Posts in category: News

What is the history of video conferencing in business?  

Since the late 1960’s there have been countless iterations of video conferencing solutions. The Picturephone from AT&T allowing two people to sit down and communicate via video was a catalyst for other companies interested in connecting people. From then on, many players entered the race and many still work in that space today.  

In many ways, video conferencing got its start in the business world before making its way to the masses in consumer markets. Businesses were the ones who could afford and justify early systems as they sought to connect with business partners across oceans. It was only once wifi and high-definition video camera technology in phones and laptops were developed that connecting via video move outside of the boardroom and into the hands of employees throughout the organizations. Individuals could now connect via video using their personal devices affording them options and opportunities they never had before. 

Four examples of how people use video conferencing in business. 

Today, video conferencing is used in a number of ways. The simplest definition of the video conferencing is two physically separated individuals communicating via technology using live video and audio. Within that framework, examples of businesses using this technology include: 

External meetings or multipoint conferencing

This method of video conferencing usually takes place between three or more participants either in a boardroom, huddle room, or focus room. In this example, a meeting host will send links to attendees joining online. Team members of one company will connect with another company or clients in another location to share information in a group setting. The technology involved often includes multiple cameras, microphones, speakers, and displays positioned within a large conference room. 

Internal meetings or point-to-point conferencing

In this instance, a company may have an in-office employee and a remote staff collaborating on a project together. Here, coworkers will talk face-to-face on projects and share their screen to show information the remote attendee cannot otherwise see. This kind of communication allows employees to maintain flexibility. While they may spend part of the day in the office, appointments can take them away throughout the day. The ability to remotely connect helps them participate in meetings they would otherwise miss due to proximity.  

Online events

In the past, if you wanted to learn something, you had to come in person. Today that is very different with webinars and seminars being hosted almost exclusively online. Companies have discovered new ways to expand their reach and share their message with consumers through virtual learning events. In some cases, in-person events are broadcast to remote participants to broaden the audience. Some people like to attend in person while others want to skip the travel. This gives everyone what they want. 

Social interactions

Some companies have used video conferencing to support their company culture. Virtual happy hours, philosophy cafes, and all company updates help employees stay connected, engaged, and have fun even when physically separate. This is especially helpful for large companies with multiple locations working toward integrating teams full of different people with diverse backgrounds.  

Is video conferencing good for business? 

The short answer is yes. Any time a business can improve communication between teams, save money, and increase their opportunities to sell is a win. Video conferencing allows businesses to recruit the best talent from virtually anywhere in the world without the need for that talent to relocate. That is assuming of course that they fully support remote work options. It also makes it easier to build relationships because there is that face-to-face interaction. You can tell a decent amount about how someone is feeling based on the tone of their voice, but seeing their face and body language tells the rest of the story. 

To learn more, read our blog, “9 Ways Video Conferencing Benefits Communication”. 

Who was the first company to introduce remote work? 

Remote work is not a new concept. For centuries, skilled workers eg. Farmers, blacksmiths, carpenters, and so on have worked from their homes or set up shop there. It wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution that we began to see production lines and manufacturing on such a large scale. Using the Ford Motor Company for example, production and the sheer number of employees had not been seen on that level often. With so much needing supervision on-site, employees began “commuting to work” like never before. Since then, working in office has become the norm for the majority of businesses. Each started building or renting properties to house their large employee base and people got used to driving to and from work and spending hours in traffic.  

The first remote work policy on record, as we understand it today, was implemented by IBM in 1979. The company allowed five of its employees to work from home. The experiment worked and by 1983, there were 2,000 people allowed to work from home. Telecommuting has only grown in popularity since then with companies leveraging remote workers to keep operating costs low as they scale their businesses. Others support the trend for environmental reasons. They want to limit the vehicles on the road to help lower air and noise pollution. 

Most recently, companies in mass sent their employees to work from home in response to COVID-19. This caused a huge shift in business and employee perspectives on how and where people can work and remain productive. Many companies chose to keep many employees remote even after they could safely return to work. Meanwhile, others struggled to coax their newly liberated work force back to the office, partially because video conferencing made the commute unnecessary. 

Why do people prefer to work from home? 

People prefer to work from home for numerous reasons ranging from work-life balance, finances, time saved, etc. Employees who work from home automatically gain more personal time often sacrificed in a commute. They can collaborate efficiently with coworkers and fit in chores around the home. Many have kids or pets that they can watch while working from home allowing them to save money on daycare. Additionally, many prefer the choice they have throughout their day. They can start the morning on the couch and move to the kitchen table before ending in a private home office. With video conferencing tools at their fingertips, employees recognize that they can easily produce the same quality of work from home without the extra hassle of the commute. 

