Even in more “normal” times, there is a lot of preliminary preparatory work that has to be done before an Interior design project can get underway. In the face of imminent crisis, with a Pandemic raging through communities, it’s difficult to hope; it is difficult to try to see over the tragedies and into a more manageable future.
But, we all know that is just what we must do: look to the future, while managing a difficult present. I do what I can, myself, to keep that reality in mind, and press on. Those of us in business must improvise, innovate and press on. Many small businesses are holding on and weathering this situation as best they can. Some, unfortunately, may not make it back to commercial health; let’s cheer them on and spread the hope around. When this is behind us, let’s rally around them and support them back into a fair competitive position.
If you are anything like me, you are improvising an alternative work lifestyle by having brought the business administration home, and the conduct of business (as much as possible) fully online with all those great tools that we formerly considered “options.” They are now the life-blood for business continuity: screen-face-to-screen-face, conference calling and dozens of Internet tools and applications!
Being confined to our homes, and requiring them to pinch hit as our business bases, presents very real challenges – not just to us as businesspersons, but to our living companions and families. Some of us are playing “catch-up” on home and yard projects that we used to squeeze into weekends and holiday time. And, that’s gotta be a good thing! Sooner or later, however that, too, gets old; or we get so caught up that boredom can set in.
When the reality of the Pandemic hit home, some of you had been contemplating some aspect of work on your Interior space. As with many projects already in motion, or in the “installation phase,” our project with you had to come to a pause. Subs, reps, crews, installers, suppliers and many other Interior design project participators had their work stop while continuity solutions could be strategized.
Projects underway and projects anticipated had to enter a period of reconsideration. That’s where “Confinement Can Become A Positive Tool!” comes in. One by one, I, other Interior design professionals and other professionals in related venues, had to take a look at which aspects in each project had aspects that could continue on track even under these dire circumstances. For projects underway, aspects requiring close interaction with other skills and talents have been put on hold, indefinitely. Any work not involving physical contact and exposure continues to roll!
Here are some suggestions for those of you who were in that investigative preliminary phase – not quite ready to launch — when the crisis set in. You are confined in place, so why not use this valuable time to focus closely on all areas of the Interior environment that you have been considering for revision, refreshment, remodel, expansion or new construction. Indulge in fresh, unpressured thought. Look at your past “decisions” as if they were really just “decisions to decide later,” and re-visit them! Without the pressures and schedules of normal circumstances, use some of this situation to go over your plan.
Our Interior design services, and that of my venue colleagues, are up and running, appropriately modified and available to you. Except for the goofy way those online face-to-face meetings make us look, we are carrying on with innovation and productivity. We are as close as email, text, snail mail or funny face electronic images.
Meanwhile – stay home, take care on those essential trips and don’t give up on the light at the end of this awful tunnel!
Robert Boccabella, B.F.A. is principal and founder of Business Design Services and a certified interior designer in private practice for over 30 years. Boccabella provides Designing to Fit the Vision© in collaboration with writingservice@earthlink.net. To contact him call 707-263-7073; email him at rb@BusinessDesignServices.com or visit www.BusinessDesignServices.com or on Face Book at Business Design Services.
