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Friday Favorites @ Intelligent Interiors

Intelligent Interiors — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:43:47 +0000

We’ve been getting some “May showers” lately. I guess that means we are in transition for warmer weather! Everyone ready for the Texas heat? You better be! Enjoy our Friday favorites for this week.

Song of the Week – Florida Georgia Line – Cruise

Classic Video of the Week – Guilty Dog

Recipe of the Week – Pizzadilla (click image)

Interesting Article of the Week – 8 items you should never display at your office desk (click image)

Favorite Image – Will this be YOU this weekend?

HEY, BLOG READERS! We know you’re just like us and look forward to the weekend, which is why we want to hear from you about your Faves! E-mail info@intelligentinteriors.net with a picture of your favorite thing! (a rare record, a favorite recipe, or any other treasure) and tell us why you love it for a chance to appear in the Intelligent Interiors Inc. blog!

Humor: It’s Good for the Workplace

Intelligent Interiors — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:14:43 +0000

It seems obvious, but there’s a good chance your co-workers aren’t cracking jokes or packaging information with wit on a regular basis–and your office could probably stand to have a little more fun.

In a recent blog post by Jacquelyn Smith from Forbes.com, some interesting studies have been gathered to prove a point. The bottom line? Humor is a key to success at work. Here are a few excerpts from that article:

A Robert Half International survey, for instance, found that 91% of executives believe a sense of humor is important for career advancement; while 84% feel that people with a good sense of humor do a better job. Another study by Bell Leadership Institute found that the two most desirable traits in leaders were a strong work ethic and a good sense of humor.

So why do employees hold back?

Employees tone down their humor, often with the desire to be taken more seriously, says Michael Kerr, and international business speaker. “Yet, this can backfire as people who take themselves overly seriously are often, ironically, taken less seriously by the people around them.” Lynn Taylor, workplace expert and author of Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant, believes employees are much more comfortable using humor with colleagues than they are with their bosses. “You face a higher risk factor when joking around with your boss because you just don’t know how your lightheartedness may be taken. So, you generally find greater reticence to use humor with senior managers.”

Other reasons workers might hold back: A fear of offending someone; a fear of not being funny—that their humorous attempts will crash and burn; or the unwillingness to “get the ball rolling.”

10 Reasons why humor is good for the workplace

People will enjoy working with you.

“People want to work with people they like,” Vanderkam says. “Why wouldn’t you? You spend huge chunks of your waking hours at work, so you don’t want it to be a death march. Humor–deftly employed–is a great way to win friends and influence people. You need to be funny, but not snarky (that’s not good for team building) and you can’t offend anyone.”

Humor is a potent stress buster.

“In fact, it’s a triple whammy,” Kerr explains. “Humor offers a cognitive shift in how you view your stressors; an emotional response; and a physical response that relaxes you when you laugh.”

It is humanizing.

“Humor allows both employees and managers to come together, realizing that we all seek common ground,” Taylor says.

It puts others at ease.

Humor is a way to break through the tension barrier, she says.“Research shows that humor is a fabulous tension breaker in the workplace,” Kerr adds. “People who laugh in response to a conflict tend to shift from convergent thinking where they can see only one solution, to divergent thinking where multiple ideas are considered.”

Ha + ha = aha!

“Humor is a key ingredient in creative thinking,” Kerr says. “It helps people play with ideas, lower their internal critic, and see things in new ways.” Humor and creativity are both about looking at your challenges in novel ways and about making new connections you’ve never thought about before, he adds. Taylor agrees. She says humor “establishes a fertile environment for innovation because people are more inspired when they are relaxed.”

It helps build trust.

“You can build trust with the effective use of humor because humor often reveals the authentic person lurking under the professional mask,” Kerr says.He explains that numerous studies suggest that people who share a healthy, positive sense of humor tend be more likable and are viewed as being more trustworthy. “Humor is also viewed as sign of intelligence,” he adds. “All of these characteristics, as well as the fact that humor is a fabulous icebreaker and can tear down walls, can help people build relationships in the workplace, and especially these days, relationships are critical to success.”

It boosts morale.

Humor boosts morale and retention while reducing turnover because employees look forward to coming to work, Taylor says. “Employees like to work for and with others who have a sense of humor. We all prefer to have fun at work. It should not feel like an indentured servitude environment.”

People who use humor tend to be more approachable.

The more approachable you are, especially as a leader, the more honest and open people around you will be, Kerr says. “And the more honest and open people tend to be, the more successful and innovative teams tend to be.”

Humor can allow your company to stand out.

“It can help companies stand out and go beyond with their customer service, garnering them a huge loyal following,” he says. If you want to stand out from the pack, using humor with your service is an effective way to do that.

It can increase productivity.

