Believe In Your Office

HOST Johnathan Grzybowski — Co-Host, Believe in Your Office PodcastGUESTSara Hagner — General Manager, Common Sense Office FurnitureWHAT WE COVER• Starting from the bottom — working warehouse and accounting roles to build a ground-up understanding of operations• Modernizing office systems — transitioning from legacy whiteboard schedules and physical servers to cloud-based systems• In-person dynamics vs. remote work — how physical presence eliminates communication delays and boosts team energy• Empathy-first leadership — why prioritizing staff well-being directly impacts the quality of customer service• Industry trends — navigating shifting corporate workspace demands six years post-pandemicKEY QUOTES"Sales come and go, but service lasts forever." — Sara Hagner"If you want to achieve certain numbers and goals, you have to have an appreciated and happy team behind you." — Sara Hagner"When you're in the office, you walk right over to the person, have a conversation, get the answer, and move on." — Sara HagnerWHERE TO LISTEN & WATCH• Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms• Subscribe, rate, and review to stay updated on future episodesSPONSORED BYBoomerang Office Furniture — boomerangofficefurniture.com  Common Sense Office Furniture — commonsenseof.com

HOST Josh Smargiassi — Host, Boomerang Office Furniture / Common Sense Office Furniture  GUESTJoe Bettag — Veteran Real Estate Investor & Distressed Asset SpecialistWHAT WE COVER• From the S&L Crisis to Today — lessons learned from navigating over 40 years of real estate market crashes and distressed asset cycles• Building wealth in downturns — how experienced investors position themselves to find opportunity when "there's blood on the street"• The true value of company culture & mentorship — why young professionals miss out on crucial growth and guidance when working fully remote• Remote work vs. office accountability — balancing flexibility with structured goals, office presence, and management• Mortgage meltdown reflections — how past financial crises shaped modern workplace dynamics and interpersonal connectionsKEY QUOTES"Serious money can be made when there's blood on the street, if you know what you're doing and how to position yourself." — Joe Bettag"Without a mentor, you have to learn a lot of hard lessons. Finding a good mentor is crucial." — Joe Bettag"If you're going to do work from home, you better have specific goals and keep people accountable." — Joe BettagWHERE TO LISTEN & WATCH• Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms• Subscribe, rate, and review to stay updated on future episodesSPONSORED BYBoomerang Office Furniture — boomerangofficefurniture.com  Common Sense Office Furniture — commonsenseof.com

HOST Joshua Smargiassi — Host, Boomerang Office Furniture / Common Sense Office Furniture  GUESTStephen Nalley — Founder & CEO, Black Briar AdvisorsWHAT WE COVER• Evolution of hotel design — tracking the shift from identical, "box" hotel rooms to distinct, boutique, and commercial-inspired spaces• Brand layering & soft brands — how major chains like Marriott and Hilton utilize soft brands to target specific traveler demographics• Hotel furniture vs. commercial furniture — how modern hospitality design is adopting commercial durability, style, and residential comfort• High Point, NC: Ground zero for furniture — Stephen’s early experience turning a 300-room hotel into a year-round interactive showroom• Technology integration & functional space — why today's lobbies, nightstands, and workspaces must prioritize accessibility to power and connectivity• Budget reallocation in hotel projects — leveraging smart furniture sourcing to free up funds for critical operational and lighting upgradesKEY QUOTES"Hotel furniture does not look like hotel furniture anymore... hotel furniture looks like commercial furniture now, and to me, I love it because the whole concept of a hotel is making you feel like you're at home." — Stephen Nalley"You go back to the 80s when I grew up—no cell phones, no computers, no MacBooks, no iPads. Now, everybody you would possibly see anywhere has at least two of those." — Stephen Nalley"A lobby is a functional space now. There's no such thing as a lobby anymore just to pass through." — Stephen NalleyWHERE TO LISTEN & WATCH• Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms• Subscribe, rate, and review to stay updated on future episodesSPONSORED BYBoomerang Office Furniture — boomerangofficefurniture.com  Common Sense Office Furniture — commonsenseof.com

