We’ve expanded! We recently opened our newest Ideoli office in the beautiful city of Athens, Greece, to support our local European markets and to continue to create valuable business relationships. In June we hosted an amazing launch event of Ideoli Europe in Athens which took place on the rooftop of the renowned Lalaounis Jewelry Museum, giving an incredible view of the Acropolis. We shared our ambitious expansion plans in Europe with 100+ guests, incl. industry leaders, developers, designers, architects, and government officials, and create new connections with locals and visitors alike. The expansion of our operations in Europe and the establishment of our new Athens office marks the expansion of an already extensive global network that includes the Americas, Asia and Latin America. We are happy that Greece has welcomed us with open arms. We couldn’t have found a better place to launch Ideoli Europe. We are excited about this new chapter and look forward to working on many projects here in Greece and Europe. Facebook-f Linkedin-in Tumblr Envelope
Ideoli has been certified in ISO 45001, ISO 14001 and in ISO 9001 by Perry Johnson Registrars (PJR). We have some great news! Ideoli has been certified in ISO 45001, related to occupational health and safety management, in ISO 14001, related to environmental management, and in ISO 9001, related to quality management by Perry Johnson Registrars (PJR). But what do these certifications mean? ISO 45001 means the organization has integrated aspects of health and safety into its business processes, resulting in a reduction in the overall cost of incidents, downtime, disruptions, insurance premiums, employee turnover, and more. ISO 14001 is related to the environment. The certification ensures the continual improvement of the organization in this pivotal area and assures that Ideoli’s environmental impact is being measured and improved. ISO 9001 sets out the criteria for a quality management system. It ensures customer expectations are met and exceeded, ensures leadership establishes unity and coherence, and predictability in results good relationships with all interested parties in Ideoli’s orbit. These certifications enable Ideoli to establish an even bigger footprint in global markets, specifically in the European Union and widen the array of customers it services and products it develops.Through receiving these certifications, Ideoli is now in a better position to service the European Government Agencies and other clients with its lighting products. This certification comes just in time for Ideoli’s European expansion and its European office launch event!The expansion of its operations in Europe and the establishment of its Athens office marks the expansion of an already extensive global network that includes the Americas, Asia, and Latin America. To celebrate the occasion, Ideoli has organized an event titled “Ideoli’s European Expansion: A Night Under the Acropolis”. The event will take place at the Lalaounis Jewelry Museum Rooftop which features an astounding view of the Parthenon and the surrounding city – a location fitting the occasion and rich in symbolism. In attendance will be lighting and architecture industry leaders, manufacturers, government officials, and journalists. Facebook-f Linkedin-in Tumblr Envelope
Landing in Athens for a quick 48-hour trip has become standard practice for us from the United States. We have been preparing this month with our new Managing Director of Ideoli Europe, Kosta Varnavopoulos, to see several potential office spaces that we have been filtering online. Leaving Syntagma Square in the center of the city, we head up to the new office we signed a lease on the very next day. The new office is located in the suburb of Marousi. With a new lease in hand, we interviewed dozens of potential candidates in the new office. Client meetings in between and taking in this glorious city. After a packed couple days, George drops off the rental car at the Athens airport excited for the potential in this market. Facebook-f Linkedin-in Tumblr Envelope
What happens when customers from all over the world ask Ideoli to create vibrant lighting fixtures for their luxury residences? We simply take the challenge! By combining design experts, clever engineering and craftmanship from professionals around the globe, we bring the best results to our customers. For this specific customer, our design team from Greece and Argentina cooperated with our lighting engineers in New York and Asia. Starting from a sketch, to making the design, to 3D modeling, to working prototypes – Ideoli developed the client’s vision. Seeing these chandeliers installed in this luxury residence makes us feel proud of our work. Having a happy customer is what drives us. On to the next project we go! Stay connected with #ideoli online at ideoli.com and on all our social media platforms – Facebook (facebook.com/ideoligroup), Twitter (twitter.com/ideoli), Instagram (instagram.com/ideoligroup/), Vimeo (vimeo.com/ideoli), LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/ideoli). Facebook-f Linkedin-in Tumblr Envelope
When designing the light environment of a space, the choice of light shades can be the defining factor to the overall design. Ideoli is here to help you choose what’s right for you. BARE BULB: This look offers direct light all around with nothing obstructing it. You may need dimmable or lower lumen output if you go that way. REFLECTORS: Think of directing beam or beams of light where you need it most. You can highlight key points or create non direct lighting areas. GLASS: Can be transparent or opal, textured and colored. It offers a similar lighting effect to the bare bulb solution but more decorative. FABRIC: Allows light to fall on the top and bottom of the shade and could also allow light to pass through the texture providing a soft or textured effect. INNER SHADE: brings a big impact to the color and flooding of the light that leaves the shade. It can add warmth or different colors to the final output. CAGE: creates interesting patterns on ceilings and walls and can ultimately add decorative look to the space. Whatever shade you choose, Ideoli can make it happen and bring tremendous value to your choice. Stay connected with #ideoli online at ideoli.com and on all our social media platforms – Facebook (facebook.com/ideoligroup), Twitter (twitter.com/ideoli), Instagram (instagram.com/ideoligroup/), Vimeo (vimeo.com/ideoli), LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/ideoli). Facebook-f Linkedin-in Tumblr Envelope
