Small - Medium Business

At CTI Working Environments, we're passionate about creating spaces that support collaboration and innovation. We take the time to understand what makes your organization unique so that we can design a space that represents you and serves your employees' needs.

CTI Working Environments

Is high end office furniture worth the investment?

In terms of productivity, staff morale and even cost, the answer is YES.

We can tell you things you already know like comfort increases productivity. Medical studies prove how poorly designed office furniture contributes to workplace injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. The wrong kind of chair leads to a seated working posture that creates musculo-skeletal problems with the neck, shoulders and back. This can lead to real health issues like chronic pain, eyestrain and carpal tunnel syndrome. Not only do medical complications disrupt productivity, it also creates daily discomfort that routinely interrupts workflow and contributes to lower morale. And the furniture designed with ergonomics in mind will help employees stay focused on their tasks and not be distracted by aches and pains in their back or neck. But you know this – so, let’s discuss investing, sustainability, warranties and long-term investment.

the facts

Building and sustaining a successful business is a constant balancing act of understanding what to invest in, when, and how much, while accurately estimating what the return might be. Whether it’s bringing in new employees, creating a new product, or moving to a new office space, there are tough decisions to be made. With all of the above already on their plate, it would be completely understandable for a business owner not to think much about what type of desks or chairs they have in their office, but they’d be wrong to overlook these not-so-minor details.

investing

We’re here to tell you why investing in modern office furniture and other smart office accessories should be a top priority for you, no matter what stage of growth or success your business is at. Because you’re not expecting to fail, are you? Right, of course, you’re not. So, if you’re expecting to succeed, then making smart long-term investments that will pay off in spades for years to come is always a good idea. Both inexpensive and quality chairs have a sense of comfort when you first sit on them, but will they still be comfortable at the end of the day? How about after a few weeks, months, and years of use? What is the surface finish on the desk? Will the laminate come apart? Will the fabric stand up to wear? Quality furniture holds up longer – feels better and looks better.

investing

Corporate Social Responsibility has become an important initiative in many companies. Supporting the well-being of people and the planet is proving to be good for business. CTI Working Environments can support you not only in purchasing new or pre-owned office furniture but also in re-purposing your existing. When businesses choose to invest in quality furniture, they are protecting our planet. Inexpensive furniture has a short life cycle. Because of this, businesses need to consistently buy new furniture to replace the worn-out furniture; sending the old furniture to our landfill sites over and over again. Quality furniture, even if outdated, has the ability to be recycled; either by selling it as used furniture, refurbished, or remanufactured. Remanufacturing office furniture gives the owners the opportunity to redirect furniture from the landfill, and still get a new look and design when it is time to update the office. If you are purchasing for the first time, purchasing “better than new” remanufactured furniture from a reputable supplier is an eco-friendly option when designing an office.

sustainability

Remanufactured workstations and chairs divert 98% from landfill, conserves manufacturing energy and reduces pollution with 100+ fewer steps than original manufacturing.

Yes, a high-end, ergonomic office chair can be expensive. But there is a happy medium of mid-market seating options from $375 to $800. If this still feels like a lot, consider the total cost of owning a good office chair for 10 years will be the same whether you buy a cheap new office chair every year for 10 years or one good office chair that lasts 10 years. It’s also worth noting that all higher end chairs have extensive warranties, and usually cover all parts against defect for 10-15 years or ‘limited lifetime warranty’ (which, for all intents and purposes, is around 15 years). The final consideration for your decision may be linked to the logistics of your business. Will you still be around in 10 years? Are you expecting (most) of your employees to stick around for an appreciable duration? The answers to these questions can guide you to determine how much you care to ultimately invest

long-term investment

Invest in quality furniture and you will save in more ways than you may think. The initial outlay may seem like a lot, but you need to consider the consequences of choosing the more inexpensive replicas.

It takes time to source out new furniture, dispose of the old furniture (which also costs money), and manage the installation of the new furniture. When time is money in the business world, this is a cost that needs to be factored in.

Time

Reputation

If CSR and Sustainability are core values in your organization, choosing to purchase office furniture that has a GREEN story, such as remanufactured furniture does, will support your public statements. It is good PR.

When it comes to consistency in branding, high-end businesses catering to a high-end clientele need to consider how the quality of their furniture supports (or does not support) their image.

Branding/Image

Showing your employees that their comfort is important goes a long way in supporting a good reputation, but it also helps in retention of employees and improved productivity.