The Legal Lean Sigma Approach Kathryn explains that her organization focuses exclusively on law departments, firms, and legal aid. They offer consulting services that help build the infrastructure necessary for process improvement projects. Their approach emphasizes a sequence of people, process, and platform, ensuring that human factors are prioritized in any improvement initiative. "Process improvement sits at the intersection of employee experience, client experience, and brand experience." The Importance of Process in Organizations A key takeaway from our chat is the necessity of establishing standardized processes within organizations. Kathryn pointed out that many employees might reach the same goal, but without a uniform approach, inconsistencies can arise. Establishing clear processes not only reduces mistakes but enhances efficiency and ultimately leads to better customer service. Engaging Employees for Better Outcomes Kathryn emphasizes the importance of involving employees in the redesign of processes. She believes that engaging those closest to the work can uncover valuable insights that lead to significant improvements. "You’ve got to engage people along the way to learn how it is they’re doing it now." This sentiment resonates with my own experiences as a leader. Often, the best insights come from those who are on the ground doing the work every day. Continuous Improvement Culture In discussing the future of work, both Kathryn and I acknowledge the rapid changes driven by technology and the need for organizations to remain adaptable. Implementing methodologies like the 5S approach can create a culture of continuous improvement by making processes easier and more efficient over time. The 5S Methodology: Key Elements 1. **Sort**: Remove unnecessary items from the workspace. 2. **Set in Order**: Create designated places for everything. 3. **Shine**: Keep the workspace clean and inspect regularly. 4. **Standardize**: Establish rules and procedures. 5. **Sustain**: Make the new practices a habitual part of the work culture. Reflection Our conversation with Kathryn has illuminated the vital role of process in creating not just efficiency, but a more engaged and satisfied workforce. As organizations continue to evolve, focusing on these foundational elements can lead to lasting improvements. For a more in-depth exploration of these topics, tune into the full episode!

HOSTJohnathan — Host, Boomerang Office Furniture / Common Sense Office Furniture  GUESTIris Schmidt — Vice President of Operations & Finance, Boomerang Office FurnitureWHAT WE COVER• 150 MPH New York pace vs. Philadelphia speed — how regional energy and work culture influence operational drive and efficiency• Pianos to computer keyboards — Iris’s journey from a New York performing arts major to over 40 years of office furniture operations• The evolution of the workstation — tracking the physical shift from 64-inch high panel cubicles to low-profile collaborative systems and sit-stand desks• Post-COVID workplace balance — navigating hybrid expectations, the limitations of Zoom ideation, and why physical presence drives cross-departmental collaboration• Culture starts at the top — eliminating executive hierarchy, fostering an open-door environment, and why no task is "beneath" leadership• Work ethic across generations — exploring how personal upbringing and accountability impact team-centric attitudes more than generational labels• Designing with intent — utilizing privacy phone booths, sit-stand solutions, and involving employees early when moving or redecorating workspaces  KEY QUOTES"New York never rests... Philadelphia may be a big city, we are not New York. The speed down here may not be Des Moines, Iowa, but it is definitely not New York City. But I feel like I've brought my energy and 'let's get things done' to the neighborhood." — Iris Schmidt"Culture here starts from the top... doors always open, and none of us are any better than anyone else." — Iris Schmidt"Every employee, regardless of what level they're at, needs to do what they're hired to do plus. You can't just show up... you must go above and beyond." — Iris Schmidt  SPONSORED BYBoomerang Office Furniture — boomerangofficefurniture.comCommon Sense Office Furniture — commonsenseof.com

Believe in Your Office | The Secret to Workplace Culture Isn’t What You Think HOST Johnathan Grzybowski — Co-Founder at Penji GUEST Ryan Gordon — Sales Leader & Commercial Furniture Specialist WHAT WE COVER • From team captain to commercial sales — how early leadership experiences shaped Ryan’s human-centric approach to sales • The evolution of cold outreach — why traditional cold calling is shifting toward building authentic, in-person B2B relationships • Furniture as a culture catalyst — how physical workspace aesthetics and office design set the tone for employee experience • Helping vs. selling — why B2B sales is less about pushing products and more about helping clients fulfill their vision • Staying relevant without being pushy — navigating long sales cycles while maintaining meaningful, value-first client touchpoints • Retail vs. B2B dynamics — why one-off transactional selling fails in commercial furniture and complex account management KEY QUOTES "Sales isn't about pushing a product; it's about coming alongside a client to help them bring their vision to life." — Ryan Gordon "Your office design isn't just about chairs and desks—it's the physical footprint of your company culture." — Johnathan Grzybowski PRODUCTS & REFERENCES MENTIONED Modern B2B Cold Outreach Frameworks — strategies for shifting from transactional pitches to relationship-based selling Commercial Furniture & Spatial Design Solutions — creating high-impact physical workspaces that reflect brand identity SPONSORED BY Boomerang Office Furniture — boomerangofficefurniture.com Common Sense Office Furniture — commonsenseoff.com

