In a move toward warmer shades and earth tones, influential color forecaster Pantone has announced Marsala 18-1438 as the color of the year for 2015. Marsala follows in the footsteps of some visibly brighter hues: radiant orchid – a splashy pink-purple – was the color of 2014, while emerald received the distinction for 2013

Marsala is a wine-like color named after the stuff that’s made outside of Sicily. It’s a “naturally robust and earthy wine red”.  In the company's annual announcement, Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, described the reddish brown shade as a “tasteful hue that embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness.“ The color “enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability,” said Eiseman. Opulent and regal but still warm and inviting, the shade is easy to incorporate in your office in both small doses and large.

Read on to see some of our tips on how to ring in the new year with a splash of Marsala in your office.

Walls
Because it echoes tones that are seen frequently in nature, it’s a soothing, comfortable color that is not startling to the human eye. Marsala can be used to paint an entire room, or an accent wall. It plays well with other hues, so mixing and matching is encouraged.  

Furniture
Paint can be too big of a commitment for some, so there are plenty of other ways to incorporate Marsala into your office. Furniture can infuse your room with a shot of Marsala, and there are plenty of choices to pick from. Despite its new status as the 2015 Color of the Year, Marsala is actually a very timeless shade, so you don’t need to worry as much about pieces in this color going out of style. We have many fabrics available to customize chairs for your office.  Here are just a few of the swatches that incorporate the Marsala color

Accessories
Incorporate this rich and welcoming hue in accent pieces, and accessories. Marsala’s plush characteristics are enhanced when the color is applied to textured surfaces, making it an ideal choice for rugs.  Desk accessories or new wall art can also an inexpensive way to bring a pop of Marsala color to your office décor.

Marsala may seem like an inherently earthy color, but a change in texture can change its feel completely. A matte finish highlights Marsala’s organic nature while adding a sheen conveys a completely different message of glamour and luxury Pairing it with a glossy finish gives it a modern twist that we love.

Please share your thoughts on Pantone’s color choice and how you will incorporate it into your office setting.

 

As we inch towards December 31st, there's a sense of urgency to wrap things up and prepare for a new year. You may have projects to finish, sales goals to reach or books to close. This added pressure can make it difficult to enjoy time with friends and family during the holidays. But a few simple secrets can help you "ring out the old and ring in the new" relaxed and stress-free. Here's how:

CLOSE IT OUT...
You've earned the time off. Use the holidays to recharge your batteries, so don't leave loose ends or deadlines hanging. Spending a little extra time earlier in the month to complete tasks will make sure you can sit back and unwind. Finish any year-end reports, turn in expenses, and file insurance benefits forms. Before leaving on holiday, inform your team and managers of how to reach you in case of emergency and don't forget to set an out-of-office response on voice mail and email.

CLEAN IT UP...
Whether working straight through the holidays or taking several days off, take time to tidy up your workspace before year-end. Start by clearing your desktop of extraneous files, papers, and clutter. Mercilessly attack drawers and paper files, shredding or recycling what you don't need. Re-evaluate your filing system and replace crumpled folders. Cull through business cards you've collected and place in a business card holder or rubber band them together. Do the same electronically, deleting and/or reorganizing emails, files and voicemails. Now's also a great time to stock up or refill office supplies. Returning to a neat and organized workspace will significantly reduce stress and give you a clean, fresh start to the new year.

REFLECT, REMEMBER, RENEW...
Many of us rush through year-end without reflecting on our accomplishments. No doubt you've had successes, so list them out in as much detail and as quantifiable as possible. Use this information later during your performance review or to update your resume. Once the frenzy of the new year begins, you'll find it more difficult to recall the results of last year's efforts.

Remember others too. The holidays give you the perfect reason to reconnect with contacts you've lost touch with during the year. Be sure to thank others who have helped you along the way. Letting them know you appreciate their efforts will brighten their day and ensure the good vibe continues.

Lay out your professional and personal goals for the new year. Are there individuals you'd like to work with? New skills to acquire? Areas of personal improvement? Write them down and keep them front and center at your desk where you're more apt to follow through.

Take advantage of this once-a-year golden opportunity to clear the slate and start fresh. Make next year your best yet.

Brought to you by: www.biggestbook.com

This winter is already proving to be harsh and it has only just begun.  As two of the coldest major metropolitan areas in the continental United States, both Chicago and Minneapolis / St. Paul dish out a winter season that can test even the hardiest of residents.  If you live in a frigid environment, staying warm isn’t just a recommendation, it’s essential to your livelihood.

What is frostbite, and why is it dangerous? Frostbite is a medical condition that can result in permanent damage to skin and body tissue due to freezing. Most commonly, it affects the body’s extremities such as the fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin.  In severe cases, frostbite can result in gangrene and amputation, making this a serious danger to avoid at all cost.

Although frostbite used to be a military problem, it is now a civilian one as well. Everyone is susceptible, even people who have been living in cold climates for most of their lives. Some groups of people at greatest risk for frostbite and hypothermia include those:

·       who spend a great deal of time outdoors, such as the homeless, hikers, hunters, etc.;

·       outdoor workers

·       individuals under the influence of alcohol;

·       who are elderly without adequate heating, food, and shelter;

·       who are exhausted or excessively dehydrated;

·       who are mentally ill.

·       who smoke, have diabetes, or poor blood circulation.

·       Anyone not adequately dressed for the cold

Frostbite Symptoms:

Because of it’s numbing nature, frostbite can be difficult to detect.  The Mayo Clinic offers the following list of signs and symptoms to watch for;

·       burning, numbness, tingling, itching, or cold sensations in the affected areas. 

