” Bob Longwell
The Knoll Planning Unit was founded by Florence Knoll in 1946 as an interior planning service working on projects for some of the biggest corporations in America. The team quickly became renowned for revolutionizing the American business environment with its unique, detail-oriented approach. Over the years, the Knoll Planning Unit designed interiors across the programmatic spectrum, from individual residences to restaurants to large corporate offices. In doing so, the division redefined the conventions of the 20th century office design, cementing the role of Knoll not simply as a company selling individual pieces of furniture, but as highly regarded curator of spaces.
Florence Knoll worked with some of the largest corporate offices in America such as IBM, GM, and CBS. With Florence’s attention to detail, eye for proportion and command of the modern aesthetic she often contributed her furniture designs to the Knoll catalog and referred her to her furniture designs as “Meat and Potatoes.” Many of her designs have been admired by her colleagues and are still celebrated today.
If you work in any type of office setting, you probably have heard the name Herman Miller. Herman Miller has been the leading ergonomic office chair manufacturer since the 1990’s.
100-years ago, Herman Miller was born into a company that puts emphasizes on great design, the environment, community service, and health and well-being of customers and employees. The company’s innovative, problem-solving designs and furnishings have inspired the best in people wherever they live, work, learn, heal, and play.
The Herman Miller Furniture line began when a determined young boy found himself at the helm of a new furniture company in Zeeland Michigan. As that company grew, they needed 18-year-old D.J De Pree to serve as a clerk for Michigan Star furniture. After ten years of working at Michigan Star Furniture, D.J proved himself and was named president of the company in 1919. After a few years of experience of being a president, he approached his father-in-law, Herman Miller, and asked Miller to buy most of the shares in the Michigan Star Furniture Company. He agreed, and the company was then named The Herman Miller Furniture Company.
In the 1930’s De Pree altered the company’s path, transforming Herman Miller into the first company in the United States to produce modern furniture for the masses. Since that time, the company’s growth has been extraordinary journey.
“In 1939, the company was opening its first showroom in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. From that point on, company growth increased every year with more plants, offices, and showrooms opening around this country and eventually around the world.”
Herman Miller throughout its time, hasn’t been afraid to take risks and the company continues to provide trendy, cutting edge design for homes, offices, and healthcare environments.
One of Herman Miller’s main philosophies has been based on always being a human-centered design, which is proven by their products like the Aeron Chair. This designers of this chair Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick set out to create a chair that was health-positive, cross-performing, inclusively sized, and environmentally sensitive. They crafted a chair unlike the word had ever seen, providing a comfortable solution without the standard use of foam, fabric, or leather. Aeron demonstrated a pioneering step in ergonomics and material innovation.
Modern furniture should complement architectural spaces, not complete with it.
MillerKnoll is a collective of brands that represents over 100 years of design research to serve humanity
MillerKnoll is a collective of dynamic brands that comes together to design the world.
Minimize the harmful effects on the environment and achieve ongoing improvements in environmental performance.
Success in greenhouse gas emissions at our manufacturing facilities, exceeding our goal by 23%, we redefined our Carbon Disclosure Project, which commits to further reductions and public disclosure.
Herman Miller and Knoll combined into one
As you may already know, both Herman Miller and Knoll were industry leaders separately, but now are a powerful force together by combining each company’s unique individuality together as one in the A+D industry.
“MillerKnoll is a collective of dynamic brands that comes together to design the world we live in. We design for the good of humankind, shaping a future that’s more sustainable, caring, and beautiful for all people and our planet.”
Knoll and Herman Miller were industry leaders on their own, both companies having such well-known history and legendary backgrounds. MillerKnoll will now continue to build on their legacies within the design and architectural world.
With the Official MillerKnoll launch, MillerKnoll will:
Catalyze the transformation of the home and office through a united portfolio of complementary brands
Support and grow existing Contract and Retail channels, as well as explore new ideas and business innovations, to ensure they meet the highest level of manufacturing excellence, customer sales and service, and idea experience.
