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The Flexible Classroom

If you have school-aged children, chances are that you’ve suddenly found yourself in the home-schooling business … in addition to trying to get your own work done at home. We’ve written quite a bit in this space about successful classroom environments. Does any of that translate to the home, and how can it help?

Probably the most important thing to know about trends in learning environments is the move away from the traditional teacher-up-front, everyone-facing-forward classroom and towards flexible spaces to support different types of activities and different types of learning.

This definitely applies at home. If your child or children need to participate in online classes, a quiet, private area as free from distractions as possible is best. The fewer things going on around them to take their eyes and ears off the screen, the better. They’ll be more engaged in what’s being presented and better prepared to participate. Consider having them use earbuds, which will help block outside noises and also keep the session from distracting others.

For these sessions, you don’t want them flopped on the couch somewhere. Sitting up straight at a desk or table will be more conducive to maintaining the focus they need.

Group activities with siblings, on the other hand, will want larger, flexible spaces to the greatest degree possible. A large table suitable for educational games or jigsaw puzzles is great if one is available, and if it’s in a room that can be closed off so the inevitable noise doesn’t disturb your home-working, so much the better. And there are plenty of educational shows and activities that can be served up via your smart TV while the kids are comfy on the couch.

(As noted in this post, the colors used in a learning environment can make a big difference too, but we’re going to guess that you’re not up for redecorating right at this moment.)

No one knows your child and the way he or she learns better than you do, but if you have the ability to provide multiple spaces for different types of learning, you’ll find that it breaks up the day into manageable chunks and helps with attention spans.

Maybe you can even get some of your own work done.

Question about learning environments? Contact us at Douron.

COVID-19 UPDATE 3/30/19

Douron is operational to provide service to our employees, clients, partners and community. We have received required status for distribution to essential companies per state and federal guidelines.

We are continually monitoring the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for daily updates to provide our employees a safe and healthy working environment.

We have established a continuity plan that relies on email, virtual meetings and remote connectivity as our primary contact and response method. With our soft phone application, our employees can be reached at their normal extensions. Messages left on team members’ work phones are monitored and answered as quickly as possible.

Our showrooms in Baltimore, Rockville and Delaware are closed until further notice. We’re actively using remote strategies along with virtual client meetings to keep daily operations running as usual. All of our facilities are being cleaned and disinfected regularly to ensure a safe work environment.

MANUFACTURING PARTNERS

Douron is monitoring the operational status of our manufacturing partners and we will provide updates, as we receive them, via email.

SALES

Account Executives will continue to be available by their standard email addresses, phone extensions and mobile phone numbers. All responses to projects from ourAccount Executives will be via email or phone.

CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPPORT

Douron has temporarily transitioned headquartered team members to work remotely. Our continuity plan has been tested to make an easy transition as not to delay our ability to serve you.

WAREHOUSE, DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION (WD&I)

Currently, Douron is accepting all shipments and making deliveries, while safely completing projects. There is restricted entry for delivery drivers to our warehouse and paperwork is being delivered to the door. Our warehouse team has been provided rubber gloves, masks and disinfecting spray to utilize upon receipt of product and to use as necessary. All WD&I employees have proper documentation of the nature of their delivery being essential to the operations of our clients.

After installation, all furniture surfaces and cabinet are sprayed and disinfected. We want to ensure a safe installation process. Our employees are aware and following (CDC) guidelines of daily cleaning of tools and
building materials; washing hands as often as possible; covering coughs and sneezes with tissues and avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

WARRANTY AND CLAIMS

Our Corrective Actions Department is reviewing all claims made by clients and reporting information to the appropriate manufacturer.

If you are experiencing any warranty or service related issues, please fill out a warranty request form at https://douron.com/warranty-request/or email correctiveactions@douron.com.

Thank you for your support and patience during this challenging time. We are working together with you to provide safe and healthy environments.

Social Distancing and Self Quarantine

Social Distancing and Self Quarantine? Here’s What to Do:

Telecommuting, or working from home, has been on the rise for several years now as improved technology has made it easier to connect and collaborate. All of a sudden, however, many more workers have been asked to stay home in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, and with very little time to prepare.

If you’re new to telecommuting, here are some tips to get you off on the right foot.

Find your space. While you don’t need an office in the literal sense of the term, an area that’s private and free of distractions – and still within range of your Wi-Fi router – is best. If there’s a door you can close to shut out distractions, better still. Pay attention to what you’ll be sitting on and using as a desk, also. Office furniture is designed to be used all day, but your dining room chair and your back may not get along all that well.

Dress for success. Theoretically, you could work all day in your pajamas if you don’t have any videoconferencing responsibilities. But studies show we do better work when we’re dressed for the work we do. Prepare yourself as though you’re going to the office.

Discipline is key. There are more distractions at home, especially if the kids are around, as they are for many of us. It takes some discipline to stay on task when Netflix is calling you to the couch, or when it’s a nice day outside. Try to observe the same work routine as you would if you weren’t at home.

Take breaks. Having discipline doesn’t mean chaining yourself to the desk for eight hours. Set alarms to remind you to get up and move around for at least a few minutes every hour. This is especially important at home, where your work setup may not be as ergonomically friendly as the office.

Be a video star. If you are videoconferencing, see the previous tip about how to dress (at least from the waist up). The best spot for this may not be the space where you’re doing most of your work. You want a well-lit area (lit from the front, not from a window behind you … you’ll disappear into the shadows), and a neutral background so as not to distract other participants. Test out your webcam and speakers well before the call, especially the webcam, so you get a good look at how others will see you and can make adjustments if necessary. And again, if you can be away from kids, dogs and outside noises, your meeting will go more smoothly. Know where the ‘mute’ button is on the software and use it as needed if things get noisy on your end.

