This is an important subject to address for like in every field of human endeavor, the metaphysical branch has its charlatans, scoundrels, and manipulators who are ever ready and eager to mislead the earnest seeker of Truth. Students of metaphysics as well as laymen should understand the difference between true spiritual metaphysicians and scoundrels assuming the title. Disciples of the Spirit should be able to discern between metaphysical practices and services of spiritual worth and those objectionable operations of pseudo-metaphysicians that simply mislead the human soul. Too often paranormal practices are erroneously considered as “spiritual.” The metaphysical path is fraught with many temptations, glamour and illusions, and one could easily fall into the contrived traps of Maya and the Dark forces. Because of the rapid growth of the metaphysical, holistic, and paranormal fields in recent years there have been many unscrupulous individuals entering the profession promoting and advertising themselves excessively hoping to take financial advantage of the public’s interest, curiosity, enthusiasm and ignorance. Most of these people–these frauds–will cheat, lie, deceive, promise you anything that you will want to hear, and please you in order to grab your hard-earned cash. They even go so far as to indulge in immoral practices such as sexual molestation and rape under the pretext of transferring magical power. Often they would resort to stage magic and tricks to mislead one’s senses into believing their “extraordinary” powers and faculties. Even the genuine psychics possessing some power and ability would over-exaggerate the little knowledge or talent that they have. Should they master a single metaphysical art, such as clairvoyance, for instance, they would go so far as to say that they possess the other psychic abilities as well. One should be wary of the persuasive tongue of so-called psychics and metaphysicians. If these spiritual con-men did not involve themselves in the metaphysical field, they would enter any other field with the same hidden despicable motive of self-aggrandizement and ego-promotion. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, and so-called paranormals are quick to establish themselves as metaphysicians or experts in the psychic/parapsychological/magickal field who actually know very little or have acquired very little metaphysical learning, training and experience. Most psychics read a few books on metaphysics and adopt its associated terms and terminology without a profound understanding of what they truly mean. Students of metaphysics often fall into such glamour as well. They may have read a few books, attended a few seminars or workshops, or even studied under a few Gurus and yet with the little that they acquire, they feel themselves to be knowledgeable in all aspects of metaphysics, and subsequently, they often express spiritual and mental pride. They may even feel disdainful or look condescendingly upon a genuine Guru should they perchance come across one. Ignorant of the characteristics of a true Spiritual Master or Adept, they simply follow those who vainly display unusual powers and knowledge, or those that offer them the instant transference of occult knowledge and the awakening of the serpent power. These students of metaphysics are more seekers of sensation than seekers of God or Truth. The writer of this work have personally read countless books on metaphysics, studied metaphysical teachings of various schools and yet, still feels that he knows so little. Even worst than this, he has come to realize how ignorant he really is from the Cosmic point of view and that there is still so much to learn about the Omniverse. He has come to realize that a question answered only gives rise to several more questions that needs to be answered, ad infinitum. To be knowledgeable of one’s ignorance is positive but to be ignorant of one’s ignorance is negative and blind. Thus, having said all of the above, it should be realized that professional metaphysical con-men are generally individuals who present themselves as persons whom you would least expect to be frauds. We would like to quote Dr. Paul Leon Masters, the founder of the University of Metaphysics on this very subject of spiritual con-men, extracted from the newsletter “In Touch” (Feb. 1997): “Generally, they dress well, are sociable, charming and outgoing. Above all, they speak very spiritually, constantly referring to the Light, to having a better world through the Light. They have learned to prey on the gullibility of true seekers, who in their own honesty and heart, simply accept all of the flowery spiritual phrases used by the metaphysical con man as being representative of what the spiritual con man (and I might add, woman) really is. Christ warned his disciples 2,000 years ago to ‘beware of ravenous wolves masquerading in sheep’s clothing.’ The spiritual con person is very clever. As an example, if ever accused or convicted of anything, he/she will ask that the accusers be forgiven. This con person knows this plays well before a spiritual audience who believe this person certainly has been wrongly accused, because look how really spiritual they are in their forgiveness. It is all an act! In the heart of a sincere person, of course, it is genuine. However, here the reference is to an insincere person. Another sign is that a sincere person, when caught with a hand in the cookie jar, will show some sign of remorse and/or conscience, because the presence of God of Light truly is active in him/her. Not the spiritual con person, who will go into tremendous denial, and whose game is that if it can be denied often enough and vehemently enough, you will begin to believe that he/she is innocent of any wrongdoing. “Con persons will try to impress you as to their holiness by surrounding