When is video conferencing necessary? 

Whether businesses decide to support teleworking options or not, it is no secret that video conferencing has become a very necessary part of work today. It is normal for companies to grow and modern technology makes that easier. Using video conferencing saves companies time, improves their communication with staff and clients, and helps them capitalize on new opportunities. Video conferencing is crucial for companies who are looking to expand into new markets but are headquartered elsewhere. It helps everyone stay on the same page with less miscommunication. It is also an important part of keeping people connected by ensuring the human element (face-to-face contact) remains intact. People want to work with people and seeing another human being’s face is irreplaceable. If a company is interested in growth while maintaining inherently human communication, then video conferencing is a must. 

What are common drawbacks of video conferencing? 

Common drawbacks of video conferencing can be split into two fields of through, the purely technical side, and the human side. On the technical side, common drawbacks include poor internet connectivity leading to lag in video or audio, user error when running the system, inadequate collaboration tools, and inequity for remote participants.  

On the human side, video conferencing does a great job bridging the gap of distance, but it is still not the same as being in the same room as someone. Physical touch, like a hand-shake, is not something you can do virtually and that is a connection that means a lot to people in business. There are also many conversations that happen outside of an online meeting that build trust and comradery between coworkers or clients. When a remote participant is joining a call and jumping right into business, they can often lose the chance to connect on an emotional level.  

What are some benefits of video conferencing? 

The benefits video conferencing can bring a company, however, far outweigh the drawbacks. For starters, this technology allows businesses to easily connect with people they never would have or could have otherwise. While it isn’t the same as being in the same room, it is as close as most people will or can ever get when separated by oceans. It opens doors for employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance, companies to save money on physical space, improve collaboration, communication, and productivity, reach a wider audience, and keep consistent records. With all those things in mind, video conferencing connect people like never before, and when people feel connected, they get more done, which is great for business. 

To learn more, read our blog, “Advantages and Disadvantages of Video Conferencing in Business”. 

Four of the best video conferencing features for business. 

There are some key video conferencing features for business that people use most frequently. The include screen sharing, Whiteboarding, video recording, and in-meeting chats. 

Screen Sharing

This feature is a must-have solution for collaborating effectively online. Businesses can share imagery, presentations, videos, data, and more with the easy click of a button. Some applications allow people to share their screen whether they are the meeting host or not, while others require the host to grant permission first. More control from the host can be a good idea especially for webinars with hundreds of remote viewers. Screen sharing directs participant’s attention to the shared information on the screen while the presenter can keep discussing a topic. It also allows for easier brainstorming and decision-making.  

Whiteboarding

When you are in an online meeting, using a physical whiteboard for brainstorming or note taking is not an option. That is why many video conferencing apps have created virtual whiteboarding features to support online teams. Some apps make whiteboarding tools accessible through their screen shares where instead of sharing a mirror image of the screen, users can open a collaborative whiteboard and provide simultaneous access for all remote collaborators. Some whiteboarding tools are infinite so you never run out of space.  

Video Recording

Depending on the type of meeting, video recording can be an extremely important feature for businesses. Whether they are creating training videos or keeping record of what was said, a recording is great for documentation. Other times, employees simply can’t attend a meeting and need to catch up. Video recording is an especially good feature for webinars and seminars that businesses want to share the presentation with attendees.  

In-Meeting Chats

Chat features allow meeting participants to hold multiple conversations at a time without interrupting the speaker. During a presentation, someone can chat with another remote attendee about ways to implement what the speaker is saying. Or a participant can ask the presenter a question to answer later. In the case of a live webinar, a speaker can present undistracted while an assistant simultaneously fields questions from attendees. Chat features open up a lot of great communication possibilities for businesses. 

For a more in-depth look, read our blog, “What Is The Best Video Conferencing Platform For Business?” 

Partnering With An Integrator 

Video conferencing has been around for decades, but it has more capabilities and features than ever. Knowing what software, features, and solutions are best for your business can be complicated. If you want a partner with industry knowledge to help you pick the best video conferencing solutions within your budget, OEC can help.  

We are a full service, audio-visual integration team of who can help with av designer, product procurement, installation, and service. We have deep industry knowledge and can help recommend the best software and hardware solutions to help you look and sound great internally and in front of your most important clients. Start reaching more customers today by contacting us! 

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Insights and ideas to improve the healthcare experience

The pandemic proved to be an extreme pressure test on the entire healthcare system. While clinicians performed above and beyond, the crisis really identified where the opportunities in healthcare exist.

What’s emerging now is a stronger-than-ever realization that purposeful, human-centered design can have a very positive effect. While there are many ways to address this, Steelcase Health has identified three areas of focus to help organizations improve the healthcare experience and outcomes for everyone involved – patients and their families, as well as clinicians and staff.

