Archive for December, 2010

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Ideas For Cheap Office Cubicles

Friday, December 31st, 2010

If your budget is practically non-existent, even a set of deeply discounted used cubicles might be out of your grasp. In that situation, you need to get inventive and figure out a way to build your own really, really cheap office cubicles. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Cardboard

This time honored building material can be used to create not only cubicle panels but also all the other accoutrements of office life. Check out the entire office made of old boxes over at Paradine Shift. It comes complete with a chair, two flat screen monitors, and even a mini-fridge. Sure, it’s not the most functional or attractive workspace. But what it lacks in flair and actual usefulness it makes up for in affordability!

Virtual

There is a magical place where you and your employees can have as many cubicles as you could possibly desire. Sporum poster Andeavor has developed a cubicle template that allows you to create and customize workstations in an online environment. You can make one for every day of the week and showcase your interior design talent for all to see. These cheap office cubicles may exist only in the binary world of 1s and 0s. But all the great inventions in life start as ideas - don’t they?

Sheet Cube

Remember how much fun it was to create a tent or cave out of sheets when you were a kid? It’s time to bring that tradition back to life in the office environment. To outline distinct workspaces for your employees, just string some heavy duty clothesline in a grid pattern across the office space. Then, workers can bring their own favorite sheets from home and drape them over the clothesline to create instant cubicle walls. A nice cotton sheet offers just the right amount of privacy while still allowing some light through. If things get too dim in these sheet cubicles, you can always provide some flashlights.

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What Do Workers Like Best? Cubicles That Feel Roomy

Wednesday, December 29th, 2010

Back in June, programmer Adam Lane’s opinion on offices vs. cubicles was discussed on this blog. Lane takes a dim view of cubes and doesn’t feel that they have much to offer employees who really need to be able to concentrate. Now, here’s a different opinion from an IT professional at The Brain of Werkkrew blog. The author argues that he has had several different cubes and enjoyed each one. Of course, he’s lucky enough to be working in some of the biggest and best cubicles on the market. A full 8×8 with 7’ high walls is a luxurious workspace that offers plenty of elbow room.

The blogger does point out that folks working in a telemarketing environment (which features the smallest cubicle sizes of any industry) may not feel such a warm glow about their workstations. The comments on the blog post are pretty funny as readers take the writer to task for what they see as gloating. There’s a lot of cube envy out there – which is something for employers to keep in mind when they buy new cubicles or revisit their office layout. Workers appreciate having a few additional square feet to call their own.

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Refurbished Office Furniture: San Diego Companies Can Earn LEED Points

Monday, December 27th, 2010

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between reused and refurbished office furniture? San Diego companies that want to earn the maximum number of LEED points for their furniture purchases can learn a lot from this Ethosource video. The interviewee in this clip talks about how gently used furnishings are ideally eco-friendly because no additional raw materials are consumed making them ready for sale.

However, refurbishing or recycling the cores of damaged cubicle panels is still better from a “green” standpoint than buying new. The LEED program recognizes the benefits of both of these approaches to sustainability by awarding points to businesses that purchase used and remanufactured furnishings. Another thing to keep in mind when sourcing furniture is how much fossil fuel is burned in the transportation process. Making the decision to buy pre-owned office furniture in the San Diego area rather than having it shipped in from a distant warehouse can also earn you points.

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More Songs About Cubicles Wanted

Friday, December 24th, 2010

The world of cubicles has its own culture – and the Dilbert comic strip isn’t the only art that’s been created as a result. It makes sense that the life philosophy spawned by spending every day in a cube farm has given rise to a new genre of music as well. If a group of tortured artists working in cubicles wanted to express their existential angst, what would that sound like?

Songs about Cubicles

“My Cubicle”, a parody of James Blunt’s smash hit “You’re Beautiful” has become a viral phenomenon because it speaks a truth that all office workers can relate to. A number of “cubies” have even made their own videos to go along with these hauntingly beautiful lyrics. Here’s the chorus:

“My cubicle, my cubicle,
It’s 1 of 62,
It’s my small space,
In a crowded place,
Just a six by six board booth,
And I hate it, that’s the truth.”

