Who says an alternative to paying cash for furniture makes good business sense? Companies all across North America, that’s who!

Studies show that U.S. business activity rose sharply in February from a year ago, as companies borrowed more to invest in their operations. The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) said U.S. businesses originated $4.1 billion in loans, leases and lines of credit in February to invest in everything from computer hardware to office furniture and machinery. February marked the 10th consecutive month of year-over-year gains, and the third straight month such gains were above 20 percent.

Steelcase Financial Services is ahead of the curve on credit approvals, beating out the average. Lenders approved 76 percent of capital spending credit applications they received in February, the highest level in at least two years, as credit standards eased, the survey found.

The bottom line is…most customers ARE interested in financing, but wouldn’t think to ask their furniture salesperson about it. Get a finance quote from Steelcase Financial Services (don’t just talk about it!), and get the furniture you really want and need!!

Steelcase current promotion offers 0% interest for 24mths; now that is “Smart Financing”!!

Click here for promotion details

Office Work Space Is Shrinking, but That’s Not All Bad
Brian Lee for The New York Times
The new interior design in Intel’s Hillsboro, Ore., offices includes comfortable, open areas for collaboration.
By KRISTINA SHEVORY

Several companies are trying to inject a little more fun into its offices and make them places where employees can be more collaborative. Companies want to create plenty of space where people can work in groups, rather than be isolated at their desks.

People are becoming more mobile and less tied to their desks, the average amount of space per employee nationwide, in all industries, has dropped to 250 square feet from 400 square feet in 1985, according to Jones Lang LaSalle, a commercial brokerage and property manager. Within 10 years, that is expected to drop further, to 150 square feet. By allotting less space per person, companies can squeeze more employees onto a floor. In some departments where employees are often on the road, two people may be assigned to a desk.

Many companies are redesigning the workplaces opening them up to make them flexible for multiple uses. Opening up an office makes people interact more and be more productive. It also makes it possible to eliminate some seldom-used desks or turn them into shared work spaces. Around 60 percent of a company’s desks are vacant at one time, according to CoreNet Global, because workers are either on the road or in meetings.

Office furniture makers have seized on the workplace changes and have been offering products that can be reconfigured for individuals or groups. In June, Steelcase introduced several products, including an electronic room-scheduling device, flexible walls and a long desk where people can sit and work side by side. “A lot of thinking about the office has changed. The work setting was a reflection of your status,” said Jim Keane, the president of Steelcase. “A job focuses more on collaboration than on the individual now.”

Read Full Story @ NYTIMES.COM...

Like clockwork, every January brings with it editorial collections of "Top 10" lists from magazines, blogs and websites galore.

Well 2009 was no exception, and this year we're excited to see the innovative Steelcase Walkstation ranked on Digital Trends!

The Walkstation combines an electric height-adjustable worksurface with an exclusively engineered, low speed commercial grade treadmill.

Make sure your read the authors comments about his use of the Walkstation!