Spaces where health happens must be met with extreme flexibility – handling what’s now and anticipating what’s next.

Designing for flexibility can help organizations adapt to changing models of care delivery while reducing the cost of renovations. According to the National Library of Medicine, the pandemic “revealed that many modern hospitals and healthcare organizations lack the flexibility to accommodate sudden surges of patients due to unexpected healthcare situations.” It goes on to say that “flexibility is the key requirement of healthcare facilities of the future and consequently designers need to consider the unknown needs due to technological, societal and epidemiological changes.”

“Flexibility is the key requirement of healthcare facilities of the future and consequently designers need to consider the unknown.”

Today most healthcare facilities have fixed components, such as permanent walls and millwork. This approach makes it difficult to change the space quickly when new needs or crises occur. By creating spaces that are move versatile with components that are not as fixed, such as height-adjustable desks, moveable screens, modular casework, furniture on casters, you can provide ad-hoc flexibility to any space. And organizations save money with furniture that supports multiple functions or can be updated more easily. A cafe space can become a training room. A multipurpose zone replaces a traditional waiting room.

Healthcare environments need to address both the physical and emotional wellbeing of people.

Healthcare visits, whether planned or in an emergency, often conjure up an image of a familiar set-up: hard surfaces, cool tones and a sterile feeling environment. These spaces often leave patients feeling anxious and stressed. Healing spaces need to increase overall wellbeing and go beyond physical health to also include mental, emotional and social health.

“Medical facilities are mostly designed to help you get physically better. But they don’t always account for the rest of you,” says Seth Starner, Advanced Explorations, Steelcase Health. ” By creating spaces that are warmer and approachable, patients and loved ones can feel a little safer and more taken care of, tending to their overall wellness.”

By using materials that are both functional and beautiful, providing access to natural light and giving patients more control over their experience, healthcare environments can become more calming and welcoming.

The wellbeing of healthcare workers – whose jobs are centered on taking good care of others – is all too often overlooked in their own work environments.

Compared to people in other professions, those who work in healthcare disproportionately experience exhaustion, dissatisfaction, depression and burnout. Clinicians are always coping with sickness and death. It’s unavoidable. But there are other causes of burnout, too: busy, high-stress environments and always putting others first. Space can be a tool to address those things.

Spaces for breaks have typically been minimized in the floorplate and their location can be inconvenient for actual use.

And then there’s the experience. Many break rooms have become cluttered spaces or overflow storage rooms – in other works, an afterthought. Or they’re just one big, noisy room. At the 2022 Healthcare Design Conference & Expo, a nurse said, “I’m not going to feel comfortable going into the breakroom to cry during a difficult shift while sitting next to a coworker who is eating lunch.”

Respite means different things to different people. So, you need diverse types of respite areas available to suit various needs. Organizations are looking for ways to reclaim underutilized spaces and repurpose them for respite spaces instead. And it’s important that organizations keep these spaces well maintained, warm and welcoming.

The healthcare industry is renewing its focus on setting its staff up for success. When designers make spaces to run smoothly and caregivers feel supported by their spaces and leadership, they create better experiences for their patients. Better supported caregivers consistently yield better scores on the HCAHPS, a survey measuring patient perceptions of their hospital experience.

Health Takeaways

3 insights and ideas for improving healthcare experiences

• Spaces where health happens must be met with extreme flexibility – handling what’s now and anticipating what’s next.
• Healthcare environments need to address both the physical and emotional wellbeing of people.
• The wellbeing of healthcare workers – whose jobs are centered on taking good care of others – is all too often overlooked in their own work environments.

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The temperatures are rising, and summer events are popping up everywhere. From concerts and rodeos to wine tastings and corporate events, each offer something special. However, some events stand out above others. Why? They are dedicated to creating a memorable and interactive experience with guests. If you are planning a big event for the summer and want to make a splash, we have compiled some ways that integrating technology into your event can help.

8 Ways AV Technology Can Help Your Event

1. Captivate Your Audience

For starters, you want to captivate your audience. Create impactful presentations and immersive experiences through high-quality audio and visual elements. This will help you keep your attendees engaged and entertained throughout your corporate events.

2. Create Seamless Communication

AV technology enables seamless communication and collaboration during corporate events. It allows presenters to effectively convey their message, interact with participants, and foster meaningful connections.

3. Showcase Professional Branding

You can project a professional image for your company with the proper AV setup. From customized stage backdrops to branded multimedia content, AV can enhance your corporate event’s branding and leave a lasting impression.

