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Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence: The Legacy of CSS Office Solutions

by Jaclyn Reid•December 12, 2024•0 Comments

This year marks a significant milestone for CSS Office Solutions (CSS): 40 years of providing Calgary and Alberta with top-tier office solutions and creating workspaces that drive productivity, comfort, and success!!!

As we celebrate this anniversary, we want to reflect on the journey that brought us here, the values that have shaped our identity, and our commitment to the future of commercial furniture solutions in Alberta.

Vision, and Purpose

At CSS Office Solutions, our vision and purpose have remained a guiding force, evolving through thoughtful refinement over the years. We aspire to be the trusted partner of choice for commercial furniture services and products in Alberta, helping clients address workplace challenges and enhance employee well-being with a single call.

Our purpose is to deliver the ultimate in commercial furniture solutions, consistently exceeding customer expectations with superior expertise. Most recently, our participation in a growth program has helped us reaffirm these commitments, ensuring they remain aligned with our clients’ evolving needs and industry innovations.

The Journey: From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leader

Founded in 1984, CSS Office Solutions began as a small business with a big dream—to transform spaces across Calgary by providing high-quality commercial furniture, design, and installations.

Over the years, we’ve grown from our humble roots into a trusted name in the industry, offering a range of services, including office space planning, move planning, and comprehensive office relocations.

1984 – CSS is established in Airdrie as C.S.S. Office Furniture Systems Service Inc.
1988 – CSS establishes itself more and is in need of relocating to a warehouse in SE Calgary
2000 – CSS continues growing and expands to a larger warehouse, still in SE Calgary
2008 – Economic downturn, especially in the O&G sector; CSS Co-Founder passes quite suddenly
2012 – Co-Founder retires and the business is purchased by a second-generation
2013 – Build the backend foundation of the business, including creation of policies and procedures

2015 – Economic downturn, again
2018 – Incredible business growth
2019 – CSS rebrands and is on track for the highest revenue numbers in CSS history
2019 – Transition begins to a paper-less organization

2020 – COVID hits the world and CSS remains fully operational, deemed as an essential business
2021 – Sustain and maintain to stay afloat, sustain and maintain…
2022 – CSS continues intentionally building partnerships with several manufacturers
2023 – CSS expands its manufacturer offerings to now provide more than 20+ brand options

2024 – Another warehouse shift for CSS with a revamped team and aspiring growth initiatives

2024 – Happy 40 Years to CSS!

Our resilience and growth have been fueled by our commitment to adaptability!

The workplace landscape has evolved dramatically in the last four decades, from the rise of systems furniture to cubicles and open-concept offices to today’s flexible, comfort-driven workspaces. Through it all, CSS has remained agile, always believing the best in people, evolving our services to meet the changing needs of our clients while maintaining the personal touch that has always set us apart.

Core Values that Have Shaped CSS

At the heart of CSS are values that have guided us through every challenge, milestone, and success story.

Craftsmanship
We are committed to doing the right things right. Our dedication to quality shows in every stakeholder relationship we develop, every partnership we form, every manufacturer we select, and every service we provide. From designing functional office layouts to managing complex moves, we bring an unwavering standard of excellence to everything we do. This meticulous attention to detail inspires pride in our work and ensures clients feel the same about the results.

Integrity
We are true to our word, every time. Integrity means more than just fulfilling commitments—it means doing so with honesty, transparency, and respect. For four decades, we’ve been a trusted partner to our clients, delivering on promises and building confidence through consistent, reliable actions. It’s a value that has earned us loyalty and trust across generations.

Collaboration
Collaboration is at the heart of how we work. We view each project as a shared journey, going above and beyond to meet our clients’ needs. Whether it’s problem-solving, designing, or executing, we work hand in hand with clients to deliver results that reflect their goals. This collaborative spirit ensures effectiveness at every step and creates outcomes that exceed expectations.