·       Red, white, bluish-white or grayish-yellow skin.

·       Hard or waxy looking skin.

·       Joint and muscle stiffness

·       Blistering after warming up in some instances.

 

Tips to avoid frostbite:

·       Layer up with as many layers as possible — hats, gloves, jackets and scarves. Do not let your layers constrict you because this could cut off blood flow.Even in subzero temperatures, your body will produce sweat that can then cause chill or contribute to hypothermia when your skin comes into contact with wet clothing. Wear several loose-fitting layers to provide your body with insulation and ventilation.

• Cover every bit of skin. Gaps in clothing can provide easy access to the winter wind. Exposed cheeks or fingers can become frostbitten in minutes when in extreme temperatures, so be sure to wear a muffler and thermal-lined gloves during cold snaps.

• Double up on socks, and wear knitted mittens, which provide added insulation, in place of cloth gloves.

• Keep your head covered at all times when outside. Much of your body's heat escapes through the top of your scalp during cold weather, so always wear a hat to help keep your body warm.

• Avoid drinking alcohol or sodas, and don't smoke. All of these vices reduce blood flow to your skin and can promote damage during cold weather. Instead, stay well-hydrated by sipping warm water or herbal tea.

·       Limit your time outdoors

·       Keep moving

·       Stay inside during peak hours of bitter cold. Warm up with coffee, hot chocolate or in a heated space.

What to Do if You Suspect Frostbite

• Cover the exposed area as well as possible to promote warmth.

• DO NOT RUB FROSTBITTEN SKIN! IT WILL COME OFF.

• Go indoors or near the closest heat source. (Never use a heating pad or heat lamp on frostbitten skin, which may be numb and can easily be burned.)

• If unable to get indoors, add layers to the frostbitten area until you can get to warmth.

• Drink warm liquids

• Elevate and rest affected areas as much as possible

• Call 9-1-1, or get to your local walk-in or emergency room as soon as possible.

 

http://www.meshbesher.com/blog/2014/12/tips-to-avoid-frostbite-this-winter/
http://safety.macaronikid.com/article/641265/tips-to-avoid-frostbite
http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-frostbite/basics/ART-20056653

by Smead Organomics

We’re quickly approaching the holiday season, and as you try to juggle parties, shopping, hosting, planning, traveling, and work, there’s a good chance you will lose focus and momentum in the office.

There are so many competing demands and expectations during the holidays that it is very easy to get overwhelmed. Many people lose focus during the holiday season because their to-do list swells while their time shrinks. Travel planning, guest preparations, gift shopping, children’s events, parties and so on, must be crammed into already-full schedules, which causes stress. Personal stress often affects work performance and can diminish productivity.

Another reason employees see a dip in productivity at work during the holidays: colleagues and managers may be on vacation. It can be extremely difficult to get things done and maintain a high level of productivity when people are out of the office, and the workflow subsequently slows down.

In addition, if you have kids home from school on winter break, balancing work and family becomes even more challenging!

However, if you do manage to maintain focus through the chaos, it gives you a chance to stand out. With lower and fewer expectations from your otherwise distracted coworkers, you can also use this time to get caught up on your important, but not urgent, tasks.

Here are 10 ways to stay focused and maintain high productivity during the chaotic holiday season:

1. Take a few days off. If you have a few vacation days available, take the time to do a little shopping or enjoy a day with your loved ones. This will give you a chance to refresh and recharge during the busy holiday season.
2. Clear your mind. Get your tasks and projects, both personal and professional, onto paper and out of your head. Once you see all your commitments and want-to-do’s, decide which to drop and which could wait until the new year.
3. Avoid multitasking. Try to avoid working on personal and work-related tasks at the same time. Shopping online while listening in on a conference call could be disastrous.
4. Start working on year-end projects and personal tasks early.The holidays don’t creep up on us! Start your holiday shopping earlier than you have in the past, and get a head start on any upcoming projects at work. This way, when you’re busy with office parties and planning family gatherings later this month, you’ll have fewer to-do items on your plate.
5. Don’t take your work home. We all have family obligations during the holiday season. When at the office try to set clear and reasonable goals for what you want to accomplish and commit to a hard stop time. Use your motivation for getting out the door on time as a way to fight off those tempting distractions.
6. Watch out for distractions. While at the office, don’t try to cram in shopping at lunch or buy gifts online. At work, focus on work. You can take on the holiday chores during your personal time. It will also free you up from trying to do too many things at once.
7. Take care of yourself physically. Exercise more, not less, even if it’s just a walk around the block. Sleep more, not less, just thirty minutes more a night can make a big difference. And watch what you eat and drink - the increase in sugary foods and alcoholic beverages will impact you the next day at work, both mentally and physically!
8. Don’t over-commit. With all the office parties, client events, and secret Santa exchanges it can be tough to stay focused on work. Be sure to prioritize and balance your holiday activities with your work obligations. Don’t feel like you have to go to every department lunch gathering or office party you get invited to. Keeping focused and maintaining a good work-life balance sometimes means saying no.
9. Remind yourself to stay focused at work. The trick is to forget about “seasons” and focus on “today.” Is today a holiday? If not, behave as you would in September. Follow that procedure every day you work. On actual holidays or vacation days, forget about work and have fun. It’s that simple.
10. Remember what the holidays are all about. Keep in mind the holiday season is for celebration. This should be a joyful time of the year. A chaotic holiday season is a choice, not a given.

We hope these tips will help make your holiday season less stressful and more enjoyable. Happy Holidays from Smead!

Sources: Forbes.com, ResourceNation.com, Beyond.com, BusinessKnowHow.com