Office Interior Design Blog |

Once upon a time there were two women who saw an opportunity and jumped in with both feet.  Through hard work, long hours, continuous learning, and family support, Kathie and Lisa grew that opportunity into a “real” company.   I was lucky enough to be in at the beginning to watch the transformation.  2010 marks the 15th anniversary of the founding of SPACE, Inc., and we’ve come a long way, baby!

In 1995 SPACE opened its doors on a showroom that was cement floors, unfinished drywall, two computers, and a typewriter.  With only three of us on board, we all wore many hats.  Kathie was salesperson, spokesperson, and negotiator; Lisa was salesperson, designer, benefits manager; I was receptionist, order entry, accountant, warehouse manager.  The original office furniture consisted of card tables, cardboard files, and no walls. 

After a few months Lisa had designed a beautiful showroom and we actually had real offices.    Orders, delivery tickets, and invoices were typed up on the typewriter until we got Team Design.  Accounting was a manual exercise up to that point, too.   When we first had computers, they weren’t networked, so we shared documents by swapping floppy disks back and forth.

Within the first year, 2 more people were hired and SPACE was on its way.  In the second year, SPACE opened another location in Flint.  In subsequent years we expanded the office, added account managers, designers, support staff, and brought install in-house.  Part of the warehouse was closed in to add a sales/design area to the existing office.  That created a second floor that  was and is used as a conference room.   When the second tenant in the building vacated the premises, SPACE took over the whole facility, doubling the warehouse space and adding much-needed office space.

While all this was going on, SPACE became one of Michigan’s “50 Companies To Watch,” the staff grew to 30, and technology bloomed.  Due to the diligence and opportunistic eye of Stacy, our New Business Development guru, SPACE acquired a GSA contract and a BPA with the Department of Health and Human Services.  That put SPACE in the national arena.

At our team meeting in March, Kathie and Lisa were presented with a birthday cake and blew out the 15 candle to the applause of the staff.  We didn’t sing “Happy Birthday”, but we hope there are many more!

The weather’s warming up, the sun is shining, and you’re anxious to get outside and do something.  Well, here are a couple of upcoming events that take care of the “do something” part.

The MS Walk is Saturday, May 1, starting at Central Middle School.  The official Walk begins at 10 am with registration at 9.  If you’re interested in being on the Spacewalkers’ team, a signup sheet will be available next week on the refrigerator in the kitchen.  I will be happy to register you or you can log on to the link here and set up your own participant page to record pledges and payments. 

The Walk is a gentle 3-mile hike that winds through tree-lined neighborhoods and culminates in a group brunch after the event.  Load up the kids, tie on your tennies, and hit the road to raise money to fight MS!  If you are unable to make the event, please support another team member by making a pledge.  Last year the Midland event raised over $50,000 to provide research, medical supplies, and services to people with MS. 

On May 19th you can find the SPACE team cleaning roadsides surrounding the Chippewa Nature Center.  This has become our annual Spring and Fall Day of Caring event as we’ve worked at the Nature Center for the past 7 years or so.  As usual, the Center will provide pizza and beverages following our labors.  Last Fall we cleaned the entire Wetlands perimeter as well as Pine River Road from Patterson to Huber.  So far this year we’ve already got 12 team members signed up so we should be done in record time.  Way to go, Team!

A few weeks ago four intrepid SPACE team members joined together to form a dynamic bowling team to raise funds for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint.  The 31st Annual Bowling Challenge at Galaxy Lanes in Grand Blanc was the venue.  This year’s team was lead by Captain Diane and included Liz, John, and Stacy.  They solicited sponsorships from other SPACE employees, so most of the SPACE team actually participated.  This is the second year SPACE has “alleyed” a team. 

According to Stacy, the fun part was bowling in the lane next to the Flint Generals, the local hockey team that’s a member of the International Hockey League.  The Flint Generals’ mascot, General Rally, provided entertainment throughout the event.  He was a big hit with the children, especially when he signed autographs for them. 

This year’s event had over 600 teams and raised about $160,000 to support mentoring programs.  Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint provides mentors (Bigs) for 1000 kids each year.  Currently, there are 300 “littles” waiting to be matched with a big brother or sister. 

The SPACE team raised $385 and is planning on participating again next year.  In fact, the plan for next year is to not only raise pledges and bowl, but to volunteer before and after the event.  Congrats to our bowling foursome and the team members who supported them to make the Bowling Challenge a very successful fundraiser!

The Installation group here at SPACE inc continues to grow within themselves. Each member is now willing and able to handle daily deliveries as well as lead large installs. They all now have the ability to manage a large crew that can consist of our own crew as well as 2 other preferred crews. Managing 1 crew is a job in it self, but the ability to manage a crew consisting of 3 separate crews, brings on a larger challenge. I am glad to say our Installation team has stepped up to that challenge. We now have a greater ability to handle all of our clients needs and the ability to handle multiple clients simultaneously.

Here are a few ideas to keep your warehouse operating safely

Warehouse safety should be discussed with all warehouse employees. All new employees should be required to take warehouse safety training classes. This is to make sure all new workers are aware of the rules and safety regulations to follow while they are working. Horseplay and fooling around should not be tolerated. When you are doing any manual lifting it is important to follow basic lifting techniques. Train employees in how to lift is one of the most important warehouse safety training topics. Back injuries count for more than 50 percent of lost time and sick days in a warehouse. The docking area in a warehouse is probably the busiest area in the warehouse. It is where all products are delivered to, or sent from. It is necessary to make sure the docking area floors are clean at all times. One of the most important warehouse safety procedures is forklift safety. Forklifts are used everyday in warehouses all over. It is important that only forklift trained and certified employees operate them. They can be deadly if used incorrectly. All employees must be at least 18 years old in order to become forklift certified. Only employees certified to use a forklift should operate them. All warehouse workers should know where the first aid kits are located and have a basic knowledge of how to use them. They should also know where all fire extinguishers are and must be trained in fire safety. You should also have an evacuation plan in place.