4. Dazzle with Dynamic Presentations

AV solutions offer dynamic presentation capabilities, including multi-screen displays, live video feeds, and interactive elements, enabling you to deliver impactful content that resonates with your audience.

5. Superior Sound Quality

Making a splash at your corporate event requires clear and crisp audio. AV systems provide high-quality sound reinforcement, ensuring that every word spoken and every musical note played is clear.

6. Make a Visual Impact

From large-scale projection mapping to LED video walls, AV technology can create stunning visual displays that captivate and mesmerize attendees, transforming ordinary events into extraordinary experiences.

7. Live Stream

AV systems allow for live streaming and remote participation, enabling you to broaden your audience.

8. Engage your Audience

Want to get your audience involved? Incorporating interactive elements such as live polling, Q&A sessions, and gamification through AV technology fosters a dynamic and interactive event environment.

6 AV Technology Products To Support Your Event

Now that we have given you a long list of ways that incorporating AV technology into your corporate event can help it stand out let’s go through some of the products that can support your goals.

1. High-resolution projectors and projection screens

These can deliver visually stunning presentations and immersive experiences, allowing you to captivate your audience with sharp and vibrant imagery.

2. LED video walls

LED panels configured in large video walls provide a dynamic and impactful visual display.

3. Professional audio system

High-quality speakers, microphones, and sound reinforcement systems ensure clear and crisp audio.

4. Interactive displays and touchscreens

These enable interactive presentations, allowing attendees to participate and engage with the content actively.

5. Video conferencing and live streaming solutions

These technologies enable remote participation and live streaming to and from corporate events helping you reach a wider audience.

6. Lighting systems

Properly designed lighting setups can enhance the visual aesthetics of your event space, creating an ambiance that aligns with your brand and the atmosphere you want to establish.

At OEC, we specialize in providing cutting-edge AV solutions that can enhance every aspect of your upcoming summer gatherings. Imagine captivating your audience with vibrant and immersive visuals displayed on high-resolution projectors and LED video walls. Our AV solutions will help you create visually stunning presentations and transform your event space into a dynamic and engaging environment.

But it’s not just about visuals. We understand the importance of crystal-clear audio to communicate your message effectively. With our state-of-the-art sound reinforcement systems and professional audio equipment, every word spoken and every note played will resonate with clarity, ensuring your attendees remain fully engaged and connected.

Engagement is key to a successful corporate event, and that’s where our interactive displays and touchscreens shine. These allow your attendees to actively participate, interact with content, and share their thoughts through live polling and Q&A sessions. Such engagement fosters a sense of community and provides valuable insights and feedback. Additionally, we offer seamless video conferencing and live-streaming solutions to connect with remote participants and expand the reach of your summer corporate events. Whether your team members are scattered across different locations, or you want to engage a wider audience, our AV technology ensures that no one misses out on the experience.

Contact Us Today

Let us handle the technical aspects so you can focus on delivering a memorable event. Our dedicated AV professionals will work closely with you to design and execute a tailored AV setup that aligns with your event’s theme, objectives, and branding.

Make this summer’s corporate events stand out from the rest. Let us show you the transformative power of AV technology. Contact us today, and together, we will create an unforgettable experience for your attendees.

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Insights and ideas for a new era of work

Gen Z (born 1997-2012), the youngest generation in the workplace now, is growing up in a hyper-connected, diverse world and is challenging traditional structures and values in the workplace. It may defy conventional wisdom to learn that Gen Z places more importance on the office than previous generations. Here’s what matters most to Gen Zers, according to Steelcase global research.

Gen Z is reshaping the workplace and works in the office more than any other generation

Generation Z will represent almost a third of the global workforce by 2025* and will play a big role in shifting attitudes and perceptions.

Work-life balance and learning and development opportunities ranked highest in choosing an employer

Balance

“Quiet Quitting” doesn’t mean a lack of engagement to them, it means creating boundaries between work and the rest of their lives.

Pay

Low compensation was the number one cited reason for leaving their jobs in the last two years.**

Connections

Top reason to come to the office are about interactions.

Values

Employer values that align with their own. Company’s sustainability initiatives will be critical to talent acquisition and retention in the future.***

• **2022 Deloitte survey amonth 23,200 Generation Z and Millennial workers (born between 1996-2010 and 1980-1995, respectively) across 46 countries globally
• ***Steelcase Gen Z Research

Making connections, learning and career development are more important Gen Z in the office

In addition to just getting work done, building relationships is a big reason they show up. Learning and career development are also important.

73% of Generation Z believes space is hightly or extremely important to the effectiveness of the company they work for.

