Gaining Consensus in the Workplace

The definition of consensus is “Shared Thought.” It means that prior to making a decision, all participants believe their point of view has been heard and all underlying questions and issues have been fully explored. The result? A final outcome that results in “buy in” from all involved.


Build Consensus
Consensus building works best with groups of four to six people. In preparation for the meeting, prep your group. Present the problem or challenge prior to the meeting to give colleagues time to think about it. This allows everyone time to consider options and generate ideas.
To enable unbiased and fair contributions from all participants, set up small group discussions. Encourage pairs to discuss the pros and cons of their ideas. Some consensus models suggest slowly adding people to the small group, and having the third bring his/her ideas and discuss all the ideas together. Repeat with a fourth member.
Take this time to seek clarification and examine potential conflicts. Pin point what each person’s understanding of the issue is. While brainstorming solutions, discuss all options. Allow time for queries and clarifications giving all participants the opportunity to express their opinions. From there, try to develop a short list.


Decision Making
Once all members have had the opportunity to participate in brainstorming, and a short list has been developed, call the group together to make a decision.
• Discuss the pros and cons of all proposals.
• Restate the issue at hand and build commonality by deciding on the key criteria the end option will have.
• If there are disagreements, find points of agreement, and re-examine the smaller points of contention.
• Rank the ideas on the short list according to the group established criteria. Ultimately allow the group members who are the most impacted and concerned with the outcome to make the final decision.


Consensus Check
After the decision has been made, double check. Does everyone support the decision? Ensure that once a decision is reached, it is followed by an action plan.

http://www.acco.com/tips/

What makes a workplace healthy?

There are 3 factors which influence the health or wellness of the organization and its employees.

Health & Safety

The environment in which people work is a major influence on employee health. 
Some aspects are:

Noise level Air quality Ergonomics Toxic substances Work pace

Workplace design Safe lifting Employee violence Physical demands Safety guidelines

Culture & Social Environment

Basic human needs such as sense of belonging, purpose and mission, sense of control and freedom from harassment.
Related issues are:

Balance between work and family Staff involvement in decision making Flex time Peer communication Employee training and development

Employee satisfaction Positive supervisor communication and feedback Staff morale Employee recognition Social atmosphere

Lifestyle Practices of Employees:

Workplaces that support health practices encourage healthy behaviours/coping skills.

Smoking cessation Healthy weight Healthy eating Physical activity Women’s health issues

Hygiene Stress management Coping with shiftwork Healthy pregnancy Alcohol  and drug use

First Impressions Count

What does your lobby say? From the first glance, a lobby creates an instant and lasting impression for anyone who enters. Portraying the character and personality of the building occupants, a lobby plays a key role in the success of any organization.

Key Benefits of Strong Lobby Design

• Extend A Warm Welcome
• Improved Building Value
• Renewed Sense of Company Pride
• Brand Reinforcement

Does your lobby project the right image? Set your space apart and lead with your best foot forward. Choose Regalmark, your premier contract furniture provider, to transform your lobby. Through our expertise and comprehensive product offerings Regalmark is passionately committed to your growth.

Lobby Design Essentials  

1. Inviting Seating
   Check out the distinct Otto Collection from Leland International, the Scape Modular Lounge from Source Seating, Aloft Collection benches from Arcadia Contract, or Sirena Tablet Seating from Global.
   

1.  Energy Infusing Plants
   Grow fresh with Hydroculture Plants by Greenspacers or check out Peter Pepper's classy planter collection.
   
   
   
2. Eye-Catching Art
   Take a look at breath-taking photography by Maryland Photographer Sam Pathi.
   
   
   
3. Well-Designed Reception Desk
   Totally designed to suite your needs are beautiful custom desks by Arnold Furniture.
   
   
   
4. Practical Accessories
   Check design-forward Clocks,  Literature Racks, Receptacles, Umbrella Stands, and Costumers from Magnuson Group. 
   
   
5. Easy to Use Directory Signage
   Check out a freestanding sign systems by Takeform or wall-mounted message tile system from Appenx.
   
   
6. Stunning Displays
   Proudly display notables with Envision Shelving or  PepperMint Display Cases from Peter Pepper.
   
   
7.  High-Performance Floors
   High-style hardwood floors from Shaw Contract Group are crafted to be high-performing.

Revitalize Students Through Furniture

Smith Systems Focus:  Traditional Furniture Pieces Can Encourage Movement in the Classroom

Physical activity throughout the day helps keep students focused and allows them to expend extra energy. Whether using exercise balls as seats, stand-up desks, or more traditional furniture options, classroom essentials that facilitate movement are critical to help students succeed.

Though not always top of mind in an active, moving classroom, traditional furniture pieces can also meet the physical needs of students, keeping them engaged and making them more successful. Here are a few things to keep in mind when investing in traditional classroom furniture for a moving classroom environment:

Seating

No longer does sitting in chairs mean sitting still. To encourage student movement while seated, look for chairs that are ergonomically designed and that have foot rests.

