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Office Revolution named a 2022 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® in the Nation Winner

We are thrilled to announce that we have been named a 2022 Winner for The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® in the Nation.

The Best and Brightest Companies To Work For competition “identifies and honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in their human resource practices and employee enrichment. Organizations are assessed based on categories such as communication, work-life balance, employee education, diversity, recognition, retention and more.”

“These 2022 winning organizations have stood out during unpredictable times and have proven they are an employer of choice. They continue to keep the needs of their employees first and provide perks that include development, wellbeing, work-life balance, rewards and recognition. In addition, these winning companies offer a fantastic work culture and workplace environment that attracts and retains superior employees”, said Jennifer Kluge, President and CEO of the National Association for Business Resources (NABR) and The Best and Brightest Program.

The Best and Brightest, a certified Women’s Business Enterprise organization, strives to recognize the most influential, trend-setting companies across the country and regionally in focused programs. This national program celebrates those companies that are making better business, creating richer lives and building a stronger community as a whole.

Congratulations to all winners of this award and thank you to everyone who helped make this possible!

Design Architect: Perkins&Will. Photography: © Kendall McCaugherty

Office Revolution Gives Back – Operation Backpack

Office Revolution is dedicated to giving back to the community, and this quarter our team took part in Operation Backpack. As the new school year approaches, Operation Backpack connects children in need with a new backpack filled with grade-specific school supplies.

Together, our Chicago and Columbus teams filled over 20 backpacks with pens, crayons, binders, hygiene kits and notebooks to help set these children up for a successful school year.

“It’s not just about paper, pens, or binders – it’s about giving the gift of opportunity in school and life that many children will not receive otherwise.”

Learn more about this great cause at https://www.voa.org/operation-backpack.

Our Raleigh office also got involved, teaming up with North East Wake Backpack Buddies. N.E.W. Backpack Buddies provides food over the weekends to children in need. Together our team packed 150 bags of kid-friendly food for six weekend meals plus snacks!

Office Revolution Gives Back – Earth Day 2022

In honor of Earth Day, our Columbus team spent the day with Columbus Recreation and Parks Department planting trees in Big Walnut Park. Planting trees is one of the easiest and most sustainable ways to positively affect the environment. Trees are our lifeline to cleaner air and a healthier environment and we’re proud to take part in such a great cause!

The Chicago team joined the Island Community, G.R. Clark Elementary School, and Convoy of Hope in an annual Clean + Green event. This is the second year of the event, and included a morning of picking up litter, planting flowers and beautifying the neighborhood.

Clean + Green events like this can create meaningful change in a variety of public spaces, where participants can take pride in their hard work and commitment to the contribution of a better environment.

Fundraiser for Victims of Texas Elementary School Shooting

Our heads hang low, and our hearts are heavy during this time of mourning. We offer deepest condolences to every single life affected by the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX.

Though their lives are infinitely priceless and can never be restored, those who survive them do still need help. From funeral services to mental health services, the pain of the aftermath lives on. Please consider donating to Victims First at the link below. No gift is too small.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/mtdrdc-texas-elementary-school-shooting-victims-fund

(Photos courtesy of the victims’ families, provided to CNN here)

Office Revolution Receives Teknion’s 2022 Platinum Dealer Award

Office Revolution has received Teknion’s prestigious 2022 Platinum Dealer Award!

Teknion Platinum Dealer status is awarded to dealers that demonstrate outstanding leadership in customer service, establish a strong alignment with Teknion, exhibit professional integrity and elevate the collective market share.

Teknion has introduced this program to invest in best-in-class dealers by: supporting the adoption of best business practices; recognizing dealers that grow, align and adapt as their business changes over time; and encouraging continuous improvement within the Teknion dealer network.

“It is no small feat for us to consistently pivot and adapt to the changes we’ve seen in office environments and material lead times,” says Office Revolution founding principal Bernie Donaldson. “We have to deliver projects faster and more efficiently than ever. But Teknion continues to provide products and lead times that meet our clients’ demands. It’s a pleasure working with a manufacturer partner who’s one step ahead, and it’s an honor to be recognized as a Teknion Platinum Dealer in our parallel commitment to excellence.”

Office Revolution named a 2022 Winner for Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® in Chicago

We are thrilled to announce that we have been named a 2022 Winner for The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For^®️ in Chicago!

“The Best and Brightest is a powerful community of elite leaders who share ideas and practices, and have proven they are employers of choice. Best and Brightest winning companies have also been a voice for important actions in creating a sustainable culture that works, ensuring the wellbeing of their employees come first,” said Jennifer Kluge, President and CEO, Best and Brightest Programs.

The Best and Brightest, a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) organization, strives to recognize the most influential, trend-setting companies across the country and regionally in focused programs. This national program celebrates those companies that are making better business, creating richer lives and building a stronger community as a whole. Congratulations to all winners of this award and thank you to everyone that is a part of our community that helped make this possible!

Architecture & Design: Partners by Design

Photography: Tom Harris of Tom Harris Architectural Photography

Office Revolution Donates to Michele Clark High School

Office Revolution Donates $10,000 to Michele Clark High School through the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation

Last week Office Revolution founding principal Bernie Donaldson presented an on-ice check for $10,000 to Michele Clark High School to help fund a mental health fair at the school later this month. Office Revolution was introduced to the high school through the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation.

Michele Clark Academic Preparatory Magnet High School, a Chicago public school, is located on Chicago’s West Side in the heart of the South Austin Community and serves students in grades 6 – 12. Not only have the students and faculty been dealing with the ongoing pandemic, the school community has lost students due to the rise in gun violence in Chicago.