“Humor creates an upbeat atmosphere that encourages interaction, brainstorming of new ideas, and a feeling that there are few risks in thinking outside the box. All that leads to greater productivity,” Taylor explains. “It also stands to reason that if you’re in a more jovial atmosphere, you’ll have more passion for what you do. Your work ethic will increase, and your enthusiasm will likely be contagious. It’s a win-win for you and your employer.”

Friday Favorites @ Intelligent Interiors

Intelligent Interiors — Fri, 10 May 2013 00:06:22 +0000

It’s Mother’s Day weekend so make sure to congratulate all the mothers in your life! And be sure to check out our Mother’s Day favorites for this week!

Song of the Week – Best Day – Taylor Swift

Video of the Week – Mother Panda and Baby panda

Interesting Article of the Week – Best Flowers for Mom (click image)

Favorite Image – Mothers are awesome (click image to see all)

4 Working Styles: Which one are you?

Intelligent Interiors — Wed, 08 May 2013 01:47:20 +0000

Last month, Dr. Shelley Prevost, co-founder of Lamp Post Group, wrote an article for INC.com that describes four unique working styles. To get more out of your team, first figure out how your employees (and you) work best–and then assign tasks accordingly.

According to Dr. Prevost, the best teams have a balance of all four styles. And the best organizations have many well-balanced teams who are confident in their working style and understand the necessity of divergent types or work. So, what’s your style?

From Inc.com:

Doing

Doers execute. They come alive when tasks are complete, lists are checked, or projects are tackled. They typically have intense focus and are detailed in their efforts.

Doers are usually so focused, however, they may forget to look up and communicate what they’re doing. Doers also tend to dive into work with little forethought. They believe that everyone should “Shoot, Fire, Aim” and tend to devalue the important work of planning.

Leading

Leaders create the vision and inspire others to believe in it. You can’t help but listen to, admire, and follow the Leaders. Without Leaders, we would be spinning in a hamster wheel with no real vision.

Leaders can be detached from others, not completely understanding all that goes into executing their vision. Because they’re out in front, they sometimes forget to check in with the people following them.

Loving

Lovers are relationship-builders. Believing that we’re stronger together, they thrive in harmony and work hard to manage relationships and build consensus.

People strong in the Loving working style are sensitive and empathic. They have an unconscious finger on the pulse of every other person on the team. If you want to know how others on your team are really feeling, ask the Lover.

But Lovers can suck at follow through and more detail-oriented work. Left to their own devices, they can out-empathize anyone and make people feel great, but not provide “tangible” work.

Learning

Learners are the researchers. These engineer types love learning and meticulously understanding the nuances of a problem.

They are deliberate, disciplined, and tend to think more strategically than most people.

Without others, however, Learners wouldn’t get much done. In order to execute their best-laid plans, they need a team ready to act. Their strategy is only as good as the problems they actually solve–not in theory, but in reality.

Theologian Howard Thurman says, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

So, let’s get over the notion that all work looks one way. It does not. Nor should it. You need many people doing many things to accomplish many goals.

Everyone has unique strengths that become super-charged once they’re aligned with other people’s strengths. Rather than critique someone who you believe “isn’t working,” make sure you’re living out your unique contribution in a powerful and sustainable way. Just do what makes you come alive.

Friday Favorites @ Intelligent Interiors

Intelligent Interiors — Fri, 03 May 2013 02:18:45 +0000

Another week of crazy weather. Hot? Cold? Mother nature needs to make up her mind. This week we have some Cinco de Mayo favorites to share with you.

Song of the Week – Don’t Stop the Music – Rihanna

Video of the Week – Postman Hates Babies

The Postman Hates Babies – Watch More Funny Videos

Interesting Article of the Week – What is Cinco de Mayo? (click image)

Event – Cinco de Mayo Parade!(click image)

Favorite Recipe – Cinco de Mayo recipes!(click image for recipe)

Top 6 Office Distractions

Intelligent Interiors — Wed, 01 May 2013 02:22:32 +0000

We all get distracted in the office. It’s unavoidable. But, if we can identify the biggest distractions, maybe we can do something about it. Recently, there was a great article posted on Inc.com regarding distractions in the office. We wanted to share it with you in hopes that you can find ways to minimize distractions!

From Inc.com’s Matt Rist:

Sound Design

According to a Cornell University study, even low-level noise in open-style offices can result in higher levels of stress and lower task motivation. If you’re going to go with an open office plan, be sure to think about where you place employees who operate at higher decibel levels. Also keep in mind placement of loud appliances such as copy machines.

Temperature

Room temperature can directly influence productivity at work. Cornell University studied the effect of increasing temperatures in the workplace from 68 degrees to 77 degrees. Errors at the company fell by 44 percent and typing output increased 150 percent with the increased temperatures. Another study indicates that an office can also be too hot—with a loss in performance at temperatures higher than 75.2 degrees.

