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STREAMLINE YOUR RECORDS BOXES

by Jaclyn Reid•April 22, 2024•0 Comments

Secure Off-Site Storage Solutions with CSS

We all know the feeling: that sinking dread as you stare at a room overflowing with boxes, files, folders, and more boxes, oh my! Dealing with overflowing file rooms and a mounting need for off-site storage solutions can be overwhelming whether you’re running out of space for important documents or your file room is becoming unmanageable. Whatever the case may be, it’s time to take control of your storage situation!

In today’s digital age, businesses and organizations are generating an ever-increasing volume of physical and digital records. Managing this growing mountain of information presents a significant challenge, especially when it comes to storage of the physical boxes and files. Whether it’s compliance requirements, limited office space, or the need for secure document archiving, effective records storage solutions are essential for maintaining organization, accessibility, and regulatory compliance.

The future is secure, the past is preserved, with secure offsite storage by CSS.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into the critical reasons why businesses should prioritize professional records storage services and explore how these solutions can streamline operations while safeguarding valuable information. Let’s unlock the benefits of strategic records storage together.

CSS: Your Partner in Secure Offsite Storage

At CSS, we understand that every business has unique needs. That’s why we focus on providing top-notch secure offsite storage solutions to take the burden of physical document management off your shoulders.

Unmatched Security and Confidentiality:
Free up valuable office or file room space by entrusting your physical records and boxes to our safe and secure facility. Our rigorous check-in/out processes safeguard your documents from unauthorized access which means you can rest easy knowing your files are protected 24/7.
Climate-Controlled Environment:
We understand that certain documents require specific storage conditions. Our climate-controlled facilities ensure your files are preserved in optimal conditions, preventing warping, fading, and other damage caused by extreme temperatures or humidity.
Expert Organization and Retrieval:
Lost in a labyrinth of labels? Our document management experts can help you establish a clear and efficient indexing system, making box retrieval a breeze. Need a specific box in a hurry? Our efficient retrieval system offers three response levels to suit your urgency:
- Regular Service: If a request is submitted before 3:00pm, the requested box(es) will be delivered before the end of the next business day.
- Rush Service: Need it faster? We’ll retrieve and return your boxes by the end of the business day they’re requested if your request is submitted before 10:00am that day, or after 3:00pm the day prior.
- Panic Service: In a real bind and need it faster than fast? We offer retrieval and return of records within 3 business hours. That’s right – you’ll receive your box(es) within 3 hours of the confirmed request.
- Plus: We’ve just added information about our Manic Panic Rush Service which allows for pick-ups or deliveries of boxes outside of regular business hours, and/or on the weekends.

The CSS File Box Advantage:
Keep your documents organized and protected with our high-quality file boxes. Made from sturdy, durable materials, these boxes can withstand the test of time. Our boxes are also designed with easy labeling and identification with spaces on either side of the box for manually writing on the box or adhering a label or barcode.
Flexibility and Scalability at its Finest:
No minimum time commitments here! Store your records for as long as you need, or for as little. Need them back? No problem! Our flexible plans ensure you have the access you require without applicable hostage fees. Store as many boxes as you need to when you need them off-site, or store as few boxes as you need to when they’re needed on-site – we scale with you!
No Hidden Fees:
Say goodbye to surprise charges! At CSS, you won’t be hit with hidden fees, hostage charges, or other unknown or miscellaneous charges while storing your records and boxes with us. Not even when you remove or destroy your records – transparency is our policy and we’re clear about our pricing difference. Our clear, easy-to-understand pricing is important to our clients, and it matters to us!

Focus on What Matters Most

By partnering with CSS for your secure offsite storage needs, you’ll gain more than just organized records and boxes. You’ll gain peace of mind knowing your documents are safe, secure, and readily retrievable while being managed by a trusted advisor. This translates into improved workflow for you and your team, increased productivity for everyone with quick guaranteed service timeframes, and a newfound freedom to focus on what matters most – running your business!

CSS: Your Concierge for Storage Solutions that Matter!

As a client of CSS, you can always rest easy knowing your important boxes are safe and secure with our offsite records program. We’ve offered this service for many years, and collaborate with our clients on their external records storage, other warehousing solutions, plus furniture and service needs for their workplaces. CSS is the Concierge that defines what a one-stop-shop really is showcasing the true meaning of one call is all it takes!

Contact CSS today for a no-obligation quote for all your records storage needs to help you transform your box management woes into a productivity paradise!

Say goodbye to paper piles that touch the sky,

CSS’s secure off-site storage keeps them organized and dry!

To Sub-Contract or Not – Why CSS Doesn’t Use Subcontractors!

by Jaclyn Reid•February 5, 2024•1 Comments

In the realm of office moves and installations, the decision to engage subcontractors often seems like the go-to approach for many companies. It’s a conventional practice, but not one that CSS subscribes to. CSS stands apart by choosing not to use subcontractors in their operations. In this blog, we’ll delve into the rationale behind this choice, exploring both the drawbacks of subcontracting and the advantages of relying on an in-house team.