themselves with spiritual props. This can take the form of many spiritual books displayed in their office so you may think how spiritually involved they may be. Also, they will surround themselves with symbols, works of art, anything to give the impression of how genuinely spiritual they are. If challenged, they become enormously defensive–that you would even dare to challenge their credibility. How dare you! Remember, an honest spiritual person has nothing to defend against, and therefore, welcomes communication. “Challenge con persons a little too much and something happens. The true dark side of their nature surfaces. These people, who you are accustomed to hearing speak in joyful, flowery terms of light, suddenly threaten you, becoming the ruthless bastards or bitches they really are. In other words, if the old two-faced spirituality will no longer work with you, they will not hesitate to switch to threats, intimidation, and coercion. “The old expression, ‘time will tell,’ is a good one to follow. If someone enters your spiritual space who may seem a little too slick, too charming, who speaks and writes in the most flowery of metaphysical terms, do not rush into any spiritual, financial, or professional involvement. Remember, fools rush in where angels fear to tread–so, allow a great deal of ‘time to tell’ whether they are in truth filled with Light or really with DARKNESS.” To professional metaphysicians psychic frauds are easy to spot; the layman, however, knowing even less than the self-proclaimed paranormal experts, regard these bogus individuals as nothing less than minor gods. These charlatans come and go and their establishments are usually fly-by-night in nature. Involvement with such people could bring adverse effects to one’s personal, social and professional standing. But most importantly, one is led astray spiritually. It is, therefore, advisable to recognize these spiritual and psychic con men in order to prevent oneself from being duped and harmed in any way and to stagnate in one’s spiritual evolution. An objectionable point to consider is the god-like status given to paranormals by those who are ignorant of the laws of Nature and the true purpose of Life. These paranormals are placed upon pedestals often by hired hands or even by sincere, but ignorant persons caught in the charismatic web of pretenders to power and spirituality. Although the clients or patients of these psychics are seemingly helped in some way, and strongly believe in the appropriateness and value of the services offered by those who proclaim themselves as “metaphysical” experts–the help offered is not permanent, nor does it promote evolutionary growth. On the contrary, psychic help often causes a person’s spiritual unfoldment to stagnate in the mire of matter as we have been alluding and reiterating ever so often. Just because a person may have success or is accomplished in one line of endeavor does not make that person well-informed or knowledgeable in other fields; and yet we see how low-caliber paranormals are often eager to comment on anything and everything from sex to politics. Nowadays we see how the mass media is being exploited to the full by false prophets who are so keen in making their beastly mark in the minds of men and to be regarded as celebrities. Not only do they present themselves in the printed media but also on television as well. Here we can easily perceive how the latter-day idols mislead human souls by blinding humanity’s Divine Vision of Truth, Reality, Purpose, and Goodness; and presenting false teachings and statements. It would be wise to be armed with the knowledge of the reality underlying the many psychic frauds and pseudo-metaphysical practices that violates the Law of Harmlessness and deceive sincere persons and which eventually causes stagnation to their soul-growth in their evolutionary journey toward perfection. The ignorance of the masses are taken advantage of by pseudo-psychics and metaphysicians and it would be helpful to combat this situation by enlightening those who regularly make use of, or plan to make use of the services of people involved in the metaphysical field, and who call themselves “spiritual teachers,” “psychics,” “shamans,” “paranormals,” or “metaphysicians.” Every bona fide metaphysician and the average person on the street should be aware of the true facts and nature of the deceptive and glamorous metaphysical practices filled with sensation and designed only to satisfy human curiosity without properly considering the real needs of the unfolding soul. Persons who are unaware of fraudulent practices and are victims of these metaphysical deceivers may find themselves getting nothing of true worth, aside from the exorcism of their pocket of their hard-earned monthly wage. Deception may be apparent or it may be subtle. To the discerning person the deceptive methods, both apparent and subtle of pseudo-metaphysicians and psychics can be seen and felt in their mannerism, the way they speak, the way they behave, the demands that they make, the way they present themselves, and the general energy that they radiate. These are all keys revealing the negative nature hiding beneath their pretensions. It is said, by the fruit we shall know the tree and this is a truism especially in the metaphysical field. Professional metaphysicians who are psychically and spiritually developed and knowledgeable, may detect these pretenders to metaphysical knowledge, wisdom and power through spiritual, rational, and psychic means. The spiritual disciple should learn as much as possible how to discern the true from the false so that they may lead others from darkness to Light. Most of the modern psychic deceivers will make excessive use of metaphysical terminology to sound erudite, and also exploit and misappropriate the little information and knowledge