Individual spaces will make the biggest impact for Gen Z

If you want to motivate Generation Z workers to come to the office even more, having an assigned desk ranks highest – which could be about feeling they belong, or simply a pragmatic need tor a place where they can focus best. The top three things they want are:

• Assigned Workspaces
• Larger Individual Workspaces
• More Privacy in Individual Workspaces

Gen Z is more likely to believe the value of the workplace increased over the pandemic

54% compared with 42% of Millenials, 30% of Gen X, and 23% of Boomers

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Namebrand is a promotional product company that is doing things differently. Since its establishment in 2014, Namebrand has evolved from a promotional product company to a branded product design agency. Their primary focus is delivering high-quality products that convey a company’s message through tangible items. Unlike most companies in the promotional product industry, Namebrand is a disruptor with remarkable versatility. By partnering with existing product vendors or utilizing their own manufacturing facilities, they offer a diverse range of customizable options, ensuring they can transform intangible concepts into tangible products.

A Scattered Team 

With a dedicated team consisting of creatives, operations specialists, logistics personnel, warehousing experts, account managers, sales reps, and accountants, Namebrand has experienced steady growth over the years. However, the company faced challenges when it came to its physical workspace. In their previous location, the staff was spread out across five different spaces, occupying separate suites in two buildings. This arrangement often led to inefficiencies and hindered team collaboration, necessitating a change.

Moving Locations 

Namebrand embarked on the exciting adventure many growing businesses face, moving locations. Collaborating with OEC Workplace Consultant Cailey Ostrowski, Namebrand has transformed its workplace into a vibrant hub that reflects its brand identity and fosters collaboration among its talented team.

When Namebrand’s CEO, Kevin Felgate, decided to relocate, he considered the well-being and productivity of his team. Centralizing the company’s operations and creating a unified space that reflected its brand and culture became the vision. Danny Rosas, the Creative & Marketing Manager, set off to bring the Namebrand brand and company culture to life within a single building. To achieve this, Danny collaborated with the entire staff and Cailey to design a workspace that embodied the company’s vibrant energy and encouraged collaboration.

The Vision For The New Office 

With double their previous square-footage and a 20-30% increase in warehousing capacity, the new workspace provides ample room for the team. The office layout features a semi-open concept, with private offices lining the perimeter and workstations filling the central area. This design ensures everyone is easily accessible and promotes a sense of unity among employees who previously navigated multiple locations.

Working closely with Cailey, Namebrand created a space that is, as Danny describes it, “modern edgy.” Bold black accents are strategically balanced with natural wood tones and white elements, creating a visually appealing contrast throughout the space. Despite the open concept, Cailey and the Namebrand team found innovative ways to establish defined separation between departments. They did this through furniture configurations or spacial separation. These measures created a sense of structure within the open office, fostering a conducive environment for collaboration and productivity.

Working With OEC 

The collaboration between Namebrand and Cailey was a resounding success. Cailey’s deep understanding of the company’s culture, style, and brand allowed her to advocate effectively on behalf of Namebrand and ensure that every detail of the project aligned with the vision. The result is a workspace that reflects Namebrand’s identity, energizes its team, and supports its continued growth.

A Commitment To Excellence 

As Namebrand continues to lead the product design industry, its new office space exemplifies its commitment to excellence in its products and workplace environment. With its revitalized office space, Namebrand is ready to serve its clients with innovative and visually stunning promotional products. This further solidifies its position as a trusted partner in marketing and branding efforts.

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Responsibilities of the BSU Capital Planning and Space Management Team 

     Boise State University is continually expanding, and with that comes a plethora of logistics to manage. One key partner in campus construction, maintenance, and financing is the Capital Planning and Space Management Team (CPSM). This team supports university leadership in providing an environment for better learning. CPSM does this through capital planning efforts and budgeting processes to ensure multi-year plans and individual projects are aligning with the university’s strategic vision. To tell us more about the recent and future projects at Boise State, we met with Space Planner and Interior Designer, April Lanningham, and Relocations & Projects Coordinator, Lee Keily. 

     April and Lee are the members of the CPSM team who are directly responsible for designing spaces and getting people into those spaces. While April works on everything from high-level strategic plans to selecting finishes and furniture for new and renovated buildings, Lee is responsible for moving people, furniture, and equipment into those buildings. Their roles complement each other, and they work together closely to support the management of 5.9 million gross square feet of university space. 

     As April says, “We have an outstanding,  collaborative team of people working across campus. We accomplish complex renovations of old buildings that seem beyond help when the project starts. However, between our facilities folks, architectural and engineering department, and clients, it all comes together, which is very rewarding.” 

