Osmond Ergonomics

This article was originally emailed as issue 174 of our monthly eBulletin at 11:30 on 08/05/2024. You can register here to receive them monthly.

PODCAST NAME

After months of requesting name ideas, we have given up asking! Whilst we had some very clever suggestions, none of them quite hit the spot, some were already in use elsewhere and some were just a bit too clever! (We decided that any name that needed a paragraph to explain the meaning was not going to work). Along the way, we have also become rather attached to As Yet Untitled and lots of people have said we should just stick with that, especially since the final format is still evolving and the range of topics is diverse. So that’s what we are going to do! The name will remain As Yet Untitled. However, we haven’t forgotten that we promised to give away a £100 Amazon voucher so, in the absence of an outright winner, we have donated the £100 to SSAFA – the Armed Forces Charity.

CIEHF: HUMAN FACTORS IN THE WORKPLACE

In my 30+ years of workplace wellbeing and ergonomics activities, I have never known a time when Human Factors played a more central role in the discussions of workplace professionals. Yet there was nothing about workplace on the recent CIEHF Conference agenda! A few of us within the CIEHF are planning to reawaken that focus through the Workplace Sector Group. If you would like to know more (whether or not you’re a CIEHF member), please let me know.

LARGE FORMAT 3D PRINTING

What if I offered you a statement product for your corporate lobby or atrium with these features – 100% recycled raw material; 100% recyclable at end of life; biophilic impact; acoustic impact; aesthetic impact and, although it’s been designed in the USA, bringing the design to the UK for local manufacture under licence has the carbon footprint of an email attachment? We plan to launch our first truly circular furniture product on June 5th & 6th at the TCT3sixty Exhibition. This event is probably not in your diary so contact me if you would like to know more

WORKPLACE TRENDS YOUTUBE CHANNEL

I have stated previously how much I enjoy the Workplace Trends conferences. They present case studies, research and information at the cutting edge of workplace design and thinking. You can now find previous sessions on their YouTube channel. At the moment, most of the content is a few years old but regular updates are now being added. Follow the link and subscribe to see new content as it appears. Then attend in person! That’s where you will find that the face-to-face conversations and networking are the icing on the cake.

OSMOND IWS – SNEAK PREVIEW

After a year of preparation, the launch of our new Inclusive Wellbeing Services is only a few weeks away. This will be a comprehensive range of training, assessment and consultancy services to create a truly holistic approach to workplace wellbeing. Watch out for more news very soon!

This article was originally emailed as issue 173 of our monthly eBulletin at 11:30 on 11/04/2024. You can register here to receive them monthly.

WILL YOU MAKE A DONATION, PLEASE?

I’m taking a bit of a liberty here with a personal request but it’s the first time in nearly 15 years of eBulletins so I’m going to take a chance and hope you’ll allow it! This year, I’m raising money for SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity. This is a brilliant organisation that provides practical, emotional and financial support for serving military personnel, veterans, and their families in their time of need. I know that many people fundraise by doing physically demanding challenges like the Three Peaks or jumping out of an aeroplane. My brother, Mark, and I will be taking a less strenuous approach by driving an Aston Martin to Gibraltar and back. The most demanding test of stamina will be whether the air conditioning can cope with the summer heat in Spain and Portugal. However, I hope you will consider this request on the merit of the cause rather than the nobility of our effort! Obviously, Mark and I are paying our own way and we ask for any donations to be made straight to SSAFA via our donation page. All contributions, large or small, are most welcome. If you would like to make your donation more interactive, I am happy to discuss making myself and the car available for events such as weddings or proms, or just a ride (or maybe even a drive, subject to insurability). Contact me directly to explore options and availability.

PODCASTS – SIX MONTHS IN

Many thanks if you have already listened to one or more of my podcasts. The project is still a work in progress but the general format seems to be working and I’m having so much fun! There is something extraordinarily satisfying about a sit-down chat with somebody really knowledgeable and enthusiastic about what they do. We have had over 60 podcast name suggestions but there has still not been a ‘Eureka! This is it!’ moment. In fact, several people have now said “Why not use ‘As Yet Untitled’ permanently!”. If we do that, we shall provide some consolation prizes because we promised an Amazon voucher. Take a look (and listen) – the first six recordings are here.

