Business Connections by Adams

W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 7 BUSINESS connections Stand Up for Health and Productivity Sitting less during the workday can result in significant benefits Employee Profile David Hess Adams Expert David Hess’ interest in computers began early. “The day I was given my first computer, Christmas 1993, I knew I’d be working in IT for a living,” he recalls. Hess owned and operated WCI Technologies from 2002 to 2016, when Adams Fiber purchased the company and changed the name to Adams Experts. A typical day for Hess is spent on service calls. He notes, “I move from business to business, sometimes putting out ‘fires’ and sometimes building networks and installing computers. I really enjoy being the personal IT guy for small businesses.” What does Hess like most about working for Adams? He says, “I like having coworkers who love their jobs and are motivated. They genuinely care about the company and our customers.” Outside of work, Hess is an avid piano player. He also loves all things technology and recently made all the lights in his house voice activated. Hess adds, “I watch cartoons and still love to play any kind of Mario game. I’m basically a kid that looks like a grown up.” S it down and get to work.” You probably remember teachers saying that during your school years. But was it the best advice? Some research suggests that long periods of constant sitting inhibit circulation and flexibility, and decrease attentiveness. A recent study from Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University says that by reducing excessive sitting to less than three hours a day, a person can add an estimated two years to his or her life expectancy. This information has led more companies to offer employees the option of working at a stand-up desk. The idea isn’t new; history features many prominent stand-up desk users including Thomas Jefferson, Ernest Hemingway, and Winston Churchill. However, the trend is catching on as more people experience the health and productivity benefits of working while standing. Even if you don’t want to invest in stand-up desks at your company, there are other ways to incorporate more standing into the workday: • Stand up while talking on the phone. Doing so helps many people stay alert and adds energy to their voices—particularly useful during sales calls. • Have stand-up meetings. It’s almost guaranteed that these meetings will take less time; when standing, people tend to get to the point more quickly. • Take regular activity breaks. It can be as simple as a five-minute walk around the hallway or a few trips up and down the stairs. The bottom line (pun intended) is this: Employees who are more sedentary have been found to be less productive. Is it time for your company to stand up and take notice? “