Support
We are here to help clients make the best possible decisions. By listening carefully, understanding needs, and offering innovative solutions, we ensure that every choice is informed and beneficial. Whether integrating sustainable materials or adapting to modern workstyles, our guidance positions us as a trusted partner—who clients can rely on for clarity, expertise, and unwavering support.Milestones Worth Celebrating

Our 40th anniversary is not only a celebration of our past but also an acknowledgment of the milestones we’ve achieved along the way. From completing major office installations in Calgary’s most prominent business centers to supporting remote and hybrid office setups during challenging times, each milestone has reinforced our commitment to making all types of spaces better.

The Future: What’s Next for CSS Office Solutions?

Looking to the future, we are excited to continue our legacy while embracing new opportunities. As spaces become increasingly flexible and adaptable, we aim to be at the forefront of these changes. CSS supports the creation of spaces that not only meet functional needs but also inspire productivity, creativity, and overall well-being.

While we continue to embrace technology, enhancing our customers’ engagement experience and elevating our warehouse inventory system which integrates with a new e-commerce platform is at the top of our list! Keep an eye out for the exciting debuts that will be taking place in the very near future!

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Clients and Community

Our 40th anniversary wouldn’t be possible without the trust and support of our clients, partners, and everyone who has been a part of the CSS Community.

Thank you for being part of our journey, for allowing us to be part of your successes, and for trusting us with your commercial furniture, and office service needs.

Every project, no matter the size, has contributed to the CSS story, and we’re deeply grateful for each one.

As we celebrate four decades of CSS Office Solutions, we look forward to many more years of creating spaces where businesses thrive, ideas flourish, and people feel inspired.

Thank you Calgary for 40 amazing years!

Here’s to the future of CSS Office Solutions, continuing to innovate, evolve, and support Alberta’s commercial places and spaces for decades to come!

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!

Insights from Our Clients: Feedback Matters!

by Jaclyn Reid•January 8, 2024•1 Comments

The Crucial Role of Customer Feedback in Shaping the Future of CSS Office Solutions

At CSS Office Solutions, we recognize the profound impact of customer feedback on our growth and service offering refinement. We gather client feedback consistently, so we stay on top of priorities for our clients to ensure we’re delivering exactly what they need for office services!

Our recent client survey, conducted in the summer of 2023, has not only unveiled fascinating statistics but has reinforced the importance of actively seeking and leveraging customer insights to enhance our offerings and ensure a superior client experience.

Our company values are integrity, craftmanship, collaboration, and support. Reviewing and actioning on the feedback in the client surveys assists our company in foundational approaches to reflect our corporate values = creating the most beneficial company offerings available in our industry.

If it’s important to our clients, then it needs to be on our radar of importance too!

In this blog, we’re sharing a couple of the results from our survey, so if you’re a lover of data the time to get excited is now!

A Window into Communication Preferences:

In a digital age dominated by various communication channels, understanding our clients’ preferences is key. According to our survey, a whopping 53% of respondents indicated that email is their preferred method of communication. This insight guides us to prioritize effective and timely communication through email channels. Additionally, the 20% preference for in-person communication reaffirms the value of personal connections in our client relationships. It’s not just about what we communicate but also how we communicate that matters most.

Unveiling Hidden Gems: The Move Management Revelation:

One of the most enlightening revelations from our survey was the discovery that more than half of our clients (53%) were unaware of CSS’s full-service Move Management offering. This emphasizes the need for better communication about the comprehensive suite of services we provide. As we aim to bridge this awareness gap, we’re excited to share that CSS offers Move Management without any additional cost when engaged for office moves and furniture service needs. We are very much about exceeding expectations through proactive communication and our learnings will help support how we can do better in this area.

Service Utilization Insights:

The survey brought to light numerous areas in which our clients recognize our exceptional performance! These strengths encompass adept communication, swift response times, and profound industry expertise. Additionally, the professionalism of our team and the caliber of their work received high praise, underscoring their steadfast dedication to delivering excellence. Pat on the back for CSS!!!

Beyond communication preferences and highlighting our areas of excellence, the survey delved into the utilization of our diverse service offerings. As CSS has over 10+ revenue streams, which breaks down into multiple facets of offerings related to offices, furniture, moving, and products, it is important to know what services are being used the most, or not as often. The data revealed that 20% of clients leverage our moving services, while 15% of respondents are engaging CSS for their internal service work. Plus, 2% utilize our specialized locksmith services, highlighting the varied needs of our clientele! These stats just graze the surface of detail, so when broken down into categories, it is amazing to see the diversified needs of our clients, but also great knowing that CSS has the expertise to service and provide it all! Understanding the service utilization patterns allows us to tailor our offerings and prioritize resources where they are most beneficial to our clients.