Finally, relax. We’ve just undergone a seismic change in the numbers of people working from home, and everyone understands that many of us are new at it. People won’t judge you too harshly if a dog barks or if your child goes running through the background on your video call.

Questions about getting set up at home? Contact Douron.

Five Overlooked Areas When Designing Office Space

Office Space Design

When designing a new office space, it can be exciting and frustrating at the same time. There are plans, budgets, and purchases to make, and it seems there’s always one thing that’s forgotten.

Office design is important to the health of any business, as you’re creating a space where employees will spend a majority of their time. Douron can help you with all your office design needs. Contact us for an appointment with a design consultant.

There are things one would normally consider when buying office furniture, such as costs and budget. However, there are other things to consider when making such vital purchases, including:

Functionality and Flexibility

See if the desks you’re buying have drawers for file storage. The more versatile your furniture, the more you’re getting out of your investment. Also, check that your employees will be comfortable at their new desks.

Size

New furniture may look nice, but if it’s too big for the space, it’s useless. Work spaces should allow for fluid traffic and movement.

Aesthetic Value and Your Brand’s Identity

Smart office design can lighten the mood, ease stress, and increase productivity. Color psychology can help produce the right atmosphere, which may depend on your industry and what atmosphere you want to create for your clients. Find inspiration from logo colors or business cards to create continuity in your brand identity.

Wish list

There are some pieces of furniture that would be nice but often don’t make the budget. Regardless, consider the wish list as you create the place where employees will spend the majority of their time. Eating areas, brainstorming centers, research libraries, or recreation rooms for clients may help create a productive office atmosphere.

Cleanliness

Furniture must be thoroughly sanitized before bringing it into the office. Whether it came from a second-hand store or was purchased new, it must be clean before going into the work space. Clean furniture helps maintain a cleaner, healthier working environment, which leads to fewer employee absences from sickness.

The experts at Douron are ready to help you create your ultimate work atmosphere. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

Understanding Carpal Tunnel in Order to Avoid It

Carpal tunnel syndrome causes tingling, weakness, numbness, and other problems in the hands. This condition is exacerbated by repetitive hand motions and can be debilitating, as some workers can’t return to work for long periods of time due to carpal tunnel syndrome. Prevention steps that can be taken by business owners include consideration of ergonomics, and you can contact Douron for an ergonomic assessment.

Preventative Ergonomic Steps

The workstation must be set up in a way to reduce wrist strain and prevent carpal tunnel. Such steps include the following considerations:

  • The top of the monitor should be at eye level.
  • Using headsets to avoid the ear-to-shoulder position when talking on phones.
  • Wrist pads to keep wrists in a neutral position.
  • Adjusting armrests so elbows are close to the body and bent at a 90-degree angle.
  • Chairs that adjust so the height allows feet to rest on the floor.
  • Taking little breaks every 10-15 minutes.
  • Stretching every 20-60 minutes.

Identifying Carpal Tunnel

Many times, carpal tunnel will first be felt in the thumbs. It then progresses to the first three fingers. It is important to discuss this with your doctor to ensure it is not another illness. If it is carpal tunnel, talk with your doctor to identify if it’s stemming from an underlying illness, such as hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, or diabetes.

Managing Carpal Tunnel

Once carpal tunnel has been identified, there are a number of ways to manage the pain. When typing, wrists should be held a little higher than the hands. A wrist pad can be used to help keep the wrists in a neutral position. Switch hands whenever possible while performing repetitive hand motions, as this may also help manage the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Stop performing any activities that cause pain if possible.

Douron is here to help with all of your ergonomic needs. Schedule a consultation today, and do everything you can to help employees avoid carpal tunnel syndrome. Even initial symptoms may trigger a workers’ comp claim. Contact us to schedule an appointment with an office design specialist who can assess your ergonomic design needs.

When Choosing Office Furniture, How Important Is a Showroom?

The Importance of a Showroom

If browsing and purchasing office furniture from the comfort of your desk seems too good to be true, there’s a reason for that: it can lead to costly mistakes and create more problems than it solves. Online retailers may offer many attractive purchasing options, but the truth is that buying office furniture sight-unseen is risky and ultimately not worth the apparent convenience.

Buying Online: What Can Go Wrong?

Despite the best efforts of many consumers, it’s hard to get the best fit for your office when you’re buying furniture without seeing it in person. Some factors may leave you with furniture that doesn’t match your needs. For example:

  • Online pictures and dimensions don’t fully demonstrate how an item will work or look in your space.
  • Online retailers don’t offer the benefit of real-time interaction with an expert, and you often only have the listed product details for reference.

And what happens if you get your items out of the box and discover they aren’t what you expected? Even if an online retailer accepts returns, the buyer is often responsible for the shipping costs. They also lose time waiting for replacements.

Why Bother With a Showroom?

Many commercial furniture vendors have showrooms to present their options. Showrooms offer consumers benefits that justify taking the trip. What can you do in a showroom?

  • Examine potential purchases up close and personal
  • See functional demonstrations of products that can’t be conveyed by pictures
  • Talk to representatives about the products and features that best suit your needs
  • Learn about high-end and state-of-the-art special order products

Purchasing office furniture online doesn’t give consumers the option to learn from experts and refine their search based on hands-on experience. After visiting a showroom, many people have a different and more accurate idea of what they need in their office space. Contact Douron to arrange a showroom visit, and see the benefits for yourself.

How Do I Find a Vendor with a Showroom?

Find a reputable local commercial furniture dealership, and make an appointment to view its showroom. Contact Douron today for a personal look at what we can offer.

© Copyright 2018 Douron, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

COVID-19 UPDATE: March 30, 2020

Douron is operational to provide service to our employees, clients & partners.