The use of color in an office space has a significant impact on the atmosphere of the workplace and on those that occupy it. The right combination of colors can enhance the overall design, improve the functionality of the space, and create a more positive and productive work environment. 

According to the Institute for Color Research, within 90 seconds of first viewing, people make a subconscious judgement about a space or a product, and between 62% and 90% of that evaluation is based only on color. Additionally, in a ground-breaking study, the University of Texas discovered that when presented with different colors, varying brain responses can affect employee productivity and attitude.

In this article, we will discuss the power of color in offices by delving into the evidence surrounding color psychology, and the impact lighting and materials have on color, and how this should combine to be applied to office design. So, after reading, office interior designers, occupiers and landlords should gain some insight into how to use color to enhance the overall design of spaces, and improve the functionality and productivity of the office environment.

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Los Angeles County is home to the nation’s second largest metropolitan area and to one of the world’s most powerful economies. The county is made up of 88 cities and has approximately 300,000 employers, which provide jobs to a workforce of nearly 5 million people.

Major Industries and Employers in Los Angeles County

Key industries include entertainment and media due to the presence of highly successful companies like Walt Disney, Warner Bros, and Paramount Pictures. Trade is also a strong economic driver due to the location of the Port of Los Angeles, situated in the southern part of the county, which is one of the state’s largest employers with over 800,000 employees.

Education and healthcare have been paramount to the local economy since the mid 20th century, as the county is home to prestigious institutions that include the University of California, California Institute of Technology, and Loyola Law School, as well as to healthcare corporations like CareMore, Health Net, and Molina Healthcare.

Other sectors worth mentioning include pharma, fashion, hospitality, tourism, financial services, and publishing. Tech-related activities have grown fast and now employ nearly 400,000 people, but the creative industry is by far the sector with the highest growth rates, supporting more than 740,000 jobs.

Key employers include CBRE, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Snapchat, and Universal Pictures (Los Angeles), Walt Disney (Burbank), Riot Games and Hulu (Santa Monica), Toyota and Honda (Torrance), Isuzu Motors (Cerritos), and Avery Dennison (Glendale).   Read the rest of this entry »

The Coronavirus pandemic is a serious threat to our country and the rest of the world, and the US government and the CDC (Center for Disease Control) are working to slow down the spread of the disease. It is also a threat to the US economy with businesses of all shapes and sizes already feeling the impact.

So what can you do to increase your business’ chances of surviving throughout this difficult time?

Check Your Cash Flow – One of the first things businesses need to look at is their cash flow forecasts. Include details like supplier payments, employee wages, taxes, property rents etc. The Coronavirus pandemic is like nothing we have ever seen before, so factoring in as many variables as possible can help prepare for the worst. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Shore up Supplier Relationships – Another essential thing to do is to speak to your suppliers. If you have a good relationship with your regular suppliers this will help a lot, as it is in their interest as well that your business survives so you can continue to be a loyal customer.

Create Special Offers – On the same note, speak to your own customers and clients. Come up with ideas to offer discounts, upgrades and freebies. Is there a way you can adjust your pricing and terms? Retaining your loyal client base is essential to the on-going survival of your business.

Other Things You Can Do – Speak to the bank, call the tax office, and ask for extended payment plans and timings if necessary. Take a look through your current terms and conditions and update and adapt where necessary. You may need to update your cancellation clauses, and service or delivery lead times. It is essential to ensure that you and your business are not overly exposed at this current time.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control has provided this Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist with specific actions businesses are advised to take and includes the following steps:

• Plan for the impact of a pandemic on your business
• Plan for the impact of a pandemic on your employees and customers
• Establish policies to be implemented during a pandemic
• Allocate resources to protect your employees and customers during a pandemic
• Communicate to and educate your employees
• Coordinate with external organizations and help your community

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Los Angeles CBD is a thriving commercial hub comprised of 15 districts: Skid Row, Civic Center, Little Tokyo, Old Bank, South Park, Historic Core, Gallery Row, Fashion District, Arts District, Warehouse District, Jewelry District, Industrial District, and Toy District. Bunker Hill and the Financial District are also part of downtown Los Angeles and are considered the city’s business core area.

Los Angeles’ CBD was first defined as a business district in 1920, and was expanded and redeveloped during the 1950s and 1960s, when several high-rise office buildings were added to the city’s urban landscape. Downtown LA is easily accessible by road and mass transit, as the area lies at the intersection between the I-10, I-5 and I-110 roads, and is served by 4 Metro lines. Union Station is located on the northern edge of the CBD, and Los Angeles International airport is only 19 miles away from the downtown area.

Unlike other US business districts, downtown LA has a large (and growing) permanent population. In 2016, more than 50,000 people lived within a 2-mile radius of the CBD, and particularly in the eastern fringe, where many office buildings have been converted into residential units. Read the rest of this entry »

Here’s a list of top 10 businesses to work for in Texas.

Balfour Beatty Construction

While this is not an American-owned company, this British company maintains a large workforce in Texas through their national headquarters in Dallas. This company specializes in high-class construction jobs like you would see at opera halls and museums. They even constructed the 9/11 Pentagon memorial. They are praised by their employees for minimizing layoffs during this tough recession hitting the United States.

Whole Foods Market

Whether you work in the stores themselves or in the corporate headquarters in Austin, Whole Foods Market is a popular place to be. New hires get a lot of different benefits straight out of the gate, including people that work in low-level positions in the retail locations. The focus of Whole Foods Market is to promote healthy bodies and communities, and part of that mission means treating employees well. Read the rest of this entry »