Client Satisfaction by the Numbers:

Numbers speak volumes, and our survey reinforced that our commitment to excellence is reflected in the satisfaction of our clients. An impressive 85.19% of clients expressed the highest level of satisfaction with the performance of CSS Office Solutions. This strong satisfaction level is a testament to the dedication of our team and the effectiveness of our service delivery.

Our team is what supports our uniqueness – we value our team members so they in turn have the utmost care while servicing our clients.

The Catalyst for Positive Change:

Customer feedback serves as a powerful catalyst for positive change. It provides a roadmap for refining our processes, adapting to evolving needs, and ensuring that every interaction with CSS exceeds expectations. The insights gathered not only validate our successes but also spotlight areas for improvement, propelling us toward continuous innovation.

A Commitment to Evolution:

Our commitment to active listening and incorporating customer feedback is not just a one-time initiative; it’s a cornerstone of our ongoing strategy. We value the trust our clients place in us, and their feedback guides our evolution, ensuring that CSS Office Solutions remains a leading force in the office furniture service industry.

The Journey Ahead:

As we continue this journey of growth and continued improvement, we invite you to stay tuned for more updates on how we’re implementing your valuable feedback. Your satisfaction will always remain at the core of everything we do!

Connect with Us:

Are you curious to learn more about what our clients had to say, or are you interested in sharing your insights with us?

Reach out anytime! We’re always eager to engage in conversations about our client experiences and explore the endless possibilities that arise from a client-centric mindset.

At CSS Office Solutions, your voice matters, and together, we’ll shape a future of unparalleled service excellence in office furniture!

Digitally Moving Forward with SiteDocs

by Jaclyn Reid•November 20, 2023•0 Comments

Safety is a key component in our work environment, and especially in the industry of office moving.

How many site hazard assessment forms are you required to complete in a day? For CSS Office Solutions, depending on the sites our crew may visit in a day, it could be well up into the double digits. And with that it used to equal lots of paperwork and loads of physical pieces of paper that had to be handed in, tracked, recorded, and translated for safety stats. Plus, we all know that sometimes the physical paper disappears, or gets dropped in the snow or rain, and the information completed is lost and gone forever.

Better Managing our Safety Program

A number of years ago we sought to make a change in how we were managing our safety program. We came upon a program called SiteDocs that was introduced to CSS from a leading concrete company in Calgary. When it checked all our boxes and more, we decided to dive it and get it immediately intertwined into our safety program – and we’re sure happy we did! Now, this (and much more) safety information will forever be with our company, and all those juicy stats we all want to know are automatically calculated! Yes, yes, yes! It’s all true!

Customized Forms

This software has allowed us to create and customize our own forms and fields where required based on the type of work we do, and its all electronically completed! No matter where our staff are working, they have access to complete the necessary safety documents, and track hazards including uploading pictures. The software stores an incredible amount of other data such as being able to upload our safety policies and other pertinent policy documents to have right at our employee’s fingertips. With the added feature of adding certifications and trainings, such as forklift or fall protection, it has helped have this information handy when we’ve had to work at heights on a jobsite or operate a forklift at a different location. Our employees can open their app and present their certification right from the SiteDocs system to show to the general contractor or compliance manager!

Vehicles in Your Fleet?

Have company vehicles? We sure do! This program aids in the necessary safety checks and maintenance tracking we do for all our vehicles, service units and our 5-ton trucks! Checklists make it easy to instruct our drivers on what to look for, what needs to be checked each time, and what items can be checked less often. Again, the ability to upload pictures right into the form is an incredible handy piece for our procedures. How easy is it to have a vehicle concern flagged by an employee, pictures taken on the spot to upload and the report is instantly sent to the HR & Safety Manager to get the ball rolling on next steps. Just like that, and all the driver did was complete their check and made note of something that wasn’t regular. Want to know how many kilometers each unit has been driven, that’s an easy report and now supports creating the exact stats we need.