Believe in Your Office | Reclaiming the Workplace (Part 2: Tech Overload & the Lost Art of Connection) HOSTS Josh Smargiassi — Host, Boomerang Office Furniture / Common Sense Office Furniture John Sorrell — Co-Host & Office Furniture Industry Veteran WHAT WE COVER Sports stadiums & full houses — why post-COVID crowds are flocking back to Braves and Phillies games just to feel a sense of community The "doomscroll" trap — how phone addiction, screen fatigue, and dopamine drips are pulling us away from the real world AI-written emails — why "Top of the Morning" robotic outreach feels insulting and how to spot synthetic messaging in your inbox Outlook's new 'Like' button — are quick digital reactions replacing actual workplace conversation? The "Show Me, Don't Tell Me" phenomenon — why we talk ourselves into thinking we've accomplished something just by watching YouTube or Reels Nostalgia on the landline — remembering the awkwardness of asking a girl's father out on a date and $900 flip-phone texting bills Anxiety and human interaction — why taking real-world social risks builds essential communication skills KEY QUOTES "You can believe you're doing something by talking about the thing that you're going to do. If I talk about something long enough, you can convince yourself that you've done it... I'm convinced people watch cooking videos who don't cook. They watch the video, get the satisfaction, and then order DoorDash." — John Sorrell "When someone sends you an AI email, you're like, 'Wait a minute, bro... you never spoke like that before!' It's kind of insulting because you couldn't take the time to really think about it." — Josh Smargiassi PRODUCTS & REFERENCES MENTIONED The Modern Outlook "Like" Button — digital reaction features changing workplace communication High-Density Texting & Landline Nostalgic Relics — 10-cent text messages and wall-mounted landlines SPONSORED BY Boomerang Office Furniture — boomerangofficefurniture.com Common Sense Office Furniture — commonsenseoff.com 📲 Missed Part 1? Go back and check out Part 1, where we break down modern office design, natural light, and whether breakout spaces are actually getting used!

HOSTS Josh Smargiassi — Host, Boomerang Office Furniture / Common Sense Office Furniture John Sorrell — Co-Host & Office Furniture Industry Veteran WHAT WE COVER Florida heat vs. Pennsylvania weather — why oppressive summers and freezing winters drive everyone inside (and what tomato harvests have to do with it) Designing for 3:00 PM — how to build an office space that makes employees actually want to stay past mid-afternoon Touches of home — why casual, comfortable touches are essential for bringing people back into the office post-COVID Natural light as a productivity driver — how daylight impacts energy levels, mood, and office positive vibes Breakout areas vs. private offices — are collaborative lounge spaces actually getting used, or are they just a trend? The post-COVID square footage shift — why hybrid schedules mean you need fewer fixed desks and more flexible shared zones Extinct office relics — looking back at high-density rolling file rooms on floor tracks and structural engineering nightmares KEY QUOTES "I think you have to make sure the space is somewhere where you want to go... design it so there are touches of home, so at 2:30 or 3:00 in the afternoon, people actually want to be there." — Josh Smargiassi "Collaborative areas get the wrong rap. You think it's just whiteboards and bean bag chairs... but it's really about giving people a reason to work together again after being so isolated." — Josh Smargiassi PRODUCTS & REFERENCES MENTIONED Breakout Lounge Seating — flexible, casual seating designed for informal team brainstorming and Zoom calls High-Density Mobile Shelving — classic mechanical-assist rolling file systems on floor tracks SPONSORED BY Boomerang Office Furniture — boomerangofficefurniture.com Common Sense Office Furniture — commonsenseoff.com 📲 Stay Tuned: Catch Part 2 next week, where we tackle phone addiction, spot-checking AI emails, and the lost art of real-life conversations! CONNECT WITH US Youtube: @BelieveInYourOffice Spotify: Believe In Your Office

