The days of being chained to the office desk are becoming a thing of the past, and now the challenge is to be as mobile as possible without leaving the important stuff behind. This trend has not gone unnoticed by many creative furniture designers who have developed ingenious ways for you to take along everything you might need and look cool doing it. No longer will you have to balance your laptop on your knee or fumble through your briefcase for files, but instead you can gracefully unfold your portable office and have everything at your fingertips.

The Portable Office

As much fun as a box of Legos, this lightweight, plastic device has everything you need to set up a complete office in a very small space. Cleverly worked into the design are two chairs, a fold-out desk, file cabinet, supply storage compartment and even hookups for power and wifi. All this can be snapped into the modular carrying case — about the size of deep freezer — with big heavy-duty wheels on the front a handle on the back so it can be scooted around like a wheelbarrow.

Node Desk Chairs

Originally designed for schools, these little “desk-on-wheels” are excellent for business situations where an extra desk — especially one away from the action — can come in very handy.  Sturdy coasters all the way around the base make it stable and maneuverable, and the swivel-action desk top lets you slip in and out of it without upsetting your work.  It is also ideal for onsite registrations or convention settings where mobility is a blessing.

Ecobank

Modular designs also have adapted beautifully to the challenge of getting office furniture out of the cubicle and into the field. Maruis Goetze’s creation called Ecobank transforms from a flat package about the size of a portfolio cover into a desk with chair, a multi-level work table or podium with just some simple adjustments to the frame. Certainly a great item to have along when you journey into unknown territory where there may or may not be the accommodations you need to get your job done.

Modular Office Desk

Designed by Florian Jouy, this innovative little modular desk can easily be transformed into the comfy bed, making a perfect for those “all-nighters” at the office before the big show or even for the times you need to grab a quick nap to be at your best. It even has a built-in file cabinet that doubles as a headrest for the bed or table for a snack.

Today’s office environment can require that workers spend a lot of time in front of a computer. The types of repetitive activities involved in operating a desktop computer can lead to muscle strain and possibly serious conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome. There are few practical tips to help you be productive without causing yourself injury

1. Regular Breaks

If at all if possible, schedule yourself a ” stretch break” at least once an hour — even if only for a few minutes — and stand up out of your chair, rotate your neck, stretch your arms out full length and bend your torso. If possible, walk around a moment and step outside  now and then for breath of fresh air.

2. Positioning Equipment

Take the time to set up your work station so that your computer is level with your navel to reduce strain on your wrist, elbow and shoulders. Adjust your computer screen so that it is at the optimal distance for your vision and does not have any glare that makes your work hard to see. If necessary, use a pillow to support your back so you are not leaning forward to work at the computer.

3. Changing your Mouse

If you are experiencing physical problems from working long hours at your computer, consider switching to a different mouse. Roller ball type pointers can keep you from having to move the mouse around a pad. There are also mouse devices that can be attached to your fingertips so you can simply tap on any solid surface to send commands.

4. Adjust Your Chair

When you find yourself getting weary at the computer, consider adjusting your chair height or backrest for a while to relieve yourself from being in the same position. Even if it is not entirely comfortable, it can allow your body to relax muscles that have been overused and use some that have been lanquishing.

5. Ease-of-Access

Computers have new ways to access their programs and dictate information and commands. Voice recognition software can be invaluable for big projects that require a lot of writing, that they can also be quite useful for navigating software programs. Touch screen computers also give the operator much more freedom of movement. OLED touch screens are portable enough to be carried around like a notebook and used in any position you desire, so you are not chained to the desk when you could be more productive on the move.

Busy offices  usually produce a lot of noise, which makes privacy a very rare commodity. Having to deal with high noise levels can disrupt concentration and have a cumulative effect on employees’ productivity and efficiency.

To ease the effects of  “noise pollution” in an office environment, technologies have been developed to help cancel out the background noise and provide a “cone of silence” for individual work stations, offices and call centers bullpens.

