AUGUST 2021
Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®
Page 5
BUSINESS SERVICES
Furniture-buying timeline surprises many business owners We want it now. Whether “it” is toilet paper, a new vehicle or dinner, when Americans decide they want something, they want it now. That’s why current disruptions to the supply chain and labor shortages can be so frustrating – we can’t have everything now. When shopping for office furniture, many business owners and managers are surprised they cannot just pick out desks, chairs and tables and have them delivered the next day. The process to outfit an office with high-quality, custom furniture is not measured in days or even weeks. Planning starts months ahead of when businesses want their new furniture. There are five primary reasons that businesses need new office furniture: (1) Their current furniture is worn out, (2) They are consolidating multiple offices into one location, (3) They are expanding to new locations, (4) They are reconfiguring interior spaces, or (5) Their business operations are changing. In each case, leadership teams generally know the changes are coming months in advance. Below is an office furniture-buying guideline for businesses: • 9 months out: Study furniture styles and trends. Office furniture comes in all shapes, sizes and colors. It can be traditional, transitional, contemporary, industrial or another style, and often reflects
the personality of a company and its employees. A tech startup, for example, might opt for a more modern look with clean lines and shared workspaces. Meanwhile, a law firm could choose a classic look with dark oak finishes. • 6 months out: Schedule a professional consultation to review furniture needs and measure interior spaces. This is also when the budget conversation starts. BY JOE • 3 months out: Place the orGAMMONS der. For larger orders, manufacGuest Columnist turers often need a 12-week lead time to produce, package and ship materials to a customer’s exact specifications. Disruptions in the supply chain from material shortages, labor shortages and severe weather can derail timelines. • 1 month out: Confirm the installation date. Most businesses don’t have the luxury of closing for a day or two while crews remove old furniture and assemble new furniture. Professional installers ensure that furniture is assembled quickly and to a manufacturer’s exact specifications. • 1 week out: Review the installation logistics. Furniture installation is a highly choreographed enter-
Don’t forget to post your in-person and virtual events on our B2B events calendar at www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com/calendar prise. Time is money for a business, and an experienced installation team strives to minimize operational disruptions. The alternative to not planning ahead is being stuck with whatever furniture is in stock. Oftentimes, if a big-box store has an abundant supply of office furniture, it’s because no one else wanted it. Online retailers may have ample inventory and offer great prices, but products often are lower quality and not custom for a space. And once it’s delivered, who will assemble and install furniture pieces? Business executives might only purchase office furniture a few times during their careers. It’s important to get it right. Effective workspace planning requires time and expertise, but great workspaces help great employees thrive. Joe Gammons is president of OFDC Commercial Interiors, Southwest Florida’s premier source for quality office furniture and design concepts since 1974. Visit OFDC-inc.com or call (239) 347-4876.
BUSINESS SERVICES Are you leveraging business-building opportunities?
Whether you are a professional lookpartners and clients ing to start a new business, expand your as well as mentors current reach or further engage in the and peers who are community, relationships and resources ready and willing to are key to a successful business. offer their insight, But where do you start? expertise and guidHelping business owners and proance. fessionals connect to the tools they A chamber offers need for success, your local chamber a web of like-mindof commerce can provide a boost in ed business profesthe business community. Representing sionals committed businesses of all sizes and across every to helping each industry, chambers are a dedicated part- BY COLLEEN other grow. Beyond ner that understand your community DEPASQUALE networking, a welland are dedicated to furthering the busi- Guest Columnist connected chamber nesses that call it home. can also lead you Yet while there are myriad ways a to relevant information, tools and rechamber of commerce can support the sources that are available within your growth of your business, many busi- community. nesses fail to leverage these partnerships 2. Advance your knowledge and to their full potential. career path The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Our individual success becomes this Commerce recommends three business- community’s success, which means perbuilding opportunities that owners and sonal and professional growth is critical professionals must take advantage of: for our business community to thrive. 1. Connect to your community Community- and business-focused eduIt is all about who you know. Partici- cational programs help empower busipating in meaningful networking events ness professionals to stand out in a comallows business professionals to make petitive market. valuable connections with potential Engaging educational programs
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and mentorship opportunities offered through a chamber of commerce are geared with business and professional development in mind. 3. Advocate for your business Decisions made at the local, regional and state levels trickle down to the businesses in our community. From issues like business liability protection and minimum wage to water quality and tourism funding, businesses must be part of the conversation. Chambers of commerce act as a voice for business on legislative, community and economic development issues, tracking the issues, pursuing dialogue with legislators and helping businesses navigate the impacts of new or modified legislation. A well-connected business is better prepared to prosper in today’s competitive market. Leveraging the multitude of business-building resources within our community can help set you on the track for continued success. Colleen DePasquale is the president and CEO of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. Visit www.FortMyers. org or call (239) 332-2930.
State awards $92,000 of grants to SWFL projects The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced grant awards totaling more than $92,000 in Southwest Florida communities. Grant funding will be used to improve infrastructure, community redevelopment, and job creation in small and rural communities. Awards include $92,500 through the Community Planning Technical Assistance program. “We will work closely with these communities to meet their infrastructure needs and prepare them for the future in order to ensure strong economic development,” said Dane Eagle, secretary of the Department of Economic Opportunity. Charlotte County ($50,000) – to evaluate the county’s comprehensive plan and the Community Planning Act requirements. City of Everglades City ($42,500) – to complete an evaluation and update the city’s comprehensive plan. Statewide, DeSantis announced that DEO awarded grants totaling more than $30 million in small and rural Florida throughout the state of Florida.
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