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Creating a Healthy Office Environment for your Business

There is no doubt want to make sure you and your employees enjoy a healthy, productive office environment. But what can you do to help your Boise Valley office space into one that inspires productivity and efficiency?

Your space should be one that motivates, but you also must provide an area for your employees to de-stress and decompress. Beautiful artwork, a large window or simply a quiet spot where employees can give their eyes and their minds a rest from the rigors of blaring computer screens and the phone ringing is a must for a healthy office environment.

Also, be aware of the lighting in your Boise Valley office space. Sure, you need plenty of task lighting to get the job done, but you also need to provide natural light in your space wherever you can. From writing at their desks to scanning the bookshelves, you need to ensure that task lighting is adequate to help prevent eye strain. However, all task lighting and no natural lighting can have a negative effect on the mood of your employees especially during the winter months so try to give them as much natural light as possible to calm and invigorate them and yourself.

Never underestimate the power of fresh air and plants. Stale office air does nothing for the health of your employees so add plants whenever possible. Plants not only provide fresh air to your office, but they are also pleasing to the eye. If you can find office space with accessible outdoor space, your employees will thank you for it.

Don’t overlook ergonomics when choosing or designing your office space. The health of your employees especially those who sit behind their desk for the better part of the day relies on their comfort. Do what you need to do in terms of ergonomically friendly desks, chairs, and computer accessories to ensure that their minds and bodies are comfortable and properly positioned throughout the day.

About The Sundance Company
Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and the greater Treasure Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.5 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime Boise and Meridian locations. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.

February 11, 2011February 2, 2011 sundancecompany Boise Commercial Real Estate, Boise Commercial Real Estate Development, Boise Industrial Space, Boise Office Space, boise valley commercial real estate, The Sundance Company

Boise Commercial Real Estate for Lease – South Cole Business Park

The South Cole Business Park is a four-building complex that is conveniently located just minutes from the Interstate-84 Cole & Overland interchange. The manufacturing/warehouse facility features generous office space, open work spaces, and two lunchrooms. The building has space available for lease so please contact The Sundance Company immediately to see if the building is right for your company’s needs.

The Sundance Company knows that finding the right leasing space for your business can be a complicated process, and that is why we are here to help your company find the ideal commercial real estate space in the Boise Valley. If the South Cole Business Park does fit your needs, then please check out The Sundance Company website to view property photos, search for space, or learn more about Sundance’s start-to-finish capabilities. The Sundance Company has more than 1.5 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime Boise Valley locations.

South Cole Business Park
2769-2699 South Cole Road
Boise, Idaho 83709

Site Area: 2.4 acres
Zoning: M-1
Stories: One
Project Size: 44,359 square feet
Construction: Steel frame with concrete tilt-up exterior walls and exposed aggregate finish
Year Built: 1984
Roof: Flat, single ply roofing membrane over plywood sheathing
Ceiling Clear Height: 18’ minimum, 20’ maximum warehouse; 8’ in offices.
Floor Construction: 6” concrete slab
Windows: Double-pane, thermo-glazing in offices
Warehouse Doors: Dock-high and 12’x14’ overhead loading doors
Insulation: 9” batt insulation in roof; 3½” batt insulation to exterior walls
Offices: Commercial carpet & vinyl; acoustical ceiling, fluorescent lights, standard partitioning and finished restrooms
Warehouse Lights: Suspended tube fluorescent and suspended bulb
Heating/Cooling: Warehouse has suspended space heat. Office has package electric forcedair and central air conditioning.
Parking: 85 spaces, paved and marked; one space per 518.4 sq. ft.
Site Improvements: Landscaping on South Cole and Mossy Cup Streets.
Special: Full building fire sprinkler system; combination of dock-high loading and 10’x12’ drive-in doors.

February 4, 2011February 2, 2011 sundancecompany Boise Commercial Real Estate, Boise Commercial Real Estate Development, Boise Industrial Space, Boise Office Space, Boise Retail Space, boise valley commercial real estate, The Sundance Company

Calculating How Much Space Your Business Needs

When your business is considering a move, or just starting out, you need to plan carefully when you calculate how much space you will need. Either too much or too little can have a dramatic impact on your bottom line, but there are some techniques you can use to determine exactly how much space you need. First, you need to assess your current situation, and then decide what are your expectations for the growth of your business over the next few years by considering the following questions:

How many people do I currently employ?
Does each employee need an individual desk or is sharing possible?
Do I expect to add any staff in the next couple of years?
Over what period of time will I add the staff?
What kind of staff will I be adding, executive, administrative, or sales?

