Phone: 800.359.6057

Email: hello@mach5officefurniture.com

866-417-2823
866-417-2823 Design Your Cubicle

29 Jun

Posted at 12:08h in Cubicle and Office Fun, Office and Cubicle Resources
0 Likes

Benefits of a Modern Office Cubicle

Cubicles have revolutionized the way people work for decades; however, they have garnered a rather unfavorable reputation as old-fashioned and superseded by the forthcoming open office design. Yet, the cubicle offers quite a unique set of benefits that a pure open office design just cannot provide. So instead of erasing the idea of the cubicle completely, check out these benefits on why they may be perfect for your team.

What Makes a Modern Cubicle Modern?

Usually when the word cubicle is mentioned, the idea of grey fabric panels and 3 walled faceless squares come to mind. Contrarily, the modern cubicle is anything but this. With variety of colors, partition sizes, partition materials and configurations, cubicles nowadays can liven up any office atmosphere with these additional bonuses.

Cost Efficiency

Investing in ultramodern partitions beats investing in walls for an office any day. Especially in the midst of the go green era, cheaper recyclable materials make cubicles the cheapest they have ever been.

Space Utilization

Gone are the days of the boxy, space consuming standard cubicles. Now, cubicles take up less space than before with sleeker designs and they come in all different configurations and sizes to custom fit the space you have.

Why Should I Invest in a Modern Cubicle?

For starters, productivity is sure to rise for your team if they take advantage of the separation that modern cubicles provide. With an open office plan, visual and auditory distractions are a huge impediment to task-oriented productivity. Focus can be easily broken and difficult to re-obtain, so it may be wise to consider a nice up-to-date cubicle for the remedy.

In addition to resolving output issues, modern cubicles provide all the privacy needed for handling confidential tasks or viewing e-mails without worrying about wandering eyes. One of the most valued elements of job satisfaction is employee privacy and a modern cubicle is just the thing to provide it. It serves the purpose of a small personal office so each individual can feel relaxed in their own space.

Another feature that the modern cubicle provides, perhaps just as important as anything else is the sense of egalitarianism. Traditionally, higher-ranking members of a team would be secluded in a plush space while everyone one else seemed to be packed into condescending cube farms with an inherent sense of insignificance to their organization, however modern cubicles are designed to make everyone feel like they have meaningful position in their company. This will definitely increase your team’s overall morale.

These are just but a few of the many benefits that come with using modern office cubicles. Consider having these benefits and getting to enjoy much more.

Cubicle by Design has office designing specialists with over 25 years of experience who are able to advise you from the earliest stages of change and assist you throughout your decision making process. Contact us for more information.

02 Apr

Posted at 09:45h in Cubicle and Office Fun, Office and Cubicle Resources
0 Likes

We often neglect to acknowledge the paramount importance of the office cubicle. Yet, it is difficult to identify another piece of office furniture, which has had a greater impact on the efficient use of office space or on the workforce at large. The cubicle has transformed the ways in which employees function both independently and interdependently with colleagues, fueling personal creativity and productiveness while encouraging necessary interactivity within the office. The history and evolution of the cubicle reflects the corporate responsibility to respond to the ever-changing economy, while providing their employees with optimum comfort and encouraging productivity in the office.

1960s

Herman Miller (an accomplished designer) collaborated with Robert Propst (an esteemed inventor and artist) to assemble a design, which would solve issues regarding office furniture and efficient use of space in the office. Propst envisioned a workspace that offered both privacy and room to interact. These proposed workspaces would be organized into rows. However, after much trial and error, and taking into consideration customer feedback, innovators realized the greater practicality of organizing these panels into a cube formation—hence the birth of the cubicle!

1970s

During the Energy Crisis of the 1970s businesses downsized and offices became more tightly packed. However, with the cheap production and a new tax deduction, there was a dramatic increase in cubicle sales between 1977 and 1997. There were still a few kinks to smooth over.

1980s

In the 1980s, the image of the cubicle shifted. Companies merged and shrank. Consequentially, cubicles were shrinking by twenty-five to fifty percent in size. As companies downsized further, employees with private offices were relocated into cubicles. This made for a more oppressive and disheartening working environment. Demoted employees were discouraged by the lack of lighting and creative atmosphere in the cubicle. In response to public discontent, businesses felt pressure to expand employee personal workspace. In 1994, the average cubicle space was extended to about ninety square feet. The importance of a flexible workspace, which encourages movement and innovation, became apparent. The cubicle continued to modernize.

Today

Through the years, like most products, the office cubicle underwent numerous experimental phases. This process of trial and error, and responding to public response, has helped the cubicle to evolve into the quality product it is today. To remedy the mundane plainness of the cubicles of the past, today’s cubicles offer brighter fabric options that create a more uplifting working environment. There are now an abundance of additional features like lighting options, which are tailored to the specific needs of employees. Particular configurations, designs, styles, colors, and sizes are selected to best suite a specific workspace—after all, no two workspaces are the same!

