Tuesday 15th December:
Get parental perks with an office ‘Kid Kit’
Parents at work often feel entitled to leave work early now and then to accommodate their kids’ needs. Much to the disgruntlement of their childless coworkers. Aiming to bring the same benefits to the employees left behind is The Office Kid, a New York company that provides an all-purpose work excuse in the form of a fictitious ‘child’.
For just $19.95, childless workers can get their very own ‘kid in a kit’, including a framed picture of a child, original kiddie artwork for cubicle display and a welcome letter with suggested starter excuses. Customers can choose the gender and ethnicity of their child, and optional extras include sports team photos and doctor’s notes on ‘official’ stationery. The Office Kid explains: “No muss, no fuss, just a seemingly tangible excuse to hit the road early for nine holes, sporting events or a ticket to do absolutely nothing.”
Ethical questions notwithstanding, there’s no doubt The Office Kid provides an innovative solution to a perceived inequity that’s long been part of the office world.
Ref. http://www.springwise.com/life_hacks/officekid/
Tagged with: Family, Kids, Office, Professional services
Wednesday 1st July:
Making life a little easier!
Office drones chained to their desks have no hope of heating up a hot lunch… until now. Heinz has developed a prototype USB-powered microwave that lets workers keep working and eat a hot lunch without leaving their desks.
Called the Beanzawave, the mini-microwave stands a short 7.4-inches tall by 6.2-inches wide and 5.9-inches deep – just big enough to hold Snap Pots, a new microwaveable dish from Heinz.
Beanzawave plugs into a computer’s USB port and heats up dishes using mobile radio frequencies. But what about when the battery’s drained? Lithium ion power is a possibility if the product makes it to market.
Finding the balance between smart innovation and silly gadget is key as consumers crave smart tech that’s energy savvy. Beanzawave from Heinz is still a prototype, but is expected to retail for $160 if it comes to market.
Ref. http://www.iconoculture.com/Approach/WhatWeIdentify/Observations/GenXers/index.aspx?DocName=oa_USBMiniMicrowave_111019
Tagged with: FMCG, Office, Technology
Tuesday 17th March:
How can you give your own four walls a more inspiring look?
Take some inspiration from Surface View, who can cover your walls with interior graphics that will make an extraordinary impact at home or at work. Take your pick from the National Gallery, the V&A, the Tate and more. (Thanks to big Kev in Elmwood Melbourne for this one.)