that they acquire through insincere metaphysical studies in order to make a big impression upon people so that the unknowing and innocent ones may be greatly influenced by their heinous machinations. From the very onset their motives for “aiding” people are simply the promotion of their ego–or self-aggrandizement, and the commercialization of the infinitesimal knowledge or psychic ability that they possess for huge financial returns. Basically, there is nothing wrong in offering one’s psychic services to the public and charging a price for it, what is objectionable is that this is often done irresponsibly, excessively, irrationally, and for ignoble reasons. It may be true that some individuals possess a certain psychic ability, however, they often use this as a blatant argument that they possess other “powers” as well. They often exaggerate and brag much and make bombastic statements such as celebrities or governmental people constantly make use of their services, or that they have long studied overseas in Tibet or in India . . . Whether true or not, such statements are egoistic and unprofessional and it is easy to see the stratagem behind these proclamations. Their intentions and machinations are clear as daylight to those who have eyes to see. One of the most apparent signs that may indicate falseness on the part of pseudo-psychics is their use of fancy titles that is supposed to reveal their “spiritual” standing. All sorts of high-sounding titles are used to impress the public concerning their so-called spiritual status or the many “powers” that they are supposed to possess. Sometimes these titles are legitimate, but most often they are self-given or “purchased.” And even though legitimately and officially given by honorable men or by metaphysical/spiritual/academic institutions, these titles from the spiritual standpoint are just empty labels without any spiritual value. We know a thing by its character and expression, not by its label. With the possession of titles, psychic frauds promote themselves hoping to dupe and exploit the gullible public. The love for titles simply show an egoistic tendency and self-centeredness–a glamorous condition that the disciple of the spiritual path should not be dragged into. The lower nature of man enjoys the glamour of being at the center stage, or in the limelight. Needless to say, metaphysical self-deceivers enjoy promoting their physical image by placing their photographs excessively in books, magazines and advertisements. People with such a personal and egoistic trait seek to control and manipulate others, usually the motive is to instill fear and the acquisition of fame and fortune; and their services to others simply benefit their client’s or “patient’s” earthly natures. What psychics are not conscious of is that most of their services and wares do not promote spiritual evolution–they neither liberate nor cause enlightenment–which are important goals in the higher aspects of metaphysics. It is factually true that being in this world one should strive to improve it; it is also vitally important for us to transcend our earthly condition–our personality, our earthly desires, and our dualistic, delusive thinking. Our condition can be compared to being in prison. Even-though we may strive to improve our surroundings while in jail so as to experience the maximum comfort, our prime objective is to be released from it so as to acquire a greater life experience. The problem of titles also applies to the graduates of academic and religious institutions. Though one may legitimately receive the title “Doctor” in the field of metaphysics, or “Reverend,” “Ulama,” “Romo,” “Swami,” “Yogi,” “Lama,” “Ki,” “Kyai,” “Ustad” and “Sri,” etc., as a priestly or sacred title in the field of religion or mysticism, it does not indicate that the person bearing it is spiritual, holy or magically powerful in any way. We make this statement from the standpoint of being both a Doctor and a Minister–and the right given to wear the esoteric title of “Ki,” designating a titile of respect in Indonesian occultism–so realize that there are no pretensions on our part as well. Often title holders are deluded in this respect and are victims of spiritual pride. This is a glamorous illusion that all spiritual aspirants, that all on the path of spiritual unfoldment must overcome. We appeal to title or degree holders to maintain humility and a sense of goodwill and love for their fellow men, with a desire to serve God and the higher Spiritual Intelligences. Titles mean nothing. One’s spiritual standing has to be manifested and proved sincerely on a daily basis without the thought of any praise or recognition from the mouths of men. The old adage declares that one should practice what one preaches. Traditional teachings also warn us not to be the “blind leading the blind.” Most paranormals or psychics deceive themselves as to their self-importance, power, and ability. They overestimate themselves while at the same time belittling other metaphysicians who may be the genuine article. They believe that all that they receive psychically are true, that their spirit guides are infallible, that their visions are God-sent, that their predictions must come true, that their work are beneficial to humanity. Concerning the latter, it may be factual that some of their services are of value on a short-term basis, but in the long run their help may cause soul-stagnation, as mentioned before–and this is the unseen danger. Most commercial psychics are under the impression that they are truly helping others, but in fact, are causing great harm in the process. The Dark Forces work in such a way: they offer you wonderful “trinkets” that would make you happy and seemingly solve your worldly problems but in the process cause you to forget your soul-purpose and spiritual journey. Most psychics and so-called priests of Religion are unaware that they are the instruments of “Iblis,” or the Fallen One. Copyright (c) 2006 Luxamore