Disadvantages of Subcontracting

CSS’s reluctance to engage subcontractors stems from a profound understanding of the pitfalls associated with this approach:

Lack of Commitment and Consistency: Subcontractors, compared to full-time employees, might lack the same level of dedication and commitment to client service. This disparity in engagement can significantly impact customer satisfaction.
Security and Confidentiality Risks: Inconsistent uniforms and potential confidentiality breaches create a concerning scenario when subcontractors handle sensitive data during office moves—a red flag for CSS, where security is paramount.
Quality Control and Communication Challenges: Maintaining consistent quality control becomes challenging when multiple entities are involved. Miscommunication between clients, the primary company, and subcontractors could affect the overall service experience.
Accountability and Hidden Costs: Ambiguity in defining responsibilities among multiple parties often leads to accountability issues. Additionally, hidden costs or fees associated with subcontracting can significantly impact the project’s cost-effectiveness.
Alignment with Company Culture: Mismatched company cultures between subcontractors and the primary service provider might result in a discordant service delivery, undermining the brand’s consistency.

Benefits of Not Using Subcontractors

At CSS, subcontracting is reserved for areas where specialized expertise beyond our capabilities is necessary, such as complex IT services or specialized installations such as a raised flooring for file shelving. CSS’s strategy pivots around harnessing the strengths of in-house teams, bringing an array of advantages:

In-House Teams: The Pillars of Consistency and Ownership. Our in-house teams are the heartbeat of our service excellence. They don’t just follow CSS’s guidelines; they embody the spirit of our company in every task. Unlike subcontractors, these dedicated teams are deeply rooted in CSS’s culture, ensuring not just technical prowess but also a true connection with our values.
Client-Focused Approach: Transparent Communication and Taking Ownership. We pride ourselves on being our clients’ go-to contact. This streamlined communication minimizes misunderstandings, ensuring a direct line to CSS throughout the project. With in-house teams taking complete ownership, accountability becomes second nature to every team member.
Security and Confidentiality: Trust in Familiar Hands. Handling sensitive data during office transitions requires trust and thorough screening. Our internal teams undergo meticulous vetting, reducing security risks and guaranteeing confidentiality. They know the ins and outs of our operations, ensuring a smooth transition while safeguarding client data. Our uniforms are consistent, so our staff are easily identified.
Efficiency and Expertise: Navigating Challenges Swiftly. Unexpected challenges are part and parcel of office moves. Our in-house teams, well-versed in our processes and industry expertise, tackle these hurdles head-on. Their rigorous training equips them to handle diverse situations, ensuring swift problem-solving without compromising timelines.
Transparent Pricing and Genuine Relationships: With in-house teams, clients encounter transparent pricing, minimizing surprises. Our swift responses to client queries or changes in scope underscore our commitment to making clients feel valued throughout the project.
CSS Promise: Building Lasting Bonds and Excellence. Our decision to stick with in-house teams goes beyond projects; it’s about nurturing lasting relationships. By prioritizing our teams, we prioritize forging enduring connections with our clients. Their satisfaction is our driving force, and our teams ensure a consistent experience that embodies CSS’s dedication to excellence.

Conclusion: Embracing the CSS Advantage

In summary, CSS stands firm in its dedication to maintaining control over service quality, security, and client satisfaction. By eschewing subcontractors, CSS ensures a seamless, efficient, and client-centric approach—an advantage worth considering for anyone seeking an office relocation partner.

Choosing a service provider with a dedicated in-house team can be a strategic move, ensuring not just a successful move or installation but a lasting partnership built on trust, consistency, and exceptional service delivery.

CSS’s commitment echoes beyond a mere business decision; it’s a testament to prioritizing client needs, guaranteeing reliability, and setting a higher standard in an industry often mired in complexities. Remember, the choice between subcontracting and in-house teams goes beyond logistics—it’s about ensuring your office transition is handled with care, expertise, and a commitment to excellence.

Interested to learn more about the CSS advantage? Contact our office today!

Understanding Your Office Moving Company’s Insurance Coverage: Why It Matters!

by Jaclyn Reid•August 3, 2023•4 Comments

Moving offices can be a complex and stressful process, requiring meticulous planning and attention to detail. One critical aspect that often gets overlooked is the insurance coverage offered by your chosen office moving company. Before entrusting your valuable items to an office furniture moving or service vendor, it’s essential to understand their insurance policies to ensure you are adequately protected in case of any unforeseen mishaps. Mishaps happens and sometimes accidents during an office move are unavoidable, and knowing what can be done in the event of a mishap is an item that should be on your pre-move checklist!

In this article, we will delve into the importance of discussing coverage options with your office move provider prior to hiring the company and highlight the key factors to consider when evaluating insurance coverage for your office move.

Insurance is in place for a variety of reasons, but most importantly its in place to ensure you, the customer and as well the vendor, are protected! This is why before any move project or furniture install is started, the client will likely request a certificate of insurance from the vendor. As a client, if you’re reviewing the COI, it is important to keep in mind that this document only confirms the type and amount of coverage. Read the fine print of the vendors’ damage/repair/replacement policy, and ask the important questions: what steps are taken and what coverage do you offer should an incident occur while my office items are being moved?

Reading the Fine Print:

When it comes to the safety and protection of your office items during a move, it’s crucial to go beyond the surface-level requirements and scrutinize the fine print, or reading between the lines, of your office moving company’s insurance coverage. While a certificate of insurance may demonstrate that the necessary general liability coverage is in place, it’s essential to understand what actual coverage is extended to you as a client in the event of damage or loss.

Replacement or repair costs are an important factor when analyzing the insurance coverage offerings and will vary from company to company.

Below is a general summary of two main types of typical coverage offered for items that may be damaged or need repair due to a mishap during relocation or moving.

Per Pound Coverage:

The minimum required replacement or repair based upon legal requirements in Canada is a dollar value based upon weight. This is more commonly used and found amongst residential movers as opposed to corporate moving companies. This coverage typically offers reimbursement for damaged or lost items based on a specific amount per pound. The reimbursement rate can range anywhere from $0.60 to $2.00 per pound. However, it’s essential to consider whether this valuation accurately reflects the true value of your office items.