In general, the amount of office space you need is estimated according to head count and your industry type. The customary range for office space is 150-350 square feet (SF) per person employed. It is the type of space you need to accommodate your business that plays a large part in narrowing that range.

At the lower end of the range is the open space plan, which has no private offices. Call centers and sales offices generally use this configuration and have desks or workstations grouped together. At the high end of the range is the traditional hard-wall or private office layout. Law offices, for example, almost all have private offices, large conference rooms, and support rooms such as libraries, kitchens and file rooms. But, for your foray into the office hunt, the general approach of using 250 square feet per person to estimate the amount of space you will occupy is a great place to begin.

The Sundance Company is here to help your company find the ideal commercial real estate space in the Boise Valley. Call us at 208-322-7300 or check out The Sundance Company website to view property photos, search for office space or learn more about Sundance’s start-to-finish capabilities. The Sundance Company has more than 1.5 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime Boise Valley locations.

January 29, 2011January 4, 2011 sundancecompany Boise Commercial Real Estate, boise valley commercial real estate, The Sundance Company

Does Your Company Need Cubicle Etiquette?

In every formal setting, there is specific business etiquette to be followed, and the office cubicle is no different. There are many things that you have to consider if you are working in an office cubicle, and here are some general cubicle etiquette tips.

Eavesdropping – Eavesdropping is considered a very bad habit, however, some of us give reasons like the cubicle height is very low so sound can easily travel through, and you can happen to hear it even when you do not intend to. But there is always an option of hearing a conversation of your colleague and keeping it only to yourself. When a person sitting next to you asks a question to another individual, and if you know the answer, do not stand up and tell the correct answer because this will only show that you have the habit of eavesdropping.

Talking – When you are working in a cubicle, it is bad manners to talk loudly. Talk softly, yet clearly, so that the listener can understand without letting other workers get disturbed. Do not place your hands or head over one’s cubicle and start a conversation. Do not take clients or corporate guests to cubicles for an introductory meet; you can instead go to a conference room. If your cubicle is a bit far from one whom you want to talk with, then go to his cubicle and then talk.

Appearance – The condition of your cubicle should be neat and tidy. There are many employees who like to decorate their cubicle with whatever they like and things that inspire them. You can surely decorate your working space, but see to it that you keep the decors simple.

Smells – One of the most important cubicle etiquette rules and ethics is to not eat strong-smelling snacks at your desk. Understand that your neighbors are also present, and they may get irritated by the smells coming from the food you are eating. While eating snacks, make sure that you do not disturb your neighbors by the crunchy eating sound.

January 22, 2011January 25, 2011 sundancecompany boise build to suit, Boise Commercial Real Estate, Boise Commercial Real Estate Development, Boise Industrial Space, Boise Office Space, Boise Property Management, Boise Retail Space, boise valley commercial real estate, Meridian Commercial Real Estate, meridian idaho, The Sundance Company

Boise Valley Commercial Real Estate Options with The Sundance Company

In the Boise Valley, confident tenants and buyers look to The Sundance Company for development; office, warehouse, and retail leasing; property management; build-to-suit/construction; and land and building sales. With more than 1.5 million square feet of prime office and industrial space in the greater Boise Valley, The Sundance Company has the size and diversity to avoid the need for a “one-size-fits-all” approach—thereby assuring customized solutions that are genuinely tailored to each client’s needs.

Every project by The Sundance Company is conceived and executed with integrity, innovation, accountability, and dedication by a team of seasoned experts who always remains mindful not only of tangible aspects of a property transaction but also the intangible. The in-house management team values its personal connections and the relationship of trust it has created with its tenants and property owners, which include national and regional companies, some of whom have been in Sundance buildings for more than 15 years. For more information about The Sundance Company’s available office space in The Boise Valley including Meridian please contact us today.

January 15, 2011January 19, 2011 sundancecompany Boise Commercial Real Estate, boise valley commercial real estate, Silverstone Amenity Center, The Sundance Company

Why Should Your Company Book A Conference Room?

