Whose Lane Is It Anyway?
The Curious Case of Agile Workplace Furniture
By Robert Kroon
We've all been there. You're at a networking event, discussing a project, and something comes up that's just outside your core expertise. You have an opinion, maybe even a valuable insight, but you hesitate. "That's not really my area," you think. "I don't want to step on anyone's toes."
This "lane-keeping" mentality, while often well-intentioned, can sometimes stifle innovation and collaboration. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the increasingly blurry lines of modern workplace design.
Take, for example, the fascinating case of August Berres' battery-powered agile workplace furniture.
It’s a game-changer, really. Imagine desks, conference tables, even lounge areas, all untethered, mobile, and easily reconfigurable thanks to integrated battery power. It’s furniture, right? So, it falls squarely in the lane of the furniture sales professional, correct?
Well, not so fast.
An August Berres mobile, battery-powered sit-stand desk. Is it furniture or is it an electrical product intended for IT infrastructure?
Think about it for a moment. This isn't just a static piece of wood and fabric. It's a self-contained, electrically powered ecosystem. Suddenly, the conversation shifts. Does this now fall under the purview of the electrical contractor?
What about the IT department, considering the potential connectivity implications and the management of a fleet of battery-powered devices? Does this become a technology infrastructure conversation?
This is where the "whose lane is it anyway?" dilemma really comes into play. The furniture salesperson might be hesitant to delve into the electrical or IT aspects, fearing they're overstepping. The electrician might see it as furniture and defer to the furniture expert. The IT manager might not even be aware of the product’s existence, assuming it's simply a furniture issue.
And the poor client? They're left navigating this complex landscape, potentially missing out on the perfect solution for their agile workspace needs.
The truth is, August Berres' innovative furniture sits at the intersection of several professional "lanes." And that's not a bad thing! In fact, it's an opportunity. Instead of clinging to rigid professional boundaries, we need to embrace this overlap.
Imagine the power of collaborative selling. A furniture salesperson partnering with an electrician and an IT specialist to offer a comprehensive, integrated solution. They could address all the client's concerns – aesthetics, functionality, power requirements, connectivity, and maintenance – in a single, unified approach. This not only provides a better customer experience but also unlocks the full potential of this groundbreaking furniture.
The lesson here? Sometimes, the most exciting innovations lie in the spaces between the lanes. Don't be afraid to venture outside your comfort zone. Don't be afraid to collaborate. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even if they seem "outside your area." Because ultimately, it's not about whose lane it is. It's about providing the best possible solutions for our clients. And sometimes, that means blurring the lines and working together.
The future of workplace design depends on it.
Look for our next post:
Agile Workplaces in the Age of AI
Part 1 of 2.