The Global Pandemic has led to congested ports around the world. The Port of Los Angeles processed 50% more cargo during the second half of 2020. The increase has doubled since then. Due to Covid measures, fewer workers on the floor has brought slower processing times. Lack of exports makes it harder for the shipping companies who rely on round trip economics. This alone has affected the price of shipping. It is predicted that there will be no slowdown of imports, thus a growing backlog of cargo. Ideoli urges its clients to plan ahead and engage us early on. Facebook-f Linkedin-in Tumblr Envelope
Ideoli works with businesses using digital transformation by introducing IoT (Internet of things) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the workplace. IoT sensors can monitor things such as occupancy and energy consumption in real-time and provide data for analysis. Artificial intelligence in cooperation with IoT sensors and smart appliances can use this data and make control adjustments to effectively help in reducing energy consumption. For instance, smart lights with IoT sensors can detect people in a room. In case a room is empty, lights would shut off and turn back on when someone enters the room. This data can then be shared with enabled HVAC systems to adjust heating and cooling accordingly. Business leaders are investing in these modern technologies and Ideoli is here help you reap their benefits and gain a competitive edge. Stay connected with #ideoli online at ideoli.com and on all our social media platforms – Facebook (facebook.com/ideoligroup), Twitter (twitter.com/ideoli), Instagram (instagram.com/ideoligroup/), Vimeo (vimeo.com/ideoli), LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/ideoli). Facebook-f Linkedin-in Tumblr Envelope
Co-working office spaces are changing in a post-pandemic era. Professionals who previously commuted to work and were forced to stay home, need a safe workplace close to their homes. The new approach will be – one floor in ten cities, versus ten floors in one. Companies will have to move to multiple locations with flexible layouts. Increased hygiene measures are critical for employees to feel comfortable in these spaces again. Using technology to revamp your workspace is a no-brainer: think automatic doors, hands-free check-ins and smart lighting. Environments where people work shoulder-to-shoulder in poorly lit spaces with recycled air will no longer be attractive. Ideoli is here to help you build a stronger sense of community when we return to the ‘new normal’. Stay connected with #ideoli online at ideoli.com and on all our social media platforms – Facebook (facebook.com/ideoligroup), Twitter (twitter.com/ideoli), Instagram (instagram.com/ideoligroup/), Vimeo (vimeo.com/ideoli), LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/ideoli). Facebook-f Linkedin-in Tumblr Envelope
Environmental consciousness is at the forefront at Ideoli. And helping in the development of smart buildings and cities supports this. Internet of Things (IoT) along with Power Over Ethernet (PoE) are technologies that can provide access to lighting, air conditioning, electricity and various sensors. These sensors can provide data and be refined into value-generating services like artificial intelligence, machine learning and energy optimization. Openness and flexibility of this data exploiting software can provide us with many new opportunities, results of whom we’ll see in the near future. There is a lot happening now in different areas towards efficiency and low carbon transmission and Ideoli provides intelligent LED lighting solutions to support these efforts. Stay connected with #ideoli online at ideoli.com and on all our social media platforms – Facebook (facebook.com/ideoligroup), Twitter (twitter.com/ideoli), Instagram (instagram.com/ideoligroup/), Vimeo (vimeo.com/ideoli), LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/ideoli). Facebook-f Linkedin-in Tumblr Envelope
While at the office, you may have experienced headaches or felt eye strain. This could be an indication of inadequate workplace lighting. Ideoli is here to give you some lighting advice. The amount of daylight, shadows, ergonomic conditions in the workplace and the type of activity are factors that should be taken into consideration when designing an office space. The right artificial light reduces the strain on the eyes, reduces shadows and provides sufficient light for all tasks. One of the most important steps is to fine tune the light intensity based on the type of tasks being completed. Having both too much or too little light in the space can result in negative physiological effects and even reduce a workers efficiency in completing tasks. Whether designing a home office or a full size co-working space, Ideoli is here to share knowledge and technology to make you feel at home! Stay connected with #ideoli online at ideoli.com and on all our social media platforms – Facebook (facebook.com/ideoligroup), Twitter (twitter.com/ideoli), Instagram (instagram.com/ideoligroup/), Vimeo (vimeo.com/ideoli), LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/ideoli). Facebook-f Linkedin-in Tumblr Envelope
Ideoli’s CEO, George Stroumboulis, was interviewed by the team at Startup.info to discuss how the pandemic has affected his company and what they are doing to fight through it. George shed some insight on Ideoli’s adapting business model and how he is dealing on a personal level as well. To read the full article, click here or read below. —– INNOVATORS VS COVID 19 George Stroumboulis CEO at Ideoli Tells Us How His Company Adapts to Shifting Manufacturing Landscape during the Pandemic Times By Kossi Adzo First of all, how are you and your family doing in these COVID-19 times? George Stroumboulis: Humans are resilient and adapt to most environments they are thrown in. This is no different. I have 2 young daughters that each had their birthdays during this was an experience. Learning what this is, what we need to do to adapt, and to stay healthy mentally and physically was an amazing experience to take with my family. Now we are ready to get back to normal with schools starting, and hopefully, the economy