Employees

1. Sit - Stand Desk 2. Ergonomic Chair 3. Lighting 4. Anti Fatigue Mat 5. Monitor Arms 6. Power Strip & Organizer

top 6 items needed for the modern office

product comparison - chairs

Many companies look to save money by purchasing office furniture from stores like Ikea or Staples. But if you want your investment to last more than a few years, there are many reasons to choose commercial furniture instead. Let’s see how some similar items compare:

Chair A from store

Price Chair A Black: $273.99 + $19.99 for 3-year warranty + $60 assembly Chair A Colored: $274-$316 colored chair +$49.99 for 3-year warranty + $60 assembly Haworth Very Chair: $501 (ceiling sell price) Warranty Chair A: IF you pay extra for the 3-year warranty, it covers accidental damage, mechanical damage, and normal wear and tear. Full refund for items beyond repair. The chair is intended for persons up to 250 lbs for five hours use daily. Haworth Very Chair: 12-year warranty covers 24/7 use by persons up to 325 lbs and includes the framework, mechanisms, seating foam, seat and back mesh, and seating glides and casters. Options Chair A: Available in black mesh back and six fabric seat colors. Offers fixed lumbar support, seat height adjustment, arm height adjustment, and tilt with lock. Comes with carpet casters. Haworth Very Chair: Available in dozens of seat fabric options, nine mesh back colors, and an upholstered back jacket option. Can also be upholstered in leather or faux leather. Your choice of armless, fixed arms, height adjustable arms, or 4D arms. Also has seat depth and height adjustment, forward tilt, back lock, tilt tension control and adjustable lumbar support. Two caster options for carpet or hard surface flooring.

Haworth Very Chair

Price Table A White: $449 + $66 assembly Haworth Upside Table $550 (ceiling sell price) Warranty Table A: 10 year limited warranty - The limited warranty covers defects in material and workmanship on all main parts - original receipt is required. This limited warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, cuts or scratches, or damage caused by impacts or accidents. Haworth Upside Table: 10-year warranty covers 24/7 use and includes the mechanical & electrical components. Options Table A: White only. Length 63", Width 31 1/2", Adjustable Height 22"-48", max load 154 lb, wire management, veneer surface, contoured table top, one color, and simple up/down paddle. Haworth Upside Table: Top available in four colors, base in three. Length - 70", Width - 29", Adjustable Height - 27.4"-46.6". Gyro-sensor technology, simple up/down paddle. 250lb capacity. Some assembly required.

product comparison - tables

Table A from store

Haworth Upside Table

what to look for

The key features to look for in the design of a high-end office chair that will contribute to a healthier working environment

One-size-fits all is a concept that rarely works in real life

Comfort becomes a top priority when a chair is the place where duties are performed eight hours every day. Insufficient padding can contribute to nerve pain in the buttocks and thighs.

Adjustability

Plush Cushion

The most commonly reported health problem reported by office workers is chronic back pain. A high-end, ergonomically designed office chair provides the support employees need if they are working at their desks for hours at a time.

Back Support

A well-padded armrest is designed for the contours of an arm manipulating a mouse. Lower carpal tunnel risk for staff with softer, well-designed armrests.

Soft Armrest

Frequently changing positions is key to reducing neck and back strain. A recline feature also reduces workplace injury since employees will no longer resort to tipping their chair back or leaning backward in a full stretch only to fall over.

Recline

what to look for

The key features to look for in the design of a high-end office desk that will contribute to a healthier working environment

Height adjustment should be effortless and quick and adjusting the accessories to the operator should not require tools or force. The height for both sitting and standing should allow the keyboard to be at the same height as your elbow.

Desktop equipment and materials should be within easy and comfortable reach, and should have sufficient space so as not to overload the desktop. Consider buying a desk with rounded edges to reduce strain.

Adjustability

Work Top Size

For a quality laminate that will better withstand daily use and abuse, look for a desk with a thick, high pressure laminate. The desk warranty itself will give you a good idea of the quality, durability and life expectancy of a particular desk.

Quality & Durability

When choosing furniture for your office, do your homework so you’re comparing apples to apples. Think about what features you’d like and how much you’d like to customize the piece, and remember that the list price of commercial furniture is often just a starting point. The low prices at big box stores may seem appealing, but the chances of needing to buy again soon are high.

apples to apples

find your look

With clients—in your world and ours—what matters most is the end result. We want you to know that we’re committed to providing you with the knowledge, tools, and resources to create a world-class working environment. For more information about the commercial products seen here, or to learn more about making a smart furniture investment, please contact us – we’d love to help!

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