Meeting rooms and conference centers have become increasingly popular in recent years. Large and small companies across the country utilize these specialized spaces for meetings and conferences of all sizes. There are many reasons why companies are moving their meetings away from the back room of the office and into these spaces. Below are just a few of the reasons why:

There has been a growth of well equipped, professional, and conveniently located meeting spaces over the years, so chances are there is a top facility in your neighborhood.
A change of location can rejuvenate and inspire a team that has been crammed into small office conference rooms for years.
Booking a meeting room is a quick and easy process, and most centers allow you to conveniently book online.
Rooms often come fully equipped with high-speed internet and phone, projectors, whiteboards, computer terminals, televisions, and DVD players. In other words, everything that you will need for your meeting.
Many venues offer on-site support staff, catering, and more.
Venues offer a variety of meeting room options. You will be able to choose the meeting room that is right for your purposes. Whether you need a small room for an intimate board meeting or a large conference space with hundreds of occupants, the space for you exists.
Flexible time frames are also available. Many venues offer rooms for a minimum of 1 hour and of course you can book it for however long you need.

If your business needs to book a room for a company meeting, then visit www.silverstoneamenitycenter.com. No detail has been overlooked in any of the Silverstone Amenity Center conference and meeting rooms, which feature the integration of high-tech audio/visual capabilities, wireless internet, and video teleconferencing. Whether you’re hosting a business meeting, corporate retreat, or holiday party, The Silverstone Amenity Center is the perfect location for any occasion. Located at the corner of Eagle and Overland Roads, in the Silverstone Park, the Amenity Center is right in the heart of the Boise Valley.

January 8, 2011January 4, 2011 sundancecompany Commercial real estate news, Economy news, The Sundance Company

Going Green in 2011

It seems like everyone is talking about saving energy, resources, and living green these days. Maybe your business has put it on the back burner but now that 2011 has begun it could be the perfect time for your office to get a green program going. Here are some tips for making your business greener.

Don’t print it. How many times have you seen an article or a webpage you want to read later and printed it? Try not to succumb to the temptation to print. If you can’t read it right away, bookmark the page.
Don’t print everything. Don’t print the entire article if you only want one paragraph. Highlight the paragraph you want, then copy and paste it into a Word document. It’s also a lot easier to use as a reference or a quote in a report if you don’t have to retype it.
Use both sides of the page. Many new printers can be set to print on both sides of the page, but if your printer cannot, keep a stack of “one-side-used” paper beside the printer to print drafts or articles that will only be used for reference.
Recycle. Offices generate a lot of waste other than paper, and some of it is toxic. Do what you can to recycle old office equipment. You will find a host of recycling tips, locations, and information on the Internet
Turn in old ink cartridges. Many office supply stores have recycle stations where you can drop off your old printer cartridges to be reused. Groups can even make money recycling old print cartridges.
Turn it Off. Unplug chargers when they are not in use. Chargers, when left plugged into the sockets are still eating power, even though your device is not refueling, so take a moment to unplug them or plug all the devices into a single surge protector and turn it off when not in use.
Lights Out. Take a moment before you leave the office to turn off lights, printers, computers, monitors, and copiers. You will extend the life of your equipment and save some money as well.

January 1, 2011December 30, 2010 sundancecompany Uncategorized

Plan Your 2011 Meetings at the Silverstone Amenity Center

Happy New Year! It is never too early to start planning your company meetings, parties, or retreats, and Slverstone Amenity Center is ready for you. No detail has been overlooked in any of the Silverstone Amenity Center conference and meeting rooms, which feature the integration of high-tech audio/visual capabilities, wireless internet, and video teleconferencing. Whether you’re hosting a business meeting, corporate retreat, or holiday party, The Silverstone Amenity Center is the perfect location for any occasion. Located at the corner of Eagle and Overland Roads, in the Silverstone Park, the Amenity Center is right in the heart of the Boise Valley.
Additional on-site services include:

Business Concierge
Food and Beverage Catering Arrangements
Presentation Equipment
Commercial Catering Station
Free Parking

More information available at www.silverstoneamenitycenter.com.

