Why Steelcase furniture helps you feel good at work

Steelcase is the global leader in the office furniture industry - that's why space-pod works closely with them for many of our office refurbishment and redesigns. 

But did you know:

> Internationally Steelcase has approximately 11,000 employees worldwide, manufacturing facilities in 28 locations and more than 650 dealer locations around the world.

> Steelcase is the global leader in the office furniture industry.

> Steelcase design and manufacture architecture, furniture and technology products. As workplace experts, they help space-pod to create a better working experience, by providing products, services and insights and researchg into the ways our customers work.

We work so well together because we are both dedicated to helping:
> people work more effectively
> organisations use space more efficiently

We do this by observing how people work, to understand the changing needs of individuals, teams and organisations.

Steelcase have been doing this for a long time:

Steelcase began in 1912 in Michigan, and received its first patent in 1914 for a steel waste basket. That led to metal desks, and they've led the way with product and service innovations ever since. Sustainability is embedded in everything they do.

So, whatever you need to accomplish with your workspace, space-pod and Steelcase can provide you with the environment and the tools to do it better, faster and more effectively.

To find out more about the Steelcase Range CLICK HERE 

Here are some FREE Steelcase e-books:

collaborative working >

  workplace ergonomics >

Budget 2013: Public sector budgets and staff bear brunt of chancellor's spending cuts

Chancellor George Osborne has announced even more PUBLIC SECTOR spending cuts in today's BUDGET 2013, which will mean that most departments will need to continue finding areas where they can cut costs or save money.

Public sector budgets and staff will bear the brunt of the government's crackdown on spending, with an extra 1% cut to Whitehall spending in the next two years and a continuing 1% pay cap for public sector employees.

In his Budget announcements on 21 March, chancellor George Osborne said central government departments' budgets would be cut by an additional 1%, after an £11bn underspend this year. 

Departmental spending will be reduced by £1.1bn in 2013-14 and £1.2bn in 2014-15 - equivalent to a 1% reduction for most departments. The budgets for schools and health remain unchanged. HM Revenue & Customs is also protected from the extra cuts and there were no changes to existing allocations for local government and police budgets for 2013-14. Osborne confirmed that overseas aid will be 0.7% of national income next year.

READ MORE > The Guardian

Pre-2008, when things looked rosy, public sector growth led to many public bodies expanding rather than shrinking. As a result, over the last decade, there has been significant investment in new technology, infrastructure and workplaces. Unfortunately the benefits of this investment have not been taken advantage of, mainly due to political inertia, poor management and a lack of business motivation in a wasteful booming economy. Now, with very few exceptions, property markets and values have fallen through the floor. As a result, many previously reluctant public organisations are now being forced to seek significant property and related savings as well as service improvements.

Many Councils are considering co-locating with other public bodies as a way of saving public property costs. Countless organisations are decreasing staff numbers and are looking to make use of their existing property portfolios to support distributed and remote working – using neighbourhood offices, libraries, housing centres and depots as touchdown offices - all of which will reduce and change the overall central office requirement.
Due, in most part, to culture and management apathy, remote and home working has, to date, had limited success in the public sector, but the ability to use home as a workplace regularly or occasionally for a large element of the workforce is one of the key aspects cost saving initiatives.

The office is certainly not dead, but its function is changing as technology enables re-definition of work and the workplace. The overall result of cost cutting, sharing, outsourcing and new ways of working is that many organisations will be, and are, implementing plans to reduce their office requirements by up to 40%.

This is at the core of what space-pod does and we have already helped Local Authorities, Councils and other Public Sector bodies to maximise reduced working spaces and achieve some notable productivity and working environment improvements.

To find out how, just visit our website and fill-in a few details in the panel on the left of the screen and let's talk!
Find out more here: new social ways of working mobile working & home working

financing your refurbishment, refit or relocation

For businesses moving or refurbishing existing space, budgets are often tight and limitations can result in projects being downsized or downgraded. Leasing is therefore an ideal way to overcome budget issues as payments are fixed for the period and it helps you budget effectively and manage your cash-flow efficiently.

Space-pod works with the UK’s leading finance company in the furniture and fit-out market and together we specialise in arranging leasing for customers buying office furniture and refurbishing their working environments.

THE BENEFITS OF LEASING YOUR OFFICE FIT-OUT OR REFURBISHMENT:

> Easier budgeting
> Management of cash-flow
> Flexibility to add to the lease as necessary
> Conserves capital and preserves existing borrowing power
> Rentals are 100% tax allowable, which means leasing can work out cheaper than paying cash!
> Payments come from a revenue budget as opposed to a capital budget
> Include all costs of an office re-fit in one easy monthly payment

Our finance packages can include ALL aspects of an office refurbishment, allowing one easy monthly payment for the entire project. We have significant experience in providing leasing solutions in this manner, and as such have a detailed understanding of the marketplace.

Typically our specialist leasing packages include the following:
> Desking
> Storage
> Air conditioning
> Audio visual
> Partitioning
> Cabling
> Carpets
> Electrics (including lighting).

Most businesses understand the benefits of refurbishing or refitting their working environments – the positive influence on staff morale, productivity and loyalty are well documented. However, the cost of a professional design and build project can often result in it being postponed or significantly downgraded.

"Leasing offers a cost effective way of spreading the cost over any period up to five years, which means the project can go ahead immediately but without the up-front capital expenditure".

> space-pod works with the UK’s market leader in finance for furniture and interiors
> We provide specialised finance packages to include all aspects of an office refurbishment
> We will supply clear documentation with contracts regulated by the Office of Fair Trading
> We only use Ethical business practices
> We provide flexible finance terms from 1 - 5 years



Taking advantage of leasing will offer you the following benefits:

IT CAN BE CHEAPER THAN PAYING CASH!
If you pay for the furniture and refurbishment of your building from your cash-flow, only a limited percentage is allowable for tax purposes. Because of the ‘intangible’ elements, the Revenue only allows you to claim capital allowances against approximately 65% of the project. However, if you lease the works, the repayments are 100% allowable unlike any other form of finance such as a bank loan. This 100% allowance on payments makes leasing the most tax efficient method of refurbishing a building and can WORK OUT CHEAPER THAN PAYING CASH!

OVERCOME BUDGET LIMITATIONS
Make the most of your budget by spreading the cost over 2, 3, 4 or 5 years and acquire the solution that meets your needs, rather than that which your budget dictates. You can pay monthly, quarterly or annually, from your Revenue Budget, to suit you.

EASE CASHFLOW AND BUDGET TO INCLUDE EVERYTHING
Lease payments are fixed for the period allowing you to budget for one easy monthly or quarterly payment for your total office solution.

PRESERVE BORROWING POWER
Other lines of credit from your bank remain intact for alternate credit needs. In addition to which, leasing is far more cost effective than bank borrowing as loan payments do not attract 100% allowances.

COMPLETE FLEXIBILITY
You can add to your existing lease at any point during the term. You can either extend the term and keep the payments the same, or simply increase the payments and keep the end date the same.

At the end of the lease period you have two choices:
> Continue to rent the installation at small monthly charge, or
> Negotiate ownership of the installation via a third party for a nominal charge.

A typical example for a project of £50,000 value would be as follows:

Term        Payable     Monthly Rental       
3 Years     Monthly    £1,644.50 plus VAT
5 Years     Monthly    £1,100.00 plus VAT

The rates used are for guideline purposes only

Subject to status. The terms set out above are given solely upon the understanding that they do not constitute any part of an offer or a contract, but are merely an invitation to treat. Monthly rentals provided based on an assumption of three rental payments up front. Subject to a one-off administration charge.