There’s also this ditty from East coast rock band My Chemical Romance. It highlights the alienation of being an interchangeable cog in a corporate workforce:

“But you don’t work here anymore
It’s just a vacant three by four
And they might fill your place
A temporary stand-in for your face”

Another hit that references modern workstations is Snow Patrol’s “Cubicles” – although the actual reference in their song is a little obscure:

“Your cubicles, your tentacles
Will still find you
You can’t hide from all the weight and wear”

You can see them doing a special live performance of that piece in a Nashville record shop here. There are certainly additional tunes that are missing from this list. So, this is a notice to all readers: more songs about cubicles wanted! Leave your own lyrics or links to existing cube songs in the comments section.

Songs for Cubicle Workers

In addition to songs about cubicle life, there is also music designed to help the average white collar worker make it through the 9-5. Some helpful bloggers compile music to listen to on your commute or at the office. PGH Tightrope has a series entitled “Your Monday Morning Reckoning with the Cubicle Song” and Jonathon Fields offers “108 Songs That’ll Stop You from Biting Your Cubicle Mate”. Feel free to recommend the songs that make you feel expansive in even the tightest of working quarters in the comments as well.

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POD Offers New Take On Office Cubicle System

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

The OfficePOD is a British invention that takes the modular nature of an office cubicle system to the next level - making it mobile for an e-commuting workforce. These “pods” are intended to give employees a high level of privacy and promote productivity. The OfficePOD company believes this is key for retaining talented employees in a trust based work environment. Basically, if you have skilled employees who don’t really need a supervisor looking over their shoulder to make sure they are working, the POD may be the right kind of perk to offer. It’s like sending a cubicle home with your employee – but easier. The POD is designed for outdoor installation, so these lucky workers get to enjoy a private office without having to set aside a room in their house for this purpose.

These units are offered as part of a flexible leasing program so that employers can expand or decrease their number of PODs on an as-needed basis. The supplier handles delivery, set up, and any ongoing assistance required for using the POD. If the employee quits or no longer needs the unit, it can be relocated easily. These unique e-commuting workstations aren’t yet marketed in the U.S., but the British invasion may occur sooner than you think. The company is already enjoying significant success and just opened a new showroom in central London.

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Ergonomic Office Furniture: San Diego Employers Can Make Easy Changes

Monday, December 20th, 2010

Mike at blog.cubicles.com has a helpful post up that touches on the importance of healthful workplace practices for sedentary employees. Naturally, one important factor in promoting well being at work is ergonomic office furniture. San Diego employers who want to start cutting their rate of absenteeism, repetitive motion injuries, and lost productivity should take note. You don’t have to wait until the next time you buy office furniture to start thinking about improved ergonomics. Many workers aren’t using their existing furniture to get the most benefit. So, why not put together a 30 minute “Adjust your workspace” event for your employees?

As Mike points out, the American Society of Safety Engineers has a tip sheet that provides a great starting point. You might be surprised to find how many employees just use their task chair the way they find it instead of making adjustments. Employees should be encouraged to take some time to experiment with the features on their chair to find the best height and tilt.

More Quick (and Cheap) Fixes

Chairs without adequate lumbar support can be fitted with back cushions for under $20 each. This is also a good time to install some adjustable keyboard trays. These can reduce wrist strain and also clear more space on the desk. Monitor height and distance as well as screen contrast should be checked and adjusted as well. For areas with bright lighting, screen glare reducers are another low-cost ergonomic fix that workers will appreciate.

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Minimalist Office Furniture Products

Friday, December 17th, 2010

The IKS line of office furniture products makes it clear that going with a minimalist design doesn’t mean the furnishings have to look cheap, tacky, or unimaginative. In fact, this Italian collection is the opposite. The construction of most of these workstations is metal and melamine veneered particle board, but the lines of the furniture accentuate style over materials. So, even the furnishings for an entry-level worker catch the eye and spark the imagination. Colorful paint choices range from red and lilac to sea green and blue for metal surfaces while the melamine desktops are offered in muted beech, pear, and grey to create a soothing palette.

To see a good example of the ways these Della Valentina designs play with the concept of modularity in office furniture, check out the desk in the image above. One half of the L shaped workstation is crafted with a circular radius. The connecting side table looks like a cookie with a bite missing. Since it is set on casters, it can be scooted around to fit on the curved end of the desk on the side nearest the user or up to 180 degrees on the opposite side. This means it can function with equal ease as an extension of the worksurface or turn the desk into a collaborative space for a mentor and trainee.