Today, employee comfort is of utmost concern. Optimal space and frequent movement is strongly encouraged. More than ever, employees embrace their cubicles by decorating and personalizing their space. Rather than viewing their cubicles as purely restrictive, today’s employees tend to focus on the cubicle’s potential. The office cubicle, when utilized effectively, minimizes distraction, and maintains space for privacy and personal expression. The modern cubicle encourages an interactive, yet focused working environment.

 

04 Mar

Posted at 12:51h in Cubicle and Office Fun, Office and Cubicle Resources
0 Likes

4 Simple Steps To a Relaxed Cubicle Environment

So, you’re moving into a new workspace or looking to revamp your already worn-in cubicle. Why not take this time to include simple changes, like personalizing your cubicle, to create a relaxing office environment. Spicing up your surroundings can have a great emotional impact, fueling a positive working environment; while, lifting your spirit throughout the day. Get started with these simple steps.

Step 1: Organize and Prioritize
You want to make the most of your cubicle. Clutter is the enemy. Keeping this in mind, first make a list of essential supplies (pens, sticky notes, paper clips etc). Once you’ve sifted out dispensable items, organize! Sort materials into drawers or containers (color coordination always helps). Don’t leave miscellaneous items flailing about.

Step 2: Decorate and Customize
Have fun with it. This is your space to express yourself. Feel free to display important mementos, such as family pictures or sports team schedules. It’s always nice to exhibit pride in your university emblem or favorite sports team logo.

Step 3: Encourage Healthy Habits
What you store in your cubicle matters. Always have a water bottle, and refill regularly. It’s no secret that hydration is key to a productive day at the office. Leave the candy behind and supplement with energy infused items, such as fruit and nuts to snack on throughout the day. Don’t overdose on caffeine. Replace your afternoon coffee run with a cup of tea to reboot and energize.

Step 4: Be a Good Neighbor!
Don’t be the one that every employee complains about. A friendly environment contributes to a a relaxed, yet professional atmosphere, triggering the flow of collaborative ideas and innovation.

12 Jan

Posted at 02:05h in Cubicle and Office Fun, Healthy Office Lifestyle
0 Likes

5 Habits for Maintaining a Healthy Office Lifestyle

If you are like most office workers, this is the first month of the “I’m going to be healthier next year” resolution effort or “Time to get back on track!” game plan. From our experience, January can be one of the toughest months to stay motivated. Unfortunately, reverting back to bad habits at work is many times the cause for the wheels to fall off.

We wanted to offer some basic but effective ways that you can stay motivated and stick to your goals. Rather than trying to develop and share crazy, unrealistic ideas for staying healthy in the office, we decided to poll our own office staff – as well as some of our customers’ teams – to learn about some simple, practical approaches.

Give these a try, and let us know how they work out for you. In the meantime, do you have advice for maintaining a healthy office lifestyle? If so, tell us your secrets below!

1. Pack Your Lunch – After You Eat Dinner

Portion control is key to any diet. While health and fitness experts may disagree about whether to eat six smaller meals instead of three large meals per day, everyone agrees that managing your portions is crucial.

A few people we talked to found success packing their lunch after dinner the previous night. The theory? It is like going to the grocery store when you are hungry: Expect a high bill, because everything looks delicious. If you pack your lunch after you have eaten and are satisfied, it is easier to plan out your meals and think about smaller portions.

2. Bring a Cooler to Work

This is a very simple concept: Bring a cooler packed with all the food you have planned to eat during the day, and then only eat what’s in your cooler. Period.

Someone has a smorgasbord of leftover holiday candy that they are trying to pawn off? Politely decline. It’s someone’s birthday? Be that guy or girl – wish them happy b-day and many more, and pass on the cake.

Bringing a cooler also allows you to eat healthy snacks that are meant to be chilled whenever you want while simultaneously avoiding the crowded, funky-smelling office refrigerator.

3. Be Active, and Plan to Be Active

There are little things you can do throughout the day to be more active and burn more calories. These include taking the stairs when possible to meetings or parking a little further away from your office building’s front door.

However, many people are actually planning to be more active, as more and more reports are being published about the dangers of sitting all day at work.

One way you can maintain an active office lifestyle is to block your time to include taking “walk breaks” throughout the workday. You can also try to stand while on conference calls or when talking on the phone to break up lengthy times you are sitting. Being conscious about these elements can help you plan better to be active.

4. Stretch to Beat Stress

Daily stretching has various benefits, and battling stress is one of the major ones. Stress can cause us to be in a bad mood, tightens our muscles, and challenges our immune system. And let’s face it – stress and work go hand in hand.

Taking time to stretch 3 times a day for 10 minutes can do wonders for our bodies. Since it is an exercise, stretching boosts endorphin levels, which helps us feel better in general.

So rather than throwing your keyboard or screaming at your co-workers, take a deep breath, stretch your body, and let the anger melt away.

5. Drink. Water. All. Day.

It’s no secret: Drinking water is crucial to our health. You have heard the old recommendation, “drink 8 glasses a day.” We started to wonder…why is this so difficult?

Answers we received included “it’s just boring”; “it’s annoying to keep filling up bottles”; and “there’s no taste”. Imagine that! (Adding fruit to your water can be helpful, we have found.)

Like any routine, it takes time to get in a groove. So start by trying to knock back a bottle every hour or two. Your body will thank you for it!