Cornell University researchers recently published a paper in the Journal of Organization Behavior describing two studies that tested the effect of different music types on employees working in teams. They found that when happy music was played (such as the “Happy Days” theme song, “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison, “Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles, and “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves), employees were more likely to be cooperative with each other. When unpleasant music was played (such as heavy metal songs from bands not generally known), employees behaved more selfishly.

“Music is a pervasive part of much of our daily lives, whether we consciously notice it or not,” said Kevin Kniffin, a Cornell University behavioral scientist and the paper’s lead author. “Music might melt into the background in places like supermarkets or gyms and other times it’s very prominent like places of worship or presidential nominating conventions. Our results show that people seem more likely to get into sync with each other if they’re listening to music that has a steady beat to it.”

Brian Wansink, director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab and a co-author of the paper, sees the good in the findings.

“What’s great about these findings, other than having a scientific reason to blast tunes at work, is that happy music has the power to make the workplace more cooperative and supportive overall,” Wansink said.

The researchers recommend that managers consider the employee experience at work when choosing to play music.

“Lots of employers spend significant sums of time and money on off-site teambuilding exercises to build cooperation among employees,” Kniffin said. “Our research points to the office sound system as a channel that has been underappreciated as a way to inspire cooperation among co-workers.”

(Source: Katie Baildon/Cornell University)

(Image: kasiQ kmjw/Creative Commons)

“Our chairs can hold an elephant!”

We’ve all heard the outlandish claims seating manufacturers make regarding the amount of weight their products can hold. In reality, furniture testing is much more complex than just placing a weight on a chair to see if the chair can support the weight.

That’s why it’s important for furniture manufacturers to tests their products to meet or exceed standards set by the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA). An American National Standards Institute-accredited organization, BIFMA’s standards incorporate feedback from manufacturers, customers, and furniture testers.

“It’s important to differentiate between a product that can simply hold a large amount of weight and a product that has been tested to repeatedly meet the impact of that much weight,” said Doug Woodard, North American Furniture Leader, UL and founder of Advanced Furniture Testing, a UL Company.

The seating market demands multi-functionality, and manufacturers must test their seating to meet those demands. Partner with a manufacturer that puts their seating through a full battery of BIFMA tests, including but not limited to, seat drop, leg-pull, and stability testing. Brian Truelove, operations manager at Advanced Furniture Testing, a UL Company, stated, “People are dynamic. They are in constant motion, and testing needs to replicate actual movement.”

Customer safety should be a top priority for your facility and so should product durability. Make sure your furniture supplier shares these same values as well. The next time someone tells you their chair can hold an elephant, ask to see their BIFMA test results instead!

Meeting the New Flammability Standards

In 2013, the State of California adopted a revision to the flammability standard (TB-117), now titled TB 117-2013. Starting January 1, 2015, all manufacturers of upholstered furniture that use polyurethane foam were required to comply with the new standard when shipping to California. Over the years, TB-117 has become the de facto flammability standard for most states.

The new standard requires foam to meet a smolder test, which is much less stringent than the previous open-flame test. As a result, many of the harmful chemicals in polyurethane foam that aided in meeting the original requirement can be removed from the manufacturing process. This is critical because there is no longer exposure to the high level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that were previously present during foam production.

When selecting upholstery for your next project, be sure it meets these new flammability standards.

(Image: ID Number THX 1139/Creative Commons)

You, as an IAVM member, are our most important asset. Without your commitment to the association and to the venue management industry, we wouldn’t be here. Because of your support, we are featuring member profiles in our I Am Venue Management series. If you are interested in participating in the I Am Venue Management series, please visit http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story.

If I wasn’t doing this I’d be an: electrical engineer.

Most impressive person I’ve ever met is: my stepfather. Our family lost him to lung cancer, and he taught me a life lesson of how to be an “upstanding citizen of society.”

I unwind by: taking the free days to play golf or find time to travel with my friends and family.

On my desk right now is: a small golf bag holding pens that look like golf clubs. A gift from my fiancé to remind me that even through the tough days make sure you find the time to enjoy the little things in life.

My favorite IAVM conference I ever attended was: the 2015 VenueConnect in Baltimore. I am currently in the Mentor Connector Program, and I am really looking forward to the progression of this program. I am also looking forward to attending Venue Management School soon.

If I were on the other side of the seats, I’d be a: football operations coordinator.

One trait an up-and-coming venue manager should have is: patience.

One up-and-coming venue star in the industry is: Clara Poole recently with UTA College Park Center and now settling in with the Irving Convention Center. Clara has not only been a great friend but a young professional who shows a lot of inspiration and optimism.

One of my goals for this year is to: become a better manager, as well as, an inspiring leader to those I work with. Continue to give back to the community and industry who have helped me reach the level I am at today.

How do you plan to help elevate the profession? Continue to inspire young professionals to become more involved in our industry and how to be better prepared for local and world issues.

Where do you see new growth opportunities in the profession? In the types of multipurpose facilities that are being designed and constructed. This would include the continuing innovative technology of enhancing a “smart stadium,” security and infrastructure, and customer-service programs.

How do you stay current with industry trends and developments? Touching base with connections that are currently implementing these trends and developments. Reading up on reviews and stories of who, what, when, why, and how these trends are improving or affecting our industry.

Who are three people you’d invite to a dinner party and why? David Beckham, Arnold Palmer, and Bill Gates. All of these great figures were very successful in each aspect of their industries. Success comes to everyone in different ways. Sitting down with them would get me to understand that there are different paths to take in order to achieve your goals and reach your ambitions.

Zachary Reed is assistant director of UT-Arlington Maverick Stadium.

The IAVM Foundation opened its online silent auction last week, and the bids are rolling in. By bidding on items, you’re helping increase the positive impact of the venue industry by funding research, education, and resource development.

Supporting the venue industry is important, and here’s why.

“The potential return on the venue investment expands when led and operated by an educated, experienced, and capable workforce that can identify, prevent, and respond to problems, protect the millions in their care on a daily basis, and ensure financial viability and for the landmark assets in their communities,” the IAVM Foundation said. “As the world and the industry becomes more complex, the need is greater than ever to ensure that each and every public assembly venue has a professional workforce, base of knowledge, and adequate resources to ensure safety and enjoyment of the public, security of assets, and business results that contribute to economic development and quality of life.”

The online silent auction includes collectibles, tickets, fitness items, and more. If you would like to donate items for the auction, please email Sandra Franklin.

The Baton Rouge River Center provided a safe home for thousands of people stranded due to the recent flooding in Louisiana.

“The arena arranged to sleep more than a thousand people with resources on standby including a list that includes a makeshift hospital thanks to doctors and nurses who saw a need and stepped up,” Mark Armstrong reported for WGNO.

More than 2,800 residents remain in shelters, and an estimated 60,000 homes were damaged. The Advocate offered a great resource for those seeking to help flood victims. Visit “How to Donate Money, Items for Flood Victims,” to learn more. And check out the video above to see how the Baton Rouge River Center helped those in need.