Resources to help keep your world moving

Urban downtowns have long revolved around office space. Soon, that may change. Before COVID-19 hit the United States, American cities were seemingly defined by the crowds of workers commuting downtown for work and by the high-rise office buildings with their seas of cubicles. Then, the pandemic came, forcing companies to abandon their offices — and leaving eerily empty downtowns in its wake. While some employers have already begun their return-to-office plans, others are closing their offices for good, instead embracing remote and hybrid working arrangements. But what does that do to the once office-heavy downtowns scattered in cities across the country? Here’s what you need to know. The Downtown ‘Stress Test’ of COVID-19 Offices account for 71% of real estate across downtowns in the 30 largest U.S. metros, according to Brookings. In some downtown neighborhoods, offices made up as much as 90% of real estate. Brookings calls COVID-19 “a profound...

Only 33.8% of C-suite executives in transportation companies are women, according to Women in Trucking. Though female representation in the industry has increased this year, transportation and logistics companies are still predominantly owned, led and managed by men. At Armstrong, we strive to prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion at every level of our national supply chain, which includes elevating women’s voices in the C-suite. Armstrong – Huntsville is a woman-owned enterprise certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). For more than a decade, it has provided socially-responsible moving and logistics solutions to customers and clients across the country. In the following Q&A, we chat with Armstrong – Huntsville’s CEO Jenny Johnson about her entry into the industry, her biggest challenges, her greatest successes and her advice to the next generation of women in leadership. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Q: How did you get into...

When COVID-19 hit the United States, healthcare institutions had to quickly adapt to new patient needs by temporarily transforming the design and layout of their care facilities. In addition to mitigating the risk of further spread by implementing social-distancing protocols, hospitals also limited entrances, constructed temporary walls to separate emergency-room patients and established alternate care sites at non-traditional facilities. With reported COVID-19 cases declining, many of these temporary layout changes in healthcare facilities are becoming permanent. Increasing the resilience of hospitals and care sites through responsive, adaptive design will be a priority for the U.S. now and in the future. Healthcare renovation and construction projects of varying sizes have already begun across the U.S. Here are four healthcare design trends that have become particularly prominent in reaction to the pandemic. Increased Surge Capacity At the height of the pandemic, hospitals quickly became overwhelmed by the influx of patients. In June...

When companies gear up for office moves, most look at the summer and spring seasons. However, scheduling office moves over the winter holidays can be a more efficient and cost-effective solution for those with flexible timelines. Service-oriented businesses often slow down as the holidays approach, providing perfect windows of opportunity to move offices with minimal disruptions to their teams and customers. As you debate your moving timeline, consider these pros and cons of moving offices over the often-overlooked holiday season. PRO: Fewer Workers In-Office A Namely report found that employees requested time off twice as often in December compared to almost any other month. As workers head out on holiday vacations, the office will become increasingly empty, allowing movers to begin packing without interrupting your day-to-day work. During the winter holidays, you can give your movers free reign to uninstall equipment, pack up desks and decommission the office. Your movers...

There’s no place like a new home for the holidays. Families in the middle of scheduling moves may find the weeks of winter celebrations to be the perfect timeframe. After celebrating the years in your house, you can ring in the new year from a new home and start fresh. Though moving over the holidays can be stressful for some, others may find it an ideal time for such a transition. If you’re considering moving during the holidays, factor these benefits and costs into your decision.  The Benefits of Moving During the Holidays 1. Off-Season Savings Peak moving season falls between April and September. If you’re willing to move outside the peak season, you may benefit from lower rates and holiday discounts on moving services. You can also save money on packing supplies such as boxes and tape, as most office-supply stores run holiday deals. 2. Holiday Generosity  As your...

Dust off those cubicles because United States offices are officially reopening. Around the country, CEOs are beginning to execute their highly-anticipated return-to-work plans — but it’s not all smooth sailing. Gallup found that fully remote work arrangements are decreasing from three in 10 remote-capable employees in June to only two in 10 for the foreseeable future. However, 34% of those employees want to work from home permanently, and six in 10 fully remote employees said they are “extremely likely to change companies” if their employers do not continue to offer remote flexibility. Eyes are on Houston for guidance as businesses nationwide strategize on the best compromise between fully remote and on-site work. Where Houston Stands in the Return-to-Office Debate As companies start plotting their returns to in-person work, some Houston companies have already begun filling their offices again. Houston has seen office occupancy levels around 58% compared with pre-pandemic levels,...

What is Healthcare FF&E? In the healthcare industry, furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) are more than décor. They’re fundamental to the missions of healthcare companies and institutions across the United States. FF&E is a buzzword used in healthcare to describe the movable items that bring value to those empty rooms. Industries typically classify FF&E items as goods that have a critical role in a company’s operations for at least a year or more. Renovations or new construction in the healthcare industry are incomplete and ineffective without new FF&E that is considerate of patients, staff and visitors.  Though the FF&E process can be complicated and complex, it doesn’t have to be. Here’s what you need to know about procuring and installing FF&E in your healthcare organization. Which healthcare items count as FF&E? Most of the items lining the walls of a medical facility may fall into the FF&E category. In other...

Is the work-from-home bubble bursting? In 2020, many firms cited increased productivity and employee satisfaction with working from home. As the pandemic dragged into 2022, the enthusiasm for working from home seems to have cooled for employers and employees alike. Employees express frustration with the monotony of working from home, many saying it blurs the line between work and home life and creates an imperative for employees to be available 24/7. Working from home has also distanced coworkers by eliminating the informal and spontaneous communication that comes with sharing the same physical space.  Employers have expressed dissatisfaction with visibility into employee activity, some even going as far as tracking keystrokes or eye movement to ensure employees are actually working when working from home. Some have also pointed out the difficulties in identifying candidates for promotion without regular face time. The bottom line: employees are starting to demand more satisfaction from...

The Third Party Logistics (3PL) Market Size has increased steadily over the last five years by a pace of over 5% per year. GlobeNewswire predicts over 8% growth in the next five years, driven by increases in trading and a growing e-Commerce industry.  With consumer demand for selection and speedy delivery driving some industries to need more goods available at the ready, it’s no wonder there’s growth in demand for warehousing and logistics. Businesses needing better inventory management and same-day or one-day delivery can benefit from a 3PL partnership.  According to the Dallas Regional Chamber, over 200 companies have moved their corporate headquarters to the region since 2010. This business boom in the Dallas region is fueled by rapid growth in certain industry sectors, namely transportation, construction, food service, health services, retail and technology. 3PL solutions are critical to these industries, providing stability and agility to global businesses. Changing consumer...

The secret is out: Atlanta is the hottest tech hub in the Southeast. Nicknamed “the Silicon Valley of the South,” this not-so-hidden gem is racking up recognition for its diverse talent, successful incubators and friendly business landscape. As Atlanta explodes in popularity, more national companies are betting on the metro by quickly growing their local presence. Some businesses have used Atlanta office relocations as strategic ploys to stay competitive in a tight labor market. A Jones Lang LaSalle report found that employees think the early-morning commute is worth the effort when their office is engaging, exciting and technology-enabled. As a result, offices built since 2015 are the only buildings that have seen positive net absorption over the past eight quarters. Moving to vibrant, up-and-coming office districts in Atlanta has allowed companies to attract a new pool of talent from the area’s top-ranking Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This trend is...