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Every day, our life is full of challenges. Hitting the traffic, going to work, dealing with customers, colleagues, employees and piles of papers, are some of the expected challenges we face. There are also unexpected ones that we encounter on a daily basis. We need to come up with solutions. A satisfying, nurturing, stimulating, and creative workplace can help individuals take control of not only the expected but also unexpected situations. Designing a workplace that help individuals feel in charge can reduce job stress, improve work-related skills, increase tolerance, understanding, productivity and enhance decision-making. People feel “locked up” while they are at work. So equipping people with the ability to make more positive use of their work time helps empower the employees as well as businesses. Today companies are looking to find attractive alternatives to offer their employees such as day care, dry cleaning, game rooms, massage therapy and laundry services to keep them happy. Of course, perks are seductive but creating a work place that caters to the specific and evolving needs of employees and businesses is the most important challenge. Today’s companies and businesses are aware of the need to accommodate and capitalize on the diverse work force. Finding quality employees is hard, but hiring and most importantly retaining them is the hardest. Deloitte & Touche, a major consulting firm recently surveyed approximately 500 high-technology chief executives. Fifty-five percent said it was important to come up with creative workplace perks to attract the best workers, but most importantly they said the workplace needs to be comfortable. Work does not have to be a place that we drag in. Work can be the happiest place. By creating welcoming work places, businesses can make work more fulfilling. Individual lives are filled with stress; employees are overwhelmed and hoping to get through the day. By creating a comfortable working environment both businesses and employees can benefit tremendously. Work is a journey, it is a vocation, and it’s different for each employee. At MAiSPACE, we know that we can improve the quality of work by paying more attention to employees’ diverse work habits. At MAiSPACE, we constantly think about you and your employees. We relentlessly work on new and innovative designs, manufacture the best office furniture systems to boost your employees’ performance and productivity. MAiSPACE’s creative workplaces help your business grow and flourish. At work, people need to feel free, aware, independent yet integrated; not isolated. Individuals need to be engaged so they can be more productive, healthy, and creative. This affects not only these individuals’ lives but also those of their families, children, communities, and society. MAISPACE’s revolutionary human centered approach to interior office design helps individuals feel comfortable at work. The idea is to be connected with the rest of the world while having a private space to “think” without interference. We know that there are diverse considerations for businesses that want to offer their employees comfort while working. We offer a variety of office furniture products that will accommodate everyone’s specific needs and appeal to different tastes. As a research driven company MAiSPACE constantly evaluates and updates product options to enhance systems furniture capabilities and keep abreast with evolving technological, ergonomic and architectural innovations. MAiSPACE’s modular office system furniture targets a younger, dynamic workforce. It provides flexibility and functionality to meet changing needs of dynamic businesses. MAISPACE’s modular office furniture pieces come in standard options for desks, hutches, file pedestals, bookcases, cabinets, and optional pieces for placement above and below work spaces for storage. Our team can visit business locations and work up a plan to meet individualized needs for professionals and executives as well as employees. MAiSPACE and MOrSPACE are MAISPACE’s two innovative office system furniture product lines, holding a “Best of NeoCon” award, one of the most prestigious in the contract furniture industry. MAiSPACE, the leader in systems furniture is also offering high quality executive office furniture with best value available. You imagine; let us create for you. You don’t have to be the CEO of a big corporation to feel like one. At MAiSPACE, we can design the executive office that you dream of at a low cost. If you want to go for an elegant and more sophisticated look, you might consider MAiSPACE’s beautifully designed, free standing wood furniture line, MAiOFFICE, for your private office. This product group features modular, unhanded pieces that fully integrate with the MAiSPACE system. Every piece is designed to the customer’s exact specifications and utilizes numerous wood, metal, marble and glass options to achieve sophistication and luxury at the same time. We also complement these with other materials such as fabric, mesh, and microfiber. You can let your imagination run wild and let us create the ultimate work place for you. Our office furniture products are eco-friendly, and our service is superb. MAiSPACE provides a service program that matches the pace of customers’ requirements. We commit to meeting project time frames, quick turnarounds and fast resolutions to revisions. And above all, these services are free with a signed purchase order or order placement. With its top-quality environmentally safe office furniture products, ongoing customer support, and affordable prices, MAiSPACE remains the leader for over 15 years in the contract furniture industry.

