No denying, Pandemic compliances did not sit well with many (most?) of us. But, placing reasonable caution over resistance, both businesses and homes were forced to shift gears into different rhythms, clever modifications and innovative procedures.
In order to maintain productivity while in critical survival mode, we prevailed – with somewhat reluctant caveats!
Emerging from such forced change, has clarified some unforeseen realities: there’s no real “going back” to that thing we like to call our “normal.” In fact, in the process of re-tooling and re-connecting with Interior Design clients and prospects, there are new energies and motivations that seem to be coming directly from perspectives gained while complying with those mandated Pandemic restrictions!
It reminds me, in some ways, of incidents when we were youngsters and had to comply with rules, restrictions and policies (be they parental, scholastic or corporate) where we resisted and could not see values until later!
As the Pandemic advanced, space management (and the obvious Interior design impacts) hit all of us with a resounding thud! Like it or not, we grappled with forced changes that greatly affected our lifestyles and our business operations. At first, the dominant dynamic was negativity. Disruption of trusted functional patterns brought problems in kind.
In other articles, I have looked at some of the ways we coped by recognizing new potential in existing small spaces, wasted space or revisional space use. As we emerge from most of the Pandemic necessities, it becomes obvious that some of the changes we reluctantly made might just be keepers!
Taking a hard look at “then” through the lens of “now” – before trying to return to that familiar past – is proving both enlightening, informative and exciting. It begs re-imagining your on-going space planning and use.
What – exactly – have been your past criteria for up or down sizing? How much space was actually paid for and squandered in past patterns? How was overhead affected by forced limitations and transitions concerning your business or living space? Back onsite with all employees? Or… is less actually more beneficial (and possibly more profitable) when it comes to where people work from?
Professional Interior designers are confronting such questions as clients and prospects put on their transitional brakes, and take a little more time re-thinking those Pandemic impositions. Were some of them actually blessings in disguise?
Some reversals – of course – are both obvious and essential. But, my suggestion is that you take time to carefully analyze and consider this unique opportunity to move forward differently, with new operational insights.
It is entirely possible that accommodating the Pandemic may have provided you valuable information about your personal working/living style as well as interesting options for your Interior spaces – business and residential.
Both economics and process have been radically affected. Some businesses simply had to permanently close. Some made it through with compromised operations, and are hopeful for recovery. Space use and facility modification are major considerations. It is important to carry forward unexpected learned benefits. What was inconvenient and reluctant by necessity, begs we look at unfamiliar, interesting possibilities.
Your Interior design team is immersed in innovative work using those Pandemic-provided insights to open up new operational possibilities! Both residences and businesses are more than ready to emerge with new perspectives and ideas on how to enthusiastically move forward. We can help!
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.
