About Lista Office LO / LO News / From career switcher to business manager: success comes if you stick at it

From career switcher to business manager: success comes if you stick at it

Flavio Däpp, Manager of Lista Office LO’s Bern office, talks to us about his decade of experience in the field of smart office outfitting, and how he spends his time outside work.

You’ve been working at Lista Office LO since back in 2013, initially in Sales and since 2022 as office manager. What is it that you love about the office interiors sector?

I moved into this branch eleven years ago as a complete career change, based on the fact that good German and French skills were key criteria for the position. What I love about the sector, and particularly about our company, is the diversity. Unlike other companies in this sector, Lista Office LO manufactures its own products in local Swiss factories, and complements them with a broad range of great retail products. I also find it fulfilling every single time that we present a customer with their new office, after a six-to-eight week planning and implementation period.

How would you describe your customer portfolio in Bern?

We have a colourful mix of different sectors and company types.

And what makes Bern different from the other Lista Office LO locations?

Our buzzing showroom, which is constantly being redesigned, and is open to our customers at all times.

What have you and your team been busy with over the last few years?

Well, the pandemic is one thing that has kept us busy... but it’s also made us stronger. One big change we saw was a lot more private customers coming into our showroom. That meant that we needed to adjust our advice to meet the needs and circumstances of a new target group. We’re particularly delighted that the customers that we supported with their home interior needs during lockdown days are now coming back to us with corporate projects.

The developments in the various categories of furniture are also exciting. Ten years ago, most of our enquiries were for the classic office furniture that Lista Office LO specialises in – desks, cabinets, chairs, lighting. Nowadays, requirements are much more varied. Workplaces are being fitted with lounge areas, telephone rooms, and meeting zones. As a result, our retail partners have become more important to us. After all, it’s a part of our recipe for success that we always offer our customers the best design and the best products for their needs.

And where do you see the office outfitting sector going over the next few years?

The business world has grasped the fact that an attractive, ergonomic office environment has a positive effect on performance and motivation for the people working in it. However, “New work” is still a buzzword that many feel is going too far – after all, lots of companies are still working perfectly well with more traditional interior schemes. A simple transition from the classical sitting desk to electric sitting/standing desks, or redecorating the cafeteria and canteen, can be sufficient to boost wellbeing and motivation at work.

Personally, I do see professional office design gaining in importance. I believe that good layout and careful spatial planning bring you halfway to a great design.

What else is particularly important for you?

We’re often assumed to focus exclusively on office interiors in the top price segment. But that’s not true! We can meet a wide range of requirements. It’s always worth contacting us, so that we can find the best solution for the customer.

During his free time, Flavio Däpp likes to play tennis and enjoys relaxing and unwinding with his fishing rod. He is also an ice hockey fan, and during the season he enjoys attending games with his father at the Fribourg-Gottéron Hockey Club. Travelling is another hobby of the energetic Flavio, a man who likes to make things happen and whose personal motto is “Stick at it!”.