Working practice has changed some much in the last 10 years from being mostly paper based to digital and computerised storage of documents. Finding data and cross-referencing information has never been easier. One example would be the police service using their new databases to solve crimes dating back 30 years or more. The example of computer power would be NASA or climate change scientists who have managed to harness the power of millions of computers through the internet to map the earth, weather predictions and more.
So what do you have in your office now?
The most obvious would be a computer, computer monitor, office desk, office chair and a pedestal. So how could you change the environment of the office to make it so people can enjoy their surroundings? The first is colours, having an office, which is bright, and vibrant creates an exciting dynamic happy office where as a dull office would be gloomy and sad. Some people also suffer from a condition known as SAD caused from deficiencies of natural sunlight light.
The workplace has been changing over the decades from office rooms, to partitions and cubicles, moving on to open space offices, and now going towards hot-desking areas used by executives with their own lap-tops. Even the home office users are on the verge of converging their home office with home living with new high-tech devices and trends such as integrated home cinema and home automation. Computer usage such as Internet and email is now diluted between mobile phones, blackberry, miniature laptops and giant desktops and is now making ground through our TV screens as some of the main Internet websites can now be browsed on your super thin / flat / sharp latest hd tv screen.
At the same time tv is also bleeding into the Internet ever directing us to a web-page after a program or prompting us to watch the next episode on the tv channel website. Everything is merging, tv , computer, mobile devices, telephones. Everything is converging, work life and home life. Everything is one: entertainment & communication. The telephone is now on the Internet with Skype and voice over IP, the music is now accessible on TV and on the Internet in the form of downloads. Games can be played equally on computers and play stations wired to your TV.
So in this ever-changing environment what will be the home office furniture of the future. As most of the information is stored digitally then one will have to be creative to adapt their home office even more than an office as they will normally spend more time there as they work from home. So if you can’t get away from it you need to improve it to be as versatile as our lifestyles.
The office chair will need to be adaptable to fill a number or roles and transform from a traditional office chair to a multi task, multi functional chair for the home office. Image will also play an important part as it will be the home office that you are proud of and not just what you were given by the management. An office chair will have to be convertible in a lounge chair or a game chair, a desk will need to be modular (adjustable and extendible) as well as mobile (desk with wheels) and ergonomic.
Any idea what tomorrow’s home office will look like?
Archive for 2009
Office Evolution and Work Life balance
Thursday, July 2nd, 2009Are you working in the right position?
Monday, May 18th, 2009Have you ever thought about how important it is to sit in the right position?
The majority of people subconsciously sit in the most comfortable position they can. It is fine to do this occasionally, but not a good practice for many hours of work. If you don’t take regular exercise and your work is desk bound, you might end up with back problems. Office workers often complain about stiff back, sour neck and lower back pain. Some companies will offer free gym membership or yoga lessons, in house back training exercises, and even massage services. The office equipment is also important: sitting on the right type of office chair should not be overlooked. Nowadays, office chairs are specifically designed to suit specific needs and tasks. Some of the most ergonomic chairs are fully adjustable to the human body, which include adjustable arms, knee tilt and back height. Some of the leather office chairs are incredibly comfortable for many hours of work. The foam of the seat can be moulded in a very ergonomic shape that fits perfectly the curves of the human body. Some will argue that Mesh fabric also stretches to your body shape giving well-distributed support.
Once you are equipped with the right chair, you should follow basic guidelines regarding your position. One of these is to sit in an upright position with your elbows at a 90-degree angle, while typing. Additionally, your monitor should be levelled with your eyes, or slightly lower, and at a comfortable distance, neither too far, neither too close. It is also important to move your legs on a regular basis to avoid feeling numb. If you don’t want to get up, flexing your feet and tiptoeing will also be beneficial. Simple exercises like these will help avoiding thrombosis, as it will help pumping the blood up to the heart (a well-known advice on long distance flights). Standing up from time to time, stretching or taking a brisk walk will also help. Ideally you should also take a 10-minute-pause from looking at the screen – at least every two hours. Use this time wisely to do your filing, post the mail or tidy up your desk. All in one it is necessary to have the right furniture to sit on and work at, combined with a healthy living, you should enjoy many hours of work while becoming more productive.
Glasses or Contact lenses?
Monday, May 18th, 2009I have been working in an office for a couple of months now.
I used to wear contact lenses in my former job as a sales rep, but since I work in an office and stare at the screen all day my eyes become dry and the lenses start bothering me. Despite regular pauses, looking away to rest my eyes, I become tired more easily and my eyes start itching. I think it is because of the office air conditioning and the problem becomes worse when I work at my height adjustable desk standing up. This is why I had to give up my contacts for glasses during office hours.
I bought a new funky red frame to match my office chair and uniform at the call centre, which hasn’t come unnoticed by the floor manager and my fashion obsessed colleagues – I am hopping that wearing the company colours will show my commitment and affect my next pay review. It’s all about perception and image. Fingers crossed.