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MORE THAN A CHAIR

MORE THAN A CHAIR

By BUSINESS FURNITURE + CHOREO

Space shapes behaviors. Behaviors create culture and culture drives results. Create space for innovation, to dream and for the next big idea. This is The More Than a Chair Podcast by Business Furniture + Choreo.
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Lessons from Google: Nurturing Company Culture While Virtual

MORE THAN A CHAIRSep 24, 2020

00:00
29:02
The Human Experience of Design with Axis Architecture

The Human Experience of Design with Axis Architecture

Join us as we sit down with Kathleen Lemaster, Partner and Interior Designer with Axis Architecture as she discusses her MINDSET on the future of the workplace. Plus, her role in the new Business Furniture + Choreo ancillary showroom. 

Mar 30, 202125:26
Designing a Work Space to Feel Like Home

Designing a Work Space to Feel Like Home

Business Furniture + Choreo designer, Heidi Dellekamp, sits down to deep dive into designing the company's first showroom devoted to ancillary furniture. Why the pandemic has made the concepts even more relevant and how a trip out west inspired a new MINDSET for the team. 

Feb 24, 202126:31
Opening a New Business in the Midst of a Pandemic: Why the Timing Couldn't Be Better

Opening a New Business in the Midst of a Pandemic: Why the Timing Couldn't Be Better

"The timing couldn't be better," said Business Furniture + Choreo Chairman Emeritus, Dick Oakes.

Join us as we sit down with Oakes and Business Furniture + Choreo Director of Audience Development, Hannah Freiherr, as they dive into the details of our new showroom in downtown Fishers, MINDSET.

LEARN:

  • Why opening a new business in the middle of a pandemic is so exciting
  • What employers need to do to shift their MINDSET about a return to the office
  • And MORE on why ancillary furniture is the future of the workplace
Jan 20, 202130:17
Lessons from Google: Nurturing Company Culture While Virtual

Lessons from Google: Nurturing Company Culture While Virtual

Tackling the topic of meeting people where they are. How can we promote a safe and compelling workplace while also meeting the needs of employees and cultivating a culture that’s meaningful?

Our guest, Arik Orbach, is a People Partner at Google where he’s been a “Googler” (Google employee) for over two years. He is a trusted advisor and guides the 'people' strategy for a subset of Google’s Global Business Organization

Also, Rita Schaefer is an experienced change management consultant at Choreo a partner with Business Furniture. Rita uses her background in interior design to help employees’ transition into new working environments.

Sep 24, 202029:02
Can We Find Work-Life Fulfillment Post-Covid?

Can We Find Work-Life Fulfillment Post-Covid?

Work-life fulfillment and the path to engage employees in a meaningful way post-Covid. 

Guests, Dr. Tracy Brower, a work environment sociologist and principal with the applied research and consulting group at Steelcase weighs in. She's also the author of "Bring Work to Life by Bringing Life to Work: A guide for leaders and organizations to focus on work-life fulfillment. 

Also with us, Mary Beth Oakes, CEO and Owner of Business Furniture + Choreo. 

Join us as we search for work-life balance in a new world of work and how change management leaders can help guide the process to find fulfillment again. 


Sep 10, 202029:07
Is Company Culture a Lost Destination?

Is Company Culture a Lost Destination?

What is the future of the workplace? What is the potential impact on workplace culture as employees continue to work remotely? How do you make the connection between remote employees and employees in the office as seamless as possible?

To get the answers, we have Susan Juvet, Strategy Director and Senior Associate at Gensler and Mary Beth Oakes, CEO at Business Furniture + Choreo. 

Aug 25, 202030:08
Re-Routing Your Directions to a Safe Workplace

Re-Routing Your Directions to a Safe Workplace

Sometimes we have to take an alternate route to get to where we're going. 

A new approach to the workplace is required – one that is compelling and safe for employees and smart for the business.

Our guests, Business Furniture + Choreo Interior Designer, Heidi Dellekamp and Steelcase Business Development Manager, Whitney Fuchs have both been boots on the ground, helping clients re-work and re-design their spaces for resilience.  

Aug 11, 202027:57
How Do We Know When the Timing is Right to Return to Work?

How Do We Know When the Timing is Right to Return to Work?

Employee focused research is more important than ever. First, it's essential to pinpoint your location on the roadmap to resilience and that means asking your employees questions about what’s working well while working from home, and what needs to happen for them to feel safe and confident about returning to work.    

Gensler Strategist, David Craig and Principal and Founding Partner at Axis Architecture + Interiors, Drew White, weigh in on how meaningful data can help drive good decisions, plus how we take what we learn and make the workplace better and more flexible. 

Jul 21, 202029:17
The Roadmap to Resilience: Getting Back to Work Safely

The Roadmap to Resilience: Getting Back to Work Safely

Resilience is the ability to recover from difficult experiences and setbacks, to adapt and move forward.

At Business Furniture + Choreo we know we’re all working to get on the ROAD TO RESILIENCE.

Business Furniture + Choreo CEO, Mary Beth Oakes and Choreo President, Patty Clark sit down to explain the step by step guide to create a roadmap to resilience and help employees get back to work safely and confidently. 

Jul 14, 202030:49
The Choreo Story: Celebrating 13 years of Change Management

The Choreo Story: Celebrating 13 years of Change Management

Change can be scary.

Especially when it’s happening at work, it’s why CHOREO was born with a vision to make the workplace evolution a strategic people and business tool.

Since Choreo’s birth in 2008, the certificated woman owned business has worked with dozens of companies in helping minimize the disruption associated with major moves and renovations--- all while lessening the burden and maximizing the success of work-place change.