Compromise global functional teams that serve the entire enterprise, including Manufacturing, Digital, Technology, Marketing, Strategy, Finance, Human Resources and Legal.
Drive growth and profitably with a scaled US and international footprint, maintain strong brand ownership designed to preserve and nurture the essence of the brands within the combines company’s portfolio, which includes the Herman Miller and Knoll brands.
“Our industry - and the world in general - is changing rapidly. design is the way we imagine and shape a better future. in coming together, we will define and lead this transformation, like we have other transformations in our history.”
- Andi Owen
MillerKnoll now benefits from increased reach and the ability to better serve customers across the contract furnishing sectors, residential trade segment and retail audience. In addition, MillerKnoll is well positioned to enhance engagement with architects and interior designers, who support the decision making for both Contract and Residential customers.
MillerKnoll will be led by legacy Herman Miller President and CEO, Andi Own. In addition to Owen, the combined company will be led by a world-class executive team made up of executives from both Herman Miller and Knoll.
According to Miller Knoll President and CEO Andi Owen, the merger will be symbiotic- the new structure will allow the brands to play off each other’s strengths and exceed what they could accomplish previously.
“Herman Miller and Knoll were on parallel paths in their approach to design: rooted in strong business principles, centered on fusing industry and craft, focused on problem solving, and deeply ingrained with spaces and places.”
Herman Miller and Knoll have continued with complementary approaches to making products for people in all places. These two design brands have been traveling alongside one another and intersecting for over 100 years. Herman Miller and Knoll’s shared DNA in design is the thread that invites MillerKnoll. As Hans and Florence once said, “good design is good business.” This guiding principle is even truer today and tomorrow was it was then.
What does this merger mean for Corporate Environments?
Corporate Environments is officially a MillerKnoll certified dealer, granting our clients access to the most comprehensive collection of design brands in the industry. Our company has created a long and trusting relationship with Knoll and Herman Miller and now get to access the best of both worlds that will provide immeasurable benefits to our clients. Our talented designers can provide a variety of solutions for any project and will customize spaces to meet the needs of every client.
With the long-lasting relationship Corporate Environments has with Knoll and the influence it has formed in the design word, we wanted to celebrate the legacy of partnerships and collaborations of Knoll with the most iconic designers like Eero Saarinen, Ludwig Mies can der Rohe and Harry Bertoia. At Corporate Environments, each conference room name is dedicated these iconic interior designers and to pay tribute to the legacy that they brought into the design community. Next time you visit our showroom, take notice of our nod to these incredible designers. Each room has its own design and uniqueness to the room that represents how different each designer was, but all shared the common theme of modernism in design.
If you think about it, Knoll has been around for quite some time, and it has not been outdated in any space or room. That because Knoll stood on the philosophy of “Modern is always good design” which has been proven time and again.
In summary, harmonious relationships are both functional and aesthetic, with MillerKnoll harmonizing together, the range of offerings allow designers to create tailored, cohesive spaces and scale to meet any challenge. Corporate Environments would love to show you all the possibilities on your next project!
CONNECT WITH US and let Corporate Environments create a workspace that will meet the needs of both your employees and your business.
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healthcare design for durability, flexibility AND aesthetic
Interior design for healthcare is filled with unique considerations: durability because of the hard use in areas that host patients around the clock, flexibility to address a wide range of functionality and equipment, and aesthetics to promote efficiency and the comfort of patients. All of this in a setting where cleanliness and hygiene are crucial factors and where the space needs to remain in constant use. Downtime for repairs can be a logistical nightmare. Combine these elements with the rapid construction timeline often required for healthcare spaces and the challenge can be daunting.