Sound masking systems have advanced far beyond simple acoustic ceiling tiles and insulation. The new technologues use miniature emitters installed in the ceilings to create a pleasant, non-distracting “white noise” that not only blocks outside sounds, but insures private conversations are not overheard.

These devices can be installed and adjusted to suit any size of office. Sound masking systems can be either be used as a stand-alone for a single office or a multi-office system can centrally controlled.

Be aware that sound masking is NOT the same as noise cancellation. Only military facilities have access to true noise cancellation technology, so on the open market only use of headphones or directional microphones actually cancel out ambient sounds. Sound masking creates a cushion of background noise that creates individual “quiet zones” so you do not have to control the source of the sound, but can eliminate it from the immediate environment.

Sound masking also reduces the need for extra insulation between workspaces and the physical sound blockers like plenum barriers and complicated acoustical return air ducts. Architects have more flexibility designing comfortable office spaces that do not depend on using doors and walls to block sound. Contractors can drastically reduce construction costs by installing continual suspending ceiling grids for office complexes since sound masking technology eliminates the need for separate t-bar ceilings in individual rooms.

With professional sound masking devices, organisations have the freedom to using open plan offices and reduce workstation footprints, athough there is a noise threshold that must be calculated to insure optimum efficiency. Sound masking consulatants can determine the correct  acoustic requirements for increased  density in an office space.

Bringing food to eat at work, especially in a big office, can create some interesting social situations. Understanding how finicky and particular some people can be about their food and dining circumstances will go a long way towards keeping a good environment in the lunchroom.

Sanitation

Coffee cups, spoons, plates and all other kitchen items need to, of course, be kept clean and germ free. Ideally, there will be a maid service to do regular thorough cleaning, but even if there is, a fulltime staff member should be appointed to kitchen duty to assure that proper sanitation practices are in place.

Of course, employees should be responsible for policing after themselves and keeping the area clean, but they cannot always be expected to have the time to clean countertops, refrigerators and microwaves that should be attended on a regular basis. Basic cleaning supplies should be provided in the kitchen area so that anyone who needs to clean up can do so. Posting a clever sign like ” your mother doesn’t work here, clean up after yourself” will only do so much, but they should, nonetheless, be included.

Common Food and Drinks

Quite often, office lunchrooms are recipients of food or drinks that are free to all, such as birthday cakes, holiday dishes and leftovers. Certain rules of etiquette certainly apply, especially those dealing with sanitation issues like ” double dipping” and sharing utensils. There is also an unwritten rule that even though it’s free, you want to save plenty for everyone else so there are no hard feelings later.

Coffee makers, filtered water machines and soda dispensers are all items they should be everyone’s responsibility to a degree. No one should be allowed to compromise other’s health by not properly using such common dispensers. The specific contact person should be appointed to routinely oversee all beverage centers to make sure they are well stocked, clean and bug free, and their name should be prominently posted in case anyone has questions or concerns.

Respecting Private Food

When people bring their lunch to work or stock some snacks in the office lunchroom, they should be able to come back and find it a right where they left it.

Many office hostilities can arise when a hungry workers’ lunch is missing because another office worker helped themselves to it. If such issues are a problem, employees should be instructed to label their food containers. No one should have to resort to the ” fake mold plastic bag” novelty item that is being sold to discourage thievery from office lunchrooms.

Another private food problem that occurs involves proper storage.  Some people forget about items and they become rancid or moldy and need to be properly disposed of by their owners. This is one more reason to have workers label their food so it can be identified. Another aspect of this problem involves improper use of the refrigerator space, resulting in cramped conditions where stored food is being crushed or mangled by new items jockeying for position.

Sharing

A rather delicate situation that  occurs in office lunchrooms is people’s enthusiasm about their recipes and food choices. What is delicious to one may be disgusting to another, and people should be aware that not everyone shares their tastes and be very understanding if another employee does not want to try your newest ” hotter-than-hell” salsa recipe because they have in more sensitive system than you do.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong for sharing as long as you are considerate, and the lunchroom is an excellent place to swap recipes, favorite restaurants and daring menus with your coworkers. Learning about others’ tastes can be an interesting way to discover more about the people you work with, and nothing is more delightful than having someone show up with one of your favorites because they know how much you like it.

