Yesterday’s downpour might be the best sign yet that spring has really come to central Illinois. If spring holds true to pattern, it won’t be the last storm we’ll see. That's why we’re sharing a few tips on getting your business ready to brave any storm that comes our way.

Oh, February. It’s central Illinois’ most confusing month. Freezing rain and snow one day, spring temperatures the next. Is it just us or does there seem to be a bit of a chill in the air even on those warmer days? (Can heaters get confused?) For those of you who have spent most of your morning dreaming of warmer temperatures, the kind that stick around for more than a day, we’ve put together these tricky tips for sneaking a little extra warmth to your work space. Worried you won’t be able to get the purchases approved? We’ve even provided some additional arguments for why you might need these items – just in case “But I’m cold” isn’t enough.

Rogards will relocate into a 14,400 square foot office, showroom, and warehouse space being constructed by The Atkins Group as part of their Prism Warehouse development. As part of the move, Rogards plans a heavy emphasis on using the new space for a furniture showroom, a project that was already underway in the current location.

Teamwork makes the dream work, am I right? We’ve seen for a number of years the “open office” trend that involves lowering panel heights (or removing panels all together) and encouraging collaboration amongst employees. So now that more employees are collaborating and working together across departments and teams, companies are realizing that they frequently need to hold small, impromptu meetings throughout the day.

By now, you’ve likely heard the phrase “sitting is the new smoking.” I’m not sure I would personally go that far, but 7 out of 10 office workers do report experiencing some back pain while sitting at their desks.

Business owners and managers have found that the open office environment (or really any cubicle environment regardless of the height of the panels) leaves employees feeling like they have absolutely no privacy – because they don’t! Even workers whose jobs rely on a heavy amount of collaboration with their colleagues need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the office from time to time.

A new year has started and it looks like everyone is trying to get organized. Almost every magazine or website you come across is writing about clearing clutter and cleaning out your files. The problem? They all seem to think that organization is one size fits all. Everyone has a system that works for them – an organizational personality. We say stick with it. With a few small tweaks you can get organized now and stay that way all year long, no matter what style you prefer

When Rogards opened for business on Monday, August 1, it only had one owner instead of the three owners it has had for the past five years. Chad and Catherine Hoffman have made the decision to sell their shares of the 110 year old company to their business partner, Tonya Horn.

When was the last time you thought about the safety procedures around your office? We know! It’s not the most exciting topic. Planning for birthday parties is fun. Planning for safety emergencies is not. Besides, we’re all adults, not school kids running round with scissors. We’re all careful around the office, right? The truth is that accidents can happen, even if you have the most mature, well-behaved staff in the world. That’s why we’re so thankful that June is National Safety Month. It’s a great reminder to take a look around you with a critical eye to see if there are any changes or improvements you can implement to make your office a safer place for everyone.

Throughout the year, we collect supplies that for one reason or another can’t be returned or resold. On Community Day, we invite employees from local not-for-profit organizations into our store to “shop” these supplies free of charge. It’s a small thing that we can do to help these organizations do more. As our friends at the United Way have said, “When non-profits don't spend money on supplies, they can put the dollars they save back into their programming – helping them achieve their mission and help more people.”

At first glance, shredding services can seem to be cheaper than buying a shredder. If you really crunch the numbers though, you’ll find that buying a shredder can be the better choice over the long run. A shredder is a one-time investment with limited upkeep. A good commercial grade shredder should last 5 years or more. All you’ll really need is the occasional bottle of shredder oil to keep it running. Hiring a service is an ongoing expense – an expense that can rise each year.

In recent years, we’ve started to take a look at the toll all that sitting takes on your body – from sore backs and stiff necks to numb legs and that sleepy feeling you get towards the end of the day.There's no reason you should put up with back pain or settle for sluggishness in the office. Take a stand for increased comfort with sit-to-stand desking.

It’s Valentine’s Day and that means that it’s time for our (nearly) annual look at office couples you’ll want to encourage. These items work together to make your workplace more efficient. This year our couples are taking inspiration from the classic romances of Hollywood’s golden age. Once you’re done checking out our couples, consider checking out the movies, too. Sure they’re in black and white, but they’re still pretty amazing.

One of the best things about the new year is the feeling that you’re starting over fresh. You can picture it. You’ll arrive back at work after the holidays rejuvenated. You’ll be ready for new challenges. You’ll open your clean, new calendar and fill it up with exciting possibilities. It’s going to be a great year! Then you get back to the office and it’s back to reality – your desk is covered in piles of paper and those old files you’ve been meaning to get rid of are still stashed in the corner. How are you supposed to start over when all that old stuff is in your way?

November is traditionally a month associated with expressing gratitude, but this November finds me even more grateful for many things.

The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce announces Rogards Office Plus as the 2015 Small Business of the Year winner. The Small Business of the Year Award is given to an outstanding small business that has made a significant contribution to the local community and economy. The award is intended to recognize a successful and growing business that has achieved its status through ingenuity and hard work.