In the wake of the transformative impacts ushered in by the COVID-19 pandemic, the landscape of work has undergone a seismic evolution. The abrupt transition to remote work left employees grappling with extended hours in makeshift home offices. While this initial adjustment was manageable, homeworkers now find workspaces are ill-equipped for hybrid working. This has resulted in all manner of musculoskeletal issues, underscoring the urgent demand for new ergonomic solutions specifically designed for home office users.
Recognising this burgeoning need, ACCO Brands swiftly mobilised its expertise in ergonomic equipment, leveraging it to cater to the unique requirements of remote work while enabling resellers to bolster their margins in this category. The outcome of this endeavour is a suite of hybrid work-supporting ergonomic solutions under ACCO’s Leitz brand.
ACCO UK & Ireland Regional Marketing Director Elisabete Wells says: “For years, we’ve featured ergonomic products in our portfolio through the Kensington brand. While they excelled in design for the office setting, they leaned towards a utilitarian aesthetic. The Leitz Ergo range, in contrast, not only offers all the wellbeing advantages of conventional ergonomic solutions but integrates a home-centric design ethos encompassing size, functionality and aesthetics.”
Design innovation
This diverse product selection encompasses stools, sitting balls, laptop risers, seat cushions, footrests, monitor stands, desktop risers and wrist and keyboard rests. Each item seamlessly marries design-forward thinking without sacrificing function, culminating in a range that was bestowed with the esteemed German Design Award in 2022. Moreover, the majority of the products have undergone rigorous testing and garnered commendations from the German Institute for Health and Ergonomics.
Innovation continues to be at the forefront for Leitz, as evidenced by the latest additions to the Ergo selection meticulously crafted to optimise comfort and productivity within the confines of a home office. This includes sitting balls in three sizes to accommodate users of different heights, compact and slim profile monitor arms and new to the range – a wobble cushion.
The inflatable wobble cushion is engineered to enhance core stability, posture, and back strength through micro-movements that promote balance while seated. Wells notes: “It is exceedingly comfortable and versatile, with diverse applications extending beyond the office such as catering to children with sensory needs and even yoga enthusiasts.”
Central to the promotion and building of the Leitz Ergo brand has been a concerted effort on social media, where the user-centric ergonomic solutions are showcased to consumers, driving sales back through resellers.
To highlight this endeavour and create consumer awareness, ACCO Brands and Leitz have forged a partnership with award-winning osteopath and social media influencer Anisha Joshi, known as @osteoanisha on Instagram.
Joshi’s accolades include the prestigious Principal Osteopath of the Year Award, and she has garnered recognition for her work with a roster of high-profile clientele, including celebrities, professional athletes, and fitness influencers. A prominent voice in her field, Joshi’s insights have graced publications such as The Telegraph, Vanity Fair, Women’s Health, and ITV’s This Morning.
When not tending to patients at Osteoallies Clinics, which she co-owns, she imparts invaluable tips for promoting wellbeing to her 20,000+ followers on social media channels.
Holistic approach
Joshi’s philosophy on preventive care seamlessly aligns with Leitz’s mission to champion holistic wellbeing through ergonomic solutions. The aim is to empower individuals to proactively mitigate discomfort and musculoskeletal issues associated with prolonged desk work.
“With the rise of hybrid work, people aren’t moving as much as they would in the office which has increased the amount of pain they are experiencing. The most common problems are lower back pain, sciatica, anterior hip pain, neck and shoulder pain,” says Joshi.
Reflecting on the Leitz collaboration, Joshi affirms: “I was impressed by the versatility of the products. One of the hardest challenges when it comes to ergonomic workstation solutions is finding a product to accommodate individuals of different heights or those with limited space. The entire Ergo range ticked every single box when it came to all the problems my patients express when I advise them to buy a particular chair or solution.”
In addition to her regular posts sharing wellness tips featuring products from the Leitz Ergo range, Joshi actively endorses the products to her clients and integrates them into her four clinics. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the Leitz team is diligently invested in digital performance campaigns, leveraging tools like pay-per-click, Google Ads, YouTube and Spotify advertising to disseminate their message.
“Receiving such glowing endorsements about our performance from a trusted professional source is immensely reassuring, both for us and our end users. Anisha’s advocacy for the range on her social media platforms, coupled with her resoundingly positive feedback, will significantly heighten consumer awareness and channel sales to our resellers, driving further growth in this category,” notes Wells.
Anisha says…
The Leitz Ergo Cosy rocking footrest stands out as my favourite choice as it promotes movement in your ankles, knees, and calves while you work.
This is highly beneficial for circulation in your lower limbs, helping to prevent stiffness in your feet throughout the day.
Anisha’s optimal ergonomic workspace
- Incorporate a sit-stand stool to strike a balance between sitting and standing at your desk. This choice is great for easing lower back and hip discomfort.
- Elevate your workspace with a reliable desk riser that seamlessly adjusts to your preferred height and requirements. This addition proves invaluable in addressing lower back, hip, and neck strains.
- Consider using an anti-fatigue mat, especially if you find yourself standing for extended periods. It encourages subtle motion in the ankles, knees and feet, effectively warding off joint stiffness.
- Enhance your sitting arrangement with a wobble cushion. Its superb comfort allows for continuous spinal movement while gently engaging the core muscles.
- Use a footrest to keep ankles mobile and alleviate pressure on your legs, particularly if you experience pain in your hips, lower back or legs while working at your desk.
Three key questions to ask customers when selling ergonomic equipment:
- Do you have any pain or discomfort in your body?
- How much space have you got around your desk and on your desk?
- How many hours are you sitting at your desk?
