Latest News & Views from Space-pod

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The Orange Office - Your FREE guide to refitting or relocating your office

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John Lewis find out-of-hours office churn essential

How did space-pod refit John Lewis offices and move over 4000 staff with almost zero downtime?

To be “never knowingly undersold” means that the back-office team at John Lewis must always be on top of their game, so down- time when needing to refit and relocate offices, isn’t an option.

John Lewis relies on Space-pod to provide specialist, third party delivery of sophisticated office churn relocation throughout the business management teams - all outside of office hours.

The only window of opportunity for churn is only between 5.30pm on Friday & 7.00am on Monday and mid week overnight.

Our specialist churn model includes demolition, construction, electrics, air-conditioning, lighting, heating, furniture and managed I.T. relocation.

scope of the work carried out
> Full fit out of occupied space
> Furniture
> Churn
> Project Planning
> Contract Management

services deployed
> Project Planning and Programming
> Office Relocation / Churn
> Management of Client’s internal service providers
> Managed I.T. moves

construction undertaken
> Air-conditioning modifications
> Carpeting
> Decorating
> Feature ceilings
> Frameless glazing
> Partitioning
> Raised flooring
> Specialist flooring
> Suspended ceilings
> Wall finishes
> Voice & data installation

client comment
“Space-pod continue to deliver a slick, high quality package of works in a timely manner on a competitive basis.

Over the last 5 years they have relocated over 4000 partners for John Lewis, with every Partner being operational by the next working day without any down time.”

To find out more about the processes we used and the potential benefits to your business contact one of our Customer Service team today on 08704 321515 or email us

embrace the pod (productive office division) & think inside the box

Meeting pods & furniture systems extend and complement most well designed office layouts by providing the opportunity to divide open spaces and create closed or partially closed rooms.

Glass office pods, partitions and screens are available in a variety of sizes and configurations, which means that for the first time, open plan spaces can deliver the same level of scope offered by the combination of fixed cellular space and open plan areas. Not only that, their complete flexibility and simple assembly means that we can easily help you to experiment, alter and fine-tune your office configuration to suit the requirements of a particular team or project, easily and effectively. 

In an ever-changing office environment, how can you maximise efficiency, flexibility and productivity?

Wireless technology is redefining the workplace, giving people the freedom to move outside the traditional desk-based setting to a variety of different locations within the office environment. At the same time, companies are under continual pressure to make more efficient use of their workspaces.

With this in mind, we asked ourselves... How can our products extend the office landscape to create more flexible meeting and working scenarios? How can we reduce the need for expensive, inflexible static walls? Architectural partition screens and pods make this a reality.

Our Glass Office Pods and furniture systems extend and complement most office landscape by providing the opportunity to divide open spaces and create closed or partially closed rooms.

The partition screens’ variety of sizes and configurations means that for the first time, open plan spaces can deliver the same level of scope offered by the combination of fixed cellular space and open plan areas.

With the addition of these partition screen systems to our range, space-pod has consolidated its focus on delivering the breadth of choice and function our clients demand, for today and tomorrow.

Work in peace

Contemporary, open-plan working is increasingly popular and encourages better communication, but it has its challenges. Noise distraction and lack of privacy are a daily frustration and can reduce efficiency. 

Why build walls?

Fixed partitions soon become obsolete, but our curved and straight screening partitions allow workspaces to flex and expand to suit your space, your people, your projects.

And when it’s time for new or bigger spaces, our products simply move with you.

Be more adaptable

When, where and how will your organisation grow? Nobody knows the future. Our products build a more agile business, helping you adapt your environment at little or no cost. Whether it’s an increase in staff, a change of teams or other demands on space, our screens and office partitions can be moved and linked within minutes. Once in place, flexibility becomes permanent.

With change happening so rapidly, even three years from now is considered a long time into the future.

Remove the clutter

As workspaces and working patterns change, a coherent, organised environment makes for comfort and efficiency. Resources, postage, recycling and vending facilities nest tidily within our partition screens.In open-plan workspaces, everything is exposed. Mobile office partition screens create distinct workspaces or specific areas for projects and presentations.

The external architecture is one of permanence and control; on the inside, why not have complete freedom.

To find out more and the potential benefits to your business contact one of our Customer Service team today on 08704 321515 or email us

office restructuring?

Businesses need to restructure their offices for many reasons;



> fitting more people into the same space,
> creating better communication in the office,
> merging or combining teams,
> improving productivity,
> downsizing of the workforce,
> adapting a workspace for hot-desking or job-share.

This challenge is at the heart of what space-pod does best. By listening to you and discussing how your office performs we can make suggestions that will make your workspace more productive. These may be as simple as looking at desk layouts or storage requirements. People rarely perform well in an uncomfortable environment. The right use of space can make as much impact on your business as the right choice of people.

Call 08704 321515 to see how space-pod can help you to restructure your office in a way which, reduces your operating budget, eases your cash flow and improves the productivity and health & safety of your staff.