December 26, 2010December 5, 2010 sundancecompany Boise Commercial Real Estate, Boise Commercial Real Estate Development, Boise Industrial Space, Boise Office Space, Boise Retail Space, boise valley commercial real estate, The Sundance Company

Boise Commercial Real Estate For Lease – Maple Grove Center

The Sundance Company is pleased to announce that Maple Grove Center, a three-building industrial complex that accommodates warehouse and office/ showroom users, has space available for lease. Besides enjoying an excellent central location, the Maple Grove Center also features truck access around entire buildings, grade-level doors and excellent parking.

The Sundance Company knows that finding the right leasing space for your business can be a complicated process, and that is why we are here to help your company find the ideal commercial real estate space in the Boise Valley. If Maple Grove Center is not your ideal office space, please check out The Sundance Company website to view property photos, search for office space or learn more about Sundance’s start-to-finish capabilities. The Sundance Company has more than 1.5 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime Boise Valley locations.

Maple Grove Center
200, 274, and 300 N. Maple Grove Road
Boise, Idaho 83709

Site Area: 5.9 acres
Zoning: M-1D
Number of Floors: One
Site Area: 200 Building – 51,360 sq. ft.; 274 Building – 13,500 sq. ft.; 300 Building – 27,450 sq. ft.
Construction: Exterior is pre-engineered steel with EIFS on Building 200 and 300; concrete tilt up on Building 274.
Year Built: The 200 Building was constructed in the early ‘70’s with a remodel completed in 1990. The 274 Building was constructed in 1993 and the 300 Building in 1990.
Roof: 26-gauge metal roofing with galvanized flashing
Ceiling Height: Varies from 15 feet to 28 feet in warehouse area
Floor Construction: Concrete slab
Windows: Anodized aluminum, double pane
Warehouse Doors: Metal overhead doors at 10’x10’ or 10’x12’
Insulation: All insulated
Offices: Carpeted floors, stud interior partitions with textured drywall and dropped ceiling with recessed fluorescent lighting.
Warehouse Lights: Ceiling-mounted fluorescent tubes
Heating/Cooling: Ceiling-hung gas heaters provide heating in warehouse; office areas have forced-air heating and air conditioning.
Parking: 202 spots in addition to adequate room for large vehicles to access all overhead doors.
Site Improvements: Landscaping at the Maple Grove frontage, and a common dock for specialty loading.
Special: Fenced yard at the rear of the project
Sprinklers: Dry and wet system
Power: 3 Phase 208V power
Telephone: Fiber optics available

December 19, 2010December 5, 2010 sundancecompany The Sundance Company

Keeping Control of the Office Thermostat

When winter in full swing around most of the country you might find your office struggling to keep temperature at an acceptable level for all of the employees. So, if you are a tenant in a building struggling to warm up or cool down, here is some information that may be helpful.
Put a thermometer in the hottest or coldest space so you can track the temperature and its fluctuation. Track it for a few days, ideally in sunny and cloudy weather, so you will have the information if you need to discuss the problem with a property manager. You may need more than one thermometer. You may also find out that it is not as bad as you think. Sometimes, an employee can be overly sensitive to either heat or cold, and you may just need to address the issue within your own space by providing a small fan or a small personal heater at a specific desk. Remember, spring and fall are usually the most difficult times as day-to-day temperatures fluctuate greatly and it is sometimes hard to keep up with the rapidly changing conditions.

Do what you can to control your own destiny. Sometimes you can do some things to control the temperature within your space. First and foremost, stop messing with the thermostat (or keep your employees from doing it) Set and forget it! Constantly adjusting it up and down does not help the situation as it takes a while for a change in the setting to distribute through the entire space so it is felt by the cold or hot employee. I have frequently seen someone crank up a thermostat to 85 degrees when they are cold, operating on the false assumption that setting the temperature higher that the desirable 72 will make it warm up faster. Not true! It will hit the target 72 at the same time; however, it will then zoom past it requiring the thermostat to be reset lower setting up a yo-yo of hot and cold all day. Get an inexpensive locking cover for the thermostat and avoid the conflict. Window treatments can be opened or closed depending on sun load, heat generating office equipment and lights can be turned off when not in use, doors to private offices and conference rooms can be left open to keep the air circulating, and most importantly, dress for the environment. After all, a sweater is perhaps the most cost effective form of temperature control! And, if you pay for your own utilities, taking control of your HVAC can save you money too!