Buying office furniture can be a complicated process.

At HON, we’ve thought about it at length, and the question we always come back to is: “how can we create the best experience?”

Whether you know what you’re looking for or are starting the furniture search for the first time, there are several advantages to working with an experienced office furniture partner – which we’ll dig into in this blog with the assistance of two in-house experts.

We sat down with our own Ric Andersen (Vice President, Sales) and Aaron Snyder (Senior Director, Sales Operations) to talk about the ins and outs of the office furniture business and the wide-ranging benefits that a partner brings to the table.

Tip #1: Look For A Strong Dealer Network

Some companies talk about pricing, while others focus heavily on delivery times. But they’re missing something quite important.

When you’re in the market for office furniture, it’s key to know your provider’s depth of product and the brands they support.

“Great dealers support great brands,” Andersen said. “Considerations like design and project management are crucial to building a space which works, while offering brands which have strong warranties, person-to-person customer support and a commitment to service will make your post-sale experience fulfilling and ensure that your furniture lasts far into the future.

“HON has the strongest dealer network in the United States,” said Andersen. “Dealers want to partner with HON because we have comprehensive commercial solutions that cover any type of businesses from the front entrance to the back office – no matter the size of the company. We also understand the power of value, as budgets are always a consideration, and we have products at the right price points. When we pair these advantages with our powerful dealer network and their capabilities, it allows us to meet and exceed customer expectations. This is what it takes to get it right.”

While there are highly-capable salespeople and installation professionals at other furniture providers, many competitors fall short of what the customer truly expects. Customers want (and expect) their furniture partner to take care of everything.

“We’re focused on bringing customer spaces to life. It’s a comprehensive approach,” said Snyder. “We’re the experts in the furniture-buying process, and every step of our process makes that clear to the customer.”

Tip #2: Find A Partner – Not Just A Provider – You Can Trust

Buying furniture can be overwhelming.

That’s why we’re focused on making the process simpler.

The right partner should be an extension of your team, from design and consultation, to budget planning, to finding products that fit your specific needs. Every office space and customer wish list is unique, and for those reasons, details matter.

“If you look at commercial furniture and integrating what we offer in a way that positively impacts your business and drives real meaningful business outcomes, it’s not that simple and intuitive when you do it once or twice in a career. It’s an ongoing challenge,” Andersen said. “There are so many options (on the market). We onboard that best-in-class expertise and it’s part of our business model.

“We don’t offer a set of parts and pieces that you have to put together yourself. We build the right solutions tailored for your business needs, and that’s why we have the people in-house that do this for you.”

At the end of the day, furniture has to provide a meaningful outcome for your business. The goal is to make your workplace more productive, to make your company more inclusive, and to help you attract and retain top talent. Best of all, HON can make your space work for you – work should be a place where members can do their best work, says Andersen.

Tip #3: Find A Partner Who Understands Your Business Needs

Buying furniture is a key moment in the life of a business.

It may not sound like that at first, but furniture is a long-term investment geared toward improving the work experience of your employees. When they’re in the office, they should feel comfortable, productive, and have the flexibility to work in different spaces or settings conducive to their preferred work style.

Collaboration is key. The ability to offer localized expertise is a differentiator for HON and its network, Snyder said.

“We offer unparalleled capabilities combined with a powerful, connected dealer network to meet the local needs of the local customer,” said Andersen.

“Everyone wants to know: did I get a solution that helps me attract talent and helps me drive meaningful business outcomes and give people the opportunity to collaborate and do their best work? Did I get the experience that I needed? Did I get furniture which was built to last so I’m not paying twice? Was the value I got commensurate with my expectations? With HON, all those things are historically proven.”

HON has helped customers across the United States reimagine their workspaces. If you’re interested in unique answers to your business problems, we’d love to have a conversation with you. For more information, please hon.com.