Welcome to the November issue of Professional Electricians Wholesaler. I’m writing this at the end of a hectic few weeks which culminated in three days at an industry tradeshow in London – and a pop concert – but more on that later.
Tradeshows are always useful networking events and provide the chance for a variety of industry professionals to get a close up view of the latest products on the market, as well as catching up on the major talking points, particularly in the seminar theatres. One talk I did manage to get along to was a panel discussion on the changing dynamics of the modern workplace. The Covid-19 lockdowns were obviously a massive gamechanger as people realised they could achieve a better work/life balance by working from home. This has driven the increase in flexible working in organisations where it’s practical to do so. However, while a senior figure may have a large house and family to look after, and therefore may have a greater need to work from home some of the time, this will not be the case for everybody. A younger panellist raised the very good point that many graduates might be living in flatshares where personal space is limited and they need a dedicated workspace provided by their employer. Equally important was the personal workplace interaction with their seniors to help them develop and grow in their careers, which is much harder to achieve while hunched over a laptop while sitting on their bed.
These shifts in working patterns have also forced companies to reassess their building’s usage, with staff occupancy levels becoming more fluid and driving the need for tighter control on the building’s energy usage, for example ensuring lights are not kept on in unoccupiued areas. This is where lighting controls come in, which is one of the main topics covered in this issue. By allowing users to adjust light levels based on occupancy, daylight availability, or specific tasks, lighting controls help reduce unnecessary energy consumption and lower utility costs. Automated systems such as motion sensors, dimmers and timers ensure that lights are only used when needed, which not only conserves energy but also extends the lifespan of lighting fixtures. In commercial and industrial settings, this translates into significant operational savings and supports sustainability goals by minimising the building’s carbon footprint.
Back to the topic of work/life balance, the night before the aforementioned tradeshow I did allow myself the luxury of attending a Katy Perry concert at the O2 with some industry colleagues. It was a spectacular performance but I mention this not to brag, but rather to highlight a comment from one colleague who said, “You know you’re getting old when you’re admiring the stage hydraulics and lighting just as much as the performance itself….”
Enjoy the issue!
– Tracey Rushton-Thorpe
Editor
Catch up on previous ‘Editor’s Viewpoint’ here
