A single workplace accident can leave a big impact on your business. Between the medical bills, the lost productivity, all the workers' compensation paperwork, and the low morale, the costs are high.
The best way to avoid these costs is by avoiding an injury. Follow these 6 tips to prevent an injury and protect your workforce.

The first thing a new client, guest or prospective employee sees when they enter your office is your reception area.  It's where they get their first, lasting impression of your business.  Make it work for you by creating a space that's inviting and also reflects your company's business style and culture - whether it's contemporary or traditional, relaxed or more formal.

Make it relaxing. Choose chairs that provide comfortable seating.  Make sure lighting feels warm and natural.  Plants and soft music can be calming and enjoyable, as well.  If guests will likely be waiting for a few minutes, offer them coffee, bottled water or a soft drink while they wait.  If a restroom isn't visible from the waiting area post a sign with directional arrows, so guests don't have to ask.

Tell your story. Provide reading materials for visitors that are related to your company and it's business.  Display our corporate newsletters, annual report, brochures and catalogs in magazine racks or on tables, so that your guests can learn a little about what you do while they wait.  You can also run corporate videos or photo collages on a monitor set on "endless loop", but provide headphones or mute the sound , so it doesn't compete wit conversations or background music.

Make the space functional for people who prefer to work while they're waiting. Provide tables they can use for a laptop.  Make sure power outlets are in sight and easy to access, so visitors can charge a phone or plug in a laptop without having to move furniture or look under chairs.  If your company offers WiFi for guests, either post the password in the waiting area or make sure your receptionist offers it to those who may need it.

Looking to update your reception area?  Our furniture specialists can create the welcome you are looking for.  

Classrooms with rigid seats recall an era when teachers held court in front of rows of submissive students. Obedience took precedence over comprehension—as long as a student was sitting up straight, it didn’t necessarily matter if he or she was learning the lesson being taught.

And it wasn’t unheard of for a posture-­makes­-perfect teacher to help bring about an upright sitting position by putting a yardstick down the back of a student’s shirt. 

​This era may still exist in some classrooms and schoolhouses, but most modern educators have come to realize that students learn in many different ways. They recognize that fidgeting and restlessness is a feature, not a bug, in the makeup of most young students.
Some students may do fine sitting passively in a straight­back chair for hours at a time, but plenty of others need a little more variety and movement to stay on task. And as teaching strategies gravitate toward a greater focus on hands­on and interactive student involvement, classrooms benefit from active seating choices that accommodate or even encourage movement.

Many students have come to expect flexible, easily configurable seating arrangements in their classrooms, according to a 2013 study in the Journal of Learning Spaces of seating considerations at Buffalo State, State University of New York.
“Movability and maneuverability of seating is valued by 21st­century students because it facilitates the ability to work in groups or teams, which is becoming more common within the classroom,” say the study’s authors, Eugene Harvey and Melaine Kenyon. “When seating configurations need to be altered within class, students may expect inherently that the classroom environment, especially seating, will be moldable to the task or purpose at hand.”
In evaluating various seating options for classrooms at the university, the study found that students rated fixed, tiered seating and tablet­arm chairs the lowest.
​
“The traditional tablet­arm chairs and fixed, tiered seating seem less than comfortable,” the study says. “The physical sitting space for these seats is limiting for people of above­average heights or girths, and not only is this uncomfortable physically, but also socially as well, resulting in feelings of awkwardness, irritability or embarrassment.”
Schools and universities may supplement or replace traditional desks and chairs with seating that accommodates greater flexibility and comfort. Many of these new furniture pieces are especially beneficial for students with special needs such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or autism, but they also have value for students in general. Some examples:

• Wobble cushions. Also called stability cushions or wiggle cushions, these items can be used on top of a seat or on the floor. The cushions are inflated, but have enough give in them so that students have to change their positions frequently to stay balanced. By enabling students to fidget and wiggle in their seats, the cushions help them burn off their excess energy without disrupting the class and focus on their schoolwork. Some cushions are wedge­shaped so that a student using one sits at an angle that results in better posture and better focus.
• Wobble chairs. These provide benefits similar to cushions, but are attached to legs or bases, so aren’t as mobile as cushions.
• Exercise balls. Used in fitness facilities to strengthen muscles, the balls (also called therapy, yoga or balance balls) have proven to be effective in classrooms. Students are able to move while sitting on exercise balls, and this results in better concentration and performance.
• Beanbag chairs. These provide a comfortable spot for students to read silently, listen to a lesson using headphones or complete other independent activities. They also are lightweight and can be moved easily in a classroom.
• Seating with wheels and swivels. These chairs enable students to move and twist to stay active while remaining seated. The mobility of the chairs also makes it easier for a classroom to accommodate different styles of learning.
• Standing desks. Students can break up the monotony of sitting throughout the school day by using a standing desk. Giving the students an opportunity to stand for at least some of their class time helps combat the sedentary habits of students, keeps them alert, and may improve their academic performance.

Kennedy is the staff writer for American School & University.
Source URL: http://beta.asumag.com/furniture­furnishings/creating­some­wiggle­room

Most of us spend a third of our day sitting at our desk.  The right chair can make a huge difference in your productivity, comfort and health.  Are you ready for a new one?  You probably are if...

• Your shoulders and neck are stiff and sore
• You have to stretch to reach your mouse or keyboard
• Your lower back aches
• The seat cushion provides little or no padding
• Your chair does not slide under your desk
• You have eyestrain
• Your chair is too narrow, long or short in the seat
• You're just plain uncomfortable!

Whether you sit at your desk for hours at a time or in spurts throughout the day, it's critical to select a chair that supports your shoulders, arms and back.  Having an ergonomic chair that offers support prevents you from hunching over or overstretching which can lead to chronic muscular problems.  Ergonomic chairs allow you to make several adjustments to the height, back, arms and lumbar region.  This is not a one size fits all, and there are many options form which to choose.

Here are a few tips on selecting an ergonomic chair that works for you.

Consider how you work. Do you spend a lot of time on the phone?  Do you need to quickly access files or other items in desk drawers?  Do you use the keyboard and remain in the same position most of the day?

Try them out.  At Twist, we carry a variety of ergonomic chairs that you can try out.  Don't become concerned if you sit in an ergonomic chair and it feels uncomfortable.  It probably just needs adjusting to your specific body type.  Once you find a comfortable one, consider the following:

Height: You should be able to sit comfortable, feet flat on the floor with your knees at a 90 degree angle. Look for a seat with a pneumatic lever you can raise or lower while seated.

Arms:  Armrests take the pressure off your shoulders and neck which is especially important if you sit at the computer for a significant part of the day.  When typing, your forearms should be just above the armrest, with your elbows resting on it.  Look for armrests that adjust for both height and position to accommodate different activities.

Back:  We all have a natural curve in the lower part of our spine, and it's this area, the lumbar region, that ca cause the most problems if not properly supported.  That's why a good ergonomic chair should include a lumbar support with adjustments for up and down, forwards and backwards to suit the natural angle of your spine.  It should be high enough to support your shoulder and neck, while allowing for movement so you can reach for items when you need them.  Spend a lot of time on the phone?  You may want to check out chair backs that recline to suit your posture.

Seat width and depth:  Look for a chair that gives enough depth in the seat so you have two to four inches betweent he back of your knees and the edge of the seat.  The width should be at least one inch wider that your hips and thighs.

Headrests and footrests:  These features aren't for everyone, but may be right for you.  Headrests provide good support and prevent neck pain when talking on the phone in a more reclined position.  If you want a footrest, select a free-standing one that allows you to rest you feet, keeping you knees at a 90 degree angle.

With so many options available, we can help you find the perfect chair to support your body and prevent muscle aches for years to come.  Give us a call today and our furniture specialist will work with you to find the chair of your dreams.