Social Butterfly

Telephone calls, walk-in clients, that talkative colleague across the way: Unplanned conversations can have a dramatic affect on productivity in the workplace. Phone calls, talking with co-workers, and impromptu meetings make up 43 percent of work interruptions, according to a market research survey.

Sitting Pretty

The design of office workstations is often linked to health, comfort, and productivity in the workplace. Chairs that are not adjustable and desks that are too small can cause sore backs and contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome. A study coordinated by Health and Work Outcomes, an independent health research and consulting company for office furniture manufacturer Steelcase, found that individuals who received office ergonomic training and sat in a highly adjustable chair increased average productivity by 17.8 percent after a year.

Space Matters

The Wall Street Journal recently published findings from a number of worldwide studies suggesting the space around your workstation could affect not only your productivity, but the style of work you accomplish. Low ceilings encourage analytical thinking, while high ceilings can encourage abstract thought and creativity. Color and light can also change the way we think. Surrounding workers with red walls could stifle creativity, but fuel inside-the-box thinking for tasks that call for small details and accuracy.

Tech Intrusion

Nearly 60 percent of work interruptions are—you guessed it—thanks to the Internet. Yes, you can blame Fail Blog for not getting your work done. And don’t forget the time spent on social media, e-mail, and switching back and forth between on-screen applications. According to a survey by market research firm uSamp, while social media use can encourage coordination among employees, there’s no denying it’s a huge distraction.

Friday Favorites @ Intelligent Interiors

Intelligent Interiors — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 02:33:46 +0000

One more week left in April! Everyone ready for the heat? And speaking of Heat … the NBA playoffs are underway! This week we’ve got some great articles and a weird baby video. Enjoy!

Song of the Week – Don’t Stop the Music – Rihanna

Video of the Week – Baby Mirror Dance

Interesting Article of the Week – Top 6 Office Distractions (click image)

Great Read – How Office Design Can Enhance Your Work Life (click image)

Favorite Recipe – Potato Veggie Burgers (click image for recipe)

Favorite Image – Running Shoes

How do Spaces Make Us Feel at Home

Intelligent Interiors — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 02:53:27 +0000

Last week, Herman Miller’s Betty Hase wrote a short article on what makes us feel “at home”. It’s a very good question. Why do we immediately feel comfortable—or uncomfortable—when we enter a building for the first time? Why is it so easy to relax on a patio? Why in an enclosed room do we prefer to face the door? The following excerpts are from her article. To see the full post, click here.

Our senses tell us what is safe

The answers lie in our evolutionary history, and what we know about that history can help us create office environments that make us feel at ease and better able to focus on work. Innovating in this way also illustrates a key tenet of Peter Drucker’s: “At least half the important new technologies that have transformed an industry in the past 50 years came from outside the industry itself.” This is why understanding biology is so important for a design firm.

What we’ve learned is that people take in information about a setting through our senses, which send messages to our limbic system—a “set of structures deep within the brain that fires up in situations which have implications for our survival and well-being.” It’s a matter of feeling before thinking. For our ancestors, direct ties existed between the environment and survival. Enclosure made them feel safe from predators, while long vistas allowed them to see what was coming.

Connection with nature is key

This idea that basic human needs evolved through, and are satisfied by, connection with the natural world is called biophilia. The theory behind biophilic design is that we can apply knowledge about ancient preferences to our buildings. And while research has long shown that bringing elements of nature into healing environments or mimicking those elements speeds healing, these techniques may improve cognitive processes and might enhance productivity, as well.

When it comes to the environment, there are certain human needs that, when not met, can affect comprehension and satisfaction. One factor involves “natural analogues,” materials that evoke nature. These include pictures of nature and materials and finishes that are reminiscent of nature, which can include reflective surfaces because they mimic water.

“Nature of the space” refers to the layout of the actual space. We are hard-wired to prefer spaces that offer prospect from the vantage point of refuge, spaces that let us see out without being seen.

Environments that effectively incorporate these principles can help restore balance between the sympathetic system, which is important for thinking and doing, and the parasympathetic system, which regulates things like digestion. The body feels “at home”—and so does the brain.

Friday Favorites @ Intelligent Interiors

Intelligent Interiors — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:14:25 +0000

We have a bit of a golf theme going this week! Congrats to Adam Scott for winning the 2013 Masters! Everyone have a great weekend.

Song of the Week – I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas

Video of the Week – Golf Fails

Interesting Article of the Week – Adam Scott Wins Masters 2013: 1st Ever Australian Winner (click image)

Favorite Recipe – Golf Balls! (click image for recipe)

Favorite Image – Golf Yards

Friday Favorites @ Intelligent Interiors

Intelligent Interiors — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 02:42:43 +0000

In this week’s Friday Favorites you can watch how an April Fools joke backfired, learn about how to stop running late, and check out a beautiful picture of a storm!