An example to use as a reference point could be a piece of art. Think: how much does art usually weigh, framed or unframed? Does the offer of a per pound replacement based on the weight match the full-replacement-value of that piece of art if you had to replace the piece? A framed piece may only weight a few pounds, but even at fifty (50) pounds, the range of value you’re receiving as a customer would be: $30.00 (at $0.60/pound), up to a maximum of $100.00 (at $2.00/pound). At CSS, we’ve moved many pieces of art for our corporate clients, and we can almost guarantee that a per pound value for coverage would never come close to the value of the art!

The one clear advantage of this type of coverage is the standardization of knowing what to expect. As the vendor or the client, if you know the weight and the value ($0.60 or $2.00/pound), then there’s no question about the amount of coverage.

A word of caution!

There are only a handful of items that would have a matched value with their weight, that would fully compensate to the customer having to replace at item damaged during an office move.

There are moving vendors that offer this type of coverage and offer customers to additionally increase the value of their items – but of course, this comes with an added cost. Be weary and ask the questions upfront!

Full Value or Replacement Value Coverage:

Alternatively, some office moving companies offer coverage based on the full value or replacement value methodology. This approach assesses the actual worth of the damaged or lost item, taking into account factors such as its market value and condition. This method ensures that you are reimbursed for the full value of the item, regardless of its weight.

This ensures that as a customer, you’re able to have that item replaced or repaired without question, without using a valuation method that creates comfort and piece of mind!

Understanding the Difference:

The disparity between the per pound coverage and the full value or replacement value methodology is significant. When evaluating the replacement value of any office items, it becomes apparent that majority of items their worth extends beyond their weight. Consider items such as desks, whiteboards, monitors, or computers—how much are they truly worth when examined from a per pound value versus a full replacement value perspective?

Your items matter to you, and they should matter just as much to your office furniture moving company.

In conclusion, when selecting an office moving company, it’s crucial to prioritize insurance coverage and how repairs and replacements are handled. Asking the right questions upfront will help establish the coverage and method used to determine the value of each item. Also knowing that the certificate of insurance only confirms types and amount of coverage, but not the valuation or methodology used to determine repair/replacement values is a great tip.

Understanding the extent of coverage and the methodology used to evaluate the value of damaged or lost items can make a significant difference in ensuring a smooth and stress-free move.

CSS, Always Going the Extra Mile:

At CSS, we go above and beyond to provide our commercial clients with top-notch customer service, including comprehensive insurance coverage.

We also recognize that the full value of an item cannot be measured solely by its weight. We firmly believe that should an item be damaged during transport or installation, it should be restored to its original state without compromise! This is one of the reasons why we offer full value coverage, ensuring that our clients have peace of mind during the moving process. We prioritize our clients’ needs and work diligently to find the best outcome, guaranteeing that damaged items are replaced based on their true value, not their weight.

To learn more about our insurance policies and how we prioritize client comfort and peace of mind, reach out to our office today. Trust us with your office move, and we’ll handle the rest with utmost care and professionalism.

Working Together : The Inside Scoop on Our Partnerships

by Jaclyn Reid•March 6, 2023•0 Comments

CSS Office Solutions Inc. works with many different industries, sizes of companies, and partners who hire us for their projects! Being B2B (business-to-business) means that our company mainly supports corporations and commercial clients with their office furniture and service needs. In addition to supporting the B2B market, CSS also offers retail sales, or B2C (business-to-consumer) sales, for individuals who are interested in purchasing office furniture for themselves.

Durable, high-quality office furniture certainly isn’t a luxury only offices and commercial clients can enjoy – we’ve supported the setup of a few incredible home offices, and we most certainly acknowledge that everyone deserves great office furniture!!

CSS has grown into the company it is today because it has been built on relationships that exist beyond the transactional component of the sale. Our company values: integrity, craftsmanship, collaboration, and support – combined lead to great things! When we work with our clients, our general contractors or design/furniture partners, the interactions and projects include collaborating together, supporting one another, showcasing exemplary craftmanship with the utmost integral of relations. All together this creates trust; it creates a professional relationship that can be counted on time and time again as this is what clients of CSS have come to know and appreciate. When our company and our clients, or the partners who hire CSS for their projects, work together with the intention of reaching the same goal, incredible things happen!

Therefore, is it important for CSS to recognize the partners that we work alongside with, and who we work for.

Not only are we engaged directly by corporate clients, but we’re also hired by, what we refer to as, partners. These partners are comprised of general contractors, office designers or office stagers, carpet or shelving distributors, etc. where CSS’ services are needed to support furniture components or office related items pertaining to completing a project.

CSS is directly contracted by a few furniture manufacturers to perform warranty or other service work on their products. We also work closely with and support building operators, owners, and management companies as these businesses require furniture services and moving more often than most realize, or they require an office move or furniture service for their own head office in Calgary. Commercial realtors are another example of partners that have leveraged the services and offerings of CSS as we’re fortunate to have a couple of great relationships within this industry. CSS Office Solutions has previously been hired to support home builders with showhome furniture setups and storage, plus assisting with moves within their head office. When someone thinks about office furniture, at CSS we know it extends well beyond the office limits, as developing or upkeeping an office isn’t in just one vendor’s wheelhouse, but a combined level of expertise to deliver the desired outcome of each unique project.