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Offices have revolutionized in comparison to its traditional appearance, aesthetics, work ethics interiors, ergonomics, and furniture. The shift has been in tandem with technological advancements; the demand emerging towards functional powerhouses. And the dynamics of productivity include many aspects and uber factors. For office board-rooms, home offices, blue-chip organizations and multinational giants with a clear corporate culture, the interiors need to match up with the progress; and creative, inspirational and sustainable work environments are more within the linguistic reach of ??~conducive™ work settings. Interiors, color co-ordination and right furniture setting can help with reflecting the spirit of your business or brand. Even home offices have evolved to include the latest multi-functional designs looking into the essentials of multi-tasking. Now you can organize an office space with ergonomic desks and chairs in the coziest material. For starters, following are a few modern day office interior suggestions, A warm reception area with modern sofas and swivel arm-chairs can help in creating the first impressions Opt for designer 4-6 seater workstations as they bring uniformity to a work space Opt for multi-functional work stations and minimize cabling with cable management systems for a clean look Individual mobile storage cabinets and light cabinets and filers can help with the storage problem Infuse the office with warm colors, stain glass or wood work Use inspirational and motivating artwork??”photos, paintings etc. Invest in good lighting to avoid eye strain Executive office furniture Quality executive furniture endows a workspace with a posh and elegant exterior, without ever compromising on the functionalism. Modular furniture consists of a range of standard options such as extendible executive desks with conferencing ends, file pedestals, bookcases, cabinets, hutches, file pedestals and storage units. The Vega is one such sophisticated unit with a stainless steel top that looks into all executive needs and practical details like choice of desk size etc. It is important to check all the available options before you decide on a unit. Pay close attention to the unit, the space available and details in your office like color schemes and other furniture. Office Storage and File Cabinets Office storage solution is much more than providing easy filing and cable management systems. The concept of office storage has evolved to make style statements to ensure that the right message is being delivered to your employees and clients. Floor standing and floating storage units are great for a clean and clutter-free workspace. You get contemporary shelving units with hi-tech storage systems to ensure neat storage. Home Office Furniture Home offices need to be efficient and convenient and defining your working zone is a clear positive step. Look out for dynamic workstations that are chic and functional, like the Celeron which has ergonomic desks with storage bridge, overhead cabinet, conference shell, wardrobe tower in colors and materials to fit with your home office space. It is important to work on an ambience that supports your working style , pace and also compliments rest of the home decor. Conference tables Conference and meeting tables should go in line with rest of your office theme. Conferences and meetings are a regular feature at offices. Keep the practical details in mind like the size, shape and dimensions and the most important point, the capacity. The tables should be functional enough to support your focus and offer inspiring furniture for convenient interaction in office. Stacking chairs You get chair with and w/o arms that can be easily used as multi-functional seating arrangements for another round of use. You get chairs in different material like Vinyl, bistro, wicker, teak, steel and aluminum that also provide added comfort and a sleek, professional appearance.

