This article was originally emailed as our monthly Workplace Design & Management newsletter at 11:00 on 20/04/2017. You can view older newsletters here and register to receive them monthly.
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR!
Conferences and exhibitions abound
With Easter over and summer on the horizon, we continue to participate in a diverse array of events. As it happens, the next three are all in London. I am always looking for new products or fresh ideas and will provide feedback in due course. If you attend any of these events, I shall be pleased to hear whether you agree with my observations and, if you do not participate, I hope you find the information useful. If you are a social media user, you can also get more timely and frequent bulletins from one of the sources available here.
CLERKENWELL DESIGN WEEK
The eighth edition: May 23rd – 25th
With over 34,000 visitors last year, CDW continues to evolve and grow. I have already seen some exciting new products which are ready for launch and there is a hectic programme of events and presentations. Some of our own key partners have brand new showrooms since last year and others have moved premises. If you are attending timed sessions, expect to exceed your daily step target with ease and make sure you allow enough time to walk between them! This year I shall be attending on the Tuesday and Wednesday so let me know if you want to meet up.
THE BUSINESS SHOW 2017
The event for SME owners and directors
We have been thinking for some time about how we can bring the knowledge gained from our relationships with enormous organisations to business owners in the SME world. We know that some of our unique and innovative techniques are equally applicable whatever the size of an organisation and we shall demonstrate this on Stand 7124 in The Marketplace Zone at The Business Show. If you plan to attend on May 17th or 18th, come and talk to us! If you do not yet have your free ticket, click here.
TH!NKFM CONFERENCE
FM in a connected world
Only a few years ago, we were talking about how smartphones and tablets were changing our work lives. Before these issues are even fully embedded, there are already more new technologies to accommodate: Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, the Internet of Things, Robotics and Big Data are just a few of the terms that did not exist a few years ago. On June 8th, Th!nkFM will be exploring the benefits and challenges of these issues and considering ways to address them. I shall report back on what I learn!
ALTERNATIVE FACTS 2
April Fools or Year Round Fools?
In Issue 14, I referred to the terms ‘post-truth’ and ‘alternative facts’ and bemoaned our apparent growing willingness to accept information from unverified sources. I am grateful to those of you who provided interesting and valuable feedback. At the time, I was thinking about my next blog and, whilst contemplating the issues, came across a really insightful question in a Tweet on April 1st. That question became the necessary catalyst to shape this article!
Posted by Guy Osmond 
Following my recent 
We know that 
The next event in my conference calendar is CIEHF’s 
For me, the most inspiring element of the recent annual 
Well, hardly! However, my 
A few years ago (in a time before Agile Working was a hot topic), a Facilities Manager told me everyone in his company had a dedicated workplace, there was no hot desking and they had no home workers. I had only question: does anyone have a laptop? His affirmative reply meant that the organisation obviously had personnel working at home (although not necessarily authorised). Today, nobody would make such a bold statement in the first place. With laptop sales significantly exceeding desktop models and a proliferation of smartphones and tablets, not to mention 
For those based in open plan offices, working at home can be an ideal way to address two of the ‘4Cs’ (contemplation and concentration, rather than collaboration, communication). However, many miss the interaction with colleagues and a key negative factor can be lack of direction and goals from their line manager. Many employers overlook the importance of the culture change and different (pull, rather than push) management style required. To ensure maximum buy-in from those working at home, 
Many people lack sufficient space for an office at home and the potential issues are compounded by the almost inevitable ‘out of sight is out of mind’ circumstances. Home workers need to be properly assessed and this can be done online or with a site visit. Site visits address issues that are far less common in the office (light levels, overall space, fire extinguishers) and can incorporate other essential services such as 
Appearance is an important factor when employees choose work products for use at home. What works in a minimalist warehouse loft is unlikely to work in a Tudor cottage! Mukava is at home in a multiple hot-desking environment but its clean lines, modern look and multifunctional nature make it a good candidate as a multi-purpose tool in a space-constrained home office. Combining laptop platform, document holder, white board, tablet and smartphone stand with built-in device charger, USB socket and magnetic grips, this small unit truly ‘does it all’! It can be mounted on any VESA monitor arm. 