Think about an office renovation and all the types of companies and trades that are involved from start to finish. CSS Office Solutions has been contracted to manage several parts of a project so that the other trades and contractors can manage what’s in their domain or specialty, and we can manage what’s within our capabilities and expertise. Having CSS as not only a trusted advisor for all things office furniture related, but also as a trusted partner goes well beyond just hiring a service provider.

General contractors and designers are often an integral part of a successful office furniture service company. CSS Office Solutions’ team provides the expertise and experience to ensure that the furniture being provided is of the highest quality and meets the desired specifications. Designers work with the contractor to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing design for the office space. Designers can also support valuable advice on the best type of furniture to meet the needs of the office, and the best way to incorporate it into the existing space – this is a specialty of CSS, so when we work with a designer, real magic happens!

Working together, CSS and the contractor and designer can create a space that meets the client’s needs and budget, while creating an aesthetically pleasing space. Along with CSS Office Solutions, the contractor and designer are also valuable parts of the team in providing office design and setups.

In addition to corporate and commercial clients, the partners that engage CSS to support their projects as they relate to office furniture services and/or moving requirements are:

General Contractors
Designers (Office or Home, but primarily Office)
Building Managers
Building Operators
Building Owners
Furniture Stagers
Carpet Manufacturers or Suppliers
Mobile Shelving Manufacturers or Suppliers

Partnerships in our industry are key to success. Having been in business for well over 35 years, we can say without a doubt that if a company builds and maintains the proper partnerships you’re always going to operate with integrity, deliver craftmanship, enhance true collaboration and feel supported.

CSS is beyond delighted to have created amazingly strong and dependable partnerships over the years, where CSS is relied upon and where CSS can rely on our partners 100%.

If you’re a partner that’s interested in learning more about what it means to collaborate with CSS Office Solutions, feel free to reach out! We’re always looking to grow our trusted partnerships and deliver the highest level of office furniture services to the Calgary area. Exemplary office furniture support shouldn’t be hard to find. If you’re working on a commercial, corporate, or office project that requires maneuvering of office furniture in any capacity, call an expert to ensure the items are moved, managed and handled correctly for the best care of the items; make sure your call is to CSS Office Solutions for the right support!

Lastly, if you’re in need of renovating or constructing your office space – reach out! We’d be happy to connect with you from the start of your project through to its completion, and are able to recommend incredible designers, and general contractors that we’ve worked with prior that have a proven history of amazing projects!

Interested in learning more about the partnerships we leverage?! You should be, cause they’re amazing! Call or email the office, it would be great to hear from you!

The CSS Advisor, the CSS Client Newsletter

by Jaclyn Reid•March 21, 2022•0 Comments

Delivered to your inbox monthly, with all the latest and greatest!

Another client newsletter you have to read? Well, it is actually our first in over 30+ years of business…

Sure, some say that newsletters are outdated and not useful. Thinking back, I remember what someone said to me at a conference in 2017 when I shared how thrilled I was to finally have received the QR code decal to link our website for putting on our trucks. The person’s reply? “I didn’t think people used QR codes anymore?” Well, look where we are right fricken now? Huh? QR codes everywhere! Everywhere!

So, that correlates with my thoughts on newsletters, they’re never going away, and will be with us forever. Their popularity rises and falls, but I truly believe that is all comes down to what is included in the newsletter. Some I love and read right through to the end; others are painstakingly difficult to understand what message is trying to be sent – these are the ones that I don’t make it to the end of.

Whatever your reason for newsletter signup, you do you, because at CSS we’re just getting started with this client newsletter adventure! Whether you’re a person that registers for newsletters to get the discount codes or to see what the latest trends are, we want you all as part of our newsletter audience!

At CSS, we’ve had an internal employee newsletter for a number of years, and so it was about time that we brought some of our knowledge and wit, obviously for your entertainment pleasure, to our clients and the world! I’ve also learned that it takes a bit more courage, really deep breathing to ease thoughts of “will they like it?”, and a managed platform to initiate a client newsletter.

For a business that’s been around for 36+ years, it brings me great pleasure for when we’re able to announce a new company milestone for CSS. Our very first (yes, in 36+ years, this is our first!), Client Newsletter!

Why we named our newsletter The CSS Advisor?

Well, first we gathered input from our staff – which is always a brilliant exercise to see what fresh minds and perspectives can bring and think of. After tallying the data, we had our client newsletter name nailed down! It felt just right and point on for what we had in mind!

At CSS we consider ourselves subject matter experts when it comes to all things office furniture related. We like to be known as the trusted advisors in the industry community and especially with our clients. Providing trust, along with a high level of integrity is of great importance to us and it is one of the main reasons we decided upon the newsletter name of The CSS Advisor.

As a client, you want the right information, and the proper data to make the most informed, intelligent decision. At CSS, we do things the right way, not just to get them done, but to get them done the proper way the first time. Being advisors for our clients is a different perception and certainly not a term that is used frequently when we’re talking about our other local-to-Calgary office service companies. Why is that? Isn’t that the opposite of how it should be? The answer, oh you betcha! You are supposed to have a trusted, no BS relationship with your suppliers, or is that just in my imaginary world?

Either which end of the spectrum you land on in your supplier relationships, CSS has worked hard to transform the mindset of being ‘just the mover’ and to break away from common misperceptions in our industry. Having been in this area of business for many years, we’re adequately known to advise on all things regarding office furniture, your office moves, your furniture disposal options, your best layout to maximize your distancing and space usage, etc. We obviously want all of our clients to have a trusted advisor when it comes to making decisions based around your office furniture, space layouts, purchases, supplier options, etc. so why settle for anything less than being able to refer to your supplier as an advisor? You shouldn’t settle!