Renovating The Liberal Arts Building 

    While the CPSM team looks five to ten years down the road, April and Lee focus on projects happening within shorter timeframes to ensure providing an environment for better learning. They are the boots on the ground turning a multi-year plan into physical spaces. One such space coming online after four years of planning is the Liberal Arts Building. Once the art department vacated the space that they had occupied for 30 years it fell to CPSM to work with campus leaders to prioritize new occupancy. The primary occupants of the renovated space will be the English department and the MakerSpace that will relocate out of the Library. In addition a handful of new classrooms will come online.  Construction is starting this summer with a goal open date of fall 2024. 

A New Residence Hall For BSU 

     Another upcoming project is a 450-bed residence hall for first-year students. The building will stand along the river near the library. Boise State has long been considered a commuter college. However, there has been an influx of out of state students attending the university. Combined with a general rise in the student population, Boise State needs more on-campus housing. With so many of the homes surrounding campus already holding students, creating affordable on-campus housing for students is more important than ever.  

BSU’s COVID Response At A Capital Planning Level 

     While April and Lee have had many projects to be proud of in recent years, their response to COVID stands out for them. Lee shares, “I think all of us should be very proud of our response to COVID and the university planning part of that. We put blood, sweat, and tears into planning how students could return to in-person learning. Many universities took heat for going completely online, but we had thirty-three percent of our faculty and students on campus. We spent a summer here nearly all alone putting the campus together for students to return in person. By doing so, we were a good role model for other universities who didn’t know what to do. We put our heads together as a team and decided what to do even when there wasn’t a budget.” 

BSU Embraces Hybrid Work 

    On the heels of COVID, the CPSM team is embracing the “new normal” of hybrid work on campus. With flexible work policies determined by each division leader some space  has opened up because of new remote positions. April and Lee’s job is to put that open space to work. To accommodate in-person and hybrid work, they are trying to make the work environment more collaborative. They are able to do this because of technology, privacy pods, and adding transparency with modular walls. Many staff members have given up their private offices and embraced hybrid work. They will heavily utilize the new technologies and amenities the CPSM team introduces. 

Providing An Environment For Students 

     When asked about their favorite part of working with the university, April and Lee agree that it is the people. Lee shares, “The staff are all focused on the same thing and are here for the right reasons. Kids who come through school are getting a great education. They are lively, young, enthusiastic, and want to get an education. They don’t often realize that we are working for them, but we are here to support their education and provide value to those paying for their education. It could be easy to lose sight of that in our field because we are a step removed, but we support them. We never lose sight of that as a team.” Through their ongoing efforts in providing an environment for better learning, the team prioritizes students needs and wants, as well as what is logistically best for the community.

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And Its Effects on Employee Privacy, Productivity, + Health

As employees head back to the office for the first time in years, they bring expectations with them. One such expectation is privacy. After years of working from home, many people have created private offices away from their families that allow them to be highly productive. As these individuals return to the office, many face unassigned workstations in open floorplans full of distractions and noises that greatly hinder their productivity. Part of creating a successful return-to-work strategy is providing privacy for employees; sound masking is one of the best ways to do that.

On average, noise distractions interrupt employees every 11 minutes. It can take up to 23 minutes for them to get back in the “flow”. 

What is Sound Masking? 

Sound masking is the process of adding low-level, unobtrusive background sounds to an environment to reduce the intelligibility of human speech and reduce noise distractions in that environment. When working correctly, sound masking sounds similar to airflow from an HVAC system. Many times, people do not even realize it is on. When turned off, however, the space can suddenly feel too loud or even eerie as every little noise becomes recognizable. While sound masking doesn’t make a room quieter, its specific frequency and amplitude create a blanket of sound that reduces how far speech can travel, making it unintelligible. By covering the human voice, sound masking removes distractions and protects privacy.

Protecting Speech Privacy 

The number one complaint among office workers is insufficient speech privacy. According to research, 53% of employees report having overheard confidential company information at their workplace.
Think of all the times you have unintentionally listened to someone’s private conversation. Not only is it uncomfortable and distracting, but it can also be devastating for compliance and legal reasons. When sound masking is appropriately installed, it creates speech privacy, especially in areas where people share highly sensitive information. By placing sound masking outside conference rooms and private
offices, organizations feel confident that their confidential conversations are staying behind closed doors where they belong.

53% of employees report having overheard confidential company information at their workplace.

Boosting Productivity 

On average, noise distractions result in office workers experiencing interruptions every 11 minutes. Then, it can take up to 23 minutes to get back into the “flow” they experienced before the distraction. Researchers found that employees can waste between 21.5 and 86 minutes daily due to conversational distractions. This results in poor productivity which can add to significant monetary losses for companies. When sound masking enters a space, employees gain a minimum of 2-4% in productivity and tend to stay at the company longer.