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Office Furniture Suppliers: San Diego Business Booming

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

The last couple of years have been tough for office furniture suppliers. San Diego based PriceSmart has bucked this trend. In fact, the company squeaked in at #94 on Fortune’s list of 100 fastest growing businesses in the United States this year. The club wholesaler offers a wide selection of office furnishings including task chairs and workstations for homes and small businesses. The company’s founder had a very interesting history of roller coaster success, failure, and success. The original Price Club was actually the inspiration for Sam’s Club and other imitators. The company’s link to wholesale giant Costco is particularly fascinating.

Sounds like a great place to shop, right? Unfortunately, there’s one small problem. The company is headquartered in San Diego but only has stores in other countries. You’ll have to take a trip to El Salvador or cruise to the Caribbean if you want to shop at a PriceSmart store. So, if you want to support a local supplier of office furniture with your hard earned dollars, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

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Tips For Cubicles: Workstation Improvement Ideas

Monday, December 13th, 2010

Blogger Greg Treadway has a series of blog posts up that investigate his “Top 10 Office Cubicle Ideas”. Many of his suggestions mesh well with the recent guest post by Herman Miller writer Susan Koole Huls on why employers should let workers personalize their cubicles. Workstations are the place where the average office worker spends more than 40 hours per week. It shouldn’t feel as impersonal as a motel room. Here are some additional thoughts based on Greg’s musings:

Cubicle Design & Layout

A cube is supposed to be a mini-office. So, you should treat it like one. Greg recommends sketching the interior layout of your cubicle and where each item is located. Taking a look at things on paper may reveal areas that are underutilized.

It’s also a good idea to look at where your cubicle is in relation to other features. Perhaps there is some flexibility in the arrangement of workstations so they can be closer to windows for greater natural light. Or, you might ask for a slight shift away from being directly under a vent that blows chilled air on you all day. Sometimes, simply reorienting cubicles within the existing office space can make all employees happier.

Security is Vital

Cubicles aren’t the most secure location for employees to keep their personal belongings. They are open and anyone can enter as they please. Greg mentions that a common complaint from cube workers is that other people keep going through their stuff (and sometimes taking things that don’t belong to them).

Having a well organized workspace with everything labeled and in its place helps cut down on coworkers and managers rifling through to find a file they need. In addition, employers should ensure that there is at least one lockable storage area at each workstation. This can be a drawer, a storage tower, or overhead bin. If employees notice that their knick knacks seem to walk off, they can lock them up at the end of each work day. Cleaning off a desk each afternoon is actually a tidy habit that is good for all workers to cultivate.

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Download Free Cubicle Workstation Art

Friday, December 10th, 2010

Do you like to decorate your cubicle workstation throughout the year with eye-catching oddities and humorous sayings? The ilusa.com gallery is the place to go for free art you can download, print out, and tack up in your workspace. The featured designs range from Escher style visual puzzles to wry statements about the reality of office life.

One particularly fitting piece of signage for an energy conscious and financially struggling workplace is this one: Due to current financial restraints, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off until further notice. This bizarre collection also includes optical illusions and witticisms that will make your coworkers do a double take. Check out the elephant in the photo at the top left of this blog and you’ll see. Are there 4 legs…or 5?

Be the Cool, Quirky Coworker

It’s just the kind of thing to get your office mates talking about you in a good way. As in “Have you seen the latest addition to that guy’s cubicle? You should check it out.” That’s the perfect setup for someone who likes to socialize a little at work. Your choice of cube art lets people know you are approachable and enjoy an occasional conversation. To keep things fresh, you can rotate in new pictures and signs every month or so. It’s cheaper than having candy at your cubicle to attract coworkers - and much less fattening.

No More Mister Nice Guy

Of course, sometimes the signs or pictures you choose could also be used to keep people away. For example, this quote attributed to Sarah Ferguson would make a nice cross stitch sampler: “Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to hide the bodies of those people I had to kill because they pissed me off.” If you have a tight deadline and just want to be left alone, this could be just the gentle prompting your coworkers need to get the message.

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