BACK TO BASICS

If you follow us on social media, you will know that we aim to highlight the latest trends and thinking around workplace wellbeing in general, not just physical ergonomics. The other day, whilst reviewing our recent activities, it occurred to me that someone encountering us for the first time might not even realise we sell chairs … and desks … and keyboards … and mice … and monitor arms … and footrests! To correct this, we have introduced a weekly Back to Basics posting for the next five months. These will show short video clips of simple posture and setup information relating to good workstation ergonomics. Watch out for the postings or binge-watch all the videos here!

CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION SEASON

I know I have referred to this in the last two eBulletins but there really does seem to be a lot going on this year. Attending as many events as I do puts some stress on my office workload but there are too many workplace-related conversations going on to miss out at the moment. If you are attending any of these events in April and May, let me know and we can try to meet.

Workplace Trends Research Summit – London, 18.04.24.
CIEHF Ergonomics & Human Factors Conference – Kennilworth, 22-24.04.24.
Ergochair Charity Golf Day – Bristol 25.04.24.
The Workplace Event – NEC, 30.04-02.05.24.
Leading Continuous Change – London, 08.05.24.
Reward Gateway Summit – London, 15.09.24.

CIRCULAR DESIGN

For project work, we now have two approaches to sustainable furniture supply. If you have been watching my personal LinkedIn postings, you will know that our associate company, MSA Manufacturing, is active in the design and manufacture of 3D printed products – more about that soon. Alongside this, we now offer a range of repurposed and remanufactured seating and furniture. All products have already had a full life and are then lovingly restored for another owner. Contact me to explore this conversation further.

This article was originally emailed as issue 172 of our monthly eBulletin at 11:30 on 14/03/2024. You can register here to receive them monthly.

POSSIBLY OUR BEST EVENT EVER?

Earlier this month, we met up with a diverse mix of professionals to explore the nature and future of workplace wellbeing. We chose Worcester College, Oxford as a unique venue in a ‘not-London’ city and drew delegates from all over the country. The format and content were very different from our previous events and we were privileged to have Andy Lake, Dr Nigel Oseland and Rosie Russell as our key speakers. I am also most grateful to Steven Howe and Twyla Howse of Bakker Elkhuizen for their sponsorship. The presentations prompted animated discussion throughout the day, including during the lunchtime walk around the lake. I really enjoyed myself and have a number of ideas for the structure and content of future events – watch out for details of our next one in London which we are already discussing. Ultimately, though, it’s not about what I thought of it. It’s about delegate satisfaction. The feedback survey has only just gone out and more than a third of participants have already responded. What did they think? The overall event score so far is 97%. I think they liked it too!

PODCASTS

With six recorded and the next three guests lined up, we have now established a rhythm and format that seems to have momentum (although it’s still a work in progress). We also have some contenders for the podcast name but we still don’t (yet) have ‘the one’! We shall be making a final decision during March so this is your last chance to make a suggestion and win an Amazon voucher. In the meantime, our March guest is Giles Miskin, talking about ways to use the Insights Discovery tool to create better teams. You can find all our podcasts here and find out more about Giles’ work here

WELLBEING – THE BIGGER PICTURE

Regular readers will know how fascinated I am about the expansion of the workplace wellbeing conversation and how many factors impact an individual’s experience of their work and workplace (wherever that is). I am also intrigued by the spectrum of ergonomics topics still being discussed on social media. I keep seeing ‘What’s the best office chair?’ questions and, last week, I saw a post on LinkedIn about keyboard wristrests. Is that something that still needs discussion? Haven’t we moved on yet? Or maybe I should still be blogging about the same topics we were exploring 30 years ago! Am I missing out by ignoring the more basic subjects? Do tell me what you think!

DATA SECURITY

I know this is a REALLY boring subject but it’s also very important! Over the last few months, we have been doing a lot of work to formalise and systemise our procedures so that they can be aligned to various national and international standards. In December, we gained Cyber Essentials and at the end of February, Cyber Essentials Plus certification. We have also just completed a comprehensive Framework Review to benchmark how close that alignment is to further standards. Watch this space for further announcements

MORE WORKPLACE EVENTS

Last month, I mentioned the significant events I am attending over the next few weeks so this month I thought I would mention a few of the one-day and half-day opportunities. Some of these will have already passed by the time you read this but it gives you a flavour of the variety that is available (both free and chargeable). You will find me (or you’ve already missed me!) at
14.03.24 – Embracing Change: Navigating the New Expectations of Employee Experience, Bristol
21.03.24 – Smart Work Network at Leesman, London: The Current State of Workplace Experience
27.03.24 – Sensory Processing, Cognitive Well-Being and Neuro-Inclusion in the Workplace, London.

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.