When sound masking enters a space, employees gain a minimum of 2-4% in productivity and tend to stay at the company longer.

Improving Employee Health 

Finally, poor office acoustics can adversely affect employee health. A National Library of Medicine study found that workplace noise negatively affects employees physiologically and psychologically. These effects include higher blood pressure and heart rate, which causes hypertension, leading to heart disease and stroke risk. Additionally, loud noises can cause headaches, digestive issues, and in the case of hospital workers dealing with constant alarms, fatigue, and inability to concentrate.

Workplace noise negative effects include high blood pressure and heart rate, headaches, digestive issues, fatigue, and inability to concentrate.

No matter the workplace environment, sound masking plays a significant role in privacy, productivity, and health. So, whether your employees are returning to the office or never left, if you are experiencing acoustical issues, sound masking may be the right solution for you.

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There is nothing like biting into a cut of high-quality, perfectly cooked steak. Thanks to locally owned company Agri Beef, more and more people are having this experience than ever before. To learn about their growing beef empire, we asked executive VP of Corporate Affairs Jay Theiler to tell us the story. Jay started with Agri Beef twenty-two years ago in a marketing role when the company was a ranching and cattle feeding operation. Since then, the business, and his role in it, have grown tremendously. 

Agri Beef’s Operations 

Agri Beef encompasses over one-thousand ranching partners across the Western United States. They are involved in every step of the beef lifecycle, including ranching, cattle feeding, and beef processing. Their company boasts four premium beef brands selling their meat to America’s finest retailers and restaurants. Additionally, they export to over 30 countries. Their most recent addition is the True West Beef processing plant in Jerome, Idaho. 

True West Sharing Ownership 

True West Beef is unlike any beef processing plant in the U.S. thus far because it is 51% Agri Beef owned, with the other 49% ownership comprised of livestock producers. During COVID, the industry faced shutdowns that severely stalled their operations. This backup in supply forced beef prices to drop, causing issues in the supply network. In this new ownership model, livestock producers will have a seat at the table and can help make supply decisions whether there is a disaster or not. 

A New Meat Processing Facility in Jerome, ID 

The facility itself is an impressive 270,000 square feet. It is built with practical sustainability, like recycling 95% of its water and using every part of the animal. True West’s dedication to total quality has also led them to apply the most advanced practices and food safety measures at their facility. They care about each animal’s well-being and treat their animals with dignity and respect throughout their lifecycle. The company is also socially responsible for the overall health, safety, and education of its employees and the community. They are investing in the community with plans to employ three to four hundred people and produce beef from 500 head of cattle daily. These new jobs will positively impact the surrounding economy, and new multifamily housing projects are already in the works. 

What Makes True West Unique 

Something unique about this facility is how many windows it has. The goal behind this unusual choice was to create transparency. Jay shares, “We have this long hallway where you can see into the plant. With so much stigma around meat processing, we are trying to create transparency and show what we do while also making it a better environment for our employees.” 

Another unique choice, as designed by Erstad Architects, was making the wings of the building look like ranch buildings. This decision was made as a nod to the company’s history and its 1968 founding in American Falls, Idaho. One side houses the offices and fabrication welfare area, while the other contains the processing or harvest welfare area. Both sides have a large cafeteria for employees with massive graphics stretching across the room. The Canyon room shows the iconic Twin Falls canyon and bridge, while the other has an extensive graphic and actual view of the Sawtooth Mountains. Outside is a large courtyard where employees can spend their lunch break when it’s not too windy. Employees designed these additions to make the facility a great place to work. 

Furnishing The Facility 

There is a mix of office furniture solutions throughout the office and processing plant. The vision was to design a space that felt open, so private offices with a glass wall and individual workstations made their way into the design. In the main office, many cow murals liven up the space. Additionally, a large training room is put to good use training staff. Out in the plant, the furniture needed to withstand the occasional hosing off, so the OEC design team took special care of selecting furniture specifically for that purpose. “Jen and the OEC team were very good listeners to what we were trying to achieve in the building. They were responsive and understanding of our budget constraints, which we greatly appreciated.” 

Free Samples 

The commercial kitchen adjacent to the large conference room is where the business’s work meets its clientele. “We have some of the most recognizable customers and chefs, including Wolfgang Puck, Thomas Keller at the French Laundry, and Michael Mina, who want the highest quality beef. We wanted our facilities to showcase that we understand our customers and their business. When they visit, we will show them the plant and then take them to the test kitchen and cook up samples. Sometimes they bring their chefs out and cook themselves.” 

Trailblazers In The Industry 

Building this new plant has been a big step for Agri Beef. Through shared ownership with livestock partners, sustainable practices, dedication to their employees and the surrounding community, True West is becoming a trailblazer in the beef industry. Most importantly, they are proud of their work and excited to share it with people locally, nationally, and globally.

