basyx by HON® News That is Anything But Basic

Just in time for the holidays, basyx by HON has increased its lineup and we’ve revamped our familiar functionality videos to best showcase these incredible new products!

Classy, straightforward, and concise, our brand new functionality videos for HVL108, HVL525 and HVL534 present everything you need to know about our latest basyx by HON solutions. Easily found on HON’s YouTube channel or the Video Showcase on hon.com, our customers will find these easy to watch and enlightening. Check them out when you get a chance!

New functionality videos means we’ve added some exciting new products to the basyx by HON collection! Introduced back in October, my personal favorite is our new Modular Lounge series (HVL862 and HVL864). Not only does this expand our basyx by HON offering to include collaborative soft seating, but this series is a convenient, contemporary design that is lightweight and easy to reconfigure. Plus, we’ve added a Cantilever table (HML8858) to compliment the series.

Our new HVL525 is a mesh task chair that’s both comfortable and incredibly versatile. Its breathable back allows greater ability to contour to each user, and its contemporary styling easily matches any workplace aesthetic.

If you’re looking for an exceptional value and an executive style, look no further than the HVL604. Loaded with features from an integrated headrest, to customizable control options, all the way to our basyx by HON Limited 5-Year Warranty, the HVL604 is a refined model with an affordable price that makes it a great solution for a wide variety of workspaces.

Want to learn more? Be sure to check out our basyx by HON Spotlight page today!

Part 2: The Top Ten Secrets of the Office Furniture World

PART 2

To complete Tuesday’s post, Part 1: The Top Ten Secrets of the Office Furniture World, read on below for 5 more things you should know about this industry:

1. Lettered!

While the secret agents of Men In Black choose letters for their identity, we’ve yet to nickname our Customer Support members by the same token (we’ll get back to you on that). For everything else, we stick to the alphabet.  ‘L’ workstations typically involve a desk or credenza and a return, thus making the shape look like the letter  ‘L’. ‘U’ workstations usually involve three parts: a desk, bridge, and a credenza.

2. Quartermaster’s Gift: A Pricer

Though it’s not an exploding pen or microphone lipstick tube, the Pricer has plenty of perks. Whether you need to know how to specify a Ceres task chair or how many people can sit at a 240” Preside conference table (we recommend 18-20), the pricer can answer the majority of your product questions. Here are a couple of handy tips: the seating sections are arranged alphabetically by series name, basyx by HON products are always listed at the end of the section, and Preside’s specifying information lists the majority of our edge profiles all in one place for easy viewing (located on page 632 in your 2015 pricer).

3. The BIFMA Identity

While ANSI/BIFMA may sound like something Jason Bourne might reference, it’s actually our industry standard for seating weight ratings. All HON seating products (including chairs, credenza cushions, and pedestal cushions) are rated to the standard 250 lbs. Fortunately, we also go above and beyond – our pricer calls out any series that is rated for more than the standard. For instance, Endorse is rated at 300 lbs, Versant at 350 lbs, the Ignition HIWM8 at 450 lbs, and our new Soothe HHCG50 is rated to 750 lbs! Be sure to check the bullet points at the top of the page for additional series ratings!

4. Finish Up!

Think you have the X-Factor to be a phantom in the Twilight? A good way to check your Affinity for the game is by testing your mettle. Dash out to hon.com for an excellent source of fabric and finish information. Give it a Chance! Its easy search capabilities allow access to fabric cards and online swatches, and with our vast Lineup of available fabrics, it will give you Insight into our textiles!

5. Our Agents: Customer Support

Even the best spy team can’t hold a candle to our Customer Support team; we believe we have the best in the industry. Through extensive product and customer solutions training, our members know what it means to be HON ready. Whether you have a complex chair question that can be answered by our Technical Product experts or an inquiry on a state contract that our government team can remedy, our specialty teams are here to assist.

Though I’ll keep holding out for The Man Who Knew Too Much (About Office Furniture) remake, make sure to share these secrets!

Want to divulge some of your office furniture secrets? Share below!