No, it’s not Spring yet….but, it’s never too early to start promoting the MS Walk.  Usually the walk occurs in April, but this year the Midland MS Walk is on Saturday, May 1. 

The SPACE team has been very supportive of this fundraising event and I’m looking forward to another successful walk.  Those team members who don’t participate in the walk, financially support those who do.  Those who do walk bring spouses, children, wagons, and strollers.  It’s a company-wide, family-oriented event capped by a group breakfast afterward. 

The Midland MS Walk is only 3 miles long, but it is the perfect length for families.  It winds through the historical district and includes a portion of the Rail Trail.  There are 600 Walks in the U.S. each year.  The National MS Society also promotes “Challenge Walks” that are 2 or 3 day events covering 30-50 miles.  Maybe next year?

Stay tuned for updates as we get closer to the Walk date.

Before using your fire extinguisher, be sure to read the instructions before it’s too late. Although there are many different types of extinguishers, all of them operate in a similar manner.

 Fire extinguishers are divided into four categories, based on different types of fires. Each fire extinguisher also has a numerical rating that serves as a guide for the amount of fire the extinguisher can handle. The higher the number, the more fire-fighting power. The following is a quick guide to help choose the right type of extinguisher.

It is vital to know what type of extinguisher you are using. Using the wrong type of extinguisher for the wrong type of fire can be life-threatening.

·     Class A extinguishers are for ordinary combustible materials such as paper, wood, cardboard, and most plastics. The numerical rating on these types of extinguishers indicates the amount of water it holds and the amount of fire it can extinguish.

·     Class B fires involve flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, grease and oil. The numerical rating for class B extinguishers indicates the approximate number of square feet of fire it can extinguish.

·      Class C fires involve electrical equipment, such as appliances, wiring, circuit breakers and outlets. Never use water to extinguish class C fires - the risk of electrical shock is far too great! Class C extinguishers do not have a numerical rating. The C classification means the extinguishing agent is non-conductive.

·     Class D fire extinguishers are commonly found in a chemical laboratory. They are for fires that involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium. These types of extinguishers also have no numerical rating, nor are they given a multi-purpose rating - they are designed for class D fires only.

Use this acronym as a quick reference.

P                   A                  S                   S

Pull the Pin at the top of the extinguisher. The pin releases a locking mechanism and will allow you to discharge the extinguisher.

Aim at the base of the fire, not the flames. This is important - in order to put out the fire, you must extinguish the fuel.

Squeeze the lever slowly. This will release the extinguishing agent in the extinguisher. If the handle is released, the discharge will stop.

Sweep from side to side. Using a sweeping motion, move the fire extinguisher back and forth until the fire is completely out. Operate the extinguisher from a safe distance, several feet away, and then move towards the fire once it starts to diminish. Be sure to read the instructions on your fire extinguisher - different fire extinguishers recommend operating them from different distances. Remember: Aim at the base of the fire, not at the flames!!!!

A typical fire extinguisher contains 10 seconds of extinguishing power. This could be less if it has already been partially discharged. Always read the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher beforehand and become familiarized with its parts. It is highly recommended by fire prevention experts that you get hands-on training before operating a fire extinguisher. Most local fire departments offer this service. Once the fire is out, don’t walk away! Watch the area for a few minutes in case it re-ignites. Recharge the extinguisher immediately after use.

I found this chair from Legacy furniture which is offered thru SPACE Inc which works great for medical facilities.  This recliner works great for several applications.  It can be used for a bariatric chair as well as a regular recliner with their patent pending design.  Here is a video showing the product and it’s many capabilities.

Legacy Recliner

SPACE’s newly-selected Employee Council didn’t take long to come up with some great ideas to emphasize and promote SPACE core values.  One they’re working on right now is to set up a blood drive at SPACE.

There’s always a need for blood, but the overwhelming catastrophe in Haiti has kept that need front and center.  Our Employee Council took it upon themselves to answer the call and make it a company-wide event.  While many of us have donated blood, SPACE itself has never sponsored a blood drive.  Thank you to our Employee Council for embracing the SPACE core value of giving back to the larger community.

According to Jessie, an Employee Council member, if you can’t give blood, you can volunteer to help in some other way.   Volunteers are needed to promote the drive, recruit and register donors, schedule appointments, etc.  Further details will be forthcoming once a firm date is known.   So…keep an eye out for the mobile blood unit in our parking lot!

Potential Office Safety Hazards part #4

Continuing on with my blog about the potential office hazards let me give you a few more tips that can benefit your office area.

Office Equipment

         Keep loose clothing, jewelry, and long flowing hair away from machines

         Paper cutters

o       Use guard to avoid contact with the cutting blade by the opposing hand

o       When the cutter is not in use, the blade should be in the down position and secured

         Sharp tools (i.e. letter openers, exacto knives, scissors, etc.)

o       Store properly to prevent tools from rolling and falling off of desk surfaces

o       Use sheaths for knives and razors

         Copiers

o       Know the procedures for safely clearing jams

o       Turn power OFF before trying to clear a jam or changing toner

o       Remain aware of areas which may be hot

o       Remember that the power is still connected

Coffee Pots

         Heat source/potential fire hazard

         History of incidents when coffee pots left ON

         Turn OFF when not in use

         Make sure they are OFF before you leave the office

         Consider using an automatic timer

I hope that my blogs on Potential Office Safety Hazards has spiked some interests on how to improve your office setting. Tip of the day- think safety first…