After having a lengthy conversation with teachers, the principal, and support staff, the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation learned that the neglect of mental health and failing to acknowledge the importance of it within the community contributes to the inability to heal during this difficult time.

These same leaders proposed an idea to host a mental health fair for the students, the school leaders, and the parents and families to engage in conversation and better understand options for coping strategies available to them. This fair would bring together mental health professionals and nonprofit organizations who will highlight their services available. The fair will also host short workshops and a storytelling feature about addressing, overcoming, and coping with trauma and working toward resilience and peace.

The event is to be held at the end of Mental Health Awareness Month (May) at Michele Clark High School.

About the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation

As the Chicago Blackhawks’ official charitable arm, the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation works to create a healthier, smarter, more secure world for children and families across Chicagoland. By providing access to programming and resources that make a positive impact, the organization strives to invest in Chicagoland’s youth, support local families in need and honor the sacrifices of others in addition to growing the great game of hockey. For more information, please visit Blackhawks.com/Foundation.

Office Revolution Expands Presence

Office Revolution Expands Presence through the Midwest, Acquires Furniture Dealership Division of GDOT Design, Cleveland

Office Revolution, a leading contract furniture provider for commercial environments, announced today the expansion of its presence in Ohio as a result of acquiring the furniture dealership division of Cleveland commercial interior provider, GDOT Design. The move to expand in Ohio will accelerate the company’s growth strategy as it leverages the area’s growing population and more than $2B of recent development.

Several private-sector real estate projects are underway throughout the city, including the 36-story Sherwin-Williams Global Headquarters, accommodating more than 3,000 employees; Thunderbird, a 21-acre mixed-use development, of which Great Lakes Brewing Company has purchased an 8-acre plot; the 51,000 square foot Cleveland Foundation Offices; the New Cleveland Public Library and numerous clinics and institutions related to medical research and development.

“We’re very excited about expanding our design team and customer base, further positioning Office Revolution as a leader in contract furniture services,” said Bernie Donaldson, founding principal, Office Revolution. “This alliance with GDOT Design brings a wealth of experience and an extensive portfolio from a fellow Teknion dealership.” The combined organization boasts several hundred clients and partners across the commercial office, healthcare, education, multi-family residential, senior living and hospitality verticals.

Sean Regan, who has served the Cleveland commercial interiors market for more than 30 years, will lead business development as director of sales in Cleveland. “Sean joins us with extensive experience in systems furniture, architecture, design and general contracting, as well as local market knowledge, a skill set that will help us continue to grow our brand throughout the Midwest,” said Donaldson.

The expansion to Cleveland marks the fourth location in the Midwest market for Office Revolution, which is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and has locations in suburban Chicago; Columbus, Ohio and Raleigh, North Carolina. Office Revolution is one of the largest Teknion dealers in the country and has been recognized with Teknion’s Orion Award for excellence in sales, service, community involvement and customer satisfaction. The Company augments its marquis brand with a collection of premier and value brands including Humanscale, Allermuir, SitOnIt, OFS, Kimball, and Studio TK.

Autism Acceptance Month

April is Autism Acceptance Month, an opportunity to elevate awareness around Autism, neurodiversity, promote acceptance and ignite change.

The term “neurodiversity” was coined in the late 1990s by Australian sociologist Judy Singer, who is a person with Autism herself. Singer, recognized that what we call “diversity”, i.e. the variety we observe and value around us, can also be applied to people whose brains are different. These variations include Autism, ADHD, the various forms of ‘dys’ (-lexia, -praxia, -calculia etc.), learning disability and more.

We have the potential to improve design quality for everyone by understanding how “neurodivergent” individuals (in the neurological minority) view the world. The Autism experience is different for everyone. It is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is often referred to as a “spectrum condition” that affects people differently and to varying degrees. Some people with Autism have difficulty processing and integrating sensory information and, therefore, may be overwhelmed by environmental stimuli.

We can design Autism-friendly spaces and infuse health & welfare into our design routine by incorporating the following:

Acoustics – Workplaces can be noisy. Auditory stimuli can be a challenge for all employees, but especially to individuals with Autism. Providing better insulated spaces and partitions to break up spaces can help eliminate background noise that can be distracting to neurodivergent people.

Lighting – Color and light can affect one’s mood, behavior and cognitive behavior. Overpowering stimuli, like fluorescent lights, can cause distress in day-to-day activities. Incorporating natural light into your space is a way to offset some of these triggers.

Spatial configuration – Spaces that are orderly and defined can be easier for individuals with Autism to process. Sub-dividing rooms, breakout spaces, adequate storage for non-essential items, and many other considerations, help build comfort levels.

Improved spaces for all. Planning through the lens of Autism helps create spaces that are more usable, comfortable and beneficial to all constituents and allows them to feel more connected, free, calm, and ultimately, included. By understanding all human experience, we can create better spaces and serve all who inhabit.

For more information, to get involved or receive support, check out https://autismsociety.org/

Raleigh Showroom Grand Opening

On March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day!), our Raleigh location held a showroom grand opening event, inviting partners from Teknion & Studio TK, A&D firms, general contractors, real estate firms, clients and other members of the Raleigh Chamber. Over 200 attendees came out to celebrate, view the space, and enjoy some basketball and fantastic BBQ! It was a great opportunity to welcome everyone into our new space and connect.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and a special thanks to our raffle sponsors; Costa Murphy Group, Dan Lurie Associates, Designtex, Emu, HB Lines, Humanscale, HWM Office Environments, LightArt, Momentum, Southeastern Furniture Reps and Unique Concepts.

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