Part 1: The Top Ten Secrets of the Office Furniture World

Though we may never see the clever remake of the classic film, The Man Who Knew Too Much (About Office Furniture), the world of office furniture has its share of secrets. If you’re new to the industry, I’ve created a list of the top ten things I think you should know!

PART 1

1. Secret Identity: Serial Number.

Even if your desk is under cover (literally covered with phones, computers, etc.), once we have a serial number, we can tell you all there is to know about a particular product. Our unique serial numbers easily provide our HON members with everything they need: original order information, model numbers, production year, and even if we’ve spoken to you before about that unit.

2. The Name is Rail. Hang Rail.

The secret agents of the office furniture world? Hangrails. Their aliases include, but are not limited to: File Bar, Rails, Hanging File Bars, Dividers, or simply put, ‘those things the folders hang on.’ You’ve got side-to-side (standard on steel laterals) or front-to-back (an accessory) or even cross rails (standard on laminate laterals). The good thing about hangrails is that, if you have your storage product’s serial number, our stealthy HON Customer Support team can easily identify which hangrail (or cross rail) you need.

3. The Language of HON

A good spy learns to speak multiple languages, and we’re right in line. Our secret language is model numbers. HIWM1 translates to HON Ignition Work Mid-Back. HCG6? HON Ceres Guest Chair.  Moreover, the majority of our series all have a common starter. For instance, the 10500 series models all begin with H105 and all Voi models begin with HLSL. Additionally, some of our models also handily list their dimensions: a Preside 52” X 240” veneer boat shaped table top is model number HTVB52240.

4. Any Parting Words?

Parts are Mr. Hang Rail’s partner in crime. They wear many disguises, including the role of a ‘Finished Good’. Anything that has a model number is technically a ‘Finished Good’ item. Occasionally, this can extend into the realm of parts; take model HFLDGRMT for example. Though this is a grommet (typically a part), it’s a ‘Finished Good’ item because it has a model number.

5. Bridging the Gap

Fortunately, bridges are not just used to cross bodies of water and a return doesn’t just mean coming back. Workstation configurations involve many different types of product. Desks and Credenzas, though similar, are different. The main difference is the depth of the work surface; a desk is between 30”-36” deep, whereas a credenza is 24” or less. Bridges can link the two, or a return can be used to create an “L” Workstation.

Not sure what an “L” workstation is? Check back Thursday  for Part 2! 

Fun Facts About The HON Company

With a long and rich history, HON has no shortage of interesting facts. Here are a couple of “Fun Facts” about HON for your Tuesday afternoon. Enjoy!

Pearl Button Capital of the World

In the 1900’s, the floor that houses HON’s Muscatine Showroom was originally the Pioneer Pearl Button company. In fact, HON’s Headquarters was originally four separate buildings, two of which are over 100 years old. When we renovated in 2009, we found hundreds of punched-out oyster shells under the Showroom flooring that were once used to make pearl buttons. These shells, such as the one shown below, float from member to member at HON Headquarters. They’re a hot commodity!

Life is a Highway …

As a self-proclaimed HON nerd, I take great pride in seeing our trucks along the roadways!  We have over thirty different carriers we rely on for transportation. To showcase the HON brand on the road, we added several new trailer designs in 2014, including the one below of a Voi workstation. Personally, my favorite design is the nested Motivate stackers in a myriad of different colors – it goes to show you just how many fabrics and finishes we offer!

Our ‘Claim to Fame’

Holga Metal Products, acquired by HON in 1971, hired a young woman as an assembler in the 1940s. She took the job as a way to pay the bills until she could get her big break in the movies. A few years later, she got her break into Hollywood and became a household name – Marilyn Monroe!

Would you like a Refrigerator with that?

Believe it or not, The HON Company started in the 1940’s as a kitchen company. As ‘Home-O-Nize’, we produced shelves and frames that could support refrigeration. As we gradually moved through the ‘40’s, we made recipe card boxes from the scrap, and they turned out to be a big hit at an Office Products Show. We made our first vertical file in the 1950’s – and from there, the rest is history!

