Osmond Ergonomics

This article was originally emailed as issue 171 of our monthly eBulletin at 11:30 on 14/02/2024. You can register here to receive them monthly.

PODCAST – STILL UNTITLED

We have now transmitted four podcasts, have two more ready for March and April and two more planned. We have had many name suggestions and, although some of them have been very clever, nothing has been ‘right’ – so the Amazon voucher has still not been awarded. I think I need to be clearer about what I am seeking!

Most of the suggestions have been historic references to what Osmond Ergonomics has done over the last 30+ years. However, the podcast is a personal venture and the conversations are about the broader wellbeing and EDI issues that fascinate me. As a result, I need a name for its future direction, rather than the past. To help you, here are some topics we have covered in the first six episodes: digital healthcare transformation – AI analysis of health issues – disability and labels – holistic approaches to disability support – corporate risk appetite – wellbeing vs. P & L – risk literacy – change management – culture, vision & values – inadequate leadership training – Gen Z entitlement (or not?) – team building – understanding character types – working effectively with people you don’t like – and choosing a career path that makes you happy.

Does that help? Send me your suggestion(s) here and that Amazon gift card could soon be yours! Find the podcasts and platform choices here.

STOCKHOLM FURNITURE FAIR

What a disappointment. The event had reduced in size by half since last year and the number of exhibitors and attendees likewise. I had hoped to catch up with some existing suppliers and explore new relationships or, at least, have some interesting conversations. I did have a couple of those but the most productive discussion was with a Brit I could have met in London! Even my 3D printing expectations were thwarted.

Next year, I’ll study the exhibitor list carefully before booking a hotel or flight … and there’s no blog this year!

UK EVENTS

The conference & exhibition season has now started and there are several excellent UK events in the next few months. Our own Oxford event for HR and real estate professionals may well be booked up by now but here are the places you will also find me:
IIRSM’s Neurodiversity – the New Frontier in Workplace Ergonomics in London
Workplace Design Show in London (on 28.02.24 only),
Health & Wellbeing @ Work at the NEC (both days),
Workplace Trends Research Summit in London,
CIEHF Conference in Kennilworth and
The Workplace Event at the NEC.
That should give me some material for future eBulletins and blogs!

POST-OCCUPANCY EVALUATION

At a time when so many employers are asking for more data on which to base their workplace decisions, I have been surprised that so few organisations review the success of their office moves and refurbishments effectively. We have been collaborating with Dr Nigel Oseland to offer this service and I recently attended his one-day masterclass so that I fully understand the process. His new book, A Practical Guide to Post-Occupancy Evaluation, is a straightforward handbook about the whole topic.

INTERNAL TRAINING

Our programme of training sessions for our own team is progressively encompassing all the characteristics we need to be aware of to ensure a comprehensive approach to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, both within the company and when dealing with clients. The awareness subjects addressed so far have been Vision Impairment with Dan Williams, Autism with Dr Aishah Shadi and Dyslexia, Dyscalculia & Dysgraphia with Kirsty Heap. In March, we shall be learning about Dyspraxia, ADHD and Tourette Syndrome.