At CSS, being the advisors alongside our clients is what we value the most, and we know how sharing our expertise is of great value to all the clientele that we serve. CSS couldn’t be any happier to be referred to as advisors! Would you consider your supplier, or moving company, as a trusted resource for your business? Do you refer to the company, or to your main contact at the company as an advisor of yours? Will they provide you with the advice that suits you and your needs, not just their needs as a supplier? If you’re not able to immediately answer yes, to all of these thought-provoking questions, then you should likely begin the hunt for a new, more trustworthy company to partner with.

With producing a monthly client newsletter, our aim is to bring content that matters with information that is relevant, to you, to us, and to our industry. We always see lots of changes when it comes to corporate office moving, vacancy rates and industry adaptations. We’re constantly adjusting too. It is our absolute pleasure to be able to bring you updates and great content that is more than just fluff for reading! One discovery we made when we did some recent client analysis, is that some of our clients aren’t even fully aware of ALL of the services we offer!

Imagine that!

Our own clients going elsewhere for services only because we didn’t let them know we offered that too = burn, that stings!

With this information, we knew it was important to appropriately plan our monthly newsletter inclusions – thinking the whole point is that we want you to be excited to read The CSS Advisor each month, and not just hit the delete button. A section included in each newsletter’s edition is a service feature that will showcase and provide a little more detail about a specific service that we offer. Perhaps it’ll be a service you’re not familiar with, or are using consistently, or maybe you have another provider completing this service currently. Obviously, CSS would enjoy having your services simplified, which almost always means using one company for multiple services and product offerings. We do hope that with showcasing our services in an easy-to-read format in the newsletter it will increase our audience’s knowledge of all that we offer. The more we can offer to you as a client of CSS, the true one-stop-shop, the better for everyone!

At CSS, we’re all about simplification and making your job as one of our clients easier, let’s achieve that together!

Interested in being part of The CSS Advisor client newsletter community? Click here for a link that will bring you to our website, where you’ll be able to complete the form to sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Connect with CSS today by phone or email for all your office service and furniture needs and if you’re a company looking for a trusted office furniture advisor let’s start a conversation about what CSS can do for you!

Our Company Values

by Jaclyn Reid•March 15, 2022•0 Comments

Ever wonder what values are of importance to CSS?

Craftsmanship – Integrity – Support – Collaboration

These words on their own stand for quite a bit, combined all together they represent everything that CSS Office Solutions Inc. is and fully represents.

As we reframe the mindset and understanding of the moving and office furniture industry, it is important to comprehend that there’s a difference in the professionalism and sense of care shown when a company truly lives up to the values they showcase. Thinking about a company that not only talks the talk but walks the talk they speak of.

This is why a couple years ago, the owners, Brent and Jaclyn, did some hard work and brainstorming on what the company values should be and how they would represent what CSS is known for, recognized for, and how we’re different than our industry competitors!

The exercise of developing and capturing company values into a word is only one part of the equation. It is equally important to define what the values mean and how they’re physically showcased in the workplace. This is the part that helps everyone understand how we demonstrate these values vs. just saying them out loud or publishing them on our website.

When CSS rebranded from C.S.S. Office Furniture Systems Service Inc. to CSS Office Solutions Inc., we thought this was the perfect time to refine our company values and present them in a way for our staff, clients and suppliers to easily grasp.

We proceeded to create a chart that listed each company value in one column, the next column clarified how we express the identified value and the last column recognizes the outcome of living and showcasing this value in the workplace. It is a brilliant chart and has certainly guided the conversations with our staff about what each quality or value is meant to be, and how they contribute to the company values every day they put the green CSS shirt on.

Craftsmanship, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? For us this is pretty clear: we do the right things right! We’re all about the quality of work that’s produced, not the quantity. At the end of the day, our employees, clients and suppliers know that we’re doing the right things right and that represents extreme pride in the work performed and the outcome of that work.

Integrity was at the top of the list during the value exercise that was completed. If you’re not integral, what are you? If you’re not going to do what you said you were going to do, what does that make you? At CSS, we wholeheartedly appreciate what having an integral business and operating practices actually represents – so much more than just doing what we say we’re going to do. Having integrity at the forefront of our values and represented in each day means that as a client, supplier or employee you have a feeling of confidence in having a business partner that’s entirely integral.

Collaboration is a word that we all hear so often but sometimes get swayed in the true meaning. At CSS, we collaborate in all aspects and in all roles of our business. This means going the extra mile to ensure everyone knows what’s going on, and being all on the same page. When collaboration is represented in proper form, the benefit of that is effectiveness. Effectiveness is the communication, the relationship between client and supplier plus everything that is in between that.

Another way that CSS represents collaboration in the workplace is through cross-functionally trained staff. All of our staff take on many more roles than just one, not a single person at CSS has just one function. At work, we collaborate as a team to be all effective members of the company. We truly do what it takes to get the job done, so it is a win-win for everyone!

Last of the CSS corporate values to cover, but certainly not the least is: support. If you’re not supported, you don’t feel very supported. Yes, that is a lot of supports in one sentence, but seriously, how many times have you felt truly supported at work as an employee, as a client, or as a supplier? Providing support for all interactions we encounter is a wonderful thing, and it is sometimes neglected in our industry. When you’re feeling supported from all sides, you feel as if you’re part of the trusted team, the trusted support of everyone around you. Having the right support allows you as a client to make the right decisions, knowing you have the right information at your fingertips.

