Working in an office typically involves spending a great deal of time sitting in an office chair.  It is important to have an office chair that's ergonomic and that supports the lower back and promotes good posture.

You may ask yourself…What Kind of Ergonomic Office Chair is Best?
Well, we have an answer:  There are many types of ergonomic chairs available for use in the office. No one type of office chair is necessarily the best, but there are some things that are very important to look for in a good ergonomic office chair. These things will allow the individual user to make the chair work well for his or her specific needs.
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What Features Should a Good Ergonomic Office Chair Possess?
First thing fist, consider the "conventional" style of office chair, there are a number of things an ergonomic chair should have, including:

• Seat height. Office chair seat height should be easily adjustable.
• Seat width and depth. The seat should have enough width and depth to support any user comfortably. Usually 17-20 inches wide is the standard.
• Lumbar support. Lower back support in an ergonomic chair is very important. The lumbar spine has an inward curve, and sitting for long periods without support for this curve tends to lead to slouching.
• Backrest. The backrest of an ergonomic office chair should be 12 to 19 inches wide. If the backrest is separate from the seat, it should be adjustable in height and angle
• Seat material. The material on the office chair seat and back should have enough padding to be comfortable to sit on for extended periods of time.
• Armrests. Office chair armrests should be adjustable. They should allow the user's arms to rest comfortably and shoulders to be relaxed.
• Swivel. Any conventional style or ergonomic chair should easily rotate so the user can reach different areas of his or her desk without straining.

 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…football season! People across the country are glued to their computer screens ensuring good Fantasy team picks. Diehard fans paint their faces and gather in stadiums. Sundays are days of rest and ESPN; friends and family gather together. Unless you’re a Chicago-based Lions fan like me, and have a divided household.  

To quote one of my good friends, “It’s like God knows we’re sad summer is ending, so he gave us football season.” In celebration of its glorious return, Twist has some super fun supplies, like Swingline® staplers, Quartet® whiteboards, AT-A-GLANCE® planners and more from top office product brands to spruce up your desk. I mean, your mind is in the game already, so why not glance over to your team themed Post-It note holder and daydream about a SuperBowl win? 

New for this season are NFL staplers featuring your favorite team’s colors, name and logo. Plus, get a free NFL Shop gift card with qualifying purchases. Check out our legendary office products and start saving now! (*Certain restrictions apply. Valid only while supplies last. Click on the banner above for a list of qualifying products.)

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!

Back-to-School season is a good time of year for all of us to get organized. I took the liberty (and channeled my former office worker self) to interview my friend, Hannah, who also happens to be a professional organizer. Did you know there was such a thing?! For those of us who are not-so-organizationally or spatially inclined, or are just plain messy, Hannah offers some great tips for my "duh" sounding questions:  

Me: I can't even see my desk because it's covered in stuff. Where/how do I start? 

Hannah: Start by sorting the easiest pile for you to trash or shred. This will make you feel accomplished so you avoid getting overwhelmed and quitting halfway through the organizing project.  I suggest finding a clear spot on your desk or the floor to lay your papers into categories as you sort.  This will help you visually see what you have before you start creating a filing system.  Be sure that your file categories make sense for your specific paper needs, and label your folders clearly.    

Me: Soooo much paper--how do I keep it in order?

Hannah:  Once you get a filing system set up and all of your papers in order, spend 5 minutes every day sorting and filing your current papers.  That way you won't get overwhelmed with growing piles of paperwork on your desk.  I suggest keeping a stapler handy to attach groups of papers as soon as you get them so they are sure to stay together.  Once or twice a year, reevaluate your filing system.  Determine what works, what doesn't work, and throw out files that are obsolete.  

Tip: Always open mail as soon as you get it and immediately throw out junk mail and any empty envelopes.
Tip: Reduce the paper flow and opt out of getting junk mail using handy apps like PaperKarma.

Me: I have a million pens-where do I put these?

Hannah: Get rid of some of them!  Spend 15 minutes testing them out, and only keep the ones that you like and that actually work.  It is surprisingly relaxing!  Then find a container to keep on your desk and resolve to never get more pens than can fit in that container.

Me: There is so much RANDOM stuff-staples, pushpins, stickers, tape, cards, etc. around. How do I find a place for these items? 

