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Ideoli cofounders George and Chris agree that nothing compares to traveling around the globe. It’s a chance to connect one-on-one with our partners and clients and it gives them the opportunity to get inspired and invigorated by the culture, people and cuisine of the country they are visiting. Shanghai is China’s largest city that seamlessly blends east and west cultures. The city’s storied history—which dates back over 6,000 years—is celebrated through long-standing traditions and indelible architecture. The Huangpu River helped develop Shanghai’s reputation as a major world port thousands of years ago. From the Ming and Qing Dynasties to its economic development pre-WWII to its years of closed-off communist rule, Shanghai has reinvented itself time and again. Today, it is one of the top economic centers of the world. The Old City of Shanghai offers visitors a glimpse of what once was while 1920s and 30s European Art Decoarchitecture is evident throughout the streets of The Bund. Early in the morning, you’ll spot elderly residents practicing Tai chi en masse in the city’s parks and the People’s Square, and in the evening, groups dancing together outdoors are a familiar sight. Working hard is a given among millennials, but so is playing hard. Young Shanghai residents revel in the city’s vibrant nightlife that includes bars and nightclubs, especially those on Julu, Xintiandi and Hengshan Road. A favorite pastime of George and Chris is to sample Shanghai’s food and drink, whether it’s spicy delicacies from a local street vendor, a four-course meal prepared by a three-Michelin-star chef or a regional beer or cocktail. The perfect way for Ideoli’s cofounders to get invigorated by China is through Shanghai’s cultural cuisine. Here is a list of their top 5 things to eat and drink there: 1. Scallion Pancakes Be prepared to start your day by spending time in line at a street vendor for this Shanghai breakfast staple, but also be prepared to be wowed. Flaky, buttery, crispy fried pancakes are stuffed to perfection with scallion and pork. 2. Noodles There is no shortage of noodles in Shanghai, where they are served fried, in soups, and topped with everything from scallion oil to shrimp or eel. From street vendors, enjoy scallion oil noodles (cong you ban mian) that are thin, hand-pulled and dressed with scallion oil and soy sauce and toppings. At finer restaurants, these noodles are often served at the end of a multi-course meal. 3. Dumplings Found in a variety of delectable forms, dumplings are another street food favorite. Xiao long bao, dumplings with a hot liquid center and sheng jian bao, dumplings stuffed with pork that are fried on the bottom, are both quite popular. At dim sum restaurants, you’ll find pot stickers and steamed dumplings on the menu. 4. Roast Duck With its crispy skin and tender meat, duck in Shanghai is roasted in an open fire (Cantonese style). Prepared the same way as Beijing roast duck, the meat is served with a sweet sauce, scallions and steamed pancakes.  5. Sinkiang Black Beer Similar in taste to an American dark lager, Sinkiang Black Beer (also known as Xinjiang Black Beer) originated in northwest China. Strong-flavored, it has the scent of nuts yet also a hint of brown sugar. Complements the cuisine of Xinjiang, China’s western most province, that is found throughout Shanghai By traveling the world, George and Chris are constantly inspired and invigorated by the culture and cuisine of the cities they visit. From sampling the local food and drink to connecting with Ideoli’s partners and clients, it offers them unlimited opportunities to strengthen and build relationships.