We know these values can read as just words on paper, but at CSS we’ve managed to improve our business practices and processes by using these values to guide our decisions, evaluate opportunities and choose better over the same old.

Choosing corporate values isn’t something to take lightly, and they’re surely not created overnight. Identifying important values takes a deep look as how you want your company to be talked about ‘behind your back’ and what you want your staff to think of when they put on the company uniform.

Which by the way, in CSS’ case is a green company shirt, which is why you’ll hear us mention coming over to the green side – just a little tidbit I thought was relevant.

Each time our staff put on the green CSS uniform, they show up to represent collaboration, integrity, support and craftsmanship.

Values are important to share amongst your team, your client and any stakeholders in your company. But don’t just share them, live them and represent them!

If you’re interested in learning more about CSS’ values, how they came to be, or what it feels like to be a client that experiences these components of our business, feel free to contact our office anytime via phone or email!

We’re always happy to help and provide a valuable working relationship that’s built on so much more than just getting the work done.

Providing Office Furniture Solutions

by Jaclyn Reid•February 1, 2022•1 Comments

Furniture solutions, for your office, the CSS way!

At CSS Office Solutions, we literally have the word ‘solutions’ incorporated into our name for a very good, directly implied reason. Without a doubt, we downright consider ourselves a solutions provider that solves your office furniture difficulties, tasks, projects, etc. Some difficulties or problems you know you have (i.e.: office is moving, file room changes, etc.), and some problems you may not even know you have (i.e.: ergonomics, unlevel cabinets causing drawer issues, etc.).

Could we be considered the superheroes of the office furniture service world? We just might be – in my biased eyes, we’re the total heroes (and at least I know for sure our staff are the real heroes!).

CSS is a solution provider that doesn’t ‘just’ provide moving services, or ‘just’ offers warehouse storage, or ‘just’ furniture repairs, or ‘just’ furniture sales. CSS offers all of these services, and so many more to represent what a true solutions provider is. We’ve created our business model around being able to offer office service and have multiple other offerings that are complementary. This makes our job easier and aims to makes your job a whole lot easier too!

CSS provides all different types of solutions for office furniture and office services. Before we’re able to understand what it means to provide different types of solutions, one must first appreciate exactly what a ‘solutions provider’ really is, and what it truly means for the customer’s overall experience.

As we’re referencing a solutions provider in this context, it would simply mean that you as a client of CSS’ are doing less to achieve more. In most cases, the service provider steps up to handle most, if not all aspects of your needs, essentially taking the task or project off of your plate entirely! A solutions provider is also a company that doesn’t just offer one piece of the transaction. So, think about a company that sells just the furniture product, and has another company install or deliver the item(s), and then another company that you have to go through for the warranty. Providing solutions to a customer base is all encompassing and brings everything together, all under one roof as much as possible.

This is obviously where I would make a reference to CSS being a true one-stop-shop office furniture solution provider.

Isn’t that what we all hope and wish for when we hire a service company? We want it all with a cherry on top. It’s all good to want the world when choosing a service provider, and that’s exactly what we try to deliver at CSS throughout all of our interactions and engagements. There’s lots of truth that as consumers we want a great price, great service for the price paid and to have less responsibilities and stress completing this task or project.

What else is there truth behind? The reason as to why we refer to CSS as being the only call you need to make: a true one-stop-shop, the dedicated solutions provider for all things office furniture related. For our clients to be able to contact one business and have all their questions, projects, general inquiries and tasks taken care of with incredible levels of service, is a true rare find. We’re happy to be that rare find.

We know what we know, and we’re truthful to admit to not know what we don’t know – or what lands outside of our own internal teams’ expertise or wheelhouse! Examples of this would be if your project, move or task required electrical wire work, or your office/renovations needed a general contractor for infrastructure changes, or design assistance, etc. You know, the stuff we/you shouldn’t touch unless you’re THAT kind of expert! In CSS’ case, these would be the times when we’re not able to complete the work ourselves but are able to rely on our trusted partners to assist. CSS still coordinates and manages with all contractors and designers on your behalf, ensuring project success for what our clients needs are.

At CSS, we thoroughly enjoy being a part of the team, and when we’re all working towards solving the same solution, that’s a project or task well on its way to being successfully achieved! Win-win for everyone!

The amazingness of this offering is that CSS’ clients receive the full depth of removing tasks off their plate while eliminating coordination on their part – leave it to us, we love this stuff!

A solutions provider will try to take as many to-do’s off your list and put it on theirs, all done to alleviate you from having to coordinate or manage them on your own. Our Account Managers and everyone on our team is available to guide you in making the right decisions, for the right reasons. We hope to welcome you into our long list of overjoyed clients who have been lucky enough to feel what it’s like for the real CSS client experience.

At CSS, we know your time is tremendously valuable and there’s only so much of it in one workday. Let our team of experts allow you to take some of that back into your day. Think of this as the time freed up that can be used for your expertise or genius, while you leave CSS to take care of all things that’s our expertise and in our wheelhouse.

Contact our office today to take time back in your day by having CSS manage all your furniture projects, coordinate office moves and handle your service needs.

Digitally Moving Forward with Jobber

by Jaclyn Reid•December 29, 2021•0 Comments

Advancing and innovating is what we’re striving for!

