According to company president Gary Zimmerman, the process of developing Creative Business Interiors’ new West Allis headquarters was a “refreshingly painful” experience in the client’s seat. “From site selection to installation, the process served as a great reminder of the amount of decisions and details that our clients face,” says Zimmerman.
It was also a reminder of the invaluable role Creative plays in managing that process for its clients. “We essentially become an extension of our client’s staff during a project,” says Zimmerman. “Our job is to manage the details to meet our client’s business interior needs, so they can remain focused on meeting the needs of their business.”
To do so, Creative offers coordinated, single-source, full-spectrum business interior design, construction and furniture supply and installation services.”We differentiate ourselves by the amount of services we self-perform,” says Zimmerman. “This gives us the most control over a project from concept to completion with one single source of responsibility. This allows greater control over adhering to a client’s budget, while providing the highest level of quality and meeting the tightest deadlines.”
To facilitate project coordination, project managers handle elements of design, construction and furniture selection and installation. Creative’s interior designers offer a full range of interior design services and work closely with the construction project manager who oversees an in-house staff of contractors. Creative’s construction contractors handle everything from drywall, carpentry and painting to installation of acoustical materials, floorcoverings and wallcoverings.
The design project manager also works with furniture project managers who coordinate the process from selection to installation by Creative’s on-staff furniture installation team. Furniture project managers are well versed in Creative’s exclusive Knoll furniture line, as well as the other 200 high-value lines the company offers.
“Most of our work is completed in occupied environments,” says Zimmerman. “Since all of our team members are on staff, we can better coordinate activities to minimize disruption.” Additionally, staff members share a heightened awareness of quality and attention to detail.
All staff members are also supported by a management team that emphasizes employee balance and wellness. “We believe that the more people enjoy their job, the better they are at it,” says Zimmerman. “And if employees are happy, effective and efficient in their own work life, they can translate that into client service.”
It’s a point of differentiation that has paid-off for Creative during the last 22 years. “Most of our customers are repeat clients, and that says a lot.” says Zimmerman.