If you’re located in London or the Home Counties and have between 20 and 500 desk-based staff, then we can guarantee that we will have a positive effect on your business, so let’s meet for a ‘no-cost’ evaluation of your needs and the challenges that you face – what have you got to lose?

call us on 08704 321515 or find out more at www.space-pod.co.uk

The Workplace of the Future?

What is the workplace going to be like in 2011 and beyond? The FM industry considers what current trends mean for the way we work in future.
Today’s workplace looks very different from the office of 20 years ago, and is still evolving. Economic conditions, new legislation, technological innovation and changing expectations are all combining to influence location, use of space, furniture, technology and systems of communication.
Some argue there is no longer a demand for a core workplace occupied from nine to five as working routines, increased mobility and developments in telephony, broadband and wi-fi release us from dependence on a single workstation. Add to that the attitudes of the younger generation of workers, combined with the continuing imperative to cut costs, and it is no surprise that managers are looking for creative answers to their workplace dilemmas.
We asked some leading facilities managers, designers and consultants for their views on the shape of the future workspace, and what change will mean for FM as we move into a new decade.

Read more

Association of Interior Specialists approve Space-pod

Space-pod is proud to have completed the approval process for membership of the Association of Interior Specialists (AIS).

The Association of Interior Specialists represents the whole spectrum of those involved in the manufacture, supply and installation of all aspects of interior fit-outs and refurbishment. Space-pod's approval process involved proving that we were able to deliver on the principles of the AIS:

• To conduct our business in a manner that reflects credit on the AIS and themselves.
• To adopt and commit to the principles and practices laid down by the AIS.
• To act with the utmost integrity towards others and exercise high standards of business practice and workmanship.
• Not to mislead clients, architects or other employing bodies by fact or implication as to the performance of their products or systems.
• To ensure that we are conversant with and adhere to relevant British Standards (and, where appropriate, international and European Standards) and other relevant technical Standards, Regulations and practices.
• Insofar as we are able, to ensure that our products or systems are tested and / or comply with the recognised Standards specified by the client or statutory authority.

office lease expiring in the next year?

Essential reading for business owners, financial directors & facility professionals

This is often a difficult time for business owners. Do you move to a new premises, which perhaps would fit your needs better or sign a new lease to avoid the upheaval and disruption that a move would cause?

space-pod can help you to make the right choice for your business. 

property evaluation

When space-pod works with organisations who are considering relocating, our input works in two ways. First, we evaluate your current premises to appraise how they meet with your current criteria and by careful planning we can often accommodate your requirements within your existing premises.

Secondly, if you decide that you have to move then we can help you to evaluate alternate premises and prepare trial schemes on your short-listed buildings against a pre-determined set of criteria that underpin your business objectives. Taking this exercise forward, we can then point-score each of the premises against each other to give a mathematical output of which building is most suitable for you.

building/location constraints

Often we find that the ‘ideal’ building/location does not exist when we are evaluating buildings against your criteria. In these circumstances are able to work within most building or location constraints by providing intelligent, well-thought-out schemes that can make the best of any location - whatever the circumstances.

when you have made your decision

With the decision to move or stay-put made, we will then ensure that the space that you have chosen to work in is as productive as possible. By listening to you and discussing how your office performs we can make suggestions that will make your workspace more productive. These may be as simple as looking at desk layouts or storage requirements. People rarely perform well in an uncomfortable environment. The right use of space can make as much impact on your business as the right choice of people.

call 08704 321515 to request a no-fee meeting to analyse your needs, evaluate your premises and show you how to get your people and space working in perfect harmony.

If you’re located in London or the Home Counties and have between 20 and 500 desk-based staff, then we can guarantee that we will have a positive effect on your business, so let’s meet for a ‘no-cost’ evaluation of your needs and the challenges that you face – what have you got to lose?

See other useful links on our website:

> Space-efficient and ergonomic office furniture

> Space planning and interior design

> Adding space with mezzanine floors

> Partition and glazing solutions

> Leasing fit-out work & furniture to free-up cash flow

> I.T. infrastructure services

call us on 08704 321515 or find out more at www.space-pod.co.uk

Space-pod expands logistics facility as office move & churn work increases

Perhaps it’s our recent trade advertising campaign, perhaps our Google campaign or perhaps it’s just the economic reality, but space-pod has seen a massive upturn in businesses needing to move premises.
Certainly lots of businesses need to rationalise the space that they need for their teams and delivering this is at the heart of what space-pod does best. Many companies have reached the end of their lease and have negotiated a better deal and need space-pod not only to help them move everything efficiently to minimise downtime, but also help them maximise the space in their new offices.
Our solutions often include moving teams, their furniture, their storage and their I.T. ‘out-of-hours’. We provide all the rental crates and vehicles and do all the fetching and carrying, employing specialist teams to move IT systems. We label up all the crates and make sure they get to the right place at the right time so that everyone is operational as soon as possible.
Delivering on our promises time after time, project after project means that our storage and logistics facilities have had to grow as our own business has grown and we have recently committed to another vehicle and have significantly increased the size of our secure storage and distribution facility.
To explore how moving your business doesn’t have to be as daunting as you would think in a free, no-commitment meeting contact space-pod today>

Space-pod proves to be a major draw at the home of the 2010 Ryder Cup

Amid the current financial turmoil, the FM Sector the FM & Property Event held at the Celtic Manor Resort, South Wales, proved that there are still opportunities to be benefit from when you commit a little time to explaining the challenges that you face and exploring your options with an industry experts such as space-pod.