One thing I have noticed in my years of business, either in the position I’m in now or when I worked in retail customer service many moons ago, innovation stops for no one! Not one single person can stop innovation and the incredibleness that can come from it! And that means WE can’t stop innovating. At CSS, we cannot stop looking for ways to be better, how to do the work better and smarter while still delivering the same level of customer service we’re known for.

I’m sure you’ve all heard the saying: if you stop innovating, you die (from a company perspective anyways, don’t get all morbid on me). If you know me, then you know I’m a think-tank of ideas and my hamster wheel is constantly spinning and thinking of betterment and the “what if’s”.

CSS as a business has overcome challenges of change and adaptation as we’ve seen our industry evolve and holding on to what the Calgary economy has thrown us in the last 10+ years. Some of our competitors have updated their ways from past outdated practices, while others haven’t, plus the everchanging compliance and regulatory requirements we need to meet. Considering all this, and knowing innovation doesn’t slow, at CSS we’re constantly looking at ways to make doing business with us easier, better and more efficient for everyone!

In the last year, we’ve changed drastically internally even though it may look the same on the outside. All the changes have been for the good, and all targeted around ensuring we’re delivering the best customer service experience. CSS is known for the amazing customer experience we already deliver, so as we constantly innovate and change for the better, it can only improve from here!

One of the biggest improvements our clients will interact with and experience firsthand is our transition to an online scheduling and booking software! After much research and deliberation, we were happy to choose a company based out of Edmonton: Jobber; that meets the majority of our business operating needs within one software platform. Our official debut for accessing the online platform and having it connect with our website, etc. is January 2022.

Utilizing Jobber allows CSS the opportunity to receive scheduling requests or jobs to book from new or existing clients, all through an enticingly accessible web link. We’re managing our employees’ timesheets, daily schedules and receiving real-time updates from our sites, all within one platform. We’re also able to send quotes directly through Jobber, have clients request changes if needed and send the approval all with the click of a button! This, plus so much more is happening within this platform behind the scenes – we’re so thrilled to be able to advance CSS in this direction! We’re happy for our clients who are along for the exhilarating ride and especially the ones who’ve provided feedback during our experimental stage to direct us appropriately to meet their needs more effectively. We’re also able to use this software to keep detailed, digitally accessible records of site visits, pictures taken specific to each project, and organize notes made by all staff while they’re on-site. If you’re a client, you may have already received a copy of a customized report we created, aptly named an Action Report. With being able to customize and add forms to different areas of the platform, we can truly create a superior customer service experience all while observing any possible touchpoints and data gathered.

Have we mentioned how many buildings may have to access on any one day? Or how many of our clients have multiple properties? Another bonus of using Jobber is the ability to add as much detail as needed for each property and connect it with the specific client. Items such as security check-in procedures, or where to obtain access cards if not obvious, etc. This has been a helpful for our staff from an efficiency standpoint and created peace of mind for our clients to know we always have up-to-date building protocol information immediately accessible.

That’s likely enough about me geeking out on the coolness of this platform, let’s get down to the real fun, right?! How do you access this incredible platform? It is super-duper easy!

If you’re an existing client of CSS, you can use your email address to login to the Client Portal, using this link: EXISTING CLIENT LOGIN

If you’re a new client, and don’t yet have an associated email address with CSS, then you get to use this amazing link that will bring you right to our NEW CLIENT REQUEST FORM – just take a few moment to complete the details and you’re automatically entered into our queue. We receive an instant notification and assign your request to the appropriate staff member who will get in contact with you shortly using your preferred method of contact. Once your email address is registered, you now also have access to the CSS Client Portal.

It is just that simple for you, as a client or new potential customer to submit a move request, enter information about furniture needed or a repair you’re looking to schedule. It can all be done online using either of the above links.

You’ll also find these handy links that connect to our online service request system on our website and our social media platforms.

Always know, if you’re interested to learn more about the Jobber platform, the transition we experienced and our overall innovation in this department, don’t be shy to reach out. I’m always happy to talk about reinventing and revolutionizing the world of office furniture services!

Let CSS show you the way of making doing business with us easier and transform the way you request work with us! Contact us today to experience the real CSS customer difference!

CSS is Different. Here’s How.

by Jaclyn Reid•December 20, 2021•0 Comments

What’s so unique about the CSS way?

At CSS Office Solutions we’re different than most industry providers in that we manage all aspects of what you could ever need from an office furniture service company! Not to mention our high level of customer satisfaction and being true representatives of our corporate values. Placing importance on integrity, collaboration, pride, and craftsmanship is what CSS is to everyone, you, our customers, our staff, and all of our stakeholders. CSS is the Calgary-based company that’s been providing an unprecedented level of office services for over 35 years. We know what we’re doing, and we’d love to show you what that means to us, and how it feels for our lucky clients.

When we say we handle everything to do with office furniture, we’re not joking. This is where we pat ourselves on the back knowing that we’re constantly pushing ourselves to be the best with all the services, repairs, customizations, etc. we do! We literally do it all as it relates to office furniture products and services. Not all office furniture product providers, or movers provide you with a one-stop-shop company – that’s where CSS comes in and shines!

We can move your office furniture and whole operation to a new location, or maybe you’re just moving the staff’s office items or files within the office, we handle all of that too! We offer multiple storage options, a variety of services for all your office furniture needs whether it be a sticky drawer, a drawer needing keys, installing a floor of furniture or a hanging one whiteboard or an entire floor of artwork installations.

Have furniture that needs repair? You bet we do that too! We perform all types of repairs and modifications for office furniture, various types of office furniture, chairs and seating, etc. We have yet to come across any furniture repair or modification that wasn’t able to be entirely handled by CSS, start to end, because of our incredible staff and collaborations with other partners.