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Half of all meetings these days are spent on video. Employees want to work and hold meetings in spaces where they look better, sound better, and can hear better. Here are four design principles Steelcase has learned in their research to keep in mind when developing collaboration spaces employees love to use:

1. Consider room layout so everyone faces the camera. This may mean shifting orientation to the long wall instead of the short wall in a room.
2. In enclosed spaces, center the camera in the room to ensure everyone at the table is in the field of view.
3. Limit the spread of sound and atmospheric noise and echoes. Consider fabric wall treatments, carpet, panels, and softer seating. Acoustic fabric panels opposite the technology in the room will help with sound
   absorption.
4. Provide multi-faceted lighting of the space, people, and background. Avoid lights that are directly behind the individuals on camera.

One more tip. If you make your technology easier to use, the more likely your team will be to use it. Get as close to one touch technology as possible.

See you in the office!

Scott Galloway

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Whether or not you have ever heard the term “digital signage,” chances are you have seen it in use. In today’s fast-paced environment, companies, schools, hospitals, and government organizations use digital displays to share information in various ways.

Whether displaying maps of campus or showcasing the latest product launch, digital signage is a cost-effective way to communicate with a broad audience. It can also improve customer experience, and enhance brand awareness. This article will discuss the benefits of using digital signage players in different settings.

Commercial Offices:

Have you ever seen a large video wall display in a commercial office building? The lcd video wall both captures your attention and conveys information in a visually engaging way. Talk about making a great first impression!

For this reason, digital signage displays are becoming increasingly popular in commercial offices. They offer a dynamic way to communicate with employees, visitors, and customers.

We know psychologically that the brain processes visuals faster than text, so individuals are more likely to remember what they see. By leveraging quick imagery provided through digital displays, businesses can make a lasting impression on viewers in a fraction of the time.

Some of the content companies are showing through this technology includes company news, event promotion, product showcases, and providing wayfinding information. By using digital signage players instead of traditional paper-based signage, companies can save time and money and share unlimited messages. Administrators can update digital signage in real-time to support quick changes. This allows businesses to communicate important information to their employees or customers whenever needed.

Education:

Digital signage players are an excellent tool for educational institutions to communicate with students, faculty, and visitors. Schools and universities often leverage digital displays to share schedules, promote campus events, display important safety announcements, and show maps or directions to specific buildings or rooms.

Digital displays also make a difference in the classroom by displaying educational content, such as videos and presentations. Using interactive digital signage, teachers can conduct quizzes; students can collaborate on group activities, share their comments and responses on display, and see real-time information like stock market updates.

In classrooms especially, information retention is a significant focus. Research shows that people are more likely to remember information that elicits an emotional response. When teachers share imagery that evokes emotions such as excitement, empathy, or curiosity, their students are more likely to create a connection with the content and remember what they learned. By using digital signage players, educational institutions can improve campus communication and classroom engagement.

Healthcare:

In healthcare settings, digital signage players can provide patients, visitors, and staff critical real-time information. It can also boost the trust and credibility of the hospital. It is no secret that hospitals are often stressful places full of uncertainty.

When hospitals display information professionally and with visual appeal, viewers are more likely to trust and believe that information. So whether the goal is to put people at ease or teach them pertinent health information, digital signage plays a crucial role.

Other helpful uses for digital signage include displaying wait times so patients know how long they may have to wait for assistance. Wayfinding information helps visitors discover where their loved one stays in the building, and learning where amenities like the café, gift shop, or hospital services are, just got easier.

Internally, administrators can use remote managing to update digital signage to give essential training and presentations to hospital staff. By using digital signage players, healthcare facilities can improve communication with patients and staff to improve the healthcare experience for everyone.

Government:

Government agencies increasingly use digital signs to improve communication with citizens and visitors. When capturing people’s attention, nothing does better than digital signage. Digital signage grabs viewers’ attention with its display of motion, color, and other visual elements. It keeps them engaged with your message.

Displaying real-time schedules and routes on a digital display is ideal for public transit. There are many distractions in these environments, so the display needs to be attention-grabbing.

Governments use digital signage for many purposes. They share community events at their various sites, promote tourism, and communicate emergency response and disaster relief. This ensures that the general population is able to view this information quickly and easily. Government agencies are improving their communication and engagement with citizens by using digital signage players.

Digital signage can help capture someone’s attention and make them remember your message. It can also help you emotionally connect with your content. By using digital signage players, businesses, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and government agencies can improve communication, engagement, and the overall experience of their audience. Is digital signage right for your organization?

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