The 5 star venue is soon to host the 2010 Ryder Cup and has recently been voted as the number one conference hotel in the UK. The purpose of the event was to initiate and develop business relationships between senior FM practitioners from the most influential organisations, with top product and service suppliers, in a stimulating environment to discuss key industry issues and mutually beneficial solutions with a special focus on saving money.

Director of Global Business Events Lee Williams welcomed all the attending Facilities Managers and Supplier representatives and explained the event programme along with the necessary health and safety briefing. Lee urged participants to remain optimistic despite the current economic conditions. He quoted the former US president during the 1930s recession Calvin Coolidge,"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race".

The combined annual total spend of the 65 delegates who attended exceeded £2 billion and post event feedback proved that the event was a great success with 90% of the attendees saying that they found the event ‘Excellent’ and that they would consider attending again.

The excellent keynote speech by Professor of Forecasting at De Montford University James Woudhuysen was very well received. Woudhuysen explained how the current economic times give FM’s the opportunity to shine, explaining that “cutting costs and taking short-term measures have proved the main responses to the downturn. FM’s should however go beyond survival and partnership, toward helping the firm increase revenues engage in innovation and leadership”.

Space-pod MD, Kevin Parker added “This has been a good event for us. We have met professionals from a wide sector of industries, all of whom are facing head-on the challenges that space-pod was established to help solve. It is pleasing, not only to hear again so many times in 2-days that what space-pod does is extremely beneficial to facilities professionals, but also that they all understood how our approach is fundamentally different to that of our competitors and that it becomes even more invaluable in the current economic climate”.

If you would like to explore similar challenges with one of the space-pod team in a free, no-commitment meeting contact space-pod today>

ACM Academy Development Centre completed by space-pod

After working with space-pod for several years, The Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) again turned to the commercial interiors design and build specialists, space-pod to redevelop and convert an old Yates wine bar into its new 'Artist Development Centre' in Guildford.

The scope of this challenging but impressive project was to:

• Strip-out of old structure of the Yates Wine Bar.
• Build acoustic sound-proof internal walls, floors and ceilings for practice rooms, studio spaces, teaching areas and recording studio.
• Electrics, plumbing, decoration, air-conditioning and specialist lighting.
• Signage and finishing touches.

This is where we started:

 

And this is what we delivered:

This is a detail shot of some of the acoustic sound-proofing that we constructed for the studio spaces.

need to fit more into your office?

With ‘office space’ being such a major cost to most businesses, many companies decide to work with space-pod to help them minimise the foot-print of their office space and maximise the volume of the space to ensure that staff have a pleasant environment, which allows then to be as effective and productive as possible.

Space-pod will work with you and utilise our computer-aided design bureau to give you a dazzling view of how an interior can work best to maximise the space and the return on rental. Whilst we’re ‘designing’, we’re also be ‘planning’ to ensure your environment meets all the appropriate health and safety legislation and the needs of your workforce to help keep them comfortable and injury-free.

do the office bin challengeMost office bins cost about £5, but on one space evaluation that we did, the actual cost of the space that each bin took-up was a staggering £288 every year, before we helped them to plan their office space much more effectively.

Call 08704 321515 to request a no-fee meeting to analyse your needs, evaluate your premises and show you how to get your people and space working in perfect harmony.

If you’re located in London or the Home Counties and have between 20 and 500 desk-based staff, then we can guarantee that we will have a positive effect on your business, so let’s meet for a ‘no-cost’ evaluation of your needs and the challenges that you face – what have you got to lose?

call us on 08704 321515 or find out more at www.space-pod.co.uk

HMV selects Space-pod to maximise space usage at London HQ

Space-pod has successfully completed a major project for the high-street giant HMV at their occupied head office spaces at Film House, Wardour Street and Princess House in Eastcastle Street.
The specific project requirement was to completely update their space and consolidate their back-office teams into a smaller area, releasing redundant and valuable space back to the market. The project co-ordinator at HMV said “We chose Space-pod for their ability to deliver a complex project within an occupied space”. The scope of the project included a full design package with space efficient interiors that reflected their branding, as well as new furniture and storage as well as new front of house client area and break out areas to maximise the comfort and productivity of HMV staff.



Link: www.hmvgroup.com/