And if you have panels in your office environment, we work wonders in our shop being able to modify the heights, layout, fabric swaps, etc. Have what you think may be an impossible office furniture task? Just give us a call and let us wow you with our office furniture service magic! We’re certain you’ll be impressed.

If you’ve ever spent time on our website specifically the services page, you would have seen the multitude of categories headlining the offerings we provide – and that’s just the high-level version so we don’t overwhelm with each little detail CSS can provide.

There are truly unique aspects of this industry, and the variances you’ll observe between the companies offering similar services. One of the main reasons we offer so many services and offerings, is again quite simple: to keep your job/task/project as a client of ours as simple for you as possible! We want to take the hard-work-for-you out of facilities management and office furniture moving and office services. Read our testimonials to find out in our clients’ own words about the difference working with CSS Office Solutions can make. The client experience is extremely important to each of us at CSS, that’s why we always go the extra mile to ensure our clients satisfaction is exceeded = mind blown with happiness!

At CSS we showcase the highest level of pride in our accomplished work and are always looking for opportunities to be the best, most trusted service partner in our industry. This ties into our company’s purpose of providing the ultimate in office furniture services and products by exceeding customer satisfaction with superior expertise.

Without integrity in our business, we wouldn’t be who or what we’re known for. We do things the right way, for the right reasons. Held in high regard, of all our corporate values is first and foremost: integrity. It guides us all in doing business the right way, not just in a way to get business. This means we’ll be 100% honest with you, in all our dealings, in all our interactions as repeat loyal business is the best kind of customer a business can hope for. We’re super grateful for our long-term clients that have been with us for so many years who all genuinely value a wonderful customer experience. We’re always looking to add more amazing clients to our list.

Maybe this new amazing client is you, reading this right now?!

Interested in wanting to know what the CSS client experience feels like?

Give us a call or send us an email today! We’re always more than happy to answer your questions and provide you with all the details you need to make the most informed choice of picking an integral office service and product provider.

A Clients’ Magical Experience with Office Moves

by Jennifer Eriksson•September 9, 2021•0 Comments

Does your office furniture magically appear or set itself up? The short answer, no!

Picture it: you walk into your place of work – it could be an office/bank/school etc. You sit down at your desk and begin your day: answering e-mails at your desk, working on projects, whatever your day entails. After about an hour or so, you raise your standing desk so you can stretch your legs while you continue working. You return to sitting in your comfy chair. You collaborate with team members on the white board or around the boardroom table.

Do you ever wonder how those items got there? Did they magically appear? It seems like they do. Like the fairy tale – the Shoemaker and the Elves. These elves though, are the members of the office furniture moving industry. These hardworking people of all genders make your office space as comfortable, clean and appealing as possible. Paying attention to the smallest details.

While it seems these office transformations happen overnight, there are many days, weeks or even months that go into the planning and execution of an office move or set up. The first contact comes through to CSS via a Google search, a referral, or by someone clicking the “contact us” area on our website www.cssoffice.com. Our diligent Account Mangers ask all the questions to understand what you require. They ask the details of where you are moving, what’s moving and gather all the details in between! They measure, then measure again, to be sure they know the fit and space requirements. They assist you in the design of your new or rearranged space. They help plan out what your space will look like, including assisting with individual office layouts. They plan out the route and finally, they help you plan the day or days of the move (and the days leading up to the move and days after your move too!). Your team will have filled, labeled, sturdy, and strong moving bins with their personal items, and their specific office chair – because we are all very particular about our chairs and of course that’s important to us, because it is important to you!

Then the real magic happens. This is where CSS shines and brings life to your office space!

The CSS team of installers and movers arrive on scene. The installers begin to disassemble the desks for easier transport, because you likely know the famous “PIVOT” scene from Friends, the smaller the surface to move, the better (but CSS could have moved that couch, no problem). They take down whiteboards, artwork, wall-hung overheads and anything else on the walls that’s moving with you.

Meanwhile the movers are organizing the bins by person, moving the chairs out of the space, manoeuvring the filing cabinets onto dollies for easier transport, wrapping computers and monitors with all the cables and cords in special computer bags with your name. They load all the other effects of the office – bulletin boards, artwork, white boards, fridges, coffee makers, you name it! – onto dollies, panel carts, tubs or file carts, taking care to wrap items with moving blankets when needed to prevent damage. On to the trucks we go! In, one, two, ten trips, your office is off to the new location. Then the reverse happens. All the items that came out, go back in. When you and your team come back to the office on your next workday, it will be like you’ve always been at that location.

Keeping in mind that the above is a simplified high-level overview of what steps could take place to get your office space set up properly and entail only a few of the moving pieces as seen by our clients and/or their staff.

We pride ourselves on making our clients’ moving requirements, service needs or furniture purchases as simplified as possible. We know first-hand that what the client sees is not always the whole picture. If you’re every wondering all the steps that are taken care of by CSS, don’t be shy to ask one of our Account Managers or qualified staff about all the coordinated steps necessary to ensure a seamless and uninterrupted moving/service/furniture experience.

Moving an entire office is one of the more intricate services we provide, but it is just one of the many services offered by our company. To see the full list of the services CSS offers, check out this link to our services page!

Rome wasn’t built in a day, but your office sure could be!

At the end of the day, if you arrive at your new office space without skipping a beat in your workday, we call that a success and a move gone well! If you’re interested in knowing what that feels like, call or email our office today!