How Prefabricated Architectural Solutions Rise to Meet the Challenging Demands of the Healthcare Industry
Interior design for healthcare is filled with unique considerations: durability because of the hard use in areas that host patients around the clock, flexibility to address a wide range of functionality and equipment, and aesthetics to promote efficiency and the comfort of patients. All of this in a setting where cleanliness and hygiene are crucial factors and where the space needs to remain in constant use. Downtime for repairs can be a logistical nightmare. Combine these elements with the rapid construction timeline often required for healthcare spaces and the challenge can be daunting.
Featured below are three healthcare project profiles. In every instance, the facilities and design teams chose to buck traditional construction methods in favor of the advantages of modular construction. The customized solutions offered by DIRTT Environmental Solutions were specifically tailored to provide a state-of-the art response to the needs of each space.
Detroit, MI
Detroit Medical Center needed a space for observing ER patients with undefined and mild symptoms without tying up their medical/surgical beds. The hospital devoted an underused storage area to be transformed into a new observation unit equipped with 29 beds. However, the logistical prospect of such a big construction endeavor to the working hospital was creating a headache before it even began. Concerns about the drywall dust and noise associated with traditional construction were paramount to the point that the design team was receptive to taking a new direction with custom prefab construction.
“I sat down initially as a skeptic,” said John Miller, architect and senior program manager at the Detroit Medical Center. But he gave DIRTT its day in court and determined that if the team could make it work in terms of budget after a careful cost-by-cost analysis, then it would be a game changer for the observation unit project.
“We were 5% less on using DIRTT than using a stick built comparison,” said Miller. The cost savings with DIRTT came from the labor savings. Eliminating on-site fabrication not only reduces noise and debris, it also nets a tremendous reduction in the cost of labor.
Timeline was also a massive factor for the project; it had already been cut by 18 months by the time DIRTT was proposed. At the very least, it was an expectation that DIRTT would be able to match the conventional construction timeline. DIRTT was able to complete the project 30 days sooner than the conventional construction quote, which impressed the team tremendously.
The resulting space enhances the comfort of patients and performs well for staff. “We’ve got great aesthetics,” said Miller. The durability of the beautifully designed space has also garnered high praise from the project team. The observation unit patients are more mobile and active than those typical to the emergency department, and they tend to interact with the space more heavily. “We get hard use of the space,” explained Miller. “These patients are fidgety. They’re not home.”
Despite the heavy use the space receives, the team hasn’t had to perform any repairs to the DIRTT elements. Although easily replaceable DIRTT tiles were a key consideration of the facilities team, they haven’t even had a chance to showcase this aspect during tours: DIRTT is holding up perfectly in the high-demand space. “We have had to repair and protect drywall regularly,” said Miller.
Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin
Madison, WI
This cutting-edge primary care clinic sought to employ flexibility and efficiency to create a space that would continue to evolve alongside changing healthcare delivery methods. For Group Health Cooperative, timeline was a critical factor: three months to complete a 4,100 square foot space. Conventional construction was not a viable option for the project.
“We chose to build a space in which every inch was thought through, where design features are functional,” said Project Management Specialist Becky McGuire. DIRTT’s unique customization allowed the team to forgo protective bumpers, provide aesthetically-pleasing privacy in exam rooms, and maximize areas where equipment could be stored.
“We felt DIRTT provided us with the most efficient footprint flexibility, as well as quality of design,” explained CEO Kevin Hayden. Staff have lauded the space’s effect on increasing the level of care that they are able to deliver, and local medical staff are clamoring for position openings at the clinic.
“Now we have a blueprint for easily reconfiguring and adapting our clinic space to meet healthcare’s ever-changing needs,” said McGuire.
Hunterdon Orthopaedic Institute
Flemington, NJ
Hunterdon Orthopaedic Institute sought to differentiate themselves from the competition by offering patients a world-class facility that despite its grand scale, didn’t feel impersonal and convoluted. Efficiency was vital to ensure that patients would feel well-cared for and comfortable. Organized equipment storage and ergonomic positioning would allow care providers to focus on patients rather than fumbling for items haphazardly.