Smartphones and tablets are used almost everywhere, not just in the home. Management of the technology, what the products are used for and how they are used presents many challenges to responsible employers and the pace of technology makes it hard for organisations to keep up, let alone get ahead. Personnel benefit from education to understand the issues and ensure they act responsibly. There are many 
The expression popularised by Mark Twain (and found elsewhere in publications dating back to the late nineteenth century) is as relevant today as it ever was. Since the start of the year, I have learned that ‘post-truth’ was the 
As we return to this event for the first time in a few years, we have been thinking about what services we can offer private practice physiotherapists, especially those who are unfamiliar with the Occupational Health demands of the workplace. We are therefore working on a series of workshops to provide a more contextual understanding of workplace musculo-skeletal issues and ways to support and improve the working conditions of those who suffer. If you are attending the 
At least once a week, I receive notification from yet another Chinese manufacturer that they have introduced a new sit-stand adaptor. This usually prompts me to play ‘spot the clone’ in marketing literature and web sites! Amongst this array of (quite similar) choices, we still believe the 
If you have not already seen it, you can read my full report from the Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair 
When we announced the 20th Anniversary of our 
One of the joys of 
Back in October, I reported on the launch of the 
Launched at 
I have just read that ‘post-truth’ was the 
Our free evening seminar in London on February 23rd provides an opportunity to see the new app-enabled 
If you are attending the 
It is a while since we last exhibited at the annual 
We are constantly being approached by manufacturers offering us new products. We reject some of these just by viewing their web site, others are reviewed in our monthly 
As you probably know, we regularly update and add to our range of downloadable pdfs and online information. There are many ways to access this but we have recently created a single point of reference. Whether you are looking for our social media pages, Posture Guidance, handheld devices advice, training information or links to lots more valuable information, 
We work with many businesses where engagement levels are high and many clients where this is certainly not the case. As a result, our involvement impacts these organisations in different ways. Many factors affect personnel motivation and we find that health, safety and wellbeing can contribute significantly to corporate culture.
Designed by Carsten Buhl for Elite, 
For several years, we have operated a highly effective ‘WoW Factor’ review process to rate the ergonomics of task chairs. But what about other types of seating? In Issue 9, I mentioned that we were working on a comparable technique to rate everything else and this is now operational. We have reviewed almost 100 products from Elite, Nomique, Orangebox and Pledge. It is a subjective system but surprisingly effective. For example, the aesthetics of reception seating are crucial but long term comfort is probably not such a high priority. By contrast, good support is obviously essential for training room chairs. Horses for courses! 
Also in Issue 9, I referred to the work we have been doing on 
Back in October, I highlighted the expected arrival of this comprehensive assembly of articles and insights from some of Europe’s most knowledgeable and highly respected ergonomists (oh yes, and me!). 
Now in its umpteenth iteration, our Posture Guidance has been available since 1997 and the 
We shall be exhibiting in the same location at this year’s event on March 7-8, 2017: Stand 113 just inside the hall entrance. As always, we shall have a range of new products and services to discuss and we look forward to seeing old and new friends. As in previous years, we also have a small number of FREE conference delegate passes to give away in advance. To take part in the draw for one of these, simply 
Sweden kicks off the international exhibition season with an event that is primarily about aesthetics but, being Scandinavian, includes plenty of ergonomics as well. 
As the end of the year approaches, we can reflect on some dramatic events, welcome the festive season and celebrate the first twelve WDM issues. We thank you for valuing our commitment to customer service and quality products and, in a highly competitive market, we really appreciate your business. We also know that many of our regular newsletter readers are not customers themselves but do specify and recommend us to clients and colleagues. These are valuable introductions and 
This is a little off-piste compared to my usual items but I use a wide variety of tablet/smartphone apps (more than 150 at the last count) and I thought it might be of interest to share those I use most often or find most useful. This is not intended to be one of those ‘ten things that changed my life’ lists. If that is what you are looking for, try GQ’s 
Pepi Mesh
Our 2016 Christmas donation goes to 
I have mentioned before that recent £/$/€ fluctuations have impacted everyone. It is common for manufacturers to propose price rises at this time of year and we expect increases from all our suppliers. At up to 10%, some increases are significant (although all look trivial compared to 
As the end of the year approaches, we welcome the festive season and celebrate 7 years of uninterrupted monthly eBulletins. If you are a customer, it is the time for us to thank you once again for your continued support. In a highly competitive market, we thank you for valuing our commitment to customer service and quality products. We really appreciate your business. We also know that many of our regular readers are not customers but do specify and recommend us to clients and others. This is another valued source of business and, if you are not doing so already, we invite you to explore other ways to keep in touch such as 
Is this the future of seated wellbeing? BMA have addressed the ‘sit less, move more’ conundrum with the latest version of their Smart Chair technology. We believe the 
It is many years since we last sent Christmas cards but we still associate this seasonal donation loosely with giving up the practice and spending the money more effectively. Our personnel are invited to nominate their chosen charity and then we all vote to decide on the recipient. For 2016, our Christmas donation goes to
This is a little off-piste compared to my usual items but I use a wide variety of tablet/smartphone apps (more than 150 at the last count) and I thought it might be of interest to share those I use most often or find most useful. This is not intended to be one of those ‘ten things that changed my life’ lists. If that is what you are looking for, try GQ’s 
It is common for manufacturers to propose price rises at this time of year. You will be aware (and I have mentioned before) that Sterling/Dollar and Sterling/Euro fluctuations have impacted everyone and we expect price rises from all our suppliers. Some increases are significant (although all look trivial compared to 
Osmond Ergonomics 