True, the idea of team building has been around for decades, but a new trend is emerging that goes beyond the “feel good” atmosphere of many events that resemble a pep rally more than a tool to create rapport.

Corporations realize that they can accomplish two goals with one effort when they arrange team building exercises that contribute their time and labor to charitable activities. It is a perfect chance to benefit the community at large and boost their corporate image better than anything as superficial as a  celebrity golf tournament.

According to a New York Times article, the Cone Corporate Citizenship Study showed that 86 percent of the consumers surveyed said their brand choice is influenced by good deeds done by their employees. But positive consumer reaction is just part of the equation, and researcher Charles Moore has said studies find the volunteering as a team creates a “camaraderie quotient.”

Habitat for Humanity
This popular charity constructs new homes for low income families and has programs in most U.S. Cities, so you can even sponsor a Habitat for Humanity trip to a fun location like Las Vegas or Miami Beach.

Participants in these projects have a chance to use their ‘out-of-office’ skills such as carpentry, painting, roofing or landscaping and learn things they never knew about each other.

Since the schedules are arranged so that a team can spend the day working together, they can achieve significant results that creates a true sense of group accomplishment at the end of the day.

Kaboom

Help refurbish or build new playgrounds for children in disadvantaged neighborhoods by signing up for the SAVE PLAY program offred for corporate team building by the non-profit group Kaboom.

This weekend activity coordinates your staff for a high-spirited day building outdoor playgrounds that are laid out in advance. The result is a safe, fun environment for neighborhood kids and some rather obvious rewards for future public relations campaigns and product branding.

IMEC

Corporations in the medical field can arrange for team building programs with this non-profit agency that assembles equipment and supplies for hospitals and clinics in 70 third world countries.

Clinical workers and recent graduates can get hands-on skills repairing and sterilizing refurbished equipment that will be packaged up and sent as complete medical emergency kits around the world.

Not only is this project good for building morale, but it can be great for applying skills that had only been academic to some employees.

Disaster Relief Stations

A flexible in-house team building project can be established that will respond to natural disasters where federal agencies can be overwhelmed so additional, coordinated help from corporate teams is welcomed.

Having the equipment and training necessary to respond to disaster situations shows your corporation is responsive to the community and has taken steps to be prepared to offer their services when the need arises. It also empowers employees to feel like they have made a plan to contribute to their community when help is needed most.

Who would ever want to go home if their office looked like this?

1) Google (Googleplex): California…

You can’t mention cool places to work at and not mention Google. The big G has been in the top best companies to work for for a good number of years — and, after seeing the pictures below of their main quarters in Mountain View, California, who can argue with that? (try – but you won’t win).

It’s really a case of ‘home is where the office is’. Far from an office in the traditional sense, Google’s main quarters is more like a totally uber-cool college campus where you just happen to get paid really well too.

There’s gourmet food (in no less than 11 cafeterias), a doctor on site, laundry facilities, sleeping pods, pool tables, lapping pools.

Google Cali doesn’t scrimp on the parental perks either – includes: adoption assistance of up to $5000 — and $500 towards take-away meals for parents of a new born – over the first couple of months they’re at home with their little one. Can someone say fairy godmother?

Aaaah, this is the life.

I so want one of those …whatever it is.

They let you bring your dog too?

And England win the World Cup!

Google, you neeeed me.

Space. The final frontier.

(img credit: google.com)

2) Google, Zurich…

Nothing can match Google’s main quarters, but its branch in Zurich is pretty damn impressive. Five floors. Five different themes of cool. Meetings are held in vibrantly-coloured pods (real igloos formerly used in Antarctic expeditions), staff can take some serious timeout in serene water lounges…

…and the piers de resistance is a fireman’s pole that gets staff from one floor to the next. What could be cooler than that? (hmm…a magic carpet???)