Loco for Logos!

We’re inspired by practicality and committed to ingenuity – so we’ve changed our logo throughout the years. Considering our change from kitchen frames to office furniture, our ‘Home-O-Nize’ logo changed to H·O·N in the 1950’s to support our new products.  Many of you may be familiar with the 1970’s HON logo, recently retired in 2010 when we re-branded to the current logo. Though the 1970’s logo was ‘put out to pasture’, it’s still quite prevalent in the marketplace – our products stand the test of time!

What other fun HON facts can you share?

5 Ways to be More Efficient at Work

‘There’s an app for that!’ is a phrase I commonly hear from my younger, technology-immersed brother.  Much to the dismay of my fellow Millennials, I rarely use my phone as anything other than a communication tool. However, as I wander down technology lane, I admit that I find myself drawn to its efficiency.

As a child of the ‘Era of Efficiency’ that is today, I find that effective productivity delivers results. Here are a few pointers from a self-proclaimed Task Master:

Plan It: As I reflect on my college years, I often wonder how I made it through without Outlook. From setting tasks to reminders or generally planning the day with the Outlook Calendar, I’ve found that scheduling time (and knowing when your meetings are) is beneficial to accomplishing your priorities. If you don’t make time for something, it’s not going to happen!

Communicate: Ever find yourself composing an email that has somehow turned into a novel? While it may be easier to splatter ink across the page, it’s best to keep it succinct. Make sure that your communication, whether it’s an email, phone call, or IM, includes relevant information in a concise format.  A lengthy email may nail out all the details, but a short one encourages a full read.

Take a Break: When the 2 p.m. mid-afternoon slump hits you full force, sometimes it’s better to get up and get moving! Energize yourself to shake off the nap-time feeling and seize the afternoon. If you start to lose focus and daydream (of course, this never happens), grab a drink or take a short stroll. You’d be surprised what a quick trip to the kitchenette can do!

Cut it Out: The world is full of magnificent things: roses, waterfalls, sunrises, and, of course, computer keyboard shortcuts. When I discovered the simple beauty of Ctrl +C, my world became much more fluid. However, it’s not just copy/paste –rather, any inefficiency that encumbers you. Try using the tab key while typing in fields and saving Favorites so they’re easier to find. By cutting the fat, it’ll streamline your technique and bolster your output.

Stick to It: If you’re a serial snooze-button hitter, this tip is for you. After you’ve planned your day, put it into practice. Getting distracted by the cupcakes in the break room or sidetracked by the latest gossip is a productivity killer. If you find that interruptions cause you to lose your train of thought and throw your schedule out the window, don’t be so available. Go over to the commons area or book yourself a meeting room.  A few minutes of heads down work occasionally fits the bill!

Efficiency looks different depending on the circumstance or situation – find what works best for you. While technology lane can be a bit bumpy at times, its benefits are abundant. Tips or tricks on working efficiently? Share them in the comments below!

6 Reasons Why I Love HON Customer Support

When I began my career at HON as a Business Relations Specialist in Customer Support, I was a recent college grad finding my way in the world. Though I knew little about the office furniture industry at the time (what’s an asynchronous control?), I jumped in with both feet. Here are a few of the reasons why I love working in Customer Support at HON:

1. We Live (and Work) in the Midwest

You may know Iowa for its cows, corn, or infamous Fried Butter (thank you Iowa State Fair). But, it is also known for the people who call it home. Iowa, the quintessential Midwestern state, is one of the top ten happiest states according to a recent Gallup poll.  So, how does this affect our customer support skills? We’re happy to answer the phone –from right here in Iowa – and answer any questions you may have.

2. We’re Dedicated to Our Members

We understand our most valuable asset is our people. That’s why HON doesn’t have employees – we have members – and each member is vital to our success. HON offers a variety of member development programs, from Leadership Foundations to Presentation Skills training to foster personal growth within the organization. The HON Company is committed to seeing our members succeed!