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In the year 2003 it was said by the Current Population Survey conducted by the United States Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that well over 23.5 million people were working at home, and this of course does not account for the people that don’t have home offices but offices with in companies. Now with in the year 2008 that statistic has tripled! With all these people having to work in offices, there has been a large need for office equipment. Of course you can just go and buy office equipment just about anywhere but wouldn’t you rather go some place that’s worthy of the work you do? For my home office I require a lot of equipment, and I need equipment that is quality ensured and equipment that I know will last me the next few years. So I make sure I buy from the best places possible that not only have great prices but that have equipment that will last. I look for luxury type items. I’m not talking about $5k desks. I’m talking about buying a desk and having it be quality wood, not particle board posing as oak that will break in a few weeks.. So if your looking for items like this as well look no more! These office equipment sites offer every single thing you could possibly ever need for your business or your home office. Here are just a few examples of the equipment, these site offer: Office chairs – Leather, fabric, mesh, ergonomic, recliners Filing cabinets – Steel, wooden, pedestals, cupboards, book cases, printer & CPU storage Home Office furniture – Wooden desks, glass desks, computer hideaways, home office storage Office accessories – Shredders, fans, carpet mats, cigarette bins Stationary – Binders, folders, document wallets Landscaping – Topiary, ferns, olive trees If that wasn’t enough, these sorts of sites also offer other things for places like Bistros & Bars, such as Bistro tables, Bistro chairs, and Bar stools. These shops are all in one shops. You needn’t go anywhere else for anything else. They even have a multitude of different colors you can choose from depending on your home office or office design. Usually I pick the same color for my desks, chairs and other equipment. But if you want you can choose black, silver, white, green, brown, etc. Whatever your hearts desire! Make sure you check some of these sites out, some of them even offer daily, weekly or monthly Specials that allow you to get a certain percentage off your order! Sometimes these sites also offer other office equipment categories such as computers, PDAs, printers, printer paper, etc. These office equipment sites (from what I can see) compared to BIG department stores, offer really great prices. Which for me, is what matters the most. As long as I know its quality equipment, and I’m not paying more than I have to. To find out more about these sites, search on Google for “Buy Home Office Equipment”, “Buy Office Equipment” or “Specialty Office Equipment.”

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It i”2007 Trends Recap” published in December, Today’s Facility Manager noted that “Furniture must always match the needs of the people working in a space, and the trends of 2007 reflected this necessity.” The article reported that there was a time when each employee within an organization had a dedicated work station from which he or she rarely escaped during the workday. This is no longer the case. With wireless technology and an increasing number of people taking advantage of flexible work schedules, the offices of today barely resemble those that existed just 10 years ago. Flexibility plays such a large role in the modern workplace that it must be reflected in furniture, the article stated. One solution is to purchase items that are portable and can be reconfigured easily. Architectural walls can help create this sense of mobility. Another point made was that ergonomics must also be tailored to the needs of a greater number of people. For example, if multiple people use the same chair throughout the day, that chair must demand fewer manual adjustments. “Making practical furniture purchasing decisions, with the aforementioned trends in mind, may help facility managers save on cost and hassle,” the article concludes. Mark Bassil, co-founder and Vice President of MAiSPACE, a Mt. Olive, NJ, based manufacturer of modular office furniture systems, says, “If these observations could be boiled down to one word, that word could well be ‘productivity.’ There is no question that elegant office surroundings, whether for permanent or transient personnel, contribute to morale, productivity and support the recruitment and retaining process,” he says. “Simply said, the extent to which companies can provide attractive surroundings within budget can have a tremendous positive impact on productivity. “Today MAiSPACE leads the pack when it comes to delivering dramatic designs and a wide variety of colors and textures in systems furniture that can easily accommodate the moves, adds and changes (MACS) as well as the flexible staffing environment referred to in the TFM article,” Bassil says. “Our modern manufacturing and assembly techniques, when coupled with state-of-the-art approaches to supply chain strategies and distribution systems, put beauty, durability, functionality and choice within reach of what otherwise would be considered modest budgets.” There are several examples of affordably priced features and options that enhance the workspace. These include perforated steel panels to improve air flow and marker boards to relay information, work surfaces and components in matching wood grain finishes, painted, fabric, wood veneer and stainless steel tiles, and sandwich glass panels for privacy and sound management. “We are also ‘going green’ with the use of post-consumer PET, a material composed of 100% plastic recycled bottles, instead of fiberglass in our tackable and acoustical tiles,” Bassil points out. “These too are offered in a variety of colors and textures.” Other examples include mobile pedestals with cushion tops and tables that can be transported to other workstations or meeting areas in a “hoteling” environment, personal movable or permanent storage towers, adjustable panel-mounted task lights, paper-management segments and ergonomically designed chairs and workstation surfaces that adjust up or down. “Our modern manufacturing techniques put fine wood finishes within reach of modest budgets,” Bassil states. “Thermo-formed membrane technology, for example, produces elegant one-piece curvilinear table and workstation tops and edges in a seamless design. The ergonomically designed cascade edge matches the forearm of the user to provide comfort while reducing fatigue.” All of these, Bassil claims, are part of the ingredient mix that systems furniture lends to increasing productivity. Taking Ownership “Companies today have a tremendous opportunity to instill a pride of ownership among employees through offering something that would be financially prohibitive in the past,” Bassil says. “That is giving employees a role in designing their offices and workstations. For example,” he explains, “while planning a new office layout, one client gave each employee a number of ‘credits’ that they could expend on ‘customizing’ their work areas through panel texture and color options offered by MAiSPACE. Programs such as this give the employee a sense of ownership in his or her office. This is without question a morale boosting, productivity enhancing step that is furthered with the addition of photos, plants and other personal items.” Another approach to ownership is allowing the staff to have a say in the overall office design. This can be accomplished by forming a representative committee that, together with the firm’s facility manager, evaluates the offerings of several vendors. “In this instance,” Bassil says, “the MAiSPACE design won. But more importantly, company personnel had a say in the decision and thereby could take ownership.”