If Google won’t go to the Alps, the Alps will come to Google. Simple as that.

A fireman’s pole? Right. Where do I sign?

Conferences in igloos? Should come as no surprise, really. We are talking Google, after all.

Find your inner Mister Miyagi in the water lounge. No snoring, though.

Gives ‘work-life balance’ a whole new meaning.

3) White Mountain Office, Stockholm…

I’m not taking away from the super duper coolness of this ‘office’, because it’s certainly awe-inspiring. Yes indeedy. But doesn’t it remind you of a chemical plant in a James Bond film?

Not too far off though – at 100 feet below the streets of Stockholm, it used to be a nuclear shelter. In 2008, it was transformed into the amazing office you now see; home to Bahnhof AB: an internet service provider.

“Veeve been expecting you, Mr Bond”.

(img credit: theroxor.com)

4) Selgas Cano Architectural Firm, Spain…

This is way too cool. Google, you’re losing me.

How could anyone get complacent about coming to a place like THAT for work? Must be an incredible experience.

The glass windows down the length of the side of the office have the desired effect – you literally feel as if you’re part of nature.

David Attenborough would be proud. So, so proud. You could try doing a Dr Doolittle impression with the wildlife, teach the bears how to use a laptop and encourage the bees to squeeze their honey directly into your tea.

Doesn’t it get a tad creepy at night with all that window — with bright beady eyes staring at you from the outside?

Part of the building is apparently underground. Maybe that’s where the toilet is…because I don’t see it. Unless you’re expected to answer the call of nature amongst the bushes — literally.

(img credit: iwan.com)

5) CheBanca!, Milan…

You wouldn’t guess it by looking at it, but believe it or not, this …is a bank. No, really. It is.

The word ‘CheBanca!’ means ‘What a bank!’ and what a bank it is. The exclamation mark isn’t a typo, by the way. Plush, unique, unusual, spatial, magnetic, futuristic, you probably get as many tourists passing through as you do account holders.

The fact that it’s in Milan serves to add that extra layer of cool.

6) TBWA\Hakuhodo, Japan…

Whereas Selgas Cano went out to nature, TBWA Hakuhodo brought theirs right in. The trees, grass and bamboo flooring look lush and authentic. Their own little Garden of Eden. Simple, but quite powerful design. It’s got that whole calming thing going on.

That’s my spot right there.

p.s. they have a VERY cool website. Make sure you have your speakers on.

(img credit: theroxor.com)

7) Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Slovenia…

The huge structure snaking through the space is pretty damn awe-inspiring, almost as if it’s challenging you to question its sheer magnitude and ability to co-exist with other visual embellishments in the space.

This is just the photo. Imagine being there in person.

The plants accentuate the space and look as if they tame the structure’s boisterousness.

And the windows look great too – part of the space without dominating it.

(img credit: theroxor.com)

8) RedBull, London…

Redbull’s office is so smooth, it’s ‘smoove’. Very slick, sharp, minimal design.

…and then it’s cheekily disrupted by the audacity of a slide that takes you from one floor to the other. That’s just…just…irresistibly playful. Looks like a whole ton of fun. I’d love to try walking back up it just for the hell of it!

Good morning, super cool RedBull reception. Sam speaking. How may I help you?

Game of tennis, anyone? I must warn you: I WILL win.

Summer’s almost here, with the weather that makes you sigh out your window and long to be out there rather than cooped up at your desk. Instead of simply staring at the lovely day, bring summer inside with a few easy tricks.

Clear the Clutter

No, it isn’t your job to clean your office. You have plenty to do without resorting to the all-purpose cleaner. However, many times people leave items strewn about their desk and it is unable to be properly tended to by the janitors. Give them a break and clear off all the surfaces inside your cubicle. Remember you’re responsible for how your office looks, and once the clutter has been tamed your office will feel brighter and more open.