Hannah: If you have drawers, invest in some drawer organizers with multiple sections in a variety of sizes.  They are perfect for keeping your office supplies neat and organized.  If drawer space is scarce, find some desktop containers to contain your office supplies.  Be sure to purchase containers that fit your style- if you love them, you will use them!

Me: How do I know what to throw away and what to keep?

Hannah: Now that most documents can be accessed on a computer or online, it is not necessary to keep as many paper files.  As a rule, the IRS says tax-related documents should be kept for 7 years.  You can keep the following documents for a year or less: bank records, bills, receipts, and pay check stubs. Be sure to shred anything that has personal information!

Me: I can't see what's in my file folders. Help.

Hannah: If file folders aren't your thing, I suggest using horizontal desktop paper trays or mounted wall files.  Both are great options for visual people, as they allow you to easily see your files and access them quickly.  I like to use file folders for long-term file storage and these more accessible options for daily paper flow.  

Hannah Marsden is a Chicago-based professional organizer for Chicago Anytime Assistants, a company offering personal assistants that specialize in errand services, professional organizing, and moving and relocation.

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

Land that big account? New employee join the team? Just want to motivate the crew? Celebrate with an office party!

Depending on whether your idea of an office party is hosting your company’s version of Michael Scott’s Dundies, a company BBQ Picnic, or simply relaxing with a can of beer and a slice of pizza, here are the Twist team’s tips to throw the perfect office party.


Who’s Invited

Get your guest list together.  Deciding whether you will be inviting just employees or including spouses or entire families is an important factor in planning your event.

Pick A Theme

Adding a theme will make your party more memorable while boasting the excitement and adding a fun TWIST. Focus your theme on the food, activities, decorations, and invitations. Luau, Fiesta, Patriotic – 4th of July, or Sports themes are all very popular.

Location, Location, Location

Is this an office lunch, a company picnic or an awards dinner? Depending on the occasion and the budget, you will need to pick a location for your party. At the office or an outside venue, location plays an important part in setting the stage for your get together.  In the summer, it is easy to throw an office BBQ  - just pull a grill out to the parking lot and set up some tables.  Lorell ultra-light portable banquet  tables work perfect inside or out, and don’t forget to have enough seating with Lorell folding chairs.

Invites

Don’t just assume that the entire office knows about the upcoming party. An announcement at your weekly meeting may be helpful, but you want to excite people, and when were you last jazzed about a meeting? Right? Use invites either electric or paper and mention food, door prizes -- whatever sets the mood, says Party Planning Secrets author Charlie Scola.  Astrobrights color cardstock make it easy, quick, and inexpensive to have paper invitations or posters getting the word out about your get together.

Remember you can never go wrong with Chex mix and Pretzels!

Quench Their Thirst
Beer and wine?  Frozen drinks?  Water and soda?  It is all up to you.  Just keep in mind that alcohol can bring its own set of troubles – but we’ll leave that for another post!

Twist offers a variety of beverages from bottled water to sodas and more.  Our favorite summertime party beverage is the Nestle’ Exotics  Sparkling Water.  With 4 tropical flavors; Mango Peach Pineapple, Strawberry Dragonfuit, Key Lime, and Tangerine you can bring the taste of the tropics which would be perfect for a Luau Themed party.  

Entertainment or Activities
When selecting entertainment, take in consideration whether or not there will be kids at the party. If kids are present, you will need the usual set up; a face painter and balloon artist.  Both entertainers will keep children occupied and bring color to the party.  Other forms of entertainment include magic shows, jugglers, DJ’s Bands. For theme parties you can bring in entertainment to support the theme – Fiesta – Mariachis Band, or if you are having a luau, hula dancers are always a hit. Chip says he would add fire dancers for even a greater impact!  Make sure to Plan activities that everyone can participate in without feeling embarrassed, like company- or holiday-themed trivia.  What fun is a game if it doesn’t feature a prize for the winner? Your prize could range from something simple, like food, to a special privilege, like an extra day off. If your budget can handle it, feel free to offer something more extensive, such as a gift card or even a weekend getaway. (Note: Pens stamped with the company logo are not prizes but something from our My Pretty Office Collection is always appreciated!)

Need some additional ideas for activities? Check out these 2 TWIST approved websites

 http://www.partycurrent.com/office-party-games.html

http://hrpeople.monster.com/news/articles/3075-25-hr-approved-office-party-ideas