3. We Have Fun

As my past blogs have alluded, there’s never a dull moment at HON! We definitely know how to work hard and play hard. Whether we’re making Kryptonite Juice for a Superhero Food Day contest or playing a highly competitive game of Friday Bingo, we know how to have fun.  Not only does this injection of creativity and friendly competition create a better work environment, but it instills a stronger sense of community in our members (and allows for the occasional good natured jab at whoever wins bingo!)

4. We’re Committed to Our Partners

… And their success. From offering the free services of our ingenious Integrated Design Solutions team or making it a priority to respond to phone calls in less than a minute, we want to make it easy for those who partner with us to sell our product. Being the ‘Best in the Industry’ isn’t just a goal, it’s a commitment we make to anyone who does business with HON.

5. We’re a Team

‘Team’ isn’t just four letters at HON Customer Support – its seventy-six people. Whether we’re doing our Friday Wave (think basketball games) or assisting a fellow member with a rush order, we’ve got each others’ backs. One of the best things about working at HON is that our members genuinely care about each other – and that drives the teamwork that makes our department function like a well-oiled machine.

6. We Work at HON!

Whenever I drive down the highway and see a HON truck, I feel the need to point it out to my fellow passengers (and make known to them exactly what arms, colors, and options are available on that Nucleus chair). It’s a sense of brand pride, and whenever you call in to HON Customer Support we share that experience with you. While I haven’t yet spray painted my car the HON colors, you can be sure that I bleed HON green!

Why do you love HON Customer Support?

National Customer Support Week

I can barely contain my excitement – it’s almost here. When we round out September, we’ll plunge headfirst into a fiesta of food, a plethora of prizes, and a sea of shenanigans. What do I speak of, you may ask? Why, it’s National Customer Support Week of course!

The widely celebrated (and much adored) National Customer Support Week is typically the first full week of October. This year, it falls on the Week of October 6^th. As is customary, HON has embraced the festivities and we’re planning on celebrating in style with our ‘Superheroes’ theme.

Thinking of what you can do for your own band of caped crusaders? Here are a few tips on celebrating your own Customer Support Week:

• Fiesta of Food – Anyone hungering for Shawarma? Avengers jokes aside, we’re serious about our food days. Throughout the week, we’ll have an array of Superhero Sandwiches, a Power-Up Your Popcorn bar, and even green ‘kryptonite’ (rock candy). At the end of the week, our members will be designing their own smorgasbord inspired by their Superhero region (i.e. – Metropolis, Gotham City, etc). To reward your own heroes, you may consider doing a snack or a lunch, even if it’s not tied to a theme. Hungry for a bit more? Consider having a potluck where everyone brings in their favorite dish.

• Plethora of Prizes – While our prizes do not include a princess, a rare gem, or the key to a city, they’re worthy of our – some might say – heroic members. We’ll have contests and games each day where our members can play to win any number of HON branded prizes, punctuated by our fabulous daily giveaways (can you guess what they’ll receive?). In years past, we’ve noticed that everyone enjoys receiving giveaways – whether that be a colorful notepad or even a water bottle. If it’s something they can use outside of the office, that allows a little more freedom.

• Sea of Shenanigans – Though our ‘shenanigans’ would dismay the Joker, we’ve got quite the lineup scheduled! Capes in tow, our members will experience a gauntlet of games, from identifying the cityscape, to matching which Superhero or Villain said what. We’ll be decorating our rows according to which Superhero they’ll represent (hopefully no one in our Spiderman row has arachnophobia) and holding various contests between them during the week. Though we won’t be playing ‘Pin the Jail Bars on the Villain’, we will celebrate our members’ accolades by posting them throughout the office. You could start by adding your own themed décor, or playing games throughout the week. If your members are answering calls, consider playing a game through email, like bingo.

As always, our members are ‘heroic’ enough to handle having fun while maintaining our excellent customer support.  If you do happen to call in to HON Customer Support during National Customer Support Week, you may hear a random cheer, hoot, or (otherwise atypical) exclamation. Don’t worry; it’s all a part of our master plan to take over the world – er – Office Furniture world. Make sure to buff your boots, Batman, and have a happy Customer Support Week!