opening up. Tell us about you, your career, how you founded Ideoli George Stroumboulis: My background is diverse, and a long journey to get to where I am today, as the CEO of a global manufacturing company. My early exposure to business was in the family restaurant business, which we bought when I was 5 years old. Essentially from day one, my immigrant parents threw my sister and me into the business. To make sure we were at their feet daily. We learned about the economics of produce and food costs before I hit double digits in my age. Being exposed to so many elements was the greatest lesson to this day. From there, I studied and did internships abroad in France, Greece, Ireland, and the United States. Working for companies in the executive learning, lighting distribution, and tech start-up worlds. For my spare time, I produced a reality television program for the Greek market that landed me on the Wall Street Journal cover for my efforts – something not expected but a testament to hard work and dedication in the business and movement I was leading. Since then, I met my now business partner at a LED lighting start-up, where we were both part of the founding team. Since that company sold and went public on the NYSE, we both decided to team up and start our interiors manufacturing company, combining our expertise and global know-how. How does Ideoli innovate? George Stroumboulis: We work directly with the industry’s top designers, architects, specifiers, and providers of LED lighting and related products on a daily basis. We help our sophisticated partners design, prototype, manufacture, and bring to market the latest and most incredible designs and products in the lighting and furnishing environments. We have a global team of designers and engineers who collaborate simultaneously in different markets, pulling from everyone’s unique background and experiences, making for the most efficient and dynamic system in our industry. Within hours, we can design, engineer, and prototype a concept from our client’s head, or simply just manufacture better and at better price points on a global scale How the coronavirus pandemic affects your business, and how are you coping? George Stroumboulis: The pandemic has crippled our efforts temporarily in the United States. In the first few months, while we were all trying to figure out what was going on in this country and the world, everything came to a standstill. As the weeks went by, we were able to push new orders to our partners in several international countries, helping to keep the team busy and pay the bills. Since then, we have been working heavily in strategic markets and industries, pushing past this standstill. Many factors now are influencing the next several months and years – politically, medically, and economically. We have been able to refine our team, our processes, and how we go to market via our channels. Every day is a transition and a challenge, but I personally thrive on barriers. They make it worth the effort and push me to want to get over it, or around it. And we have seen our fair share of barriers to date. Did you have to make difficult choices, and what are the lessons learned? George Stroumboulis: Many difficult choices with respect to operations, human resources, and compensation. That being said, going into this global shutdown, we were running a very efficient business with respect to how we operate, how we manufacture, and where we manufacture. Going through this, and still to this day, is an eye-opener that we are all connected in functions and how we operate across several industries. A shortage of face masks in New York City cased freight on my LED lighting products to increase 10x. Not connected to me, but connected in every way as well when freight affects us all globally. How do you deal with stress and anxiety? How do you project yourself and Ideoli in the future? George Stroumboulis: Personally, my 2 young daughters (ages 5 and 2) were and are the biggest stress relief. When I have pushed as much as I could for a given challenge, and I can physically do not more, I would shut the computer down, grad the girls, and go to the beach for an hour to forget the problems, even if only temporarily. They kept us busy and motivated to keep on fighting. And encouraged to try and simplify things for them while trying to explain why we had to do drive-by birthday parties for them and why we couldn’t see our friends daily. Strange times. Professionally, we are still figuring this out. I would be lying if I said I have the answers to this and making sure we are stress-free as a team globally, especially when colleagues have lost loved ones to COVID-19 on different continents. The saving grace so far is we have been extremely blessed to have been busy and working on projects. The team has loved being able
In addition to being a beautiful country that’s rich in culture, traditions and cuisine, Vietnam is a top producer of wood-based furniture and interior products. As such, Ideoli has established key relationships within the country to help us create exceptional products for our clients. Being a hands-on company, Ideoli’s team makes trips to Vietnam to check in on our manufacturing there, and we’re always amazed at the quality of local craftsmanship. “When it comes to wood-based products, Vietnam is by far the best country to manufacture in,” says Ideoli’s CEO George Stroumboulis. “The quality is unbelievable, the responsiveness and the ability to take custom designs and to implement them with what the client is looking for has been an easy process for us.” Vietnam is such a great market to manufacture in because of a combination of factors including a skilled labor force with manufacturing know-how and access to several quality wood products from around the region. “Vietnam has built an expertise over the last 20 to 25 years and has become maybe the most competitive producer in the wood industry,” says Thomas, an Ideoli partner. Vietnam is a perfect place for Ideoli’s production needs, and we’re fortunate to have found such great partners that can help us create products of the highest standards. We look forward to taking more trips to Vietnam to create even more amazing products for our clients. And stay tuned for more content giving you a first-hand look at our production runs in Vietnam! Facebook-f Linkedin-in Tumblr Envelope