The demanding storage needs of the space made the project team initially doubtful of a prefabricated millwork solution, but DIRTT’s custom abilities were soon proven. “I didn’t realize DIRTT’s solution was truly custom,” said Dr. Robert More, the physician overseeing the buildout.
“As I learned more about DIRTT I started to challenge the team – and they came through,” said Dr. More. “I got everything I wanted, giving our team maximum efficiency.”
All of this customization was completed without an increase in cost, because DIRTT’s price is based exclusively on materials and is not dependent upon standard sizes with additional charges for specials. “I never had sticker shock,” said Dr. More.
REDUCING the sedentary work day
We’ve all heard it: “sitting is the new smoking!” Such bombastic statements can lead to skepticism and assumptions of sensationalist claims backed by little research. But the numbers are in. And while your desk won’t give you cancer, there are genuine health problems linked with leading a sedentary lifestyle.
We’ve all heard it: “sitting is the new smoking!” Such bombastic statements can lead to skepticism and assumptions of sensationalist claims backed by little research. But the numbers are in. And while your desk won’t give you cancer, there are genuine health problems linked with leading a sedentary lifestyle.
Consider your day. You sleep (hopefully for eight hours), you get ready, you commute, you sit at your desk, get up for the printer a few times or to go sit (yet again) in a meeting, you commute once more and only a few hours later, it’s time to go to bed. Even if you get in gym time or a run, you might be spending as many as 18 hours being still; more if you enjoy the occasional Netflix binge.
Even if you hit the gym, a sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk for certain diseases or conditions that could result in premature fatality. Cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes are all made more likely by a lifestyle that incorporates very little or only small bursts of activity. But other areas of your health can also be impacted by sitting so much. Studies are now showing that too much inactivity can increase anxiety and depression, in addition to obesity.
Humans have an intrinsic need to be upright and mobile. Interestingly, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to sign up for more spin classes or start training for a marathon just to combat the ill effects of sitting too much. Even making the time to go for walks more consistently during the week can have enormous health benefits physically and “above the shoulders,” in terms of reduced anxiety and depression.
Despite its position as a leading contributor for a sedentary lifestyle, the workplace is actually where you can try and make the most improvement (at least, until we go back to the cars from the Flintstones). In fact, health experts are now recommending standing more during your work day as the answer to reducing the harmful effects of all that sitting. Also, taking brief strolls through the day can have even more health benefits than simply standing.
There are many ways to incorporate these changes into your work life; having walking meetings and taking your phone calls while standing are just a few examples. But more than ever, there are now workplace solutions to help break the sedentary cycle. Height-adjustable desks and treadmill desks are changing the office game. Workplaces are ordering community treadmill desks that people can temporarily use while checking email or taking calls.
With these new products in the workplace, marked improvements are being seen not only in maintaining physical health but even with increased work performance. It turns out that the “get the blood flowing” adage rings true: as simple an exercise as walking can increase creativity and productivity and also reduce stress. Many companies are seeing huge benefits from corporate wellness programs that encourage more movement in the office. We’re all motivated to perform better for companies that have our interests at heart, even on as personal a level as caring for our health.
Consider the benefits that slight adjustments in your daily routine can produce and encourage your employer to do their part in making the workplace better suited for activity. Make use of office tools and culture that can get you moving more. Stand up, stretch your legs and talk to someone next time you need information. See if you can get your boss on board with turning your next meeting into a stroll. Walk a lap around the office next time you move your desk to standing height. Savor the resulting changes to your well-being and endeavor to make even more positive decisions.
what comes after gen y?
Knoll has released their latest research on the generation that will be entering the workforce by the close of this decade: Generation Z. Like every generation, Generation Z has unique values, such as structure and predictability, and strengths, like their effortless comfort with the online world and technology. They will also face specific challenges because they are more distractible and will not be as adept at interpersonal work relationships and interactions. These factors will gradually reshape the workplace as it is redefined to maximize their effectiveness and productivity.