Supporting Toolbox Meetings

Toolbox meetings occur before any work is started and are conducted at the same time as the hazard assessments. One handy piece of added information in SiteDocs, is the feature of included toolbox topics. They are not all applicable to each industry, but it certainly helps when your teams are feeling as if they’re running out of content. They can simply login to the system and within seconds, you have a full toolbox meeting topic and information to share with your co-workers. What a brilliant addition, as it can sometimes seem like our crew is running on repeat as it was normally the same topics that would be brought up time and time again. Now, we’re able to mix it up quite a bit and include topics that are of importance, but never crossed their minds. At CSS, we’ve found this to be a practical part for our crew.

Why We Made the Switch – True and Transparent Compliance!

Transitioning our safety program management and tracking to SiteDocs has entirely transformed our in-house safety requirements! No more of our ‘safety IN’ basket being flooded with paperwork to review, check off from each job site or work location from each day, and no more lost paperwork! With the click of a few buttons, our team is able to view, verify, and communicate with the on-site crew about their safety documents.

At CSS Office Solutions we look back at how we were previously managing our safety program and couldn’t imagine operating our program, forms, employee access, etc. any other way! When we say that we now have true and transparent compliance, it isn’t a joke! We’re extremely proud of our exemplary safety record in our workplace, especially as compared with similar businesses. As our safety manual says on the front:

When everyone makes it home safely at the end of the workday, this is always a good day!

Interested in learning more about SiteDocs or how CSS is managing our safety program?

Contact our office to have a conversation – we’re always willing to talk safety in the workplace!

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.

DYK: CSS Office Solutions has a YouTube Channel!

by Jaclyn Reid•February 16, 2023•0 Comments

Although it isn’t the newest news, we thought it worthwhile to reintroduce that CSS Office Solutions Inc. has its own YouTube Channel! You can say you heard it here first, unless of course you’ve been to our channel or are a follower of, in which case we applaud and appreciate you!

Interestingly enough, CSS Office Solutions debuted itself on YouTube with its first video over six years ago! Yes, six years ago which seems like a lifetime when you consider what’s gone on since then!

You’ll find our YouTube Channel here: CSS Office Solutions’ YouTube Channel

Our first videos published were demonstrating to clients how to construct our moving boxes. A simple concept that led to a brilliant idea!

Not-so-fun-fact: if the moving boxes aren’t assembled correctly, you run the risk of damaging your items being moved, or worse hurting yourself during the process. For instance, if the side sections of the moving box are assembled incorrectly, the bottom of the box will literally flap wide open the moment you lift it. If you’re picturing a gif with a person lifting a moving box, and the contents fall out of the bottom, that’s exactly what would happen if the box isn’t constructed the way its intended to be.

Our moving boxes are delivered flat to our customers, and let’s be honest no flat items are easy to make work easily unless you know exactly what you’re doing!

Often CSS would ensure that all boxes delivered were assembled on-site for the client, or show a client contact how to construct them so that person was able to instruct others.

For the times where a client wanted to assemble the boxes themselves, we would often receive calls asking us how to build the boxes, along with an expectation of being able to walk someone through the assembly instructions over the phone. Imagine trying to build anything flat-packed, on the phone with someone giving you the build instructions – exactly, not so much, right!?

What did we learn from this: we needed to create a better way to instruct our customers that want to build the boxes themselves, with an easy how-to guide.

The idea lightbulb went off, and so started the beginning of our YouTube first appearance.

YouTube is a great way for CSS to be able to share our knowledge and inform our customers of pertinent information that’s available at their fingertips!

We’re proud to keep these initial videos in our channel today for a couple of reasons: they are still used by our clients (although they could use a refresh!), and it reminds us at CSS where we started. We may not be experts at creating videos, but we’re certainly experts when it comes to office moves, services, and installations – so that’s what we’re showcasing to our audience with our YouTube Channel.

