Resources

Earth Day was first introduced by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson to encourage and strengthen environmental activism. Today, Earth Day is recognized nationwide as a day to take time out of our busy schedules to appreciate the power of nature and maybe even do some activism of our own. Many will argue that Earth Day should be every day; that we should always be aware of our carbon footprint and make efforts to continuously conserve what our planet provides. 

 

At NBF, we agree that sustainable, earth-friendly business practices should be part of everyday work life. We believe that, when done right, Earth Day stands as a reminder for how we should be continuously striving toward eco-friendly practices and goals. Here are a few ways your company can inspire and encourage all employees to do just that.

 

Teach a lesson. Host an environmentally-conscious speaker and participate in an educational forum. These forums are great for supplying a line of open communication, reliable advice and applicable information.

 

Start a green initiative. Just what initiative you start will depend on what type of services you’re providing or products you’re selling. The more related your initiative is to your actual day-to-day work, the better. It can even be a small practice such as pledging as a whole company to use less paper and conserve more energy. Whatever it may be, include everyone, and encourage a high level of teamwork for all of your company’s sustainability goals.

 

Show recognition. Maybe your company already has a green initiative in place. If this is the case, Earth Day is a great time to show appreciation and to reward those who have worked hard to improve the sustainability efforts in the business.

 

Volunteer cleanup events. Partner with another business or group and give your employees the option of volunteering for a few hours or for the whole work day. This is a great way to show your commitment while also rewarding employees with paid time to volunteer for a worthy cause.

 

Recycle and reuse drives. From books to clothes, encourage employees to bring in unused items for donation. Pick a cause for donations to go to. In exchange for donation, provide a reward. This reward could fit with a program already in place at your office, or it could be something as simple as a pizza lunch on the company’s tab.

 

Random acts of green. Encourage your employees to act on their own by sharing some information through a quick email about various green programs they can individually participate in. One million acts of green or random acts of green are two movements that are great to share and offer low pressure, quick ways to get involved.

 

Give out seeds. It’s a classic gesture associated with Earth Day and one that most will still appreciate. Handing out plant seeds is fun for everyone involved, and it still offers a way for us to celebrate Earth Day by bringing more plant life into the world.

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More From NBF

How to Use the Art of Feng Shui to Create a Comfortable & Productive Cubicle

Do you feel good when you sit in your office? Is your office a place of productivity, focus, and success? Or is your office uncomfortable, cluttered, and a source of stress?

Organizing your office with some simple principles from the ancient practice of feng shui might help set you on the right path to success.

Feng shui (fung-shway) literally translates to “wind-water” in English. An ancient Chinese practice, feng shui is the act of placement, arrangement, and organization to help harmonize positive energy and deflect negative energy. By using some simple tips and practices from feng shui when creating your workspace, you’ll create a place where you’ll love to work.

 

Many people in today’s workforce spend much of their day in small cubicles. It’s a challenge to keep these tight spaces clutter-free and organized. With some alternative feng shui techniques, you can still achieve a positive work environment. Here are some quick fixes to get the positive energy flowing in your small office.

 

Face the Door With a Mirror

A large belief in feng shui is to always face the direction of the door or entrance. This can be very hard to do in a cubicle office. If you have to sit with your back to the entrance, place a mirror so you can see the door. This will deflect negative energy and make you feel more secure. 

Don’t sit in line with a door or entrance. Not only is this position distracting, but it invites negative energy from outside your cubicle.

Create Power and Personal Space

Work placement should be at the farthest corner opposite the entrance or door. This position is the best for power.  

Add a chair mat or area rug to your immediate workspace. This addition defines an area of personal space and helps create a sense of security.

Keep Your Entryway Clutter-Free

Never have items or clutter block an entrance. The first step into your office is the first impression that the outside world has of you.

Place storage on the same wall as the entrance. Keeping filled bookcases and filing drawers out of a visitor’s line of sight makes your office seem more open and less cluttered.

Add Green Energy

Add plants to your office space. Green plants bring the energy of new beginnings and wealth.

Stay on Top of Clutter

Keep overall clutter to a minimum. Organize papers and file items away from sight. A clutter-free space gives you a clutter-free mind.

 

How to Use Furniture to Support Your Company Culture

Company culture is important. It’s a statement that can’t really be argued. Company culture impacts the happiness and the productivity of your workers. It shapes how your customers view your business and whether or not they want to buy your products or receive your services. It also has an effect on what kind of talent and potential employees that you attract. In short, company culture impacts how successful a company was, is and will be.

How to Dress for an Interview

You landed an interview for your dream job—congratulations! Now all you need to do is walk into that interview with your best foot forward and knock their socks off. Start your interview preparation by dressing to impress.

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Nicole Groshek

Nicole Groshek is the social media and content coordinator for National Business Furniture. She helps employees discover the true joy in loving what they do, from working in an inspiring office to having a little fun on the job.