Knoll has released their latest research on the generation that will be entering the workforce by the close of this decade: Generation Z. Like every generation, Generation Z has unique values, such as structure and predictability, and strengths, like their effortless comfort with the online world and technology. They will also face specific challenges because they are more distractible and will not be as adept at interpersonal work relationships and interactions. These factors will gradually reshape the workplace as it is redefined to maximize their effectiveness and productivity.
Knoll has identified three opportunities to facilitate Generation Z’s perceived workspace needs. They recommend a sense of structure through clear layout and obviously purposed spaces, “enclave spaces” for one-on-one meetings and “refuge” spaces that minimize distractions and promote focused work. Understanding each of the characteristics that lead to these needs is vital in anticipating the workplace changes that will accompany the introduction of Generation Z.
The first characteristic of Generation Z is their appreciation for social connection, structure, order and predictability. Generation X, the parents of Generation Z, had unpredictable family lives as divorce rates climbed. As a result, Generation X has lower divorce rates and have responded to the varying stability of their childhoods with high rates of home schooling their children and having one “stay at home” parent, promoting a secure family base.
The values of connection with family, order, structure, work ethic and predictability encompass and define Generation Z. They will be inclined to prefer workspaces where it is easy to orient themselves and that are straightforward to understand and use. Legible, well-organized work environments will be more effective than complex planning layouts and vast arrays of workspace options.
Generation Z’s second set of characteristics are their strong multi-tasking skills with reliance on social media. Since birth, Generation Z has been tapped into the Information Age, facing a barrage of data from digital sources. Their familiarity with multi-tasking online will translate into other areas of their lives, though this can be weakness as much as strength. More and more research indicates that multi-tasking negatively impacts learning and cognitive development and could potentially lead to poor work performance and poor relationships with co-workers.
This same set of characteristics shows that for Generation Z, social media is the center of the social world, instead of a tool to enhance existing relationships, which is how Generation Y uses social media. Depleted face-to-face socialization could hamper social interaction and conflict resolution in the workplace. Cyber bullying is on the rise and the detachment that leads to this behavior and the ability to simply delete online contacts when there is a conflict make for weak social tools to deal with in-person working relationships.
Creating a refuge where Generation Z staff can escape from relentless distraction is vital; telecommuting is not a suitable solution since the home environment is equally full of diversions. An office “refuge” space can help Generation Z employees escape endless notifications and exploding email inboxes, resulting in increased focus and productivity. The space should provide a refuge on many levels; a small, enclosed area to take away visual distraction, sound-masking to reduce outside noise, easy access to power and seating to promote convenience and whiteboards to assist with shaping ideas and concepts. Rooms equipped with Wi-Fi that temporarily blocks social and non-work related websites may be an additional aid in enhancing focus within the space. Additionally, these refuges spaces could be used for private, one-on-one interaction. Managers could assist employees with work relationship difficulties in a comforting, secure area free from scrutiny.
The last defining characteristic of Generation Z is their extensive online gaming experience, offering leadership opportunities in virtual work collaborations. As already evidenced in the workplace, online applications for collaborative work are increasingly the way of the future. Simulated work settings with avatars to represent employees in online interaction will be perfectly comfortable to Generation Z staff and reflective of their gaming experiences. In this arena, Generation Z has outstanding potential to become workplace leaders in managing online business interactions.
Collaboration spaces where physical teams of people can interact via online applications will be crucial in the evolving workplace. Enclaved areas that support blended virtual and face-to-face interaction will be important to designate. Small and secluded accommodating small groups of staff can be either open or enclosed, as long as the space is defined and functional. Comfortable seating, low surfaces, access to power and data and visual displays to assist with communicating ideas should be the hallmarks of these enclave areas.
Proximity, privacy and technology are the three critical elements for success with refuge and enclave spaces. These spaces need to be conveniently located near the employees’ usual work area for easy access and to be used often. Anticipating the needs of the next generation of workers will make the changing workplace into an evolution rather than a disruption and abrupt change.