Ideoli’s cofounders George and Chris spend a great deal of their time travelling around the world to connect with our partners and clients—and they don’t mind it a bit. How else would they be able to do what they enjoy most: get inspired and invigorated by the country and the people around them? Guadalajara is Mexico’s second largest city and the capital of the state of Jalisco. The home of sombreros, rodeos, mariachi music and tequila, it’s one of George and Chris’ favorite stops as they travel the globe.  First settled by the Spanish in 1532, the city has a rich history and diverse culture. Its colonial past is evident in the Centro Histórico (Historic Centre), which is surrounded by fountains, gazebos, churches and markets. Its many historic monuments and statues remind all of those who fought proudly for Mexico’s independence. Distinct regions, from the lively neighborhood of Zona Rosa to the art-filled town of Tlaquepaque to the working-class district of Tonalá, add to Guadalajara’s vibrancy. The city offers visitors everything they need in a destination, boasting world-class museums, gorgeous colonial architecture and mouth-watering cuisine. Which brings us to what George and Chris love most about traveling…exploring different cultures through food and drinks. For Ideoli’s globe-trotting cofounder’s, there is no better place than Guadalajara to get invigorated by Mexico’s cultural cuisine. For them, a visit to one of their favorite cities is not complete without experiencing these five favorites: 1. Pozole Rojo A popular meal choice when going out to dinner in Guadalajara, Pozole Rojo, is one of George’s favorite. The base, either a broth, stew or soup, features pork, lettuce and radish. A typical dish found all over Mexico, in Guadalajara, this meal is combined with the flavors of traditional la cocina tapatía (the cuisine of Jalisco). 2. Torta Ahogada Invented in Guadalajara in the early 1900s, the Torta Ahogada is a sandwich stuffed with pork and soaked in salsa. Made from the very hot chile de arbol vinegar, cumin, black pepper and other spices, the salsa is spicy but it’s complemented by the addition of a mild, tomato-based sauce. The pork filling is marinated in garlic and citrus, cooked slowly, and then fried up until crisp. From fancy restaurants to neighborhood bars, this long-standing favorite local sandwich can be found throughout the city. 3. Carne en su jugo This dish literally translates to “meat in its juices.” It is a favorite of the people of Guadalajara and a favorite of George and Chris. Small pieces of flank steak are cooked in their juices, then mixed with whole beans and crispy, crumbled bacon. Corn tortillas, onion and coriander are the sides of choice that accompany this traditional meal. 4. Bionico For Chris’ sweet tooth, Bionico is a must have when he’s in Guadalajara. This healthy, classic, parfait-like treat features sliced fruits (apples, cantaloupe, strawberries and bananas) and yogurt, topped off with a choice of granola, raisins, coconut, sprinkles or cherries. It’s a great way to stay cool when visiting Mexico in the summer. 5. Tequila No trip to Guadalajara is complete without one (or several) shots of tequila. In the birthplace of tequila itself it would be a sin against the culture not to and Chris and George are only happy to oblige. Lime and salt please! They also enjoy sharing a cazuela, a local cocktail of citrus fruit, tequila and soda that’s served communal style in a clay pot. Before you sip, though, don’t forget to utter the traditional toast: “Arriba. Abajo. Al centro. Adentro.” (Up. Down. Center. Inside.) Traveling the globe allows George and Chris to get inspired and be invigorated by the culture and traditions of the places they visit. They never tire of sampling the local food and drink and relish the unlimited opportunities to socialize with their partners and strengthen and build relationships

The process of invigorating a space begins on the drawing board of a designer at Ideoli. In collaboration with production engineers and installation managers, we source raw materials and select the production facility after a personal visit from a member of our design team. Prototypes are produce and carefully examined by the designer, as well as production and installation managers, ensuring they are flawless. Production then begins in a modern, clean, efficient factory with quality control protocols in place.  Ideoli implements quality control procedures throughout the manufacturing process. Statistical Process Control (SPC), a system of production metrics giving early warnings to avoid flaws is in place. The doctrine of Six Sigma is integrated with Statistical Process Control in all production facilities. The intended result of Six Sigma is that quality assurance will gain customer satisfaction, customer loyalty, repeat business, improved safety, reduced liability risk and improved market position. Ideoli has a philosophy of quality control that is pervasive in every aspect of manufacturing undertaken for custom designs and installations. A quality installation begins with an intricate knowledge of sourcing raw materials in an environmentally responsible manner and safely shipping them to the manufacturing facility. Every factory, on every continent, has the same quality metrics in place to deliver a flawless product. The entire staff of the factory, working in a clean, neat environment, is focused on quality, ensuring that a product, reflective of the quality philosophy, is produced. Quality control metrics, with hands-on oversight by Ideoli, brings everyone together. The entire workforce of the plant working toward meeting quality goals lifts morale, produces diligence, letting ingenuity shine. Randomly selected pieces at various stages of the build, from the raw materials to the shipping cartons, are screened for any flaws. Issues caught early can be quickly addressed, saving time and money-essential elements of delivering a custom project. Auxiliary items, shipping supplies and packing materials are all required to meet the same quality standards as the product itself. The customized products arrive at the installation in the same pristine condition as when they were packed at the factory. Packing a product for shipment is not a small detail; it is a continuation of the quality process. Every facet of an installation arrives at the job site unblemished. Ideoli takes immense pride in having all jobs completed to surpass expectations. When quality is controlled from the selection of raw materials to the final bolt, Ideoli can deliver a custom-designed space without flaws or durability issues. Quality control is not an expense; it is a cost saver. Quality control ensures that everything that is manufactured is produced in an efficient, environmentally responsible way without waste. Quality benefits everyone involved in any project, from the factory employees to the satisfied customer. Invigorating your space can be accomplished only with strict quality control metrics instituted by Ideoli. Quality Control from start to finish is essential for an on-time, on-budget installation