HOSTS Josh Smargiassi — Host, Boomerang Office Furniture / Common Sense Office Furniture John Sorrell — Co-Host & Office Furniture Industry Veteran WHAT WE COVER DoorDash, a machete, and a very confused delivery driver — the intro that has nothing to do with furniture and everything to do with how we live now The case for paying cash and living below your means — a surprisingly real conversation about financial discipline Extinct office rooms: the file room on rolling tracks, the 40-person boardroom, the CRT corner insert workstation Why less square footage doesn't mean fewer people — it means smarter use of space The open office plan isn't new — Frank Lloyd Wright was doing it. And it keeps coming back around Why private spaces are coming back: when everything's open, you can't have a candid conversation without the whole floor hearing it Lighting evolution: from humming fluorescent tubes to app-controlled zone lighting that adjusts by section The felt cubicle ceiling — what it is, how it works acoustically, and why it's better than it sounds The tax and permitting advantages of building with furniture instead of walls — most business owners have no idea Sprinkler codes, HVAC, lighting clearance — why office furniture can replace construction in many applications Phone fatigue: why a whole patio of people sat outside at a bar with live music and nobody looked at their phone Hacky sacks are back — and Boomerang should put their logo on one KEY QUOTES "You don't need a 40-person boardroom. We did them — they were incredible — but now half the room zooms in anyway." "The reason people do cubicles instead of walls: full write-off in year one vs. 1/39th depreciation for forty years. Most people never knew that." "We can build out an entire office without doing any construction. That's the thing people never knew about Boomerang and Common Sense." "Everything that was old is new again. The kids are hacky sacking now and nobody's on their phones. There's something happening." PRODUCTS & REFERENCES MENTIONED Artifex — acoustic felt cubicle ceiling panels (creates privacy without full enclosure) Boomerang's showroom, South Jersey — features app-controlled zone lighting and a live example of the felt cubicle ceiling installation The furniture-as-construction argument: full Section 179 write-off vs. 39-year straight-line depreciation for construction SPONSORED BY Boomerang Office Furniture — boomerangofficefurniture.com Common Sense Office Furniture — commonsenseoff.com

HOSTS Josh Smargiassi — Host, Boomerang Office Furniture / Common Sense Office Furniture John Sorrell — Co-Host & Office Furniture Industry Veteran WHAT WE COVER DoorDash, a machete, and a very confused delivery driver — the intro that has nothing to do with furniture and everything to do with how we live now The case for paying cash and living below your means — a surprisingly real conversation about financial discipline Extinct office rooms: the file room on rolling tracks, the 40-person boardroom, the CRT corner insert workstation Why less square footage doesn't mean fewer people — it means smarter use of space The open office plan isn't new — Frank Lloyd Wright was doing it. And it keeps coming back around Why private spaces are coming back: when everything's open, you can't have a candid conversation without the whole floor hearing it Lighting evolution: from humming fluorescent tubes to app-controlled zone lighting that adjusts by section The felt cubicle ceiling — what it is, how it works acoustically, and why it's better than it sounds The tax and permitting advantages of building with furniture instead of walls — most business owners have no idea Sprinkler codes, HVAC, lighting clearance — why office furniture can replace construction in many applications Phone fatigue: why a whole patio of people sat outside at a bar with live music and nobody looked at their phone Hacky sacks are back — and Boomerang should put their logo on one KEY QUOTES "You don't need a 40-person boardroom. We did them — they were incredible — but now half the room zooms in anyway." "The reason people do cubicles instead of walls: full write-off in year one vs. 1/39th depreciation for forty years. Most people never knew that." "We can build out an entire office without doing any construction. That's the thing people never knew about Boomerang and Common Sense." "Everything that was old is new again. The kids are hacky sacking now and nobody's on their phones. There's something happening." PRODUCTS & REFERENCES MENTIONED Artifex — acoustic felt cubicle ceiling panels (creates privacy without full enclosure) Boomerang's showroom, South Jersey — features app-controlled zone lighting and a live example of the felt cubicle ceiling installation The furniture-as-construction argument: full Section 179 write-off vs. 39-year straight-line depreciation for construction SPONSORED BY Boomerang Office Furniture — boomerangofficefurniture.com Common Sense Office Furniture — commonsenseoff.com