Organisational Items

Your in- and out- boxes, utensil holders, business card holders, and any other items that reside on your desk may be in need of an upgrade. Do they look dingy? A trip to an office supply store can yield items in a bright colour. Don’t spend a fortune or break your budget, but a little can go a long way to making the office a nicer place to inhabit.

Add Bright Colours

Continuing with bright colours, find some art to put on the wall. This might just be placing construction paper over the cubicle walls, but the color will lift your spirits. Add an area rug if you prefer. If you have your own office and your company doesn’t mind, try painting the walls. Just be sure you do it on a weekend or outside company hours. No one will thank you for sharing the fumes or using valuable work time.

Green Plant

A green plant adds a touch of the outdoors. Bring a plant in a pot to work helps reduce stress and increases productivity. They can be placed to reduce noise between cubicles, and improve attitudes for employees. It’s best to bring a green plant and not a flowering one for the health of your coworkers in case they have allergies.

Reflect the Light

Add something light to reflect light to your space. It can be a mirror, a water fountain or aquarium, or even a crystal dish with a bonus of candy for your coworkers. This type of addition to your workplace will chase away some of those wintry shadows and the blah moods with it.

While you don’t want to get too carried away redoing your office space, a few minutes spent doing even one of these will give you a new outlook.

Office furniture may not seem to have changed in the last 30 years. You still have a desk, a chair, filing cabinet, and phone sprinkled within cubicle walls. The differences are subtle, but it’s worth recognizing the strides companies make in the workplace.

Typewriter to PC

You traded in your typewriter for a computer, which was then upgraded a few times because it was obsolete the moment it was installed. At least there are games to play during the lunch break.

Fax to Email (and e-faxing)

With this change, we have replaced faxes with email and shortened the time to do just about everything. It’s also created the great impatience with having everything happen right now. That’s a large change that everyone notices, and here’s the differences in the things you may have missed due to the eyestrain.

From Open Spaces to Cubicles and Back Again

Cubicles were coming into vogue. The move from a large communal space like a secretarial pool changed into small personal spaces. Now, many forward-acting companies are moving away from them. The new office space looks more like a coffee house, with no space designated to a specific person and technology has granted the ability to work elsewhere, like from home.

Evolution of the Office Chair

The office chair went from having four casters to five. There are still five today, giving greater stability than the old models. Other improvements include ergonomic developments for comfort during long hours. The materials are moving toward foam and temperature controlling fabric. The back is higher and most models have arm rests. Each piece is adjustable to give the maximum number of users a satisfying experience.

From Chunky, Heavy Work Desk to the Practical, Slimline Workspace

Desks now come standard with holes to let your wires disappear. Many workers no longer have many large wooden desks with drawers, using instead work tables that allow more flexibility with respect to height adjustment and placement of tools.

From File to Dial
Instead of a rolodex, pagers and rotary dial phone, the everyday office worker now has touch tone phones and many have mobile phones, iPhones/Androids, PDAs, or other technological gadgetry to keep them connected when they’re not at their desks.

Many of these changes occurred because of advances in ergonomics and human factors. Professionals from these fields have made their niche reducing workplace injuries and improving health. As they learn more about how to work smarter, the workplace environment will continue to change to suit people better.

While it is true that a desk is a symbol of who you are, it also projects an image to your boss, colleagues and visitors that you may not be entirely aware of. A clean desk environment is the best way to bolster your image as a professional, but there are things you should and should not be keeping out in plain sight.

The Computer

Necessary for most of today’s business, where would your desk be without this most important tool? If you have a desktop rather than a portable version, this will be a permanent space dedicated to your monitor.

Writing Implements

Somehow no one can get away with having a pen or pencil handy for scribbling notes during calls, meetings, or when someone drops by. The paperless office may be one of the big ideas for the future, but most people find it less than convenient to use a computer notepad program for messages. Make sure these are of the variety you don’t mind wandering away.

Paper

Generally this takes the form of post-its, but any small notebook or pad will do. Even a spare piece from the printer works, but for space considerations and aesthetic appeal smaller is better.