• Ergonomics: In order for students to succeed, they need to be comfortable and physically supported while sitting. Chairs must provide a natural posture for students, while also being flexible and allowing for a broader range of movement.
• Foot rests: Children typically have a high amount of pent up energy, which leads to a natural desire to fidget. A great way to help students expend extra energy and relieve restlessness is with a sturdy foot rest or book rack beneath the chair on which they can tap or bounce their feet.

Tables

Tables and desks may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of a moving classroom, but these pieces are important. To encourage more physical activity throughout the day, look for workspaces that can be grouped and easily moved.

• Groupability: When selecting workspaces, choose tables that can be grouped together and stand alone, such as furniture designed for collaborative learning. Periodic desk groupings not only get students out of their seats and moving around, it also facilitates group learning, which encourages more physical movement from students (i.e. talking with hands and exaggerated facial expressions.)
• Portability: Not all learning activities take place at seated workspaces, so be sure to select tables and desks that can be easily moved and allow open areas to be created when full-body activities are introduced. Look for workspaces that are lightweight and set on casters.

There are many things to keep in mind when creating a classroom that encourages movement. Whether you choose to purchase trend items for now, or invest in more traditional furniture pieces for the future, give careful consideration to all aspects of the decision. Remember that any effort to encourage movement in the classroom will benefit students.

 

By Amee Meghani, Product Engineer (Smith Smith Systems)

This article first appeared in the October 2009 issue of American School & University

http://www.smithsystem.com/newsandviews/revitalizing-students.asp

Smith Systems Product Lines: Contact Regalmark for a quote

Seating	Computer Labs	Student Desks	Student Tables

Teacher/Office	Library	Booktrucks	Interchange

5 Posture Tips for a Pain-Free Day

Mom was right to tell you to stop slouching and sit up straight. Not only does good posture make you look taller and more confident, it also increases energy, improves breathing and keeps your back pain free. Good posture ensures that you're placing the least amount of strain on muscles and tendons. Whether sitting in front of the computer, standing, walking or lifting, always practice good posture.


1. Standing. Keep your feet a comfortable distance apart, typically no more than the breadth of your shoulders with equal weight distributed on each leg. Imagine a vertical line drawn from the center of your head through your shoulders and down to your pelvis. This is your perfect standing posture.
If your job requires you to stand for prolonged periods of time, consider using a foot rest to ease strain. If you need additional back support, steady yourself with a table or countertop, remembering to keep your head raised and spine straight. Individuals standing in the same spot all day should use a rubber mat on the floor to improve comfort.

2. Walking. Notice how people walk and you'll see that many of us lean forward, creating stress on the back. Walk without tensing neck muscles, while keeping your pelvis straight and head level. With good posture, your head should almost feel weightless. Avoid flat-footed, "stomping," but instead land softly on the heel, transferring weight onto the ball of the foot and finally the toes. Use purses, bags and backpacks designed to minimize back strain.

3. Sitting. With so many of us sitting at a desk all day, it's natural to get tired and start slouching without even noticing it. To counter that, take full advantage of the chair's features with your buttocks pushed all the way to the back of the seat. Once your pelvis supports your weight, you'll notice how much easier it is to maintain good posture. Your knees should bend at a right angle and be about the same level as your hips. Use a small foot rest under your feet to achieve proper position if needed. Avoid unbalanced postures such as crossing legs unevenly, leaning to one side, hunching the shoulders or tilting the head. Give your shoulders and back muscles a break by using the arm rests.

4. Lifting. Incorrect lifting can contribute to severe, long-term debilitation. With that in mind, always plan before you lift. Keep objects close to your body rather than carried with outstretched arms. Even with light objects, maintain a straight back and use knee-bending actions not back-bending actions. Tighten your abdominal muscles for extra support. If lifting is part of your regular daily routine, invest in a back support or other related equipment.

5. Working at the Computer. In addition to practicing good sitting posture as previously discussed, working at a computer requires you to keep your arms and wrists aligned as well. Unnecessary strain is placed on the spine unless your chair, keyboard, mouse, and computer screen are all correctly positioned.
Place your monitor away from glare and at a distance of about an arm's length when seated comfortably in front of it. Position the screen to your natural, resting eye position and avoid tilting your head forward. Use a book or stand to raise it if needed. Adjust your monitor's brightness, contrast and font size to comfortable levels. When typing, keep your arms parallel to your legs with good support under your wrists. Relax your upper arms and shoulders. If possible, place your documents directly in front of you. Unfortunately, poor posture can easily become a habit, causing chronic discomfort. The good news is, the main factors affecting posture and ergonomics are completely under your control. By following the advice above you can prevent the problems associated with poor posture and stay healthy, productive, and most importantly, pain free all day long.

Courtest of biggestbook.com

 

 

Boost Your Energy with an Office Workout

Is your office hindering your performance or contributing to your productivity? If your office is neat and organized, it will boost your daily output. You will look forward to tackling projects-because you can find them and work easily-and you may actually have more energy. A pleasant and organized work environment creates a positive atmosphere that can channel your energies in the right direction.

If you have a home office or if your employer gives you the go-ahead, empty your office to give it a thorough cleaning. Vacuum up lost paperclips and dust bunnies and if necessary, shampoo the rug. Take down the window treatments. Clean the blinds or send the drapes out to be dry cleaned. If the paint is drab, refresh the walls with a new coat of color.

