Continental Office Studio Blog

The holiday season is here! It's time for eggnog, our favorite holiday movies, and holiday traditions! Goodwill and cheer is all around. Grandma's going to have an unfortunate run in with a reindeer, Ralphie may shoot his eye out, and the Griswald light show is in full swing! It also means your associates are beginning to reflect on the year and consider their overall job satisfaction. So what do today's workers love most about holidays in the office? Randstad USA  did a study that provides us with some tips about how we can continue to create great associate experiences and Forbes Human Resource Council give us some ideas to keep our teams engaged during this time of the year. We'll also share what we, at Continental, do to keep the holiday spirit going for our team.

Every company has a brand. But the term "branding" can have various meanings depending on the context and setting. When an agency or company offers "branding", it may only be referring to certain aspects of branding. That's why selecting a branding firm can be complicated. 

We love classic design, but creating great spaces that stand the test of time isn't easy.  It comes down to understanding the different between a fad and a trend. Fads come and go like fashions, and soon become obsolete only lasting between one to five years. Trends, on the other hand, are more cyclical or they tend to simply not leave. Trends are timeless. Mid-century modern furniture just might be the best example of design that has consistently stood the test of time.  

In our line of work, we hear all of the arguments for and against the open office plan. That's why we don't push for open offices. Instead, we tell our customers to provide choice and flexibility. This means listening to your employees and providing settings and spaces that are right for them. Every office is different, and should be designed based on how we as individuals work. That said, providing choice and flexibility can - and most likely will - result in a mixture of private and open settings.  But, how do you truly make your employees feel happy about their environment? And, what is their biggest complaint?

The cost of real estate is rising substantially. Unsurprisingly, offices have become smaller and smaller. Workspaces need to be more efficient than ever before to make the best use of every square foot available. When it comes to outfitting your real estate with all the things it needs to become a great space, from furniture to flooring to technology, there are generally three tiers of workplace scenarios you have to choose from. These are your good, better, and best solutions.

You might not consider consulting your senses before creating or redesigning your workplace – but perhaps you should! An environment that engages the senses provides a more natural and intuitive experience for your associates and visitors. Need some inspiration to get started? Here are some ideas around how you can create workspaces that utilize all five senses.

Have you ever heard that change is inevitable but growth is optional? No matter how much we might sometimes try to avoid it, change will always come our way. It’s how we respond to that change that shows what we’re truly made of. This applies to every facet of our lives, including our workspaces. Herman Miller’s latest report, How to Catalyze Your Workplace for Growth, expresses the importance of utilizing research about your people and their work to inform your office design, as this becomes a powerful tool for organizational growth. Enter Living Office, a research-based placemaking approach that ignites powerful workplace transformations.

The workplace is no longer someplace you go to strictly do work; it’s a place to have an experience. In increasing numbers, organizations are realizing the importance of workplace design that keeps employees happy and productive. We recently conducted a study where we surveyed 262 employed respondents in the Midwest/Mid-Atlantic regions and found the top four things associates want at work are flexible settings, better communication, a healthy workplace, and the right technology.

Talisman Capital opened a small satellite office with a blank canvas. We helped them turn their work space into a home-like environment. Natural light spills into the open space and local artwork brings in splashes of color. You have to see it to believe!

We all know what absenteeism is and how costly it can be for businesses. But have you heard about its far costlier cousin, presenteeism?