From our first videos to now, lots has changed – in our industry, in our offerings, in our clients’ needs, etc. One thing has remained the same, CSS is constantly looking for ways to deliver more value to our customers. Putting customers first has always been at the core of our business, from day one in 1984 when the founder started CSS. We’re a company that views each client as more of a relationship that matters and we’re invested in, vs. strictly transactional.

While seeking to assist our customers grow their knowledge, answer their questions in a better way while positioning the company on a variety of media platforms, it was only a matter of time before we looked to YouTube to continue building our video library.

Over the last bit, we’ve learned a lot in-house about video editing options, captions, and flow of images, plus content – it has certainly been an interested ride especially knowing that offices these days are not advertised in the same way as ‘back when’…. Just the other day we joked that it doesn’t seem that long ago when all you needed to advertise was to have a great, large Yellow Pages ad – now we’re making videos and snippets to entice business!

YouTube has long since been a contributor of information, knowledge, and verification. As we’ve seen other platforms grow their audience, we appreciate the ability to upload and share videos from YouTube through to our other media platforms.

As CSS Office Solutions has continued building the library of available videos on our channel, it has always remained of importance to ensure clients, potential and current, find value within the content we share. At the time of this blog, we have published a total of seven videos, plus the first couple from six years ago.

We’re proud to share a little bit more about CSS and the services we offer through our YouTube Channel, as a challenge we often encounter is having our clientele know about all the exciting offerings and services we’re capable of completing! CSS is more than your average office moving company, we take it further and ensure that there is more substance delivered beyond the outstanding service we provide.

Interested to learn more about CSS Office Solutions corporate values? Or perhaps you want to see the transformation that can take place with furniture repairs completed by our incredible experts? You’ll be able to find this and so much more on CSS’ YouTube Channel.

We plan on adding in more as the years go by so if there’s a topic or area of interest that you’d benefit from having published in a video, reach out to our office and share your suggestion! Call or email us today!

Our friendly staff are always available to take your calls or respond to your emails during our regular business hours. Reach out anytime and learn about the available office services and offerings available through CSS Office Solutions!

The CSS People That Make it Happen – Sudipta

by Jaclyn Reid•February 3, 2023•0 Comments

Meet Sudipta, our outstanding Operations Assistant!

Today it gives me great pleasure to introduce one of CSS’ newer family members, Sudipta! Sudipta completed her practicum through CIWA with CSS, and after a short period of time it became clear to us that she should be part of the CSS family – and she agreed because as soon as her practicum was finished, she was hired on full time! She now occupies the title of Operations Assistant.

As you know now from reading previous staff introductions, we like to ask our crew a few “get to know you” questions and here is what Sudipta had to say:

Sudipta really appreciates the work culture and ethics that CSS holds. She says the management and crew members are all so extremely warm, helpful, understanding, and supportive. In her own words “I feel so blessed to be a part of the CSS Office team”.

As an immigrant to Canada, Sudipta literally had zero background knowledge of our industry so something she found interesting was that there is so much more to it than just selling office furniture. It’s a huge industry, with many nuances that we’re pretty sure not very many people actually understand.

If Sudipta wins the lottery she would help others who are in need! Although I’m willing to bet it would probably come after she takes her family on a world tour – that would be so much fun! She loves Indian and Italian food – and even though she’s tried numerous different styles of cuisine she still considers herself not to be a foodie – and is definitely more inclined toward Indian cuisine. Sudipta isn’t much of a drinker and there is nothing wrong with that! She prefers a coffee…whether its hot or cold is totally dependent on the weather. Occasionally she’ll treat herself to a soft drink – but the go to for sure is water. Gotta stay hydrated!

Sudipta hasn’t spent a lot of time in downtown Calgary, so when we asked what her favorite building was…she was a bit stumped. Ultimately, she chose Telus Sky, as it has a beautiful night view. Agreed! It’s stunning! As far as a favorite place to visit is concerned, she has many! She’s been to Waterton and greatly enjoys that atmosphere. Lake Louise is beautiful (isn’t it!), Moraine Lake is mesmerizing, Kananaskis, Banff…the list literally goes on! She admits she has lots left to explore in this wonderous province but, clearly, she’s off to a good start!

