Like many businesses, we’ve been faced with uncertainty in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our clients, customers, and partners were, too—and in many cases, they had to pivot on a dime.

It’s been nearly 10 months since our world changed, and we’ve learned valuable lessons along the way. It sounds cliché, but it’s true: navigating uncharted waters with our team has required a different approach to the status quo, but we believe we’re better for it.

Typically, this is the time of year for renewed determination and setting challenging goals. Jim Foster, Vice President and General Manager of Merchandising and National Accounts at The HON Company, joined us to talk about what we’ve learned about our business, our industry, and our path forward.

Rapid Change Means Rapid Adjustments

We learned quickly that we needed to move...well, quickly.

“There was a lot of uncertainty, a lot of unknowns,” Foster said. “Like many companies, we’ve historically been based in the office, and now we’re suddenly shifting to working at home while having several key initiatives going on. The question was, how do we pivot, and how do we make sure we’re not only keeping the core business moving but also doing that in a new setting? And at the same time, how can we be responsive to what’s happening in the market?”

To that end, we created dedicated teams focused on the changing dynamics of the market. What were the needs of our customers, and how could we find solutions to keep people safe? Initiatives like healthy workplaces, safe school environments and developing PPE for use across various industries were key focal points.

Be Nimble, Be Creative, Be Agile

One of HON’s core pillars is our commitment to being customer first. Faced with brand-new variables and questions, we recognized that we had to think outside the box and do things differently.

“We’ve really challenged ourselves to create the best solutions for our customers, no matter where they’re working from,” Foster said. “Work from home has been a big change, obviously. We’ve had to advance our WFH segment more in the last 6-9 months than in the last 10 years. Needs and desires have evolved this year, and we’ve made it our mission to understand and acknowledge the new landscape. Making those connections inspires us throughout our organization, our products, and our business model.”

The need for creativity extends beyond developing new products. While we’ve devoted significant energy to that effort, we’ve also found new ways to show our products—which helps customers understand how they look and work together in a new environment.

Built for the Here and Now

Even as the pandemic continues, our timelines for design and production have shrunk. Once we discovered the needs of our customers, we came back with solutions in a fraction of the time we’re used to. But it’s a task we’re up to. The HON Now program, which allows customers to have commercial quality home office furniture shipped to their door in a matter of days, is an initiative of which we’re proud.

“We know people are busy and trying to multitask at home, which is why we’ve made sure everyone can get the products they need quickly and without hassle,” Foster said. “We’ve been able to adjust and shift resources to create an intense focus on at-home solutions so our customers don’t have to sacrifice productivity and time.”

HON’s domestic production capability plays a key role in this. Instead of procuring products overseas, we’ve adjusted our manufacturing facilities, cut down supply chains, and brought new products to the market more quickly than other providers.

Well-Positioned for What’s to Come

We’ve wasted no time putting the lessons of 2020 into action. We’re actively preparing for 2021, and Foster said HON is in a position of strength, ready to meet customers where they are with what they need, no matter what the new year brings.

At the end of the day, it’s about delivering solutions that promote productivity, collaboration, and comfort— wherever you’re working.

“We have a model that supports [the] ability to work in many environments, whether it’s education, your office, a commercial application or at home,” Foster said. “We’ve seen the importance of ergonomics. Are people able to work and feel the same way they felt in the commercial office? We’re set up to provide that right solution for members whether they’re working at home or in their corporate offices.”

While many people are currently missing the element of collaboration in the physical sense (like being together around a table or brainstorming in a common area), HON teams have worked to create products that still bring people together.

2020 has taught us a lot, but we’re looking forward to what 2021 will bring. To learn more about how HON can help your business in the coming year, visit hon.com