Consider choosing the right paint hue:

- Cool colors tend to have a calming effect. Blue, green and the neutrals white, gray, and silver are examples of cool colors. If you're usually high energy, a cool color can create a soothing environment for you to work.

- Warm colors rev us up and get us going. The warmth of red, yellow or orange can create excitement or even anger. Warm colors convey emotions from simple optimism to strong violence. The neutrals of black and brown also carry warm attributes. If you need a boost in the morning to get going, then opt for a warm color that will rev up your energy.

- Colors with attributes from both the warm and cool colors can calm and excite. These are colors derived from a mix of a cool and warm color such as blue and red or blue and yellow. Used together, these colors create a nice balance.

- The neutral colors of black, white, silver, gray, and brown make good backgrounds, serve to unify diverse color palettes, and also often stand alone as the only or primary focus of a design. Repair or replace all damaged cabinets, desks and filing cabinets before placing them back into the office.

-If there is anything (files, folders, books, brochures, etc.) that you have not used in the last 12 months, get rid of it. Put any unused items in storage, sell them or toss them.

Designate a place for everything. The most used items must be the most accessible and nearby. The least used items can be stored higher up or further back.

You should sit in a position that makes you feel right in the office. Make sure that your screen doesn't reflect the sunlight and you can view the door. This will give you more control of your working environment. Move your chair around the room until you find a place that feels just right.

Avoid the mess of wires emanating from your computer. Invest in one of those handy little contraptions that serve to keep your wires and leads together running neatly along the wall. Where possible attach the wires to the back of your desk using wire clips.

Keep a couple of pictures of the special people in your life. This serves to remind you why you are working so hard in the first place and when its time to lock up and leave.

Courtesy of biggestbook.com

 

 

We are now growing fresh air. Bring your office to life!

Breathe deeply...refresh and rejuvenate and bring your office to life!  Create a healthy work environment and reap the benefits of happy and productive employees! 

Featuring Greenspacers Inc, Baltimore's leading green technology company of Soil-Free Hydroculture Plant Systems.  Step in to the Regalmark Showroom and check out these stimulating live plants that naturally purify indoor air...

Showroom By Appointment:

6741 Whitestone Road, Lower Level

Gwynn Oak, MD 21207

Phone 410-298-7751

marketing@regalmark.net

Spring Showroom Showroom Open House Success

Thank you for contributing to the success of our Spring Open House (May 5th). Can guess the theme for this year?  Have a healthy work environment!  

Guests received a free Stayfit Pedometer upon entry and were treated to fresh air from the hydroculture plants on display. View pictures of the showroom by clicking here and plan to attend next year!

May is National Employee Health and Fitness Month!

Employee Health and Fitness Month (EHFM) is an international and national observance of health and fitness in the workplace, created by two non-profit organizations, the National Association for Health and Fitness and ACTIVE Life . Visit www.healthandfitnessmonth.org for more information.

A healthy workspace is a productive workplace.

Organizations work better when their offices are healthy, enjoyable places to be - workers are happier and productivity goes up.  With modern technology and many innovative products at our fingertips, creating a healthy and green work environment is definitely an achievable goal!  Employee Wellness Benefits : ·         Increased productivity ·         Reduced absenteeisn ·         Decreased illness and injuries ·         Improved healthcare costs ·         Increased self-image and self-esteem

Aspects of A Healthy Workplace 1. Noise Level Stop distracting noises with a sound masking system such as Lencore that will diffract and reflect sound frequencies that cause most irritation in offices. 2. Lighting Conditions Banish visual discomfort and fatigue from inadequate and dreary office lighting conditions. Illuminate your desk with the Z-Bar High Power LED Desk Lamp and let your productivity and creativity flourish!   3. Air Quality Breathe in deeply, protect your lungs from harmful diseases, and purify stale office air using ground-breaking green hydroculture plant technology that naturally grows fresh air! Better yet, you don't even need a green thumb to take care of Greenspacers beautiful live indoor plants . 4. Ergonomics Protect yourself from physical discomfort, back and neck pain, carpel tunnel and other musculoskeletal issue with carefully chosen ergonomic products. Monitor arms , task chairs, keyboard trays, and footrests that will you comfortable and your posture correct. 5. Physical Activity  Steady movement through the day promotes a greater level of personal physical activity and better weight management. Actively balance your life with the LifeBalance Workstation that incorporates a height-adjustable desk and elliptical machine. Watch video!   6. Stress Management Provide visual relief and bring your walls to life with artwork as a de-stressing technique. Focus and get inspired with breathtaking photography by Sam Pathi. 7. Peer Interaction Think outside the Dilbert "Cube Farm"! Break down traditional wall barriers with and allow for greater lines of communication with today’s open plan desking systems such as Watson Desking , Three-H MultiStations , Global Bridges , or Tayco Up .  8. Social Atmosphere Everyone needs to step away from the daily grind and socialize with their colleagues and peers. Get comfy and have fun with touch-down lounge sets with built-in technology ports from Arcadia Contract .