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Today the term freestanding office furniture has evolved from “what else is there?” to become one of the many choices available for office facility planners and interior designers. This contrasts to the time when the office landscape consisted only of freestanding desks, tables, files and other accouterments whose design and style, if any, depended primarily on the status of the office occupant. “Business-themed movies of the 1950s sometimes depict large open offices with names such s ’steno pools’ furnished with row upon row of identical desks,” says Mark Bassil, co-founder and vice president of MAiSPACE, a Mt. Olive, NJ, based manufacturer of modular office furniture systems. “These early open office furnishings have been replaced by today’s highly styled systems furniture providing employees with attractive workspaces offering options in privacy or collaboration corresponding to the particular tasks being performed.” Although there are exceptions, systems furniture designs are based on panel units that enable easy reconfigurations in size, height and layout. Attached to the panel units, which can carry concealed voice, data and power cabling, are worksurfaces, shelving and storage systems. Freestanding Furniture Solutions The popularity of systems furniture does not mean it is the only solution to office floor plans, Bassil comments. “Freestanding furniture – including desks, storage files and credenzas – must be included in the overall design concept. Applications include initial placements or upgrades in private offices that otherwise might be unsuitable to systems furniture, or in providing offices for midline executives.” MAiSPACE has addressed this market through a new line of freestanding office furniture to complement its popular systems furniture for open offices, full-wall offices, conference rooms and reception areas. “While our attention to style and quality would do justice to the corner office, we are offering this line at price points averaging 40% below designs of comparable quality offered by our competitors,” Bassil says. “Offered in designs combining brushed steel with Coverseal finishes in woodgrains and a variety of colors, the line includes desks with unhanded returns, bridges, corners, modesty panels, hutches and credenzas. Seating, tables and movable files are included in the MAiSPACE freestanding line.” Corner office style at midline executive prices is possible because MAiSPACE applies the same advanced manufacturing processes to its freestanding furniture that it does for its systems furniture. “Our Coverseal surfaces provide an excellent example of this,” Bassil says. Citing woodgrains as an illustration he points out that “these surfaces are extremely durable and fade resistant, yet have the look of expensive solids and veneers found in the most costly furniture offerings. Options include cherry, maple, walnut and mahogany, and application includes any design component that lends itself to a woodgrain finish.” Brushed steel trim, modesty panels, table pedestals, hutch doors and other accent components provide an elegant contrast and eye appeal. Creating an Elegant Workspace with Freestanding Furniture Coverseal patterns and colors carry through to panel systems, trim and doors, enabling facility managers and office designers to create elegant workspaces around the freestanding furniture concept. “Private or semi-private offices can be created from open spaces by using MAiSPACE stackable panels and movable walls,” Bassil says. “Imaginations run free through choices of enclosures ranging from 48 inches to ceiling height. Panel elements can be painted steel, Coverseal, fabric, or clear, frosted or patterned glass using dividers in complimentary or matching colors. Space saving sliding glass door options offer privacy to occupants without making them feel isolated.” MAiSPACE support services are available to help facility managers plan and populate their floor plans using a combination of systems and freestanding furniture. “Changes are expensive, and to minimize that we support customers with AutoCAD and GIZA design software to ensure that furniture and floor plans are virtually fault free,” Bassil says. “Installations are supervised by MAiSPACE personnel or those of our authorized dealers and distributors. These services combine to help ensure a pain-free installation ready for move in within 6 weeks of placing an order.” Other elements of the MAiSPACE value proposition include a lifetime warranty and guarantee against obsolescence.

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