The benefits of feng shui are real. Click on the infographic to learn how to transform your work space from zzzzzzz (yawn) to zen. Or let's be honest, you are busy at work and don't have time to read the infographic. No worries, I'll summarize it for you:

1.  Add family photos and/or artwork.
2.  Get a cool lamp for extra lighting.
3.  Add a pop of color, like a rug with a fun pattern.
4.  Buy plants (an odd number).
5.  Clear clutter (see previous post, Organization for Dummies).
6.  Simplify your computer files, desktop, etc.
7. Placement matters. Face the door on a diagonal. 

Have a happy and healthy week!

How Color Can Affect Productivity in the Workplace: 
By Susan Ringer VP My Pretty Office a Division of TwistOP

We all know there have been many studies done on workplace productivity.  Sure, there are the usual factors such as efficient workflow, office morale and of course the 3 P’s (People, Process and Product) that will ensure business success, but what about your physical environment? How it is decorated and your color choices both have a major impact in how you feel about being there.  In fact, it has been said through various workplace studies on productivity that one of the most important factors in an employee’s ability to focus is their physical space.  The right workspace and décor has been shown to increase productivity by about 20%.  And it’s not just about the space efficiency.  It is about the colors, scents and accessories used to personalize that space!

I had noticed this personally during my career in real estate.  As a business coach during that time, I found I could help a client achieve increased sales results by simply getting organized and making their workspace “pretty” (yes, this can also apply to the men!).  Making client lead calls in any industry is always more pleasant and effective when the environment supports the task.  I even noticed certain colors seemed to create different effects.  For instance, the high energy, do-a-million-things-at-once personalities who needed some focus were better served to tone down the colors in their work space and eliminate the warm red, yellow and orange tones.  When these color schemes were traded for soft, elegant shades of blue and green, there was a calming effect and a feeling of more focus.  On the contrary, the folks who needed that extra push, who were a bit on the relaxed side by nature were better served with a bit of color jolt with those warm reds and yellows to excite their mood and get the productivity going. 

Today, there are so many design trends that can serve these needs, that one doesn’t have to compromise style in favor of productivity. This would be especially important in a home office environment.  Popular design colors that serve the cool, soft tones needed to reign in some focus are teal, grey, mint green and powder blue (the latter two will be huge, I predict, as it is seen everywhere in fashion right now). 

To decorate your office in this scheme, use accessories that compliment this look, yet add to the functionality of your space.  If you can’t paint your walls, use some of these soft colors in your artwork, your frames, file folders, organizers and stationery (of course, if you CAN paint your walls, by all means, do!).  You will be amazed at how that will pull down those anxious feelings and get you to a “zen” place where you can focus.  Remember to add a plant and a wonderful scent, even some soft music.  Lavender or eucalyptus mint are excellent choices – calming without putting you to sleep!  My Pretty Office has some great products to help with this too.  Our Design Ideas line in Mint, White and Grey coupled with some Kate spade acrylic will be great for these calming effects.  

For those who need a warm jolt of red, orange or yellow tones to “get in gear”, try these colors: brick red (a little less jarring), wine, pink, melon and warm buttery yellow tones.  These tones are really on trend and will work with much of the décor that is popular now.  They also mix well with neutrals such as grey and certain shades of beige/taupe.  The vibrancy of these colors creates a stimulating effect on the brain and might just make that super heavy phone feel a little lighter to make your next prospecting call (we all have stared at the 100 pound phone, let’s be honest!).   A great scent to continue this theme would be anything citrus.  We love the Tommy Bahama blends that incorporate a little bit of island scent.  In the winter months, switch to something with a pine scent. Remember to add a touch of jazzy (but soft in volume) music. Some products in the My Pretty Office line that would work very well with this idea are the Design Idea products in Mango.  If you want the warm tones without all that zing, the Punch Studio French Style accessories accomplish just that.  For some feminine energy in these color schemes, try the Anna Griffin florals or a Susan Ringer Fine Art print (yes, that is me.  As you can see, I am also an artist and study/use color theory every day).  This stuff is real, folks!  See some of our examples in the gallery below.

If you want to learn more, here is a great article on the psychological effects of color based on research performed in the UK.  There are also some fun color personality quizzes and other tools on this site you might enjoy as well:

http://www.colour-affects.co.uk/psychological-properties-of-colours