Phone

A company issued mobile phone (not usually your own personal phone!) or a desk phone should always be handy for customers to call.

Photos

You don’t need to cover your workspace with photos. One or two is plenty. They should show a stable person who is dependable, like a picture of a spouse or of children you are close to. However, this is dependent upon your work environment. You may choose to keep your personal life separate. It’s completely up to you to judge the appropriateness of this one.

Business Cards

This is a must. Clients who need to contact you can grab one at will. They can even double as extra paper if you run out, but don’t put them back in the stack after you use them for notes. You might lose something important or share something you shouldn’t.

Tape, Scissors, Hole-Punch, Binder Clips, and Other “Desk Accessories”

Evaluate exactly how often you use them. If you use them multiple times per day, it may be useful to have the item out. If not, stick them neatly inside a desk drawer so you know where they are and have them handy.

Clock

This essential will tell you the time, even though you could look at your computer or phone, and make certain you are respectful of appointments.
What not to have:
Stacks of Papers

Disorganised papers make you seem less capable, even if you know exactly what’s in the piles. Put them away!

Other Personal Items

You may have sports memorabilia or other hobby items on your desk, give them serious thought before bringing them into your workspace. Sports stuff is best when cheering on the home team with home referring to the town where you reside and work.

Reading material may be okay if you have time during a lunch break, but consider leaving that in a desk drawer, too, especially if it’s considered a lower-level novel or tabloid instead of the newspaper.

Throughout the average work week we spend around one quarter of our time at the office. That means that if you’re interested in working toward a greener future for this country, your job can be an obstacle that keeps you from pursuing that goal. So why not start working for the environment while also working at your job? With just a few simple steps, some of which can actually increase productivity, you can help make the world a greener place all day, every day.

1. Recycle

It’s simple, effective, and we’ve all known about this for years. Rather than throwing your bottles, paper, and cans in the rubbish, throw them into a recycling bin. Nearly every city in the country has a recycling system that is just as convenient as the trash system, and you can arrange for them to pick it up from your office in much the same way. The only drawback is that in most places they require that you separate papers, plastics, and aluminums, but by just placing three clearly labelled bins next to each other, you can do your sorting instantly.

2. Turn the lights off in unoccupied rooms

Conference rooms, bathrooms, offices — just remember to flip the switch off on your way out. You can also install motion sensors on the light switches so that they’ll turn off automatically, though these can be inconsistent and certainly more costly than turning the switch off by hand.

3. Do away with paper, plastic, and styrofoam plates, cups, and utensils

By simply stocking your office with ceramic dishes, you can save money and the environment. Styrofoam isn’t even biodegradable, let alone recyclable, and paper plates and cups can add huge costs to your budget over the year, not to mention produce an amazing amount of waste. Besides, why drink coffee from a styrofoam cup when you can drink it from your World’s Greatest Boss Mug?

4. Stop drinking bottled water

Though you might lose the sense of personal ownership that comes with having a bottle filled with filtered water, the need is urgent. Recent reports show that the amount of plastic waste generated every year in the UK is estimated to be about 3 million tonnes, with 56% of that being from from packaging, and three-quarters is from households. Any reduce in that amount of waste would do wonders for the environment.

5. Use e-mail whenever possible

Thanks to the information age, we’re able to share ideas with each other without the use of paper. Take advantage of this. And if you’re a fan of printing out your e-mails for posterity, be sure to filter out your unwanted e-mails on the computer first.

6. Encourage working from home or energy-reducing travel

Fuel shortages have become an ever growing concern and by working from home, the UK could save millions litres of petrol every year. The UK’s Energy Saving Trust As fuel prices go up, this could not only help the environment, but help cut costs, especially once workers begin to demand fuel reimbursement be built into their salaries.  If it’s impossible to work from home, encourage energy-saving travel methods like public transport, where necessary, such as buses. A more environmentally friendly option, double-decker buses can carry the same amount of people as 40 cars! They’re also up to seven times safer.