THE
SYNERGISTIC PROJECT

A round table series seeking to understand and report on what corporate industry professionals experienced as we all returned to work post-pandemic.

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A new approach for corporate interiors.

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Is this the new normal?

Contract interiors have always been a high-stress occupation. The changes that we saw since the pandemic were different and we wanted to understand why. People were reporting frustration, long hours, and poor returns on effort. High stress was everywhere, regardless of what area of the industry they worked in. We wanted to know if this is just a blip that would fade over time, or should we start to change?

WE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.

We hosted six round table sessions to talk with the people who were dealing with this every day. Four groups of industry experts in the corporate interiors realm including designers, furniture dealers, manufacturers, general contractors, agents and educators joined us. Additionally, two diverse client groups that managed, altogether, several million square feet of space gave their perspectives.

Our goal was to find out what it would take to get us to a working relationship that would consider the following:

The Goal

HOW DO WE CREATE EMPATHY?

Corporate interiors - in all its forms - is a team activity. There isn't room for a lone wolf approach.

HOW DO WE CREATE UNDERSTANDING?

Success will hinge on both having respect for the expertise that everyone has and having new ways to work together.

CAN WE WORK IN SYNC WITH EACH OTHER?

A project that has empathy and understanding is well on its way to being a synergistic project.

WE LEARNED THAT WORK IS EXPONENTIALLY HARDER THAN EVER.

What had worked before, a world that didn’t have the new hybrid planning models, was creating much of the friction. We found four industry-wide stumbling blocks. These contributed to the frustration, job lag times, and lower profitability that teams reported.

To help, we have four tactics to help teams approach those challenges. Ideally, they will make projects easier, more seamless, and with greater clarity.

Finally, we have included the traits that people have who are successful in our field. Interestingly, none of them are technical.

"There is complete upheaval and reversal in the decision-making process. No one knows what to do BUT, now more than ever, we need a decision made."

Office Furniture Dealer Principal

Quebec

Meet the Team

We are two professionals that have each been in the contract interiors for over 25 years. While we have worked for interiors firms, manufacturers, agencies, and furniture over our careers, this is our first opportunity to not compete but work with each other. We love this industry and our peers and clients. The two of us are the perfect team to take a look at what is going on and share it with all of you.

Principal, Mackenzie Flows

Karen Mackenzie

Mackenzie Flows was created to simplify the corporate furniture experience by guiding the process and professionals.

We take the guesswork out of furniture solutions; by handling the process, products and professionals - so you can focus on what you do best.

Email Karen to learn more

Founder, Gunn + McQueen

Gillian Selby

Gunn + McQueen is focused on helping professionals in the corporate construction world understand the foundational skills of finding and closing new business. We show you how to sell, so you can continue to be the expert in your field while generating better revenue and recognition.

Check out Gunn + McQueen

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Accept The Synergistic Project white paper with our thanks. We hope it serves you well in your current and future projects.

THE SYNERGISTIC PROJECT