The masterminds behind CHOREO tell us how it all started. Join CEO of Business Furniture + Choreo- Mary Beth Oakes and CHOREO President Patty Clark for the Choreo story. 

Jul 08, 202028:59
Covid 19: The Impacts on Construction

Covid 19: The Impacts on Construction

Construction and engineering projects around the world have been impacted by COVID-19.

Experts predict we will see some long-term ramification for many aspects of the U.S. Construction industry but what does that mean for us here in the Midwest?

On THE MORE THAN A CHAIR PODCAST by Business Furniture + Choreo we have Vice President of Business Development at Meyer Najem Construction, Dan Lawson is here with us today to give us insight on what the long-term effects of Covid could be when talking construction.

Also, Dainen Tolman, Director of K-12 Education Business Development at Business Furniture + Choreo to help us understand how schools are managing their projects and how the future could look. 

Jun 23, 202027:06
Curing the Culture Crisis: We're Going to Have to Own Our 50.

Curing the Culture Crisis: We're Going to Have to Own Our 50.

Covid-19 will change the way we work in offices-perhaps indefinitely but what does this mean for office culture?

According to a recent CNBC survey, 54% of workers say their jobs have become more difficult due to the pandemic. Managers will need to learn new ways to connect with their teams and continue to engage and create a culture where people WANT to work and feel safe.

Today, on The More Than a Chair Podcast we have guest, Amy Woodall- Executive Vice President at Sandler Training Trustpointe- where she focuses on helping companies grow their people, profit and effectiveness in sales, service and leadership.

Plus- Business Furniture + Choreo CEO, Mary Beth Oakes to help examine the new office culture and why it has to remain a priority. 

Jun 16, 202030:31
Can We Create Boundaries Without Compromising Design?

Can We Create Boundaries Without Compromising Design?

Social distancing, six-feet apart, screens, and masks, The world can feel very cold, sterile and separate right now as we navigate our workspaces post-pandemic.

How can we give the safety of space and personal boundaries without compromising design?

On this episode of the More Than a Chair podcast, we have with us expert guest Gale Moutrey, Vice President of Communications for Steelcase, the global leader in the office furniture industry and Mary Beth Oakes, CEO and Owner of Business Furniture + Choreo. 

Can boundaries exist without compromising on design?

Jun 05, 202030:56
Talk Clean to Me

Talk Clean to Me

Sanitizer, Bleach, Clorox Wipes… Right now we’re all cleaning machines trying to stay healthy and create work environments where people feel safe.

But what works? What’s over kill? And What should we be cleaning around the office?

On this episode of “The More Than a Chair Podcast” we have Business Furniture + Choreo’s Hannah Freiherr, Director of Audience Development and Caryl Sugden, sales representative for Designtex, the leading company in the design and manufacturing of applied materials for the built environment.

Together, we're finding the balance of a clean office without being sterile. 

May 27, 202025:17
Is This the End of the Office?

Is This the End of the Office?

As the pandemic and stay at home orders have left offices empty—it has many people asking if our days in the office are over?

 This conversation isn’t new—technology and demands for flexible work life have had many Americans working remotely for years- but this sudden and drastic change connected to the Coronavirus has re-ignited the questions around if offices are a necessary part of business.

To get some perspective we have Matt Waggoner, Managing Director at JLL in Indianapolis. Matt leads a tenant representation advisory team partnering with organizations to create and execute a real estate strategy to retain and attract top talent.

Also, joining us is Mary Beth Oakes, CEO of Business Furniture + Choreo to help explain the long term impacts of remote work and why just because we can, doesn't mean we should. 

May 20, 202029:09
To Mask or Not to Mask. How Will We Return to the Workplace?

To Mask or Not to Mask. How Will We Return to the Workplace?

To mask or not to mask... that is the question. As our communities and businesses slowly phase into a re-opening, many are asking about the importance of wearing masks.

Some leaders are "recommending" masks while others are "mandating", leaving us trying to determine what's right and best to keep employees safe. So to get the facts we've brought in the experts, Dr. Robin Ledyard, Chief Medical Officer and Indianapolis region physician executive for Community Health Network and Mary Beth Oakes, CEO of Business Furniture + Choreo to see how we can get back to work while keeping safety top of mind. 

May 13, 202026:04
Designing for Distance

Designing for Distance

Social distancing. Six feet apart. What does it mean for the future of workspaces? 

We are discussing how we'll design for distance with Parallel Design Group's Studio Director and Senior Interior Designer, Kaitlyn Barrett. 

Join Business Furniture + Choreo, Director of Audience Development, Hannah Freiherr, as we find out how collaboration and social distancing can co-exist in this new world. 

May 06, 202025:30
Navigating What's Next

Navigating What's Next

As we navigate this new world, new normal, and new mindset, we are all asking, ‘What’s Next?’

Join Business Furniture + Choreo CEO, Mary Beth Oakes and Choreo's Senior Workplace Strategy Consultant, Rita Schaefer, as we discuss the change curve and how to approach the changes to the workplace with a plan and purpose. 


Apr 29, 202027:06
Longing for Connection: Planning for the Post-Pandemic Workplace

Longing for Connection: Planning for the Post-Pandemic Workplace

Join Mary Beth Oakes, CEO of Business Furniture + Choreo and Bryan Brenner, CEO of First Person Advisors as we start planning for a post-pandemic workplace. How will we return to the office? Will remote work no longer be considered a perk? How can we start to move past the shock of stay in place orders and start embracing new habits? 

Apr 21, 202027:32