Topic for discussion: How to create long lasting relationships with clients and installer's

Over the years I have found that the best way to create and maintain a long lasting relationship with a client or furniture installer is to bake brownies or chocolate chip cookies!! Once I have delivered a cookie tray to a clients office or to a job site to project manage an installation, the first words out of everyone's mouth is "YEAH here comes the cookie lady!!!" It has made such a boost in my career because everyone wants some. I just recently visited a clients office and an installer that had been on a job 6 years ago with me asked "What no brownies...."

So to say the least for a little out of pocket expenses and some evening labor one can leave a really lasting impression on others! Try it sometime and you will see...people will remember you and want you back!!!

As many companies struggle with cutting costs in the workplace, we all need to live more responsibly. One way is to change from delivered bottled water to an inline water cooler since you are already paying for public water. These inline coolers have filters in them for purer drinking water. When you buy a bottle of water on the road at the local Wawa keep it and reuse it by filling up with the water cooler. This keeps large amounts of plastic out of landfills and recycling centers. It also helps to use less fossil fuels to create this plastic.

Another step that companies can take to save money is to recycle as much paper as possible in to scratch pads to sit by the phone. How many of us have copied or printed something that wasn’t right and then threw the paper in the recycling bucket. Gather this paper and cut it in to smaller pieces and use the unused side for notes or to-do lists at your desk. This way the paper has been used to its maximum before recycling it.

And lastly is batteries. Hundreds of thousands of batteries show up in landfills each year. How many companies have switched to wireless systems for keyboards and mouses? The batteries don’t last long. Buy several chargers and rechargeable batteries. You would be amazed how long you will have these batteries for use. My husband and I have been using the same batteries for our digital camera for about four years now! Talk about cost savings!

Look around you and make a game of it. You will be amazed how much money you can save and how much you can do for the environment by being responsible.

What is an adaptable workspace?

Take a look at this video as it introduces Haworth products in ways you could only imagine. Watch as different configurations fly in and out of a ordinary workspace, combining to make extraordinary results.

Acting as a foundation to your space plan, raised flooring offers users benefits of freedom, customization, and cost savings.

Watch how the TeCrete Raised floor moves into place, allowing all communication and power lines to travel below you, instead of above. The HVAC can also be channeled under the floor, saving money in duct work and eliminating electricity cost associated with wasted air. In other words, each user controls the flow of the air based on their comfort. The warm or cool air is focused on comforting you instead of the entire building.

Build a flexable workspace by tapping into data and electric anywhere with ease and virtually no cost. Lift individual tiles to gain access to their hubs.

Finally, Haworth's modular walls (Enclose and lifeSPACE) can be installed in as little as a day. Learn why modular walls are cheaper than conventional drywall here.

So, transform your workspace. Take the responsibility today for setting up your business for tomorrow. Look into the future of furniture design and space planning with Haworth logical and intuitive products. Integrate Haworth Planes, Haworth Compose, Haworth Enclose, and TeCrete raised flooring to create a unique and productive environment. To learn more about the products seen here, call one of our specialist at 267-553-1000.

Despite it being Tuesday morning, Monday Morning Quarterback (MMQB) was a great read. One article called, 24 By 7: A heads up on what's happening (June 8,2009), discussed the born again NeoCon philosophy. As I realized, NeoCon is just like any other business at this time. The economy, though we all have our hopes, is still in distress as companies continue to tighten their budgets. "The glitz of year's past is gone... NeoCon this year is going to be a straight forward, by-the-book event (9)." In my opinion this is for the better. There is simply not enough reason to spend millions of dollars on a massive product expo. I must say I am glad that our industry is reacting to the budget constraints of our time, rather than ignoring the realities and partying on.

This article also hinted on what NeoCon is really about. While attendance shrinks to those who belong to attend, so does the price of admission (19.95/ticket). This trend in affordability is reflected in the new product rollouts. Seating is quite popular this year, "and I'm happy to report that it is nearly all good." With the new products showing their faces, attendees of NeoCon still have a lot to be excited about. While this event might not be as "explosive" as years past, it is good to see manufactures relying more in their products to make the statement; rather then the extravagant displays.

Monday Morning Quaterback, Zig Zag Corporation

Check out this article I found that is written about Haworth's new One Center (HERE). I love the recognition that this building is receiving and it looks as though Haworth's goal of changing their image is working.

Though all of us here have seen dozens of pictures of this building already, it is refreshing to see some press that made it outside the furniture world. TIME is recognizing the Haworth's LEED certified building as one of their TOP 5 GREEN BUILDINGS in the world! Our beloved manufacture is among some other really cool spaces including: Malibu Lumber Yard, Shanghai Tower, Madrid International Convention Centre and the Seawater Vertical Farm.

My applause for a job well done. (*** HINT: I want to go visit)