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The original and most common definition of credenza had little to do with office furniture or the workplace. The average person who is familiar with the term probably defines credenza as some type of sideboard in the dining room. The term credenza means "believe" in Italian. It's the fancy table or platform to display all the dishes and silverware that are ultimately used on the table to serve everyone.
A semblance of normalcy came back to California in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. It came through one of our greatest pastimes. The Pac-12 announced this week that it will start football season in November. There is a seven-game schedule for each team, culminating in the Pac-12 Championship on December 18. The schedule has yet to be released. It's fairly certain, however, that Cal and Stanford will face one another for the 123rd time, continuing the long-time Bay Area tradition. The Big Game will be notably different though. Memorial Stadium and Stanford Stadium are not allowing fans at all in 2020. Cal-Berkeley is going even further with coronavirus restrictions.
Social distancing, lockdown and shelter-in-place were unfamiliar terms to most Americans just six weeks ago. But it appears all three will be frequent fliers on the U.S. vernacular plane for the foreseeable future.
The National Center for Health Statistics estimates that nearly 40% of Americans are obese, with about 32% being severely obese. Approximately 31 million Americans suffer from diabetes, according to the Diabetes Research Institute. Unhealthy lifestyles are the primary culprits for both of these conditions. But there are also a large number of Americans who sit in front of a computer for eight hours per day, five days per week.
My high school guidance counselor once told me to fake it until I make it. That advice was immediately put to the test. The $300 bottle of perfume that had been on my radar for months was finally mine, sort of. The designer imposter version of it cost only $35 and smelled exactly the same. The scent was so distinct that everyone really thought I was wearing a fragrance that was clearly out of my price range. I ended up going back to the same shop and buying a knock off Gucci bag and some earrings to boot.
The Emmy Award-winning AMC period drama Mad Men spanned seven seasons and 92 episodes. The show is set in the 1960s at the fictional Manhattan-based advertising agency Sterling Cooper. Don Draper, played by Jon Hamm, was the main character and the company’s creative director and junior partner. He was a stereotypical drunk and chain-smoker who frequently cheated on his wife. Peggy Olson, played by Elisabeth Moss, was the woman trying to break through the glass ceiling, as she was promoted from secretary to copywriter during the show’s run.
There are concerted efforts at both the local and national levels not only to combat climate change, but also to protect the planet’s most precious resource: air. Many states and municipalities, particularly the San Francisco Bay Area, have enacted legislation to encourage the use of low-emission vehicles, carpooling and solar energy. But its air quality indoors, particularly in office settings, that requires immediate attention.
The digital age has made content marketing a necessity for companies in virtually all sectors. The 2018 Clutch Small Business Survey found that 64% of companies have a website and/or blog. That 36% still living in the Stone Age not only look illegitimate (would you do business with a company without a website?), but are essentially at the mercy of social media to give themselves some kind of online presence.
A 2017 study by the Brookings Institute found that the use of digital tools, particularly laptop computers, has increased dramatically in 517 of 545 surveyed occupations since 2002. Construction laborers, personal aides, security guards and even cooks now need adequate, if not substantial, digital knowledge to do their everyday jobs.
Downsizing has become the trend du jour in both home and office settings. Data compiled by Trulia in 2017 found that 60% of homeowners living in houses 2,000 square feet or larger said they will find a smaller house if/when they move from the current dwelling. Small business owners are downsizing their office spaces as well not only to save money on rental and energy costs, but also to accommodate the concurrent trend of more workers telecommuting.
The federal minimum of $7.25 has not changed since 2009, but several states have taken initiatives of their own. Arizona voters raised the state minimum wage to $11 in a 2016 ballot initiative that took effect this year. But a state lawmaker recently introduced House Bill 2523, which would require employers to pay only the federal minimum wage to workers age 22 and under, and who are in college full-time. Meanwhile Maryland is about to join several states that currently have a $15 minimum wage. The state’s House of Delegates approved a bill this week to raise its minimum wage.
Businesses around the world use technology to get work done. Between phone lines, computer set ups, printers, fax machines, and other electronics, every office needs to keep their power supply needs in check. Each device requires another cable or wire to be plugged in. Even if each desk only has one computer and a phone line, that can equal a large amount of cables to manage.
Among the large software companies in Silicon Valley and cities across the nation, software developers enjoy a wealth of amenities, from in-house coffee bars to ping pong tables to free massages. While these luxuries may be great in the short term, they don’t address the main problem facing professionals in this industry — long-term effects of time spent sitting at a computer.
Access to your own private office can be a luxury in the marketplace. Although they are usually reserved for higher paid positions, independent offices can be given to other workers if it is deemed necessary. If you are moving in to your first office, or you want to re-design your existing space, you may be wondering what things you should be including.
Everyday slouching and neck problems are increasing as more of our daily lives revolve around looking down at our laptops, phones, and other electronics. It can be a hard habit to break, but well worth it in the long run. There are a host of health problems associated with slouching and not sitting up straight.
For those who work a 9-5 job, they are spending a large portion of their week at the office. More specifically, they are spending most of that time at their desk or cubicle. If you have an individual space or desk, it is worth it to personalize the space to your needs. This will help you feel more relaxed and comfortable at work everyday, and the small changes can make a big difference.
As the main piece of furniture in your office, the desk performs a multitude of functions -- from organizing your files in drawers, to making a statement with the design, and of course, providing a sturdy work space for the busy day.
As the number of freelancers and remote work opportunities increases over the next decade, more workers will utilize alternate work environments. Places such as libraries, coffee shops, and co-working spaces expect a significant jump in their daily usage. For most of these remote workers, they will opt to use their own office at home.
Let's face it, there are three main things that millennials value the most when it comes to working in an office environment. You may be surprised that salary and benefits are not the top priorities - although very important. This generation values: the freedom to collaborate, community, and access to the best in technology. However, there is one thing you don't want to miss the mark on: workspace design.
As companies continue to grow, and commercial real estate costs continue to rise, cubicles are the logical solution to get the most utility from the open space you have. We can custom tailor each cubicle to the occupant's specific needs, work habits, and function within the company.
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