When asked if she wanted to share anything else, this was her response. “It has been an amazing journey with CSS. When I first started, not to lie, I was super nervous and excited at the same time. I had no idea how things would go, where my path would lead; I still feel nostalgic looking back at my days when I first started my practicum with CSS with a positive outlook, eagerness to learn and avail the opportunity as much as I could. But now it’s all history! I am with CSS now, still a long way to go and lots to learn from the iconic CSS team. For this I would definitely like to thank management and the rest of the team for being so welcoming, kind and wonderful to me.”

The Problems Solved by CSS Office Solutions

by Jaclyn Reid•January 20, 2023•1 Comments

CSS solves your furniture and moving problems!

At CSS Office Solutions we deliver the unexpected when it comes to all things related to office furniture. Sure, we’re known as office movers, furniture installers, etc. but it goes way beyond that!

We solve furniture and moving problems for clients, we assist with space adjustment needs and we take a load off the office furniture and your workspace to-do list!

CSS is known around the Calgary area for the extra level of customer service we provide, which means that on top of delivering outstanding office furniture solutions, we take it further… so far in fact that our clients that we’ve performed work for truly understand it when we say: pick up the phone and contact CSS, and in one call we’ll take care of it all!

CSS delivers office furniture solutions if your office is moving, whether you need office furniture for your space, or you’re needing to expand or condense the setup to accommodate the square footage you occupy. Whatever you may need for your office environment and furniture as a company, it is all handled professionally by CSS Office Solutions!

We created a simplified list of the common problems CSS Office Solutions solves for our clientele:

Incorrect furniture in the space or the furniture items not being used for the desired setup
Wanting to use the current furniture differently (reconfiguring the items)
Having a couple pieces of furniture, but needing more pieces or components to complete the space design (desks, panels, chairs, etc.) to complete it
Needing additional furniture parts to complete an office layout (going from a workstation pod of three to a pod of four, as an example)
Relocation of an office space in its entirety
Transitioning or organization of file room spaces or storage rooms
Converting offices to open spaces or creating more/fewer private offices
Furniture that’s in disrepair needing some TLC
Too many furniture pieces or items in the space that need to be stored elsewhere
Getting spaces ready for subleasing by setting them up in a standard layout
Decommissioning a space that’s no longer needed

To deliver the true one-stop-shop for all the office furniture service needs a corporation could possibly dream of, CSS has it covered with the right solution! CSS mainly supports large corporations that have staffing into the hundreds and thousands as we’ve found that the needs of this customer group match amazingly with our depth of offerings and partnerships.

We also enjoy collaborating with general contractors and designers. Ever think about what furniture moving needs there are while you’re doing an office renovation or a new build?! We think about those things all the time (we may even dream about them!), and that’s why we deliver solutions that put your mind at ease knowing all the little details are considered and covered.

Delivering a solution in our world is having a handle on all the moving parts within a project, or any on-site visit and all that result in little to no deficiencies. And then making sure to consistently deliver on this execution!

This is what we strive for at CSS, the consistent delivery of outstanding customer service and outcomes that far exceed our client’s expectations. If you’ve been on the opposite end of the customer service spectrum with your office move provider, it will be worth your while to investigate other possible suppliers.

It’s important to realize that price doesn’t always win or provide you with what you may have expected as delivered results. This ends up costing you as a client more; more time, more money! More time to accommodate multiple deficiency trips back to the space, you may not be paying for the deficiencies with money, but you’re paying for it with your time.

Call our office today to experience the feeling of problems solved, tasks taken off your to-do list and all your office furniture service or moving needs vanished from your responsibility – poof, enter CSS Office Solutions! We’re looking forward to your call and showing the solutions that are available for your office furniture service, product, and moving needs!

The Office Furniture Glossary

by Jaclyn Reid•November 21, 2022•2 Comments

The Office Furniture Glossary

Glossaries can be extremely helpful, we all know this, and especially advantageous if they include pictures! In fact, think of how many articles that have a reference to a picture that’s included with a description so that there‘s no question about what‘s being talked about. Super easy to understand, right?

Today is another proud moment for CSS Office Solutions Inc., as we’ve recently created our very own GLOSSARY of terms! This reference is a beginner’s guide to basic terms related to office furniture, and office moving. The glossary of items can be found within our website’s Resources page.

When I first started working in the office furniture industry early in 2005, I had no idea what an overhead was, or a hutch, or a ped. What “hand” on a desk meant, right or left, I thought maybe it was the hand that was most dominant for the worker, little did I know back then that it refers to an L-shape desk and what side the return is on. And even further learning that deciding on what hand to use in your office has a lot to do with your office door! Who knows these things? Fast forward and here I am, someone that knows these things! I’ve learned a whole new set of terms specific to the industry of office moving. And truth be told, I can still be seen referencing our own glossary to ensure I’m following along. Not like Brent, he really does know all these terms, and maybe even better than the back of his hand! He’s one of those naturals that has worked in the industry for long enough, that these terms become second nature to know and reference. But that’s not the case for everyone.

At CSS Office Solutions we’re very much the provider of all sorts of solutions, so when it became clear that we could assist our clients a little more in the terminology we use, we happily sought out to solve a problem! We’re natural problem solvers, in all aspects!

Industry terms are titled industry terms for the obvious reason that they’re specific to an industry. If you’re not in the industry, or know someone in the industry, chances are there may be a lack of knowledge or understanding around the terms being used within that industry. There are times when we get so wrapped up in our own knowledge, that we forget to slow down and ensure our clients are familiar with the terms we’re using.

We love educating our clients and providing them with the necessary tools to make them successful in their role. And so, after seeing the gap ourselves in trying to conduct a general search for the common terms we at CSS use consistently, or the right definitions we would expect to see, and having an even harder time finding pictures of all the terms we use, we decided to use our internal expertise. So, we did it! We created a glossary of definitions ourselves!

Our glossary includes the common terms you would expect to find in a furniture database. Plus, it covers everything from what variety of equipment you’d see CSS use, plus included pictures or diagrams and definitions that showcase the difference between a lateral file cabinet and a vertical filing cabinet. Not too sure of the difference yourself? Check it out on the glossary!

It also includes some terms and items that are not commonly known, or that have different terminology used depending on the provider. For instance, what CSS refers to as a file cart, can also be known and used as an electronic cart – same, but different.

There is a total (as at today) of 29 items listed in the glossary, which of course is nowhere near an exhaustive list we could create! If there’s a term that is still unclear, or perhaps there’s a term that you would love to see included in this list that isn’t currently included – call us, email us, contact us and let us know! After all, this list is for YOU, the customer (and, has also been a great tool for onboarding new staff to the industry!).

CSS is known as subject matter experts and trusted advisors in the office furniture industry. This is one piece of the industry puzzle that we can help our clients and customers put together to grow their knowledge and understanding of the terms we’ve learned, and not just take for granted that we know!

Creating this glossary also helps with common language and dialogue. When common dialogue prevails, we’re all winners! Common language is a key component and necessary for efficient communications. With our clients, with our co-workers, and even with our suppliers, having a common dialogue is really important to us, and we’re happy to be filling in the gaps so that our clients are showcased as the superstars that they are!

Do you have a question, or would like to see a particular phrase or term included in the glossary? Reach out and let’s start a conversation! At CSS, we’re always going the extra mile for our clients, and this is just one example of what that means. Happy reading!

Cheers to closing the terminology gap!

Safety is IMPORTANT!

by Jaclyn Reid•July 28, 2022•0 Comments

At CSS Office Solutions, safety is part of our everyday practices and routines. Literally!

When our workers are kept safe and hazards are identified and controlled, everyone goes home safely at the end of the day.

In fact, the cover page of our comprehensive safety manual reads: When everyone makes it home safely at the end of the workday, this is always a good day! We stand by this through and through as our work family’s safety is of the highest priority.

It is our responsibility as a company, to ensure that all of our workers are safe, performing their job duties safely and are aware of their rights as they relate to workers’ safety.

Do you know the rights of workers as per the CCOHS (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)?

As a worker you have three rights that are fundamental under the OHS law:

The right to know.
The right to participate.
The right to refuse dangerous work.

It is also good to know that as an employee, you are expected to work in ways that ensure your own health and safety, plus the health and safety of others. At CSS, we always evaluate a workers’ awareness and how cognizant of the surrounding they are when it comes to safety protocols. Think of all those split-second decisions that are made, and then something catastrophic happens because someone didn’t take a moment to ask: is this safe, what should I be doing, or asking for, to make this safer for me and everyone else?

Awareness and openness are critical components of a safety program. It is one thing for your workers to be aware, but it takes it one step further when a company can create an open, non-judgmental environment when it comes to safety practices. As in life, and as in safety, there are never stupid questions!

Including safety practices and protocols as part of our business operations is crucial to keeping our workers safe. In fact, there are a number of inclusions, practices and policies that are mandatory if operating a business in the province of Alberta.

At CSS, we have a couple of practices that have become second nature for our staff.

One of the first items we require before any worker can step foot on a CSS worksite (aside from all the on-boarding stuff in the background), is STEEL TOED FOOTWEAR. This seems like a no-brainer, our staff are working with heavy items, are moving items that have multiple pieces and chances are high that something could drop and land on your foot. We actually had a worker many years ago, while carrying a safe with other workers, have the safe drop on his foot…holding your breath? You can breathe knowing that because this worker had steel toed footwear on, his foot was saved from intense damage! The footwear had to be replaced as the steel was literally crushed inwards! But his foot was safe, the worker had no lost time, and now we have a real-life story to share about the absolute importance of wearing the proper equipment. For our workers that includes mandatory steel-toed footwear, no exceptions! If a worker shows up to work, and isn’t properly outfitted with the necessities, we send them home to get what they should have arrived with.

You would think that workers in our industry wearing steel toed footwear would be a standard, right? Well, think again. Sadly, having workers in this industry wear steel toed footwear is not always the norm! When we see other companies performing work like we perform, and their staff are wearing running shoes…we’re absolutely in shock and it should raise a red flag to have you ask, does that company really care about their workers’ safety? What happens if…?

If a company can take little steps and create simple rules and regulations to maintain workers’ safety, then it should be undeniably implemented.

We have a policy at CSS, that if we’re working under a desk and are drilling into the underneath of the desk surface, we have a mandatory rule that eye protection of some kind must be worn! Why all the time? Why is this mandatory? Because many years back we had a staff member that did not wear safety glasses while drilling a hole for an install on the under part of the desk surface, low and behold shavings from the desk landed in his eye – OUCH! This equated to a time-lost claim as the employee had to be off for a couple of days to ensure his eye would heal properly from the scratched eyeball, not pleasant, right? So, now we have a mandatory rule because we have learned that reviewing incidents and implementing steps to avoid potential hazards is paramount to our safety program.

We know some accidents cannot be avoided, but accidents can be analyzed and evaluated for proactive solutions that can prevent them from happening again. Obviously, we know this isn’t always the case, but doing the analysis post-incident, is just as important as conducting the hazard assessment before beginning any work.

Safety matters to not only us, but to our clients as well. It isn’t out of the realm to be asked to produce our safety stats and information about our internal safety program. At CSS, we’ve always had an excellent safety rating with the Workers’ Compensation Board – Alberta. For the 2022 reporting year (which includes the three years’ incidents/claims from 2020, 2019 and 2018) our Safety Experience Ratio was 86.66% lower than our industry average! Breaking it down, that means that CSS experienced 86.66% lesser claims than our counterparts in the same industry. That’s pretty darn incredible in our view and an indicator that we’re doing the right things in the awareness and training of our staff.

Safety needs to remain a priority, especially in our industry of office moving, furniture installation, warehouse storage, etc. If you’re hiring a company, don’t be shy to ask them about their safety program and safety statistics. And pay attention to how equipped the workers are. Are they wearing steel toed footwear, and is their company educating them on the employee’s rights when it comes to safety?

Keeping safe and aware allows CSS to keep on doing what we’re doing in offering the very best in office services and moves. We’re proud of our safety statistics and are always happy to educate and inform our staff working in this industry.

If you’re wanting to know more